Lifeline Theatre presents Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. Robert Kauzlaric’s adaptation of Neverwhere premiered at Lifeline in 2010. I saw it and loved it....hard! The 2018 revisit to Neverwhere was a trip I highly anticipated taking since I heard mention of the reboot last year. Although Kauzlaric's impressing storytelling still has heaps of intrigue, humor and heart, Director Ilesa Duncan goes more theatrical ...
Review “Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies” (Athenaeum Theatre): Bette is Back… and Bad-ass!
Jessica Sherr performs her loving tribute to the iconic Bette Davis. Sherr, also the creator, has previously performed her one woman show in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The St. James in London and even Chicago's Athenaeum Theatre last year. Following her 4-week run, the Athenaeum commissioned her to expand her show. Sherr is back... and ...
Review “Damascus” (Strawdog Theatre): What a Trip!
Strawdog Theatre presents the world premiere of DAMASCUS. Playwright Bennett Fisher takes us on a thrilling journey of perception. Lloyd (played by Sam Hubbard) begs Hassan (played by Terence Sims) to take him to Chicago to make his connecting flight to California. Lloyd's mother is sick. Hassan reluctantly agrees with the promise of hefty compensation. Fisher's ...
Review “Girl Found” (Idle Muse Theatre): Real People Desperate for Love
Idle Muse Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Girl Found. Playwright Barbara Lhota skillfully pulls us into a family's emotional reunion. Eleven year old Sophia disappeared from her Detroit home and reappears six years later in Toronto. Her mysterious homecoming raises all kinds of questions as the family reconciles the past with the present. What happened during ...
Review “Macbeth” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): Solid Yet Conventional
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Macbeth, adapted and directed by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner—the celebrated creative duo behind CST’s The Tempest, winner of the Jeff Award for Best Production in 2015. I'm spoiled! I saw Teller & Posner's "The Tempest" . It was my favorite play in 2015! It was my favorite Chicago Shakespeare Theater play... ...
Review “To Catch a Fish” (Timeline Theatre): Baited, Hooked and Reeled In!
Timeline Theatre presents the world premiere of TO CATCH A FISH. Playwright Brett Neveu knows how to filet a fish tale. He cuts and exposes guts immediately. Neveu drops us into a conversation between Geno Walker (Terry) and Jay Worthington (Ike). An aggressive Worthington is trying to impress and dominate over an enthralled Walker. The combination of Worthington's ...
April Check-in!
Since I took today as a vacation day, I'm writing my check-in on the eve of May. I'm sitting on the patio of the Clocktower Cafe overlooking a golf course and Lake Michigan. 70s with a light breeze... ideal weather. Although April is going out on a good note, Chicagoans won't quickly forget that April was ...
EXTENDED Thru June 16 “Memphis” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Your Musical Destination!
Porchlight Music Theatre presents MEMPHIS. I LOVED my trip to MEMPHIS! This musical is a powerful tribute to race relations within our rock and roll roots. The story is based on a concept by George W. George and the real life of DJ Dewey Phillips. The creative team of Joe DiPietro (book and lyrics) and David Bryan ...
Review “Grand Hotel” (Kokandy Productions): Grand!
Kokandy Productions presents GRAND HOTEL. Flappers kicking it up. Guests lapping up the champagne. In 1928 Berlin, the Grand Hotel welcomes an aging prima ballerina, a wannabe actress, a sickly bookkeeper, a broke baron and other eccentrics to the fading, posh lifestyle. As depression and war threaten to change the world forever, Berlin holds on to hope ...
“The Doppelgänger” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Personality Conflict
Steppenwolf Presents the World Premiere Production of "The Doppelgänger (an international farce)". Fans of the TV comedy "The Office" get their Dwight Shrute fix in Steppenwolf's latest show. Rainn Wilson plays a wealthy British businessman, an American doofus and then the doofus pretending to be the Brit business guy. The Doppelgänger sounds like an ideal sitcom plot ...