Theatre with a side of life
Kokandy Productions presents the Chicago premiere HEAD OVER HEELS. Sir Phillip Sidney’s “The Arcadia” gets a modern day makeover. Jeff Whitty (conceived and original book) and James Magruder (adaptor) dust off this 17th century prose romance and spin it into a queer fairytale of a musical. They cleverly weave in the music of 80s girl band, ...
Steppenwolf Theatre presents TRUE WEST. Austin (played by Jon Michael Hill) is working on a screenplay while housesitting for his mom. When his brother Lee (played by Namir Smallwood) shows up unexpectedly, the pair are forced to grapple with aspirations and competition. Austin is married and an established writer. Lee is a fast-talking drifter with big ...
Goodman Theatre presents THE MUSIC MAN. I was giddy about this one. I grew up watching the screen version of this musical starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I know all the songs by heart! Meredith Wilson’s score is distinct and infectious. The iconic “(Ya got) Trouble” and “Seventy-Six Trombones” mingle along with heart-felt ballads, plucky ...
Theo Ubique presents HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. The creative team of John Cameron Mitchell (book) and Stephen Trask (music and lyrics) launched this completely one-of-a-kind trashy, rock musical in 1998. I’ve seen five productions, including a Broadway touring troupe, of HEDWIG. Of my five experiences, Theo Ubique’s show is my favorite for two reasons: venue ...
Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST. Firebrand has quickly established itself as a competitive musical force in Chicago. Their newest production is another showcase of beautiful harmonies. Led by the always amazing Barbara E. Robertson, the talented ensemble (Maryam Abdi, Neala Barron, Liz Bollar, Brianna Buckley, Max J. Cervantes, Liz Chidester, Hannah Starr) is pitch perfection (Musical ...
Lifeline Theatre presents an adaptation of Jane Austen’s EMMA. The creative team of Phil Timberlake (adapter) and Elise Kauzlaric (director) put an imaginative spin on Jane Austen’s tale of a plucky 19th century matchmaker. Emma is played by Emma Sipora Tyler. And the rest of the characters are played by Peter Gertas, Jeri Marshall, Madeline Pell, ...
Cirque du Soleil presents VOLTA. The Cirque has come to town! Chicago, again, is hosting the internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil. This year's show, VOLTA has all its signature death-defying, razzle-dazzle numbers. The feats are loosely strung together with the story of a boy wanting to become a daredevil biker. His dreams of joining the Cirque ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American Premiere production of SIX. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived! The dynamic show starts with these six decisive words. The wives of Henry VIII announce how they became an ex. Each word stinging with assault and insult. The song’s dramatic pizzazz is reminiscent of Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango.” ...
Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of THE CHILDREN. Playwright Lucy Kirkwood layers the intrigue in her play about the fallout from a disaster. The cautionary tale describes home life post nuclear explosion. Survivors are living in designated safe zones. Water, food, and electricity are valuable rations. Her doomsday scenario is palpable. Kirkwood drops us into a ...
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Who should this see this: Fans of Broadway Classics, Leonard Bernstein and Doomed Teenage Love. What’s it all about: A revival of the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim musical that transposes Shakespeare’s timeless Romeo and Juliet tragedy to a gritty 1950s New York City, replete with warring (and singing and dancing) Jets and Sharks. In ...