Oracle Theatre, in conjunction with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), presents NO BEAST SO FIERCE. Adapter and Director Max Truax reimagines Shakespeare’s “Richard III” in his newest Oracle production. The first major difference in his innovation is casting Katherine Keberlein in the lead. Although Keberlein is Richard III, she is also a ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “My Mañana Comes” (Teatro Vista): Serves up a Bro-Fest that turns ugly, real ugly
Teatro Vista presents My Mañana Comes. As someone who has served, I was riveted by this authentic portrayal of life and lives in a restaurant. Playwright Elizabeth Irwin neatly peppers the dialogue with jargon; ‘eyes on 16,’ ‘taking the cut,’ and ‘shift pay‘. Irwin uses random dinner shifts over a three month period to introduce us ...
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Review “East of Eden” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Family Drama Page Turner
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the World Premiere adaptation of EAST OF EDEN. Steppenwolf uses all the right stuff to turn John Steinbeck’s sprawling novel into an engaging play. Adapter Frank Galati whittles down the complicated family drama and pulls out the essential nuggets. His lean script keeps the action moving but never sacrifices essential story elements. In ...
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EXTENDED Thru Nov 15 “Ride the Cyclone” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): A Total Original
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the U.S. premiere of RIDE THE CYCLONE. Canadian creative team Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell have reconstructed their roller coaster in Chicago. The musical originated as a song cycle of the theatre company Atomic Vaudeville. The show garnered a cult following within the Canadian border. At Chicago Shakes, Richmond and Maxwell continue ...
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Review “The Tempest” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): This is My Fave!
We believe conjuring and poetry are complementary. Poetry is magic, spoken. Magic is poetry acted out. Marrying them illuminates both. - Teller Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents THE TEMPEST. I’ve often experienced Chicago Shakes producing magic in their productions. In THE TEMPEST, it’s literally true: card tricks, a levitating lady, disappearing people. In less skillful hands, these ...
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Review “Sucker Punch” (Victory Gardens Theater): A Technical Knock-Out
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: In its sumptuous performance space in the former Biograph Theater, Victory Gardens combines top-line production values with stellar directing and performances, typically loaded with professional Actors’ Equity casts. For Sucker Punch, Victory Gardens has paired one of its most accomplished directors, Dexter Bullard (Circle Mirror Transformation), with the Midwest ...
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Review “The Cheats” (Steep Theatre): Natural and Intricate Storytelling
Steep Theatre Company presents the world premiere of THE CHEATS. The play starts with an empty living room. Set Designer Chelsea Warren has constructed a home with multiple rooms. Doorways lead on one side to the media room and on the other side to the kitchen. Neither of these rooms are visible. Another door leads to ...
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Review “Scream Queen Scream” (Hell in a Handbag): Office Temps, Drunken Shrews, Diabolical Siblings… OH MY!
Hell in a Handbag Productions presents the World Premiere of SCREAM QUEEN SCREAM. In his newest endeavor, Playwright David Cerda is serving up a frightening treat for the Halloween season. SCREAM QUEEN SCREAM is three plays in one: “Taco Tuesday,” “The Box” and “Shut Up and Die, Maggie!” This isn’t your kid’s worst nightmare. It’s yours! ...