Chicago Critic Must See recommendations.
…actor/playwright Joshua Rollins’ first full length play, A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes, is a masterpiece! It is one of the finest world premieres I’ve seen since Keith Huff’s A Steady Rain. Rollins’ work is flawless and so real it was scary. This action-packed mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its 85 minutes.
In this insanely hostile world, Marisol (Marta Evans) is a middle class educated soul struggling to make it in a culture plagued by war and scarcity. She is a good soul just trying to find peace and saftey. When her guardian angel (Leslie Ann Sheppard) informs her that she will leave as Marisol’s protector to join the heavenly battle against a senile and dying God, Marisol’s security is threatened.
As we go back in time, we see Evan as he engages with his close friends in a variety in seven dramatically varied entanglements or encounters with his adapted gay family. From close friendships to sexual encounters, Evan grows as a person through the advise and shared experiences with this close-knit group.
Robert Plant is an interesting choice for the Ravinia Festival. On the one hand, he and his bandmates Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones defined behemoth self-indulgent rock in the ‘70s as Led Zeppelin. However, he’s now surrounded himself with massive names in country, folk and bluegrass and creates music that is, if not calm, complacent.
Broadway Bound is billed as Eugene’s (Max Polski) story but I believe that it is more Ben’s (Mike Nussbaum) and Kate’s (Carmen Roman) story as it is a powerful family drama with loads of trademark Simon one-liners. Utilizing a magnificent two level house set (design by Collette Pollard), director David New has cast a superb group including the fabulous and ageless Mike Nussbaum as the Socialist grandfather Ben. Nussbaum steals his scenes with his exquisite comic timing.
We see the story weaving deftly in time as we see how she went from conservative Jewish religious patron in Poland to a vibrant woman through her contact with the agnostic Jewish traveling toy theatre promoter Ben Ari Adler. Jacqueline and Richard Penrod’s set aptly depicts Lilith’s home and it contains a moveable toy theatre set (by Tracy Otwell) where Adler gets Lilka (Nora Fiffer) to help him write a new version of the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Through this encounter, sparks fly between Ben Ari and Lilka as the Nazi’s invade Poland.
The ArchiTech Gallery is one of many art galleries located in the River North neighborhood, but is really the only one of its kind in the city. David Jameson, owner/collector, has painstakingly assembled a unique collection of rare prints, drawings, plans, and concept models created by some of the greatest modern architects and designers the city, and the country, has ever seen.
Ravinia is the perfect venue for Wynton Marsalis, who has concentrated his career on education and outreach almost as much as on music. Jazz at Lincoln Center has a year-round education & outreach program, geared towards giving children opportunities they would not otherwise have.
The ensemble was the finest I’ve seen dancing Ann Reinking-Bob Fosse style numbers. “Roxie,” “Tap Dance” and the show stopper “Razzle Dazzle” were slick and flawless. I’ve not witness Fosse dances better performed. The ladies justify their crimes with the haunting “Cell Block Tango.”….John O’Hurley brings a fine voice and a commanding, self-aware presence to the shyster Billy Flynn.
Come to Cahn Auditorium to see a lush, lovely and lively Light Opera Works production of Brigadoon. You’ll see and hear the entire score without any cuts and you’ll witness expert dance numbers filled with grace and charm. This wonderful show is in good hands with Rudy Hogenmiller and the creatives at Light Opera Work