About Face Theatre presents the World Premiere of LE SWITCH. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Playwright Philip Dawkins debuts a brightly wrapped love fest. Dawkins’ hero is David (played by Stephen Cone) a guy afraid of commitment and petrified of marriage. His divorced parents have left him with the relationship heebie-jeebies. When his best friend ...
Year of the Rooster (Red Theater Chicago): Angry Birds
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: Red Theater Chicago’s mission is to be “dangerous and free” through producing works that ask dangerous questions and a funding model that solicits supporters to purchase theater tickets for those who may not be able to afford it. For Year of the Rooster, director Carrie Lee Patterson and her ...
EXTENDED Thru March 12th Review “Posh”: “Downton Abbey” Meets “Jackass-The Movie”
Steep Theatre Company presents the U.S. Premiere of POSH. The down and dirty description of this show is Downton Abbey meets Jackass -The Movie. Playwright Laura Wade has penned a tale that is equally posh and revolting. On the surface, ten Oxford University students are determined to continue the antics of the historic and exclusive Riot ...
Review “Satchmo at the Waldorf”: Behind-the-Music Glimpse at Louis Armstrong
Court Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF. This one man show is a tribute to trumpet legend Louis Armstrong. Playwright Terry Teachout derived this play from his book “Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong.” Set in 1971, Teachout imagines Armstrong reflecting on his life backstage a few months before his death. ...
Review “No Wake” (Route 66): Still Waters Too Still
Route 66 Theatre Company presents the Midwest Premiere of NO WAKE. The sailing term ‘no wake’ means to proceed without making waves. A boat operates at a minimal speed until it clears the zone. Playwright William Donnelly uses the term for the title of his play about parents grieving the loss of a daughter. Unfortunately, it ...
Today is a New Year!
Jenny gave me this picture for my birthday. I love it hard. It encapsulates all my ideals of living a good life. She bought it for my new office but I decided to keep it at home for the daily reminder. 2016 has begun. This morning is full of possibilities. The slate is clean. I don’t ...
My Top Ten Unforgettable 2015 Plays
It is my great fortune to live in a town that is bursting with so much theatrical talent. About seven years ago, I stumbled into reviewing the Chicago theatre scene. Every show enhances my understanding of theatre and life. I enjoy most every production for some aspect. The stinkers have been a single digit percentage ...
Review “Domesticated” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Norris Untamed!
We have a civilized agreement, and a reasonable one, that says we can’t behave the way some of our animal cousins do. I think this idea - that everything men instinctively want, on a primitive level, is basically bad and everything women want, basically good - is how we’ve constructed morality, based on gender. We see women as a ...
Review “Guys and Dolls” (Light Opera Works): LIMITED ENGAGEMENT. BUY TICKETS NOW!
Light Opera Works 2015 at Cahn Auditorium Light Opera Works presents GUYS AND DOLLS. This Tony Award-winning musical is another present to unwrap this week! Big musical dance numbers are nestled alongside charming heart-warming duets. Catchy tunes crackle in this gamblers’ tale of romance and redemption. It has not one but TWO love stories. In ...
Review “The Heir Apparent” (Chicago Shakes): Light, frothy with plenty of poop
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents THE HEIR APPARENT. On its mainstage, Chicago Shakes is keeping it light and frothy. Playwright David Ives has adapted Jean-Francois Regnard’s “Le Legataire.” Although Ives tells the inheritance lampoon in verse, he liberally adds in the sh#t show. Ives dirties up the lyrical elegance with expletives and poop talk. Hearing the ...