The Fourth Walsh

Court Theatre presents the World Premiere of BERLIN.

It’s Berlin in 1928. Fascism is on the rise. A young artist. A seasoned reporter. A nightclub singer. A factory worker. Everyday people must decide to leave, hide or fight. Jason Lutes’ graphic novel depicts a volatile time in history. Adapter Mickle Maher masterfully brings the comic strip to life! He gives Lutes’ dozen+ characters an opportunity to share their perspective as Hitler comes to power.

Initially, Maher creates a congressional hearing-style format. Characters reflect on what happened sitting at tables behind microphones. He interweaves these testimonies with action-packed scenes and intimate conversations. Maher balances between the severity of the inhumanity and the playfulness of the roaring twenties. The comedy relief comes as a well-placed zinger after a heinous act. Or the characters break into song or dance to escape the tension. The dialogue is smart. The action is intense. The relationships feel real.   

Director Charles Newell paces this to non-stop perfection. Stories overlap as one character finishes a thought and two other characters start to canoodle. It’s a pulsing, sensory explosion! Fingers drum to create rain. Tables flip to show rage. His design team add to the intriguing aesthetic. John Culbert (scenic) constructs oversized arches lit in shadows by Keith Parham (lighting). And Jacqueline Firkins (costumes) contrasts gorgeous art deco fashion with drab working class attire.   

Newell’s ensemble is all superb! They sing. They love. They fight. They confess. They play instruments! A few standout moments in the every-moment-is-great production. The effervescent Raven Whitley (Marthe) casually sketches and converses from the stage edge. The versatile Guy Van Swearingen drags his injured self behind a column to emerge on the other side as an irate father. A fierce Ellie Duffey (Silvia) and charming Jack Doherty (David) become friends. The commanding Elizabeth Laidlaw disconcertingly transforms into Hitler onstage. Tim Decker, Terry Bell, Kate Collins, Mo Shipley, Christopher Meister -u/s, Molly Hernandez and Brandon Ruiter round out the dynamite cast.

BERLIN is spectacular! It is wildly entertaining, historically poignant and uncomfortably relevant. It’s already been extended to meet ticket demands. This is THE hot ticket in Chicago right now! Buy a ticket to BERLIN fast! This is the timely cautionary tale.   

Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes includes an intermission.

At Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis

Based on the graphic novel by Jason Lutes

Adapted by Mickle Maher

Directed by Charles Newell

Performances are:

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM

Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM

EXTENDED Thru May 18th

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Michael Brosilow

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