The Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of THE MAGIC PLAY. The press release describes this show as ‘part magic show, part play.’ And that combination gives it an authentic feel. It certainly starts out like a magic show. The charismatic Brett Schneider (magician) takes the stage and immediately amazes the audience with card tricks. Schneider ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “The Nutcracker” (House Theatre of Chicago): Uplifting Whimsy in Dark Times
The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE NUTCRACKER. It's official THE NUTCRACKER is now one of my favorite holiday traditions. Friday was my fifth opportunity to see this innovative spin on the E.T.A. Hoffman classic. (My reviews in 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and Tom's 2015 review ). After what-can-only-be-described as a horrific time for our nation, this show ...
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Review “Annie” (Broadway in Chicago): Relevant and Uplifting
Broadway in Chicago presents the limited engagement of ANNIE. Chicago is spinning in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. People are sad. The city is somber. Parents are asking ‘how do I explain this to my kids?’ I, myself, was feeling helpless, useless and hopeless on Wednesday evening when I stumbled into ANNIE. ...
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Review “End of the Rainbow” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Pot of Gold
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of END OF THE RAINBOW. I saw Judy Garland last night in this play about her final days. I experienced her as both a tragic trainwreck and a superstar diva. The extraordinary Angela Ingersoll (Judy) embodies the iconic legend. It’s December 1968 in London. After several major set-backs ...
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Review “Fun Home” (Broadway in Chicago): Get Your Ticket Quick!
Broadway In Chicago and Producers Fox Theatricals and Barbara Whitman present the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning Best Musical, FUN HOME. This is a musical about real life. Graphic novelist Alison Bechdel (played by Kate Shindle) struggles to tell her father’s story in drawings. Always present, Shindle muses poignant moments in Bechdel’s life. She looks back at herself ...
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Review “Longer! Louder! Wagner!” (Lyric Opera and The Second City): A Genius Roast for a Genius
© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016 The Lyric Opera and The Second City present LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!. I love these mash-ups between The Second City and a Chicago theatre icon. This time, it's a comedy-opera duet. This show follows-up the very successful “The Second City’s Guide to the Opera”. The roasting tribute to Richard Wagner is a hoot. ...
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Review “Pirandello’s Henry IV”: Montgomery is Crazy Great!
Remy Bumppo presents the Midwest Premiere of PIRANDELLO’S HENRY IV. Mark L. Montgomery (Henry IV) is the reason to see this show. His madness is palpable. Montgomery plays a man who fell off a horse and woke up believing he is the 11th Century German Emperor Henry IV. For twenty years, his family has perpetuated the ...
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Review “Hamilton” (Broadway in Chicago): My NEW Favorite Musical
Broadway in Chicago presents the Tony Award-winning HAMILTON. I saw this blockbuster sensation on Wednesday night. It’s a life-changer! Since experiencing the biographical musical, I’ve been pondering the revolutionist, now and then. I’ve been musing about how future generations will interpret this tumultuous moment in U.S. history. I’ve been wondering how my life looks from a ...
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Review “Saturn Returns” (The Neo-Futurists): Intellectual Lampoon
The Neo-Futurists present the World Premiere of SATURN RETURNS. Tif Harrison sets out to prove the astrological correlation of living 29 years and Saturn’s solar orbit of 29 years. She confidently rolls out her theory in a classroom setting. Harrison reveals her own sequential loss at 29: mom moves, dad dies, partner leaves. She then draws ...