A Red Orchid presents the World Premiere of SENDER. On the first anniversary of his death, Lynx (played by Steve Haggard) returns to his life. He shows up on his girlfriend’s doorstep (played by Mary Williamson). The charismatic Haggard is remorseful. A fierce Williamson is enraged. Although he is ready to make amends for his sudden ...
Review “The Realm” (The Other Theatre): Quirky Underground World
The Other Theatre Company presents THE REALM. Before the lights go up, the whispering starts. Voices repeat hushed phrases about believing. Throughout the show Esme Ayvar-Perez (Kansas) will be haunted by these voices. I’m never sure if these are voices in her head or voices of lost souls from within the Realm. It’s one of many ...
Review “The Magic Parlour” (House Theatre): My Love Affair with Dennis Watkins
The House Theatre of Chicago presents THE MAGIC PARLOUR. My love affair with Dennis Watkins started several years ago. Even before I begin reviewing theatre, I saw the 2001 “Death and Harry Houdini” starring Watkins. Later, I reviewed “Death and Harry Houdini” in 2012 and saw him again in “The Magnificents” in 2013. I’ve ...
Happiness this Way: My Guide to Peace and Joy
I published my second book in April 2016, Happiness This Way. Following the success of my blog into a book, 500 Days to 50, I decided to reveal my secrets to happiness. It's nothing earth-shattering. In fact, it's everything you already know but may have forgotten. In this crazy world of materialism, competition and uncertainty, ...
Review “The Few” (Steep Theatre): Honestly Thought-Provoking
Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of THE FEW. Playwright Samuel D. Hunter gives voice to the invisible and marginalized. His plays are usually set in his home state of Idaho or other Midwest states. His characters are ordinary folks struggling with real life. I enjoy Hunter’s work immensely. Besides THE FEW, I’ve seen The ...
Review “Dreamgirls” (Porchlight Music Theatre): A Star is Born!
Porchlight Music Theatre presents DREAMGIRLS. This is as real as it gets. Life is imitating art. And art is imitating life. Donica Lynn (Effie) plays a singer becoming a star. In this production, Donica Lynn is a singer becoming a star. Right before our eyes, we see Lynn transform from girl-group-reject to soulful diva. Her stunning ...
Review “The Last Big Mistake” (The Factory Theater): Factory’s Legendary Bad Ass Shenanigans Relocated
The Factory Theater presents the World Premiere of THE LAST BIG MISTAKE. Factory christens its new Rogers Park theater with sweat, blood and chortling. Their first show is a high energy, combative comedy. Kim Boler (Lola) and Angela DeMarco (Roxie) play former lady wrestlers turned cocktail servers moonlighting as newbie crooks. When they don’t get paid ...
EXTENDED Thru June 5 “Mary Page Marlowe” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Tracy Letts Masterfully Dissects a life
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the World Premiere of MARY PAGE MARLOWE. Playwright Tracy Letts got into my head in this life dissection. Who is Mary Page Marlowe? We are challenged to figure that out by watching her over the decades. The scenes are snapshots shown out of sequential order. We are first introduced to Mary Page as ...
Review “Adding Machine The Musical” (The Hypocrites): Somber Intensity
The Hypocrites present ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL. Ten minutes into this show I realized this sure wasn’t a Gilbert & Sullivan opera. I’ve enjoyed The Hypocrites peppy, playful “Pirates of Penzance” and “The Mikado.” ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL was a surprising downer. It’s one man’s existentialist crisis sung with beautiful but somber intensity. Jason ...
Review “Riverdance” (Broadway in Chicago): Kicking It HIGH for Their 20th Anniversary World Tour
Broadway in Chicago presents RIVERDANCE. I had the opportunity to see the farewell tour of Riverdance in 2012. And last night, I watched the resurrected Irish crew back in our city for their 20th Anniversary World Tour. If you haven’t see RIVERDANCE before, Chicago has been given another chance to experience first-rate Irish dancing. The show starts ...