The House Theatre of Chicago presents NUTCRACKER. This was my fourth time seeing The House’s holiday show in the last five years. And despite my repeated viewing, I still wept. The play has both joy and agony. The audience moves from one end of the spectrum to the other... in the first ten minutes. The emotional ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “Hot Georgia Sunday” (Haven Theatre): Masterful Storytelling
Haven Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of HOT GEORGIA SUNDAY. This show is all about masterful storytelling. Playwright Catherine Trieschmann tells her story from the distinct perspective of six characters. Trieschmann intertwines a series of monologues to build individual personas within a church-based community. From the stories her characters are telling, we begin to ...
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Review “Tamer of Horses” (Teatro Vista): Implausible
Teatro Vista presents TAMER OF HORSES. Unfortunately, I did not like this show. Although the acting was fine, and Joshua Torrez (Hector) especially was a stand out as a sullen, street kid, it was the story I found implausible. Playwright William Mastrosimone penned a tale of a troubled youth being saved by a classics literature teacher. ...
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EXTENDED Thru Feb 22 “Lookingglass Alice” (Lookingglass Theatre): Cirque Wonderland
Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the return of the signature Lookingglass production LOOKINGGLASS ALICE. For the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s publication, Lookingglass is rolling out its hallmark show. LOOKINGGLASS ALICE is also celebrating a milestone. It’s the 10th anniversary of the first production. Returning to the title role is the originator Lauren Hirte. And sharing the ...
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Review “The Testament of Mary” (Victory Gardens): WWMD?
Victory Gardens presents the Midwest Premiere of THE TESTAMENT OF MARY. I have fifteen and half years of Catholic education. I’ve read and studied the bible. I self-identify as a Christian. I’m a believer. I often consider WWJD? Yet, I’ve never considered What Would Mary Do? Playwright Colm Toibin answers that question with stories told from Mary’s ...
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Review “Crumble” (Jackalope Theatre): Wacky Mourning
Jacklope Theatre Company presents CRUMBLE (LAY ME DOWN, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE). Director AJ Ware plunges us into this wackadoo house with a series of silent scenes. A man is falling. A girl is playing. A woman is painting... cats. What does it all mean? Lighting Designer Claire Sangster highlights the momentary activity and then goes to blackout. ...
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Review “Annie” (Broadway in Chicago): Big-Hearted Bundle of Joy
Broadway in Chicago presents ANNIE. Everyone’s favorite orphan is visiting Chicago. The Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE is here for a two week limited engagement. This touring production is directed by the original Tony Award-winning lyrist from 1977. This is the nineteenth production that Martin Charnin has directed himself. Charnin’s intimate knowledge of the inner-workings makes this ...
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Review “Porgy and Bess” (Lyric Opera): First-Rate Operatic Rendition
Lyric Opera presents PORGY AND BESS. PORGY AND BESS is about the residents of Catfish Row in South Carolina. They struggle in racially influenced poverty. To endure the challenging times, the black folks have established a tight community. The gals anchor their homes in religious fervor. The guys gamble for a better future playing craps. They ...
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Review “Matt and Ben” (First Floor Theater): Tight, fun bromance
First Floor Theater presents MATT AND BEN. Musing about a celebrity’s climb to fame is a typical American response. Without any USA royalty, our century-long fascination has been with moviestars. When was their lucky break? What was happening in their personal life? Who are these people? Playwrights Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers did more than muse ...
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Review “Romulus” (Oracle Theatre): Absurd and Profound
Oracle Theatre presents ROMULUS. The absurd mingles with the profound in Oracle’s current production. The play sets the demise of the Western Rome Empire on and the day after the Ides of March. The original play by Friedrich Durrenmatti and rewritten by Gore Vidal explores the ambition behind political invasions and marital arrangements. The satire blends ...