Reviewed by Tom Lawler Profiles Theatre presents the world premiere of GENIUS. As playwright Kate Walbert has done such interesting work in playing with the timeline of an extremely awkward dinner party between two NYC couples, let’s jump right to a scene that represents the very best of Genius. We see an older couple recount the story ...
Review “Travesties” (Remy Bumppo): Brilliant Cerebral Comedy
Remy Bumppo presents TRAVESTIES. In 1976, Playwright Tom Stoppard received the Tony for Best New Play for TRAVESTIES. Stoppard’s comical tome is his loving tribute to Oscar Wilde. Stoppard imagines Zurich in 1917 where legends-in-the-making; James Joyce, Vladmir Lenin and Tristan Tzara are in pursuit of their passions. Joyce is researching for his book “Ulysses.” Lenin ...
Review “Our Bad Magnet” (Mary Arrchie Theatre): Partially Haunted by Giggles
Mary Arrchie Theatre presents OUR BAD MAGNET. Playwright Douglas Maxwell pens almost two separate plays. One is anchored in the oddity of a young boy nicknamed Giggles (played with passion and nimbleness by Lane Flores). He has been neglected by a father who loved his ventriloquist dummy more than his son. The premise has plenty of ...
EXTENDED Thru May 3rd “End Days” (Windy City Playhouse): Get Caught Up in this Rapture
Windy City Playhouse presents its inaugural production of END DAYS. The play opens with Stephen Cefalu Jr. (Nelson) strumming guitar in an Elvis jumpsuit. He is singing his heart out to an unseen girl while being plummeted with paper wads. Next, we meet a disheveled Keith Kupferer (Arthur) waking up from sleeping on the couch. He can’t ...
Review “Tightwire” (Chicago Tap Theatre): One-of-a-Kind Experience
Chicago Tap Theatre presents the World Premiere of TIGHTWIRE. Although tap dancing is usually considered a peppy art form, Marc Kelly Smith makes tap dark. Smith has penned a tale around the behind-the-scenes antics of a 1930s traveling circus. And even though a circus is another entertainment mode more normally associated with merriment, Smith focuses us ...
Review “Balm in Gilead” (Griffin Theatre): Delectably Seedy Slice of Life
Griffin Theatre presents BALM IN GILEAD. On my way up the steep staircase at Den Theatre, I was concerned for this drunk man on his way down. His eyes were half closed. He took each step with the focused deliberateness of the walking trashed. I wondered what had happened to this man until later when he ...
Review “The Illusion” (The Right Brain Project): Captivating Conclusion
The Right Brain Project presents THE ILLUSION. The illusions start early and continue to the finale. Upon arrival, the audience is sat on benches lining the wall. Set Designer Katie-Bell Springmann has wrapped the intimate theatre in scripted parchment. Stacks of books create a cave-like arch on the stage. The room is dark except for a ...
Review “One Came Home” (Lifeline Theatre): Resilient!
Lifeline Theatre presents a World Premiere Adaptation of ONE CAME HOME. Author Amy Timberlake set her award-winning historical novel in 1870s Wisconsin during the great passenger pigeon migration. Back then, the influx of pigeons was followed by the arrival of hunters. Passenger pigeons flocked by the billions making them a commercial target. And then they were ...
Review “Scenes from an Execution” (Runcible Theatre Company): Powerful Tribute to Art
Runcible Theatre Company presents SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION. In 1571, Venice is proud of their victory at the Battle of Lepanto. The Doge (played by Stephen Fedo) has commissioned Galactica (played by Sarah Chalcroft) to commemorate the event with a painting. Instead of a portrait of military triumph, the fiery Chalcroft portrays the carnage of the ...
Review “The Full Monty” (Kokandy Productions): Sung to Perfection!
Kokandy Productions presents THE FULL MONTY. Unemployed steelworkers decide to make money stripping. The guys hatch a scheme to provide erotic entertainment for one night only. They may not have the professional panache of the Chippendales but they are ready to take it all off. They will give the ladies ‘the full monty.‘ The gimmick of ...