Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of Strangers, Babies. Once again, Steep goes darker than imaginable. In its newest production, Steep introduces Chicago to Playwright Linda McLean. This time, instead of an English play riddled with angst, McLean pens a Scottish play riddled with angst. The breakout is Steep’s classic structure: five scenes, two actors in each, one ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category The Fourth Walsh
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“Luna Gale” (Goodman Theatre): Stellar!
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of LUNA GALE. As a licensed social worker in the State of Indiana, I marveled at how perfectly Playwright Rebecca Gilman’s story reflected ‘the system.’ Gilman pens a complex tale about a baby placed in foster care. The best interest of the child is at the heart of the show. But ...
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“Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood” (MadKap Productions): Stage Meets Film
Once upon a time, celebrated Playwright George Bernard Shaw visited Hollywood. GBS and his wife Charlotte wanted to see how movies were made. They toured and lunched at MGM studios. Amidst the glamour of the world of moviestars, they saw the tarnished side of filmmaking. The Shaws saw actors canoodling and boozing. They experienced studio heads and ...
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Review “The Mother” (Oracle Theatre): Truax Heart-Pounding Triumph
I never published my top ten theatre picks for 2013. If I had, "The Mother" would have been #1. It was an innovative, impressive, intimate theatrical experience. And guess what? It's back! The entire ensemble (sans the wonderful Sarah Pretz) returns for an encore production. In a week of 24 show openings, I chose to ...
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Review “Rasheeda Speaking” (Rivendell Theatre): Powerful
Rivendell Theatre presents the World Premiere of Rasheeda Speaking. Playwright Joel Drake Johnson’s story prompts a “No, she didn’t” response followed closely by a hand over the mouth. His conversations provoke a definite uncomfortable reaction. Stereotypes are teased out. Some of the dialogue is candy-coated politically correct. And other times, the offensive barb is just hurled. Johnson provides ...
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EXTENDED Thru 4/6 “Hedda Gabler” (Writer’s Theatre): Fry-ed to Perfection
On Thursday, I saw Hedda Gabler for the last time – Kate Fry’s (Hedda) sublime performance has ruined me for any future Hedda Gabler productions. Playwright Henrik Ibsen, translated by Nicholas Rudall, penned a tale of a complex woman. The classic centers around the newly-married Hedda. Living in the late 1800s, Hedda is discontent with the social mores of the era. The convention ...
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Review “Through The Leaves” (Side Project Theatre): Heartbreaking yet Hopeful
Reviewed by Sara Eisenbaum and Katrina L. Wyss Side Project Theatre presents Through the Leaves. “Through the Leaves” is a play that represents well what happens when stream of consciousness takes center stage. The play centers around a middle aged woman in Germany who is a butcher. While she does not outwardly struggle with the fact that she ...
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Review “Solstice” (A Red Orchid): Riveting!
A Red Orchid Theatre presents SOLSTICE. Playwright Zinnie Harris penned a disturbing tale. The setting and time period is anywhere in the near future. In a town separated by economic and religious differences, one family is the microcosm. Dad is a religious fanatic. Son is a rebellious teenager. Mom is afflicted with an environmental disease. Uncle tries to ...
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Review “Phantom of the Opera” (Broadway in Chicago): Extraordinary!
Broadway in Chicago announces Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. In one word, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is Extraordinary! I was supposed to see PHANTOM in 1990. My friend’s father had a heart attack and we gave our tickets to my parents. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score has haunted and eluded me for 24 ...