Theatre with a side of life
Blue Man Group Chicago has added new content to its theatrical show. Since debuting its unique arts performance in 1991, Blue Man has entertained over 35 million people worldwide. Chicago is one of six permanent theatrical productions. So, a trio of blue men have been haunting Briar Street Theatre since the 90s. I was reminded at Thursday’s ...
October Report Card: I took this picture at the Garfield Conservatory. Ellen and I went for a tourist visit. I hadn’t been there in 20 years. I watched these birds interacting. I was amused how desperately one bird wanted to get outside and the other one wanted to get inside. I know some of my ...
The Factory Theater presents THE DARKNESS AFTER DAWN. Thunder… lightning… a woman covered in blood. This show startles on arrival. (Nod out to Sound Designer Sarah Espinoza for jolting me to attention with a boom.) A panicked Allison Cain (Rosemary) is in blood-soaked pajamas. She calls the police to inform them that she has killed an ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American debut of CIRCOLOMBIA. Wow! The circus has come to Chicago! And the experience is a heart-racing stunner! The Columbian circus troupe is performing for a limited engagement in Chicago Shakes’ The Yard. This new venue allows the troupe the space for its spectacular feats. The fifteen member crew includes singers, ...
Broadway in Chicago presents the four time Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival HELLO, DOLLY!. Hello, Betty! Broadway legend Betty Buckley (Dolly) takes on the iconic roll first debuted by Carol Channing in 1964 and she owns it. From the moment she steps onstage to her final bow, Buckley has the audience mesmerized by her presence. She ...
Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents ECLIPSED. Playwright Danai Gurira drops us into a rebel camp during the second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Aja Singletary (#3/Bessie) is begging Maya V. Prentiss (#1/Helena) to comb out her hair. An exasperated Prentiss is trying to help Singletary while welcoming newcomer Sola Thompson. Except for addressing each other by numbers, ...
(re)discover Theatre presents the World Premiere of LES INNOCENTS/THE INNOCENTS. LES INNOCENTS takes place at the Preston Bradley Center. Upon arrival on the fourth floor, a greeter encourages you to pick between a ‘love’ or ‘loneliness’ button. On the staircase, a fortune teller is reading palms -above and a duo is singing songs - below. Audience ...
Porchlight Music Theatre presents GYPSY a musical fable. OH, MAMA! E. Faye Butler (Mama Rose) owns this stage from the moment she steps on it. Her pipes, whether screaming for her way or lifting the rafters in song, are undeniably extraordinary. Butler is a tour de force in her non-stop, dynamic performance! Her commanding presence is palpable. ...
The Comrades present the Midwest Premiere of WARRIOR CLASS. In between the Kavanaugh hearings and the midterm election, Chicago has the opportunity to experience the ugly realities behind politics. Playwright Kenneth Lin tells the tale of an aspiring councilman wanting to run for congress. The obstacle to his success is his ex-college girlfriend. Lin unravels the ...
Writers Theatre presents the World Premiere of WITCH. Playwright Jen Silverman weaves an intriguing tale of one witch, one devil, and four poor souls. The play immediately engages in the very first three scenes. Silverman has a frustrated Elizabeth (played by a solid Audrey Francis) lamenting about the villagers’ treatment of her. They believe she’s a ...