Victory Gardens presents the Chicago Premiere of HAND TO GOD. Don’t let the puppet promo picture fool you. This isn’t a play for children. It’s a dark, dark, dark adult comedy. Playwright Robert Askins conjured up a doozy with this tale. His story takes place in a church where the Christian Puppet Ministry is working on ...
Review “A Comedical Tragedy for Mr. Punch” (The House Theatre of Chicago): Now That’s How You Do It!
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The House Theater, no stranger to darkening up storybook classics (i.e., The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz), now deconstructs a tale that’s already pretty grim – the violent and outrageous “Punch and Judy” puppet shows that reached their peak in the 1700s ...
Review “Life Sucks” (Lookingglass Theatre): Solid Ensemble Kicks Ass!
Lookingglass Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of LIFE SUCKS. This show keeps it real. The problems are relatable. The emotions are intense. These flawed humans ponder the very essences of the human condition. They love and long for someone or something to make them happy. They wrestle with how people see them, how they ...
Review “Scarcity” (Redtwist Theatre): Authentically Disconcerting
Redtwist Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of SCARCITY. This family. Wow! Dysfunctional is inadequate to describe the layers of relational woe in this family. Playwright Lucy Thurber disconcertingly illustrates the effects of alcoholism at home. Dad is an out-of-work drunk. Mom is a functional alcoholic with a string of mediocre jobs. The teenager has a ...
“Wonderful Town” (Goodman Theatre): Homespun Goodness
Goodman Theatre presents WONDERFUL TOWN. This IS your grandma’s musical. It has old-fashion charm, zany life hurdles and a guaranteed happy ending. The wholesome adventure brings two sisters from a small town in Ohio to big, flashy New York City. Ruth (played by Bri Sudia) wants to be a writer. Eileen (played by Lauren Molina) wants ...
Review “Miss Holmes” (Lifeline Theatre): Encore! Series! What is next, my dear Walsh?
Lifeline Theatre presents the World Premiere of MISS HOLMES. The twists start immediately in this gender-bender whodunit. The legendary Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are women. Playwright Christopher M. Walsh (no relation) pens an intriguing tale of murder. The mystery unravels as barely discernible clues are discovered by the dynamic duo. Walsh’s detective story is smart, ...
EXTENDED Thru Dec 3 “In The Heights” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Community Anchored in Heart and Humor!
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the multi-Tony Award-winning IN THE HEIGHTS. Community! This community is bursting with the loving ties of people joined together by their similarities as well as their differences. From the moment I sat down, I saw the community in the detailed streetscape by Scenic Designer Greg Pinsoneault. The two-level multiple-building structure showcases the struggling ...
Day 4 Vancouver: Walk over Canada
We started the day in our wharf hood, Steveston, by visiting the fishing canary museum. The tour took us along the entire process from boat to can. The fish production in the early 1900s sounded gross and intense. These hard-working laborers worked to get the fish into cans before it spoiled. They were paid horribly ...
Day 3 Vancouver: Sidetrip to Whistler
Our plan was to zipline today in Whistler. It's home to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Also, it is was a venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Between a late start and a five hour-ish round-trip, we didn't get to zipline. That bummer was balanced out by the incredible ...
Day 2 Vancouver: Going to Extremes
Today, we went to the extreme for Abby's birthday. First, we went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It's this 460 foot bridge that is 230 feet above the Capilano River. The bridge sways back and forth as people come and go. I white knuckled it the entire way... both times. On the other side of ...