Google wished me a happy birthday. Cool? Or frightening? I’m equally weirded out and pleased with their acknowledgement. I’ve gotten cards, texts, and Facebook posts. I’ve had a birthday lunch and a birthday drink. I’m certainly feeling showered in lovely remembrances from my community. I’m 52 today. 5-2! I’m playing with a whole deck ...
Review “Twist Your Dickens” (Goodman Theatre): Clever Farce
Goodman Theatre, in partnership with The Second City, presents TWIST YOUR DICKENS. Here’s how we know Goodman Theatre has a sense of humor. On its mainstage, they are presenting their 38th “Christmas Carol” production. Their traditional offering has become a Chicago holiday staple. Which makes it even cheekier that the show on their second stage is ...
Review “Twelfth Night” (Midsommer Flight): Indoor Shakespeare in the Park
Midsommer Flight, in partnership with the Lincoln Park Conservatory, presents TWELFTH NIGHT. The backdrop of the holiday decorated botanical gardens is the winter way to experience Shakespeare in the park. For the first time, Midsommer Flight takes their current offering indoors. Director Beth Wolf skillfully carves out a staging area within the historic glass-covered building. Christmas ...
Review “Bel Canto” (Lyric Opera): Profound!
Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the world premiere of Bel Canto. When I read Ann Patchett’s novel, I was captivated by her storytelling. Inspired by the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1996-97, Patchett penned a tale of an elite house party attacked by terrorists. A group of international dignitaries have gathered for a private concert by a world renown ...
Review “Robin Hood and Maid Marian” (Strawdog Theatre): Contemporary Couple for the Ages
Strawdog Theatre Company’s Hugen Hall presents the world premiere adaptation of ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN. I’ve seen “Robin Hood” dozens of times both the Errol Flynn and Disney versions. In these popular depictions, Maid Marian is a demure character in need of rescue. What I like most about Hugen Hall’s world premiere adaption is how ...
The Nutcracker (The House Theatre of Chicago): Holiday Cheer! Heartbreak! Rats!
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Set the scene: The House Theater, a reliable option for modern, fourth-wall breaking theater, brings us their annual holiday spin on The Nutcracker. Originally created in 2007 for a premiere at Steppenwolf Theater, this year’s production is directed and choreographed by one if its original creators, Tommy Rapley. What’s it all about: Although ...
Review “Barney the Elf” (The Other Theatre Company): Crass and Classy Lampoon
The Other Theatre Company (TOTC) and Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis are proud to present the second show of the company’s 2015-2016 season BARNEY THE ELF. Santa was dead to begin with. His son, Santa Junior (played by the sinister tyrant Lewis Rawlinson) is running the toy operations. When Rawlinson learns that Barney (played by the irresistible ...
Review “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre): Hip-Hop Holiday Tradition
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents A Q BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL. They’re back! The Q Brothers return with a third helping of what is quickly becoming Chicago’s hip-hop holiday tradition. GQ and JQ, along with Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle, have written a rap version of Dickens’ classic. The funky sound provides a trendy alternative in the Christmas ...
Review “Beautiful The Carole King Musical” (Broadway in Chicago): BEAUTIFUL!
Broadway in Chicago, along with Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing present BEAUTIFUL The Carole King Musical. I grew up on Carole King songs. Until I saw this show, I didn’t realize the depth of that statement. Long before Carole sang her own haunting melodies like “So far away” and “You make me feel like a ...
Review “Fallen Angels” (Remy Bumppo): Light Frothy Escape Back to the 1920s
Remy Bumppo presents FALLEN ANGELS. Playwright Noël Coward penned a 1920s risqué comedy. Coward tells the tale of two couples. When the husbands go away on a golf outing, the wives plot a sexy tryst with a former lover. In Coward’s day, this subject matter must have been scandalous. Ladies having premarital sex. Oh my! Not ...