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, ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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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 ...
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Review “BODY/COURAGE” (Rivendell Theatre): Powerfully Beautiful
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, in association with Waltzing Mechanics, presents the World Premiere of BODY/COURAGE. When I saw Danielle Pinnock’s 2015 workshop, I was impressed by her multiple characters. After experiencing the world premiere this week, I am stunned by her depth of character. As her graduate thesis, Pinnock has interviewed over 300 people to learn how they ...
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Review “Hairy Ape” (Oracle Theatre): Powerhouse Adaptation!
Oracle Theatre presents THE HAIRY APE. Director Monty Cole has masterfully adapted Eugene O’Neill’s play for modern day contemplation. Set in 1922, O’Neill penned a tale about the identity crisis of an Irish laborer shunned by a socialite. Cole cleverly changes the focus from classism to racism by casting 6 black men as the ensemble. The ...
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The Duchess of Malfi (Trap Door Theatre): Dark and Murky
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: For more than 25 years, Trap Door Theatre has pursued its noble mission of “seeking out challenging yet obscure works and bringing them to life.” With a theatergoing audience that seems to be in consistent decline and not necessarily getting any younger, combining this kind of longevity with such ...