It is my great fortune to live in a town that is bursting with so much theatrical talent. About eight years ago, I stumbled into reviewing the Chicago theatre scene. Every show enhances my understanding of theatre and life. I enjoy most every production for some aspect. The stinkers have been a single digit percentage of the approximately 1500 shows I’ve seen. I’m amazed by the plethora of gifted actors, directors, playwrights, and designers in Chicago. 2016 was a great year for theatre despite the closings of some of my favorite theatre companies: Oracle, Signal, Mary Arrchie. And of the 110 shows I reviewed, these are my top ten unforgettable plays of 2016.
HAIRY APE: Oracle Theatre goes dark with a solid portfolio of unique theatrical productions. HAIRY APE was a powerhouse adaptation to their legacy!
UNITED FLIGHT 232: The House Theatre of Chicago reenacted the 1989 airplane crash into a cornfield in Sioux City. UNITED FLIGHT 232 crashed and burned as an uplifting spectacle.
MARY PAGE MARLOWE: Playwright Tracy Letts premiered a dissection of a life at Steppenwolf Theatre. His storytelling of one woman’s life captivated me.
THE DISTANCE: Haven Theatre rolled out a witty, drama. The acting, the directing, the writing was brilliant!
HUMAN TERRAIN: I almost missed Broken Nose’s show because of its obscure location. I’m so glad I didn’t. HUMAN TERRAIN was riveting, multi-dimensional storytelling.
DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS: I did miss this in 2015. I was fortunate Raven Theatre remounted it in 2016. The storytelling was a superb mixture of comedy, drama and humanity.
Tie for Lifeline Theatre: I couldn’t pick! I tried but I loved NORTHANGER ABBEY and MISS HOLMES pretty equally for different and the same reasons.
DISTANCE: Strawdog Theatre produced an inspiring and compelling show about a woman with Alzheimers.
1776: E.D.G.E. Theatre surprised and delighted me with their 1776 production. It was an entertaining, historical experience that was so timely for the presidential election.
Tie for Lookingglass Theatre: I loved LIFE SUCKS and the currently running MR. AND MRS. PENNYWORTH. LIFE SUCKS was a modernized adaptation of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. And PENNYWORTH is a total original in innovative storytelling.
END OF THE RAINBOW: Porchlight Music Theatre chronicled Judy Garland’s final days with an amazing tribute to the superstar and her addiction to pills, booze and fame.
And a nod out to my two favorite touring shows…
HAMILTON: Broadway in Chicago introduced me to my new favorite musical, HAMILTON. I hope it has a long run in Chicago because I want to see it again and again and….
TORUK-THE FIRST FLIGHT: Cirque du Soleil produced a stunning sensory explosion. This lush cinematic experience based on James Cameron’s “Avator” was surreal and beautiful.