Lyric Opera of Chicago presents ROMEO AND JULIET. At the Lyric, I’m gotten fairly adept at reading the English titles while watching the opera. This time because I’m very familiar with ‘the greatest love story ever told,’ I chose to ignore the printed translation and just experience the opera. I focused on the ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “In a Word” (Strawdog Theatre): Collision of Fact and Fiction
The Strawdog Theatre Company presents a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of IN A WORD. Playwright Lauren Yee’s new play is about ‘words.’ The ones we hear. The ones we say. The ones we wish we heard. The ones we wish we said. All these words get tangled in the emotional mishmash of memory. ...
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Review “Other Letters” (The Other Theatre): Romantic Sonnet of Love’s Complications Over The Years
The Other Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of OTHER LETTERS. In an age of texting and emailing, sentiment is abbreviated to essential words, acronyms and emoticons. Letter writing has become a lost art. And along with that loss is the missing written expression of the human connection. Inspired by A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, Other Letters, ...
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Review “Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago” (Apollo Theatre): Extraordinary Wrapped in Ordinary
Richard Friedman and Rob Kolson present MARC SALEM’S MIND OVER CHICAGO. According to the program, Marc Salem has been ‘a student of the human mind for over 30 years.’ He is also considered ‘one of the world’s foremost authorities on nonverbal communication.’ Both of those descriptors would suggest Salem is more studious than magical. In fact, ...
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Review “Interrogation” (The Artistic Home): Dark Comedy and Edgy Drama
The Artistic Home presents the World Premiere of INTERROGATION. Bill did it in the woods with his belt. Vanessa did it in the kitchen with a chopping board. Kevin did it by the river with his bare hands. Imagine if the family from August: Osage County played the game Clue and you have the basis for ...
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Review “Far from Heaven” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Smart Captivation
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of FAR FROM HEAVEN. Summer Naomi Smart (Cathy) captivates from lights up. In a stylish mid-century wardrobe by Costume Designer Bill Morey, Smart is absolutely a picture-perfect-housewife. The stage serves as a pseudo 1950s runway as Smart continually sweeps in with a variety of swing coats, matching hats and full-skirted ...
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Review “Der Rosenkavalier” (Lyric Opera): Long and Luscious!
Photo by Cory Weaver Lyric Opera of Chicago presents DER ROSENKAVALIER. Love and lust is in the air this winter at the Lyric. Richard Strauss composed an opera driven by desire. The curtains open on the pillow talk between Sophie Koch (Octavian) and Amanda Majeski (The Marschallin). Mezzo-soprano Koch is playing a seventeen year-old boy and ...
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EXTENDED Thru April 17th Review “American Buffalo” (Mary Arrchie Theatre): Perfect Finale for a 30 Year Run!
Mary Arrchie Theatre presents its final production AMERICAN BUFFALO. Mary Arrchie ends its thirty year run with Artistic Director and Co-founder Richard Cotovsky (Donny) front and center. The choice of AMERICAN BUFFALO feels sentimental as it pairs up Cotovsky with company member Rudy Galvan (Bobby). Cotovsky is a seasoned junk dealer. Galvan is a young ...
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Review “The Explorers Club” (Windy City Playhouse): Cute!
Windy City Playhouse presents the Chicago Premiere of THE EXPLORERS CLUB. In Victorian England, gentlemen have formed a boys club. They each pursue different scientific projects in various areas: botany, anthropology, geography. When they return from their adventures, they regale their escapades over brandy and cigars at the club. Although the gents want to best their ...