Chicago Critic Must See recommendations.
n less capable hands than the astute director, Alison C. Vesely, this play would not be believable. Instead, Vesely has selected the perfect cast, and each talently nails their character’s moments of reckoning. You could almost hear the sighs in the audience, and certainly many laughs.
It begs questions that no family wants , but needs to address: how do you stop a violent mind? What should you do when all the warning signs are there that your emotionally troubled and apparently sociopath son may express his internal rage outwardly on society. Can anyone stop him before it is too late? Is his play fiction or does it foretell his plan?
Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s current production, being performed for free throughout the city’s neighborhood parks as part of this summer’s Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, thankfully fulfills our expectations. This rapid-fire 75-minute adaptation by Jeff Award-winning director David H. Bell eschews too ponderous a conceptual approach in favor of a boisterous and slapstick romp, replete with wild acrobatics, juggling and light-hearted sight gags.
Even as far back as Euripides, the figure of Medea was portrayed as something of a mojada—a derogatory term for ‘wetback.’ Beginning in the late fifth century, for instance, shortly after Euripides’s own stage version of the myth, artists began to accentuate Medea’s role as a foreigner living within Greek society, dressing her in exotic oriental garb rather than the clothing of a traditional Greek woman. The perpetual ‘stranger in a strange land,’ the myth of Medea—scorned and infanticidal—has ever since lent itself to probing considerations of cultural assimilation, gender inequity, and the darker aspects of romantic love.
I was pleasantly surprised at the innovative work from the talented young choreographers assembled by Thodos Dance Chicago under the leadership of Melissa Thodos. I’m discovering that Chicago, indeed, has a thriving dance community and that Thodos Dance sure as a group of creatively gifted dancers and choreographers
Formally speaking, Home/Land brings all of its considerable assets to bear, seamlessly layering traditional sketches, interpretive movement, original music, and extended monologues into a near two hour piece full of more wit, wisdom, and humane compassion than is likely to be found on the floor of any state legislature at the moment. These kids know how severe the stakes are, and Home/Land almost tremors with a kind of raw immediacy, creating an unseen force which almost pushes you out of your seat and to your feet.
Shrek: The Musical—based on the 2001 smash hit film from DreamWorks, in turn based on the picture book by William Steig—is a hot property. Book and lyrics are by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, the adrenalized pop score comes from composer Jeanine Tesori, and taking the realm as director/choreographer is Chicago’s own Rachel Rockwell. The 2008 Broadway premiere clocked in at two and half hours, but Rockwell’s leanly fashioned 75 minute version doesn’t feel rushed, and will serve antsy children and their parents well.
Simpatico is a darkly comic and full of eccentric characters each suffering from the scars of past encounters. Each have been shaped by the actions taken years ago; each still haunted by their choices. Sam Shepard’s characters are usually extreme, flawed and self-destructive
That said, there’s still plenty here to entertain, including a charismatic performance from its lead (wo)man Lanning. Funny, committed and likable, even if Lanning doesn’t set about to reinvent the wheel, he at the very least shows himself a master craftsman. There’s still some work needed (from director and talent alike) in cleaning up Hedwig’s emotional transitions. But Lauren Paris as Hedwig’s “Man Friday through Thursday” Yitzhak comes equipped with some powerful singing chops, helping give Haven’s production a much-needed rock edge. And the four-piece rock band, led by musical director Kory Danielson, sounds electric (even as they occasionally drown out the voices).
A smart script, tense direction, and masterclass performances make this a must-see summer thriller.