About Face Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of THE SECRETARIES. I went into this show with great expectations based on the cast list. I’m a huge fan of Kelli Simpkins, Meghan Reardon and Sadieh Rifai’s work. Despite the talented ensemble, THE SECRETARIES is a huge disappointment. A lumber company’s secretarial pool is a Slimfast drinking cult. Every ...
Review “Mike Mother” (Neo-Futurists): Evocative Storytelling
The Neo-Futurists present MIKE MOTHER. This show is funny yet serious. Sad yet uplighting. Dramatic yet playful. Searing soliloquies combine with poignant film clips, a lamb puppet show and even a little interactive slapstick. MIKE MOTHER has got everything and the kitchen sink. Well, it’s actually a bathtub. The multi-media autobiography is created, written and ...
Review “Chicago” (Broadway in Chicago): Razzle Dazzle!
Broadway in Chicago and Producers Barry and Fran Weissler present the Tony Award winning smash-hit CHICAGO for a one week limited engagement. In 1995, CHICAGO won six Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. It’s easy to see and hear why. The story is sensational. The songs are stirring. The dancing is sultry. And the costumes are ...
Review “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” (Goodman Theatre): Tangled Web of Idealism and Realism
The Goodman Theatre presents THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW. Playwright Lorraine Hansberry is best known for her play turned movie Raisin in the Sun. The lesser known, THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW was Hansberry’s final work before her untimely death at age 35. THE SIGN is set in Greenwich Village in 1964. In RAISIN, ...
A Red Line Runs Through It (Second City e.t.c. Theatre): Getting Real Up In Here
Reviewed Tom Lawler Set the scene: While technically, the Second City e.t.c is the little brother to the Second City Maintstage ensemble that often benefits from spillover from the perennially sold-out shows shows upstairs, both ensembles (constantly churning with up-and-comers) consistently produce some of the finest sketch comedy you’ll find on a Chicago stage. In fact, ...
EXTENDED THRU June 11th “Once in a Lifetime” (Strawdog Theatre): Classy Stage Exit
The Strawdog Theatre presents ONCE IN A LIFETIME. Strawdog is on the move. After 26 years in their cozy Broadway second story perch, the theatre company is forced to find a new stage. While they look for a permanent place, their next season will be presented at The Factory’s new home in Rogers Park. Meanwhile, they ...
Review “The King and I” (Lyric Opera): Magnificent, Sentimental Journey
The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Rodger & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I. I grew up on Rodgers & Hammerstein. Even before the advent of VCRs, DVDs, and streaming, I still managed to memorize all the lyrics. My dad played and replayed every R&H soundtrack on his reel to reel player. And my mom burst into ...
Review “The Producers” (Mercury Theater): Makes Fun!
Mercury Theatre presents THE PRODUCERS, a Mel Brooks Musical Comedy. Mel Brooks wrote and directed the movie THE PRODUCERS in 1967. He won best original screenplay. He then turned into a stage musical debuting in Chicago in 2000 and later debuting on Broadway in 2001. It won 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical - a Broadway ...
Review “In the Time of the Butterflies” (Teatro Vista): Delicate, Viscous Interlaced Threads of Fact and Fiction
Teatro Vista presents the Chicago premiere of IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES. The Mirabel sisters of the Dominican Republic have become international symbols of courage. During the dictatorial regime of General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, the sisters joined the resistance to fight against oppression. They were brutally punished for their convictions. And on November 25, 1960, three ...
Review “One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” (Broadway in Chicago): Attention Star Wars Geeks, Don’t Miss This Show!
Broadway in Chicago presents ONE-MAN STAR WARS TRILOGY . Charles Ross has condensed our beloved original Star Wars Trilogy (“Star Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back”, “Return of the Jedi”) into a tight seventy-five minute live performance. He starts each movie by mimicking the iconic soundtrack and talking about the words scrolling vertically on screen. He then ...