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 ...
EXTENDED Thru April 17th Review “American Buffalo” (Mary Arrchie Theatre): Perfect Finale for a 30 Year Run!
Mary Arrchie Theatre presents its final production AMERICAN BUFFALO. Mary Arrchie ends its thirty year run with Artistic Director and Co-founder Richard Cotovsky (Donny) front and center. The choice of AMERICAN BUFFALO feels sentimental as it pairs up Cotovsky with company member Rudy Galvan (Bobby). Cotovsky is a seasoned junk dealer. Galvan is a young ...
Review “The Explorers Club” (Windy City Playhouse): Cute!
Windy City Playhouse presents the Chicago Premiere of THE EXPLORERS CLUB. In Victorian England, gentlemen have formed a boys club. They each pursue different scientific projects in various areas: botany, anthropology, geography. When they return from their adventures, they regale their escapades over brandy and cigars at the club. Although the gents want to best their ...
Review “BODY/COURAGE” (Rivendell Theatre): Powerfully Beautiful
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, in association with Waltzing Mechanics, presents the World Premiere of BODY/COURAGE. When I saw Danielle Pinnock’s 2015 workshop, I was impressed by her multiple characters. After experiencing the world premiere this week, I am stunned by her depth of character. As her graduate thesis, Pinnock has interviewed over 300 people to learn how they ...
Review “Hairy Ape” (Oracle Theatre): Powerhouse Adaptation!
Oracle Theatre presents THE HAIRY APE. Director Monty Cole has masterfully adapted Eugene O’Neill’s play for modern day contemplation. Set in 1922, O’Neill penned a tale about the identity crisis of an Irish laborer shunned by a socialite. Cole cleverly changes the focus from classism to racism by casting 6 black men as the ensemble. The ...
The Duchess of Malfi (Trap Door Theatre): Dark and Murky
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: For more than 25 years, Trap Door Theatre has pursued its noble mission of “seeking out challenging yet obscure works and bringing them to life.” With a theatergoing audience that seems to be in consistent decline and not necessarily getting any younger, combining this kind of longevity with such ...
Review “Marjorie Prime” (Writers Theatre): An Unforgettable and Surreal Experience
Writers Theatre presents MARJORIE PRIME. I saw this show yesterday. I can’t stop thinking about it. Playwright Jordan Harrison pens a tale set in the near future. His story captivates immediately as Mary Ann Thebus (Marjorie) and Erik Hellman (Walter) are chatting. A feeble Thebus rattles on about organic peanut butter as the younger Hellman ...
Review “The Consultant” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): Genuine Life at Work
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of THE CONSULTANT. This show is the final production for Signal Ensemble Theatre. I’m always amused by college students that tell me their career focus is to be a consultant. Being a seasoned professional, I’m baffled to what a twenty-something without job experience can bring into the workplace. Playwright ...
Review “Measure for Measure” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): Best Experienced Visual for Visual
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the inaugural production of Shakespeare 400 Chicago. For a limited engagement from January 27th through January 31st, Cheek by Jowl and Pushkin Theatre, Moscow present MEASURE FOR MEASURE. This Shakespearean play has traditionally been labeled a comedy. Despite having the Bard’s typical folly of characters in disguise and unrequited love, it also ...