Theatre with a side of life
By Jay Worthington We should treat refugees much better than we do. This was the thought that kept running through my mind while watching the Chicago premiere of Qui Nguyen’s “Vietgone” at Writers Theatre. The story begins with the chaos of the Vietnam War where we meet Quang, energetically portrayed by Matthew C. Yee, a Vietnamese ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of BOREALIS. I don’t typically read a press release before a play. I prefer to review a show from the perspective of any theatre goer. This practice can be challenging especially when critiquing a world premiere like BOREALIS. I’ve included an excerpt from the press release at ...
TimeLine Theatre presents A SHAYNA MAIDEL. The translation for ‘shayna maidel’ is ‘pretty girl.’ The phrase has a sweet simplicity not traditionally associated with something as horrific as the holocaust. Well, that’s Playwright Barbara Lebow’s point. Her story doesn’t focus on the atrocities of the attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. Instead, Lebow narrows in on ...
Babes With Blades Theatre Company starts its 21st Season with the world premiere of THE LADY DEMANDS SATISFACTION. Playwright Arthur M. Jolly pens a fun farce. His story follows Trothe's (played by the delightfully obtuse Deanalis Resto) quest to secure her inheritance. Jolly uses forbidden love, mistaken identities and witty dialogue to captivate the audience. Under ...
Broadway In Chicago and the producers of the Tony Award-winning revival of THE COLOR PURPLE present a limited engagement of THE COLOR PURPLE. My review in three words: BUY A TICKET! THE COLOR PURPLE is absolutely beautiful! Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, the creative team of Marsha Norman (book) and Brenda Russell, Allee ...
Reviewed By Carrie Willman Broadway in Chicago presents the World Premiere of THE CHER SHOW - a new musical. THE CHER SHOW is set to open on Broadway in November after a limited run in Chicago. The musical chronicles the highs and lows of Cher's lengthy career portrayed by three actors in different stages of Cher's life. ...
Reviewed by Jay Worthington Victory Gardens Theater concludes its 43rd season with Mies Julie. On a remote farm in the South African desert, we meet John, a farm laborer, and Julie, the landowner’s daughter. John and Julie grew up together under the tender care of John’s mother and Julie’s nanny, Christine. The night we meet them is the celebration of ...
The Neo-Futurists present EMPTY THREATS. Creator and performer Lily Mooney (Pearl) plays with our minds in this palpable cerebral tickler. The show starts with Jared Fernley (Victor) in an office behind a plastic tarp. Fernley is working hard to rub one out. As he attempts to jack off, Mooney pulls down the tarp exposing him to ...
Lost and Found Productions Presents the World Premiere of BURNHAM’S DREAM: THE WHITE CITY. I was very excited about this show. I'm a huge fan of Chicago past, present and future. The World's Columbian Exposition was an amazing historical event. Chicago captivated the world in 1893. The creative team of June Finfer (book and lyrics) and Elizabeth ...