A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of MUD BLUE SKY. I love smart comedies, strong female characters and powerful storytelling. Red Orchid’s newest production is my trifecta. The play’s premise sounds like a set up for a joke: three flight attendants meet up in a hotel room. The first one goes out for pot. The second ...
What he said…
My great nephew and I wish everyone a Happy Easter!
EXTENDED Thru June 7 “If There is I Haven’t Found It Yet” (Steep Theatre): Dark Humor and Truth
Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of IF THERE IS I HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET. Playwright Nick Payne dissects family disfunction from a global warming perspective. As a weight-challenged teenager battles her self-worth, her parents drift listlessly apart from each other and her. Her father, in particular, obsesses over saving the earth from environmental ruin. His tunnel ...
Review “L’Imbecile” (Babes with Blades): Twisted Gender-Bender Burlesque
The Babes with Blades Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of L’IMBECILE. The Babes was established to advance female-focused, action-oriented plays on stage. Almost every Babes’ production I’ve seen has humor infused in the combat. This time around, the Babes surrender their blades to tackle Commedia dell’arte. They still showcase a few skirmishes but the physicality ...
TGIGF!
Happy Good Friday! The lines between religion and government are often blurred. Jesus was executed by the Roman government for his religious preachings. The Christian Crusades were fought in the name of religion with the prize being new territories to rule. During the Spanish Inquisition, Catholics killed 150,000+ people for their non-Catholic beliefs. While he was sovereign Henry VIII killed ...
I forgot to breathe this week…gasp!
I’m over halfway through Serenity April. I’ve slowed down. Some of my schedule has remained unscheduled. I’ve spent a lot of time breathing easier. And that’s why I can totally justify not succeeding in this week’s challenge in “How to Train a Wild Elephant.” The book suggested every time the phone rings taking three long ...
Review “Dorian” (The House Theatre): 2/3 Marveling Spectacle
The House Theatre of Chicago presents DORIAN. This is 2/3 of a review. The House has produced its current production in promenade. There are limited seats available at the base of the thrust-style stage. The rest of the audience stands, leans and moves throughout the show. The ambitious idea lends itself to a nightclub venue. That’s ...
Review “The President” (Oracle Theatre): A Tight, Madcap Romp
Oracle Theatre presents THE PRESIDENT. John Arthur Lewis (Norrison) takes charge in this high energy farce. Lewis plays a corporate mogul tasked with transforming a taxi driver into an ambassador in an hour. Onstage for the entire duration, Lewis fires out his lines and decisions like a semi-automatic machine gun. And his ongoing delivery is deadpan perfection ...
“The Way West” (Steppenwolf Theatre): To whom it may concern
Dear Steppenwolf, I’ve never written a review like this in my life... but seriously WTF? THE WAY WEST has no relevant significance in the west or contemporary times. The idea of a family grappling with economic hardship is so 2009. And even though the economy still sucks in every direction, our surprise over loose spending by our neighbors ...
“God’s Work” (Albany Park Theatre Project): Unforgettable Imagery
Goodman Theatre presents Albany Park Theatre Project’s GOD’S WORK. An abusive father imprisons his eighteen children in the basement. He beats them for minor infractions based on his fundamentalist beliefs. After being caged for nine years, a young girl begins to heal. Her resilience is showcased as she touches the lives of others. Although this true ...