Chicago Critic Must See recommendations.
George Frederic Handel’s (1685-1759) first Italian opera composed for the London stage, Rinaldo, in 1711 was a spectacle that introduced Londoners to the joy of Italian baroque opera with its wonderful melodies and rich bel canto singing. The longer I’m exposed to the joys of opera, the more I admire the Baroque style opera with their exquisite singing that allows the performers to demonstrate their craft upon the melodious scores
The external and internal clashes of monumental shifts in late-ninetieth century South Africa set the backdrop for a dark reflection on the ties that bind and break. A masterful cast brings power and profundity to this world-premiere production at the Goodman Theatre.
The title, The Price, has a dual meaning — on the surface the price is the amount haggled over and agreed upon for the apartment’s furnishings ($1,100). The price is also a fact of life. Whatever you do, whatever trade-offs you make in life, there is always a “price” that you’ll pay. Victor sacrificed a promising career in science to support his father. Walter, realizing that the father is more selfish than needy, went his own way and later, wanting his brother to speak to the illusion of the father’s neediness, refused Victor’s plea for a modest loan of $500– causing the final rift in an already fragile relationship.
A revisit to a painful past shows that revisionist rumors can’t erase painful pasts. The Tectonic Theater Project’s original exploration into the little Wyoming town that became the center of a maelstrom updates and reverses some of the entropy that has occurred with the hope of galvanizing a new generation.
When Carlton (Kevin Stark) is detained in the cage next to Tanya, the comedy increases as the federal bureaucrat (Carlton) rants about a conspiracy that is behind the nationwide civil strife afflicting the nation. Carlton solicits Shonda or Tanya to help him get the word to a journalist about The North Plan – documenting the existence of a list of citizens marked for arrest under the guise of being traitors. The wackiness almost reached farcical levels here.
Always…Patsy Cline has a true story basis in an incident that found super-fan Louise Seger (the terrific Janelle Snow) introducing herself to Patsy in 1961 at a Huston honky-tonk. The two women instantly became friends and confidants.
McGhan’s polished script puts a face on the middle class working stiffs who spent 35 years as airplane mechanics with fishing the Minnesota River as their main personal escape and recreation. The attention to details of these avid fisherman by McGhan and director Drew Martin nicely utilizes Alan Donahue’s impressive wooden wharf/pier set where the folks meet to socialize while fishing.
The acting is superb; the Southern accents are real; and the directing (by Julieanne Ehre skillfully avoids the trapping of melodrama). The drama is rich in subtly and hidden angst that leads to rage. Williams’ poetic language plays nicely with his rich symbolism. The result of all these elements is a powerful, searing drama. A Tennessee Williams play is not to be missed.
Somehow the Joffrey dancers continue to get better and better each year, if that’s possible! Winter Fire is no exception with another amazing program that breaks new ground with two premieres for Chicago viewers; overflows with excitement and creativity; and feeds your soul with sumptuous beauty. If you can, do try to see this very special program.
Adapter Joe Calarco dares to have a group of prep school boys, so filled with emotional and sexual tensions, that they use acting out Romeo & Juliet in a sheltered space on campus as a release of their bottled-up tensions.
One of the elements that makes Shakespeare’s R & J so enjoyable is the amazing articulate, fully invested acting by this talented cast