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 ...
Review “Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys” (Raven Theatre): Must See!
Raven Theatre presents a remount of DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS for a limited return engagement. I missed this original run but fortunately for me and Chicago, it’s back with the entire Jeff Award-winning “Outstanding Ensemble.” In 1931, nine African-American teenagers were falsely accused of raping two white women. No evidence linked them to ...
Review “War Paint” (Goodman Theatre): A LuPone and Ebersole Production
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of WAR PAINT. Two iconic women play two iconic women. Patti LuPone (Helene Rubinstein) and Christine Ebersole (Elizabeth Arden) play the make-up mavericks who established the cosmetic industry. LuPone and Ebersole channel their inner diva to play the successful business rivals. It’s impossible to imagine this show cast any ...
Review “The Woman Who Amuses Herself” (Idle Muse Theatre): Portrait of Art
Idle Muse Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of THE WOMAN WHO AMUSES HERSELF. Mona Lisa is famous. The 16th century portrait is recognized even by people with little to no art background. Playwright Victor Lodato uses the iconic painting as the subject of his play. In 1911, Vincenzo Peruggia (played by the outstanding Nathan Thompson) stole ...
Review “Between Riverside and Crazy” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Dynamics Intrigue!
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY. Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for this dark dramedy. Guirgis pens the tale of an ex-cop father (played by the commanding Eamonn Walker) and his ex-con son (played by the understated James Vincent Meredith) co-existing in one of the last great ...
Review “Tomorrow Morning” (Kokandy Productions): Your Summer Date Night Destination
Kokandy Productions presents TOMORROW MORNING. On the eve before a dramatic relationship change, four individuals contemplate the sustainability of love. Tina Naponelli (Kat) and Neil Stratman (John) prepare to marry. Carl Herzog (Jack) and Teressa LaGamba (Catherine) brace for a divorce. Director John D. Glover gives us the birds-eye view into that intimate evening of apprehension. ...