Review “Duchess of Malfi” (Babes with Blades): Family Drama With Some Twists

Babes with Blades Theatre Company presents THE DUCHESS OF MALFI. The Duchess of Malfi is looking for love. Her brothers, the cardinal and the earl, want her to embrace her widowhood. She defies them by falling for her steward. Despite conventional mores, court gossip and family interference, the Duchess solidifies her relationship with a secret marriage. ...

Review “Hamilton” (Broadway in Chicago): Miranda’s Masterpiece

Saturday, September 16, 2023 Permalink 0

Broadway in Chicago presents HAMILTON. This was my third opportunity to experience Lin-Manual Miranda’s masterpiece live.  And I LOVED every note of it. I am forever in awe of Miranda’s genius in dusting off a founding father’s biography and telling the story in a contemporary and innovative way. The show is sung and rapped by a ...

Review “The Writer” (Steep Theatre): Unexpected and Thought-Provoking!

Friday, August 18, 2023 Permalink 0

Steep Theatre presents the U.S. Premiere of THE WRITER. This show is THE essences of a live theatrical performance. Its premise centers on the dynamic relationship between writer and director. Each struggles to shape the narrative through their own lens. Their perspectives are anchored in position of influence, experience and gender. Playwright Ella Hickson isn’t straightforward ...

Review “The Producers” (Music Theater Works): Absurdly Fun!

Monday, August 14, 2023 Permalink 0

Music Theater Works presents THE PRODUCERS A Mel Brooks Musical. The Legendary Mel Brooks wrote and directed the 1967 cult classic movie “The Producers.” He later turned the movie into a staged musical (aided by Thomas Meehan) and that musical into another movie. Brooks pens the tale of an aging producer and his accountant debuting a ...

Review Disney BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Chicago Shakes): Perfect Abbreviated Return to a Beloved Tale

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Disney BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A tale as old as time… The girl meets beast is a well-known fairytale. Disney has produced their musical version in multiple ways; animated film (1991), Broadway stage (1993), full movie (2017), and television special (2022). The show features a memorable score that includes the romantic ballad “Beauty ...

Review “Another Marriage” (Steppenwolf Theatre): A Marriage of Humor and Humanity

Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Permalink 0

Steppenwolf Theatre presents ANOTHER MARRIAGE.  It’s all about the story! Two students bond over their literary interests and writing aspirations. Their mutual attraction: words… on the page or through intellectual sparring. A couple’s relationship is deconstructed from the end to the beginning to the in-between. Their love is entangled in the reality of their past, present ...

Review “The Who’s TOMMY” (Goodman Theatre): Goodman.Rocks.This.Hard!

Saturday, July 1, 2023 Permalink 0

Goodman Theatre presents The Who’s TOMMY the Musical.  TOMMY and Des are back! Thirty years after its Tony Award-winning original production,  Des McAnuff (director and co-libretto) returns to reimagine The Who’s TOMMY. In the early 90s, Pete Townshend (music, lyrics, co-libretto) and McAnuff collaborated using existing music for the story and co-creating the book. Now, TOMMY ...

Review “Lane Call A Night of Closing” (Factory Theater): Nostalgic and FUN!

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Permalink 0

The Factory Theater presents the World Premiere of LANE CALL A NIGHT OF CLOSING.  Upon arrival, it’s a step back into time as The Factory Theater transforms into a Venture Store (the ‘it’ store before Target).  It’s all bright and garish colors, lights and vests as the Venture crew mingle with bargain hunters. Rose Johnson (set), ...

Review “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” (The Second City): Wake Up and Get Tickets!

Saturday, June 10, 2023 Permalink 0

The Second City presents the 111th MainStage Revue DON’T QUIT YOUR DAYDREAM.  I wanted a laugh… and I did LOL hard and often! The new MainStage Revue is crushing it! Nothing is held back as Andy Boldoc, Kiley Fitzgerald, Claire McFadden, Evan Mills, Julia Morales and Jordan Stafford find the humor in anything and everything. Vegans, menopause, ...