After a direct 4 hour and 12 minute flight from Chicago to Vancouver, we (sister Jenny, niece Abby, and Abby's boyfriend Lucas) landed in a country where the place and the people are cool, clean and lovely. We are staying in a 5 bedroom house in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver. Our landlord met us ...
Review KINKY BOOTS (Broadway in Chicago): A Powerhouse Showstopper
Reviewed by Jennifer Benoit-Bryan This musical has all the essential elements: fabulous acting, songs that get stuck in your head, and choreography that looks effortless – all tied up together with a heartwarming story. I had high expectations given the many accolades that this musical has received including six Tony awards in 2013 and the Grammy ...
Review 1776 (E.D.G.E. Theatre): Our Humorous and Heartfelt Origin Story
E.D.G.E. Theatre presents the musical 1776. Hillary vs Trump in 2016. John Adams vs the Congressional Congress in 1776. E.D.G.E.’s timing is remarkable. As we are experiencing the country being torn apart, 1776 takes us back to our origin story of making America great... for the first time. In the theatrical tale, politicians are fighting over ...
Review “Distance” (Strawdog Theatre): Poignant, Funny, Inspiring!
Strawdog Theatre presents the World Premiere of DISTANCE. At the core of Playwright Jerre Dye’s new story is a woman dealing with Alzheimer. Janice O’Neill’s (Irene) struggle to be present is palpable. She vacantly holds a lightbulb. She frets over missing a train. She demands to be heard, to be seen, to be understood. O’Neill impressively ...
Review “Sister Cities” (Chimera Ensemble): Interesting Premise
Chimera Ensemble presents the Chicago Premiere of SISTER CITIES. Collette Freedman’s play was the hit of the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It has received international acclaim in productions around the world. A film version is currently in post-production. “Four estranged sisters, as different as the cities they are named after, face their mother’s recent and sudden ...
Review “Good Friday” (Oracle Theatre): Explosive, Thought-provoking Drama
Oracle Productions, in collaboration with Kristiana Rae Colón and Tara Branham, present the world premiere of GOOD FRIDAY. Oracle inaugurates its new space with an explosive, thought-provoking drama. Playwright Kristiana Rae Colón has penned a complex exploration of women’s responses to trauma. Her story made me an emotional trainwreck. Before the end of the show, the ...
Review “Thrust!” (Tapman Productions): Dynamic!
Tapman Productions presents the World Premiere of THRUST! A thrust stage is one where the audience is seated on three sides. At the beginning of the show, Artistic Director Tristan Bruns introduces the concept and encourages theatre goers to sit on the non-traditional sides. He promises the dancing will be performed to all sides of the ...
Review “Bette, Live At The Continental Baths” (Hell in a Handbag): A Sure Bette!
Hell in a Handbag presents a remount of its successful BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS. Caitlin Jackson (Bette Midler) takes us back to the beginnings of a legend. An unknown Bette Midler accompanied by an unknown pianist, Barry Manilow (played by Jeremy Ramey), started their careers in a gay bathhouse in 1971. The effervescent Jackson ...
Review “Toruk- The First Flight” (Cirque du Soleil): Stunning Other-World Masterpiece
Photo Credit: Jesse Faatz Cirque du Soleil, in conjunction with Visa Signature® in association with United MileagePlus®, presents its new touring show inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking movie Avatar, TORUK – THE FIRST FLIGHT. The lush cinematic experience of Avatar is recreated in TORUK. This stunning designer showcase is one step closer to actually being in the ...
Review “Newsies” (Broadway in Chicago): Heart-stirring, Rebel-rousing, Fun-loving Disney Magic
Broadway in Chicago has brought the Tony Award-winning Disney's NEWSIES back for a limited engagement. This show blew me away in 2014. The story is pure heart-stirring, rebel-rousing, fun-loving Disney magic. The singing sounds like a harmonious yet cheeky boys choir. And the dancing is absolutely unstoppable and unforgettable. Choreographer Christopher Gattelli has the superb ensemble ...