Steppenwolf for Young Adults presents the world premiere adaptation of MONSTER. A teenager wrestles with his conscience about his participation in a crime. Daniel Kyri (Steve) is engaging as the young man. Kyri narrates the tale as if he's writing a screenplay. He describes the incidents with mechanical logistics using words like 'exterior,' 'close-up,' and 'camera pans.' The ...
Review “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” (Broadway in Chicago): Hilarious Date Night
Reviewed by Abby Simon Broadway in Chicago presents "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." A hilarious one man show adapted from the 1992 hit book written by John Gray. Just one day after Valentines Day, a day in which most relationships put aside their differences and indulge in all things love. On the flip ...
Review “Straight White Men” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Oh, Brothers!
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago premiere production of STRAIGHT WHITE MEN. Playwright and director Young Jean Lee takes us home for the holidays. A widower (played by Alan Wilder) hosts his three adult sons Madison Dirks (Jake), Ryan Hallahan (Drew) and Brian Slaten (Matt) for Christmas. The anticipated traditions like matching pajamas, Chinese take-out and movie night ...
Review “Love’s Labor’s Lost” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): Boys Meet Girls = Love
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST. Four guys. Four gals. Four couples!? It's not quite as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4. This Shakespearean romantic comedy will test affections using secret love letters, clandestine meet-ups and lovers in disguise. The Bard puts his would-be lovers through a dating game of word play. The king and ...
Review “Quest” (The Actors Gymnasium): “OH MY GOSH!”
The Actors Gymnasium presents the world premiere of QUEST, an original circus-theatre production. The show starts out with Flora Bare facilitating an animated game show. The contestants must answer questions before the buzzer goes off. The Q&A pace is rapid-fire until Kate Braland pauses to ask three important questions. The questions stump the panel and send ...
Review “The Scottsboro Boys” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Must See!
Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys. Nine African American teenagers falsely accused of gang raping two white ladies is not your typical basis for a musical. The creative team behind other unconventional musicals like Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Cabaret tackle civil rights in this mockery of injustice. John ...
#AlternativeTweets
Dear President Trump, Twitter seems to be your favorite platform to speak to the people. On one hand, it is admirable that you use technology to be more accessible to the American people. On the other hand, it's an in-the-moment communique so it tends to be reactive and impulsive. And unlike a person tweeting their opinions ...
Review “Cymbeline” (Strawdog Theatre): Storefront Theatre at Its Finest!
Strawdog Theatre Company presents CYMBELINE. Small stage. Large ensemble. Huge story. Director Robert Kauzlaric navigates this Shakespearean dark fairy tale with finesse and humor. The show starts with the entire 15 member cast forming a circle. Each person is clad in black. They take a moment for a collective sigh. They then don their role defining garments ...
Review “The Assembled Parties” (Raven Theatre): Twenty Years Changes Everything!
Raven Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of THE ASSEMBLED PARTIES. Playwright Richard Greenberg chronicles two Christmas Days for one family. Greenberg tells the (holi)day-in-the-life of a Jewish family in 1980 and 2000. We meet the family in their plush New York apartment overlooking Central Park. Scenic Designer Jeffrey D. Kmiec effectively showcases the multiple room dwelling. ...
The Bodyguard Musical (Broadway in Chicago): Deborah Cox Shines in Flashy Whitney Houston Tribute
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Who should this see this: Fans of Whitney Houston, Deborah Cox and “So You Think You Can Dance.” What’s it all about: Based on the 1992 romantic thriller of the same title starring Kevin Costner and the late Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard Musical hews closely to the original screenplay about a famous, strong-willed ...