I had my first Paramount Theatre experience on Saturday. I live in Chicago and usually don't have a car. Saturday, I had my mom's car and made my way to Aurora, Illinois. The travel time (an hour and fifteen minutes there, one hour home) was worth it. My ten year old niece Grace and I ...
Review “Men on Boats” (American Theater Company): See Worthy Crafts!
American Theater Company presents the regional premiere of Jaclyn Backhaus’ MEN ON BOATS. New Artistic Director Will Davis begins his ATC tenure by rocking the boat... literally. Davis' 'genderfluid cast of women and folks otherwise defined' are playing male explorers braving the rapids to map out the unknown, wild American West. Playwright Jaclyn Backhaus pens a ...
Review “The Christians” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Authentic Church Experience
Steppenwolf Theatre presents THE CHRISTIANS. I attended the Church of Steppenwolf this weekend. I was greeted with the choir singing their souls out. They were praising the Lord with joyous voices, rhythmic clapping and broad smiles. This was a united congregation assembled for spiritual guidance. The pastor, his wife and church leadership arrived into this Sunday-induced ...
My Unforgettable Shows of 2016
It is my great fortune to live in a town that is bursting with so much theatrical talent. About eight years ago, I stumbled into reviewing the Chicago theatre scene. Every show enhances my understanding of theatre and life. I enjoy most every production for some aspect. The stinkers have been a single digit percentage ...
5-3-5-3
Today, my age matches my height. I’m 53 and 5’3. That’s got to mean something, right? Maybe best year yet? Or perhaps a signal of a major epiphany headed my way? I know we have ‘golden birthdays’ when our age matches our birthdate. But frankly, what the hell did I know at 19 on the ...
Review “Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth” (Lookingglass Theatre): Dynamic Duo!
Lookingglass Theatre presents World Premiere of MR. AND MRS. PENNYWORTH. Get ready to be enchanted by Playwright and Director Doug Hara’s new play. It’s a story about storytellers and the stories they tell. Hara masterfully spins a love story out of fairytales. He sprinkles in mystical time travel. He casts it to perfection with Lindsey Noel-Whiting ...
The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway in Chicago): The Music of the Night Still Enthralls
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Who should this see this: Anyone who hasn’t yet seen the standard all Broadway musicals are measured against. Anyone who wants to again experience Andrew Lloyd Webber’s (Evita, Cats) superbly-crafted opus in a gleaming new production that hasn’t lost its ability to astonish since making its debut 30 years ago. What’s it all ...
Review “The Winner…of our Discontent” (The Second City): It’s all in the name!
The Second City presents the 105th Mainstage Revue THE WINNER... OF OUR DISCONTENT. The name of this show made me LOL... a few times. Shantira Jackson, Paul Jurewicz, Kelsey Kinney, Martin Morrow, Rashawn Nadine Scott, Jamison Webb (writers and performers) kick off their Trump tribute with a Chicago reflection. They contrast the emotional roller coaster of ...
Review “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” (Broadway in Chicago): Fascinating! Lovely!
Broadway In Chicago presents the winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Play, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. Playwright Simon Stephens adapts Mark Haddon's best-selling novel into a virtual reality experience. The story is about a brilliant fifteen year old challenged with an autistic-like disability. (Christopher's special needs are never labeled with ...
Review “The Complete Deaths” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): Killing It!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the Spymonkey’s THE COMPLETE DEATHS. Did you know there are 75 onstage deaths in Shakespeare’s plays? The killings include 74 human plus the fly in “Titus Andronicus.” Spymonkey, UK’s clown troupe, perform this clever tribute to the Shakespearean deceased. Director and Adaptor Tim Crouch has created a showcase showdown of these ...