The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE REVEL. I didn’t like this play. THE REVEL starts out folksy. The guitar strumming Andy Lutz (Deacon) addresses the audience directly. He apologizes for his vocal stylings and playfully gets us to join in his singing. Lutz is amicable enough. I’d join him for a drink at a bar. I ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
-
-
Review “Side Show” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Unforgettable Production and Love Story
Porchlight Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of the newly revised SIDE SHOW. This is a love story about sisters. The musical is based on the real lives of Daisy and Violet Hilton. The sisters were twins conjoined at the hips. Abandoned by their mother, they were sold into the circus life. Audiences paid money to see ...
-
Review “Supreme Love” (Tapman Productions): Supreme Loved!
Starinah Dixon, from left, Ian Berg, Jumaane Taylor, Alexandrya Fryson, Donnetta Jackson and Tristan Bruns Tapman Productions presents M.A.D.D. Rhythms‘ SUPREME LOVE. What I supremely love about SUPREME LOVE is the diversity of the dancers. Ian Berg towers on the fringe. Alexandrya Fryson radiates a youthful glow. A polished Donnetta Jackson moves with confidence. This group ...
-
Review “Daughters of Ire” (The Other Theatre Company): Vivid and Brutal Irish Herstory
The Other Theater Company presents the world premiere of DAUGHTERS OF IRE. This is not your da’s yarn about the wee people that built the great country of Ireland. It’s not the celtic stories romanticized by Yeats and other Irish writers over history either. Instead, writer and performer Savanna Rae researched four women of ancient Ireland; ...
-
Review “The Rainmaker” (American Blues Theatre): The Real McCoy!
American Blues Theater presents THE RAINMAKER. It’s been awhile since I smiled through an entire play. I did last night. I couldn’t help myself. Playwright N. Richard Nash penned an uplifting story of love and family. And under Edward Blatchford’s masterful direction, the superb ensemble engage us with their authentic humanity. We see each person’s longing ...
-
EXTENDED Thru Oct 3rd “After Miss Julie” (Strawdog Theatre): Battle of the Sexes and the Classes
Strawdog Theatre presents AFTER MISS JULIE. The 1945 election results are in. England’s Labour Party has had a landslide victory over Winston Churchill’s Conservative Party. Workers unite in revelry. And out on her father’s country estate, Miss Julie (played by Maggie Scrantom) wants to join the merriment. As the country is positioning for change, Scrantom attempts ...
-
MacBeth (Midsommer Flight): Summer Shakes Done Right
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: Midsommer Flight’s mission is to bring high-quality outdoor Shakespeare productions to the people. This summer they’ve brought the Bard’s Macbeth to four Chicago parks free of charge. What’s it all about: As you may know, Shakespeare’s shortest (and darkest) tragedy is about a Scottish general, Macbeth, who has the misfortune ...
-
Review “Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight” (Windy City Playhouse): Light-hearted, Sexually-charged Frolic
The Windy City Playhouse presents THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T SAY PAST MIDNIGHT. Playwright Peter Ackerman has penned a saucy tale of lovers that go bang in the night. This isn’t a rom-com as much as a sex-com. Three couples. Three bedrooms. Although it never becomes a menage-a-trois, Ackerman cleverly connects these six together via three-way calling and ...
-
Review “Kurios Cabinet of Curiosities” (Cirque du Soleil): AMAZING!
Ladies and gentlemen, the Cirque has come to town! And you won’t want to miss it because it’s amazing! Cirque du Soleil returns to Chicago after four years with its newest production KURIOS CABINET OF CURIOSITIES. Get ready to be astonished by death defying feats and visual eye teasers. KURIOS is anchored in a steampunk aesthetic. The ...