Jackalope Theatre presents the World Premiere of EXIT STRATEGY. Playwright Ike Holter gives an insider’s perspective on a Chicago Public School slated to be closed. This subject is topical, local, political and ignored by many. At one point, the play zings the city by saying that Chicago is more upset about a hot dog stand closing ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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Review “The Doll’s House: Ibsen is Dead” (Interrobang Theatre): A Tight 80s Makeover
Interrobang Theatre Project presents the World Premiere of THE DOLL’S HOUSE PROJECT: IBSEN IS DEAD. Playwright Henrik Ibsen premiered “A Doll’s House” in 1879. The play was about the original desperate housewife. Ibsen illustrated a 19th century woman discontent in a man’s world. His tackling the mores of the day was highly controversial. Although his plot ...
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Review “The Passions of Emma Goldman” (ShPIel): More glam than gutsy
ShPIel-Performing Identity presents the World Premiere of THE PASSIONS OF EMMA GOLDMAN. The opening night of Roslyn Alexander’s (Emma) one woman show started 25 minutes late. The curtain was held for a handful of people who had the wrong curtain time. That decision stretched a 90 minute show to two hours. The prolonged captivity definitely influenced ...
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Review “Motown the Musical” (Broadway in Chicago): A BLAST from the Past
Broadway in Chicago, in conjunction with Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy, present MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. Once upon a time, a man had a dream. He wanted to make music. He wasn’t content with being a songwriter. He wanted to have a bigger impact. He wasn’t just about launching his music career. He was about ...
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EXTENDED THRU June 29 “In the Garden” (Lookingglass Theatre): Evolving Love
Lookingglass Theatre presents the World Premiere IN THE GARDEN: A DARWINIAN LOVE STORY. Believing in evolution is key to the enjoyment of this play about Charles and Emma Darwin’s marriage. He is a scientist. She is a unitarian. Playwright Sara Gmitter uses heavy-duty narratives to establish their viewpoints. Andrew White (Darwin) talks like a science textbook. Rebecca ...
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Review “Juno” (TimeLine Theatre): Tis Grand(y) Altogether
Timeline Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of JUNO. This is only the second musical produced in Timeline’s history. Knowing the critics shut down the 1959 Broadway premiere after 16 performances, JUNO is a gutsy choice for Timeline. The company is new to musicals. The musical is new to Chicago. The story, based on the play Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey, ...
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Review “How to Succeed” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Infectious Fun
Porchlight Music Theatre presents HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Initially, I wondered if this 1961 Award-winning musical was outdated. A guy goes from the mailroom to the executive wing in a wink and a jingle. Even for a musical, the shtick was over-the-top buffoonery. My skepticism started waning during the musical number Coffee Break. By Paris ...
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Review “Lay Me Down Softly” (Seanachai Theatre): Best Jabs in Act 1
Seanachai Theatre presents the U.S. premiere of LAY ME DOWN SOFTLY. Playwright Billy Roche gives us ringside seats to his deconstruction of a makeshift family. Set in 1960s Ireland, Roche’s touring circus features a rifle arcade, a fortune teller and bumper cars. The main attraction is a boxing ring where locals can nightly challenge the champ. Roche ...
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Review “A View From The Bridge” (Teatro Vista): Nostalgic and Timeless
Teatro Vista presents A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Playwright Arthur Miller sets his obsessive love triangle on the 1950’s waterfront. Near the Brooklyn Bridge, the Red Hook neighborhood is home to longshoremen. Eddie Carbone (played with distinction by Ramon Camin) works hard on the docks. He likes to come home to a cold beer and the two ...