Theatre with a side of life
Steppenwolf Theatre presents FAMILIAR. Playwright Danai Gurira introduces us to a somewhat typical Minnesota family. The Zimbabwean-American parents (played by Ora Jones and Cedric Young) bicker over TV. Their free-spirited daughter (played by Celeste M. Cooper) ruminates over the family not reading her blog. Their eldest daughter (played by Lanise Antoine Shelley) has become a fervent ...
Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary MISS SAIGON. This is my second time seeing MISS SAIGON. I love it hard! The score is fierce. The action is thrilling. And this production has cast powerful principles in Red Concepcion (The Engineer), Emily Bautista (Kim), Anthony Festa (Chris) and J. Daughtry (John). Plus, a ...
Refuge Theatre Project presents the Chicago premiere of THE LAST SESSION. The creative team of Steve Schalchlin (music and lyrics) and Jim Brochu (book) tell the story of a composer with AIDS in 1990s. At that point in history, the disease carried a death sentence. Inspired by Schalchlin’s personal struggle with AIDS, the show has Gideon, ...
Blue Man Group Chicago has added new content to its theatrical show. Since debuting its unique arts performance in 1991, Blue Man has entertained over 35 million people worldwide. Chicago is one of six permanent theatrical productions. So, a trio of blue men have been haunting Briar Street Theatre since the 90s. I was reminded at Thursday’s ...
The Factory Theater presents THE DARKNESS AFTER DAWN. Thunder… lightning… a woman covered in blood. This show startles on arrival. (Nod out to Sound Designer Sarah Espinoza for jolting me to attention with a boom.) A panicked Allison Cain (Rosemary) is in blood-soaked pajamas. She calls the police to inform them that she has killed an ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American debut of CIRCOLOMBIA. Wow! The circus has come to Chicago! And the experience is a heart-racing stunner! The Columbian circus troupe is performing for a limited engagement in Chicago Shakes’ The Yard. This new venue allows the troupe the space for its spectacular feats. The fifteen member crew includes singers, ...
Broadway in Chicago presents the four time Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival HELLO, DOLLY!. Hello, Betty! Broadway legend Betty Buckley (Dolly) takes on the iconic roll first debuted by Carol Channing in 1964 and she owns it. From the moment she steps onstage to her final bow, Buckley has the audience mesmerized by her presence. She ...
Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents ECLIPSED. Playwright Danai Gurira drops us into a rebel camp during the second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Aja Singletary (#3/Bessie) is begging Maya V. Prentiss (#1/Helena) to comb out her hair. An exasperated Prentiss is trying to help Singletary while welcoming newcomer Sola Thompson. Except for addressing each other by numbers, ...
(re)discover Theatre presents the World Premiere of LES INNOCENTS/THE INNOCENTS. LES INNOCENTS takes place at the Preston Bradley Center. Upon arrival on the fourth floor, a greeter encourages you to pick between a ‘love’ or ‘loneliness’ button. On the staircase, a fortune teller is reading palms -above and a duo is singing songs - below. Audience ...
Porchlight Music Theatre presents GYPSY a musical fable. OH, MAMA! E. Faye Butler (Mama Rose) owns this stage from the moment she steps on it. Her pipes, whether screaming for her way or lifting the rafters in song, are undeniably extraordinary. Butler is a tour de force in her non-stop, dynamic performance! Her commanding presence is palpable. ...