Strawdog Theatre Company’s Hugen Hall presents the world premiere adaptation of ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN. I’ve seen “Robin Hood” dozens of times both the Errol Flynn and Disney versions. In these popular depictions, Maid Marian is a demure character in need of rescue. What I like most about Hugen Hall’s world premiere adaption is how ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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The Nutcracker (The House Theatre of Chicago): Holiday Cheer! Heartbreak! Rats!
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The House Theater, a reliable option for modern, fourth-wall breaking theater, brings us their annual holiday spin on The Nutcracker. Originally created in 2007 for a premiere at Steppenwolf Theater, this year’s production is directed and choreographed by one if its original creators, Tommy Rapley. What’s it all about: Although ...
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Review “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre): Hip-Hop Holiday Tradition
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents A Q BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL. They’re back! The Q Brothers return with a third helping of what is quickly becoming Chicago’s hip-hop holiday tradition. GQ and JQ, along with Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle, have written a rap version of Dickens’ classic. The funky sound provides a trendy alternative in the Christmas ...
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Review “Fallen Angels” (Remy Bumppo): Light Frothy Escape Back to the 1920s
Remy Bumppo presents FALLEN ANGELS. Playwright Noël Coward penned a 1920s risqué comedy. Coward tells the tale of two couples. When the husbands go away on a golf outing, the wives plot a sexy tryst with a former lover. In Coward’s day, this subject matter must have been scandalous. Ladies having premarital sex. Oh my! Not ...
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EXTENDED Thru Jan 2 “Christmas Dearest” (Hell in a Handbag): The Twisted Genius of David Cerda
Hell in a Handbag presents CHRISTMAS DEAREST. Tired of the same old annual Christmas shows being dusted off and remounted across Chicago? Hell in a Handbag knows the remedy to too much tradition. They are ready to deck your hall, trim your tree and stuff your stocking with bright gaudy lampoon. The twisted genius of David Cerda ...
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Review “It’s a Wonderful Life” (American Blues Theatre): A Favorite Holiday Tradition
American Blues Theater presents IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO. Although I missed it last year, ABT’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. It kicks off the season like putting up lights or listening to Christmas tunes. For fourteen years, ABT has produced the Frank Capra’s classic as a ...
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Review “Angina Pectoris” (ShPIeL-Performing Identity): Oy Vey!
ShPIeL-Performing Identity presents the world premiere of Angina Pectoris. The Israeli Defense Minister desperately needs a heart transplant. The only available heart is from an Arab. Unfortunately, the minister recently passed legislation that Jewish people can only receive organs from Jewish donors. His daughter’s old boyfriend, who is also his cardiologist, wants to operate. His daughter and her ...