Reviewed by Tom Lawler The Gift Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of BETHANY. A few things about this bracing look back at our recent (and lingering) Great Recession actually reminded me of an earlier era of economic hardship: the ‘80s. Maybe it was the Trumpian motivational speaker (a slithering James D. Farruggio) espousing his how-to-get-rich philosophy, ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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EXTENDED Thru Nov 16 Review “Sweeney Todd” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Scary Good!
Porchlight Music Theatre presents SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. To open its season of Sondheim, Porchlight chose to showcase the darker side of the award-winning composer first. In Victorian England, Benjamin returns home after serving 15 years for a bogus crime. During his absence, his wife and daughter have also been victimized ...
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Review “The Wild Party” (Bailiwick Chicago): Boozy, Groping, Tripping, Hot Mess
Bailiwick Chicago presents THE WILD PARTY. The title says it all! Director and choreographer Brenda Didier skillfully throws a party and it’s wild! Set in the roaring 20’s, the story is about the vaudeville shenanigans after the curtain comes down. Queenie (played with moxie by Danni Smith) is everyone’s favorite good time gal. She rocks it ...
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Review “The Night Alive” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Dark with the promise of light
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of THE NIGHT ALIVE. Tommy (played in bittersweet perfection by Francis Guinan) is having a mid-life crisis. He is estranged from his wife and teenage children. He is living in a dilapidated room in his aging uncle’s house. He survives by running petty scams with his friend Doc (played by the ...
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Review “Capriccio” (Lyric Opera): Music is the winner!
Lyric Opera of Chicago presents CAPRICCIO. This is my second experience with Composer Richard Strauss’ debate of words verses music. Although Strauss aided Clemens Krauss in creating the libretto, there is no doubt what Strauss believes to be more important. Under the spirited baton of Sir Andrew Davis, the music dominates the stage from the overture ...
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It wasn’t a disaster as much as a nonevent!
Dear Redmoon Theatre, When you invite the city to a party, you need to be prepared when they show up. Last night, Redmoon Theatre launched the first annual Great Chicago Fire Festival. The pre-spectacle press materials described it as a theatrical fire showcase taking place on the Chicago River from the State Street Bridge to the Columbus ...
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Review “The Vandal” (Steep Theatre): Riveting Enigma
Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of THE VANDAL. In his playwright debut, Hamish Linklater nails it! THE VANDAL is engrossing and poignant. Linklater’s story is multiple stories told by three characters. From the start, we are engaged in these people’s lives. A precocious Jack Miggins (boy) aggressively needles a sullen Kendra Thulin (woman) at a ...
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Review “Don Giovanni” (Lyric Opera): Deliciously Wicked!
A funny thing happened on the way to the opera... Well, not so much funny as annoying. Tuesday evening, we arrived at the Lyric at 7:10pm. We found a line coming out of the building and wrapping around the corner of Madison and Wacker. I’ve never experienced any line in my nineteen years of attending the ...
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Review “Smokefall” (Goodman Theatre): Total original!
Goodman Theatre presents a remount of the successful 2013 premiere of SMOKEFALL. This show is different. The set, designed by Kevin Depinet, hints of that immediately. A massive, slanted wooden ceiling covers an ordinary-looking two level mid-century decorated home. A cut-out window in the roof looks to a sunlit sky. Artificial grass carpets a floating staircase ...