Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The Neo-Futurists are housed in a funky Andersonville space with colorful, art-festooned halls and vestibules perched above a funeral home. Since the late ‘80s the Neo-Futurists have occupied their own rung in the Chicago theater scene with a revolving ensemble of young, diverse writers-actors dedicated to creating their own ...
Review “Romeo and Juliet” (Lyric Opera): The Greatest Love Story Ever… Sung!
Lyric Opera of Chicago presents ROMEO AND JULIET. At the Lyric, I’m gotten fairly adept at reading the English titles while watching the opera. This time because I’m very familiar with ‘the greatest love story ever told,’ I chose to ignore the printed translation and just experience the opera. I focused on the ...
Review “In a Word” (Strawdog Theatre): Collision of Fact and Fiction
The Strawdog Theatre Company presents a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of IN A WORD. Playwright Lauren Yee’s new play is about ‘words.’ The ones we hear. The ones we say. The ones we wish we heard. The ones we wish we said. All these words get tangled in the emotional mishmash of memory. ...
Review “Other Letters” (The Other Theatre): Romantic Sonnet of Love’s Complications Over The Years
The Other Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of OTHER LETTERS. In an age of texting and emailing, sentiment is abbreviated to essential words, acronyms and emoticons. Letter writing has become a lost art. And along with that loss is the missing written expression of the human connection. Inspired by A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, Other Letters, ...
Review “Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago” (Apollo Theatre): Extraordinary Wrapped in Ordinary
Richard Friedman and Rob Kolson present MARC SALEM’S MIND OVER CHICAGO. According to the program, Marc Salem has been ‘a student of the human mind for over 30 years.’ He is also considered ‘one of the world’s foremost authorities on nonverbal communication.’ Both of those descriptors would suggest Salem is more studious than magical. In fact, ...
Review “Interrogation” (The Artistic Home): Dark Comedy and Edgy Drama
The Artistic Home presents the World Premiere of INTERROGATION. Bill did it in the woods with his belt. Vanessa did it in the kitchen with a chopping board. Kevin did it by the river with his bare hands. Imagine if the family from August: Osage County played the game Clue and you have the basis for ...
Review “Cabaret” (Broadway in Chicago): Come hear the music play!
Broadway in Chicago presents Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony Award-Winning CABARET. Even before the show starts, several actors and musicians, wearing satin and harnesses, are strutting on the stage. It feels like closing time at a kinky bar. Everyone is openly undressing each other with seductive looks. People are looking for a good time!! And if you are ...
Review “Far from Heaven” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Smart Captivation
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of FAR FROM HEAVEN. Summer Naomi Smart (Cathy) captivates from lights up. In a stylish mid-century wardrobe by Costume Designer Bill Morey, Smart is absolutely a picture-perfect-housewife. The stage serves as a pseudo 1950s runway as Smart continually sweeps in with a variety of swing coats, matching hats and full-skirted ...
Review “Der Rosenkavalier” (Lyric Opera): Long and Luscious!
Photo by Cory Weaver Lyric Opera of Chicago presents DER ROSENKAVALIER. Love and lust is in the air this winter at the Lyric. Richard Strauss composed an opera driven by desire. The curtains open on the pillow talk between Sophie Koch (Octavian) and Amanda Majeski (The Marschallin). Mezzo-soprano Koch is playing a seventeen year-old boy and ...
“500 Days to 50”: I Booked It
I woke up this morning to my first published book. I preordered it and it downloaded on my Kindle Fire automatically on the release date, February 8th. Ooh-la-la! I bundled up my 500 day contemplation of turning 50 into a book. The chronicle starts August 6, 2012 and concludes with my 50th birthday celebration in December ...