The Artistic Home presents MACBETH. This is Shakespeare like I’ve never experienced before. The classic gets a futuristic twist under the imaginative direction of Scott Westerman. Instead of Scotland in the 1500s, the drama unfolds in an American metropolis in 2100s. The city is what remains after The Great Water Riots of 2089. Water is scarce. ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “The Talking Cure” (Idle Muse Theatre): Psychoanalysis Origin Story
Idle Muse Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of THE TALKING CURE. The origin story of psychoanalysis is presented with wonder and reverence in this play about the evolution of thought. Playwright Christopher Hampton tells the story of Carl Jung’s discoveries in applying his mentor’s, Sigmund Freud, theories into actual treatment. The play starts with Jung (played ...
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Review “Marie Antoinette” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Definitely Chic
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of MARIE ANTOINETTE. This show starts like a techno fashion show. Two oversized video screens bookend a mirrored runway stage. Above the stage are oversized flowers. Everything about the visual is glam. Lights flash. Music blares. And the ladies arrive to strut the catwalk in 18th Century couture meets ...
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Review “Body/Courage” (Danielle Pinnock): Outstanding Storyteller
For one night only, Danielle Pinnock presented her one woman show BODY/COURAGE. Pinnock’s personality showcase is a powerful tribute to body image. After interviewing 400 people, Pinnock has assembled a twelve character-driven montage. Pinnock actualizes each interview by becoming the character and delivering verbatim their answers. Each monologue has the authenticity of nervous laughter, awkward pauses ...
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Review “A Kid Like Jake” (About Face Theatre): More like “Parents Like Jake’s”
About Face Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of A KID LIKE JAKE. From the get go, I was uncomfortable with Daniel Pearle’s sharply written drama. It wasn’t from the intended subject matter, a young boy wanting to be a princess. Instead, my stomach started churning because of his intense parents. Katherine Keberlein (Alexandra) and Michael Aaron ...
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Review “Sondheim on Sondheim” (Porchlight Music Theatre): A Keepsake to be Shared
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. Composer Stephen Sondheim handwrites his award-winning pieces on legal pads in pencil. He does it sipping a shot of whiskey while reclining on a couch. How do I know? He told me. In this intimate musical documentary, Sondheim himself narrates us through his 50 year ...
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Review “Tannhauser” (Lyric Opera): Lust to Love
Lyric Opera presents TANNHAUSER. Wagner’s love debate of intellectual connection verses physical attraction opens with sensual athleticism. On a surreal set featuring a grand stage on the Lyric’s grandeur stage, Michaela Schuster (Venus) seduces Johan Botha (Tannhauser). He watches from a chair. She beckons from the stage. Reality is blurred. Venus becomes several ladies. Tannhauser becomes ...
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Review “Circle-Machine” (Oracle Theatre): Imaginative Spectacle
Oracle Theatre presents the world premiere adaptation, CIRCLE-MACHINE. REVIEWERS DISCLAIMER: I, unfortunately, had an obscure vantage point. The show is set up as partial thrust staging. The bulk seats are on either side of the stage. Then there is an odd elevated row along the middle wall in-between. The six seats are recessed and against a ...
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Review “Red Bud” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): Playful to Toxic in 70 Minutes!
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the U.S. Premiere of RED BUD. Playwright Brett Neveu captures perfectly what’s good and awful with annual male rituals. In his ode to the Midwest, Neveu has his guys gather for Red Bud, a championship motorcross race. The show starts off slowly as camp is set up. Each of the men arrives ...
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EXTENDED Thru Mar 22 “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” (Theater Wit): Oozing Ingenuity
Theater Wit presents the Midwest Debut of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY. Although I’ve always enjoyed The Simpsons, I’ve only seen a few dozen episodes over their 15 +year run. I appreciate the show’s clever writing. And I’m impressed by its staying power as a comedy icon. So, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised it survives ...