A musical-theater masterpiece celebrating the 30th anniversary of Chicagoland’s most elegant venue, led by a top-five area director with a multi-talented cast. That is Drury Lane Theatre’s “Les Misérables.” For those whose introduction to “Les Mis” came via the much-hyped 2012 motion picture, Director Rachel Rockwell’s stunning, classical stage presentation is a reminder that musicals […]
Charles Darwin shocked the world with his theory of evolution 155 years ago, and people are still arguing about it. These impassioned discussions began right inside Darwin’s home, a story that playwright Sara Gmitterimagines in her new drama. Making its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre, “In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story” is half romance, […]
To focus on a single sense in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s second annual Broadway dalliance is a gross injustice to its breathtaking production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” It’s akin to crediting Michael Jordan’s basketball accomplishments to just the shoes. This not-to-be missed staging of arguably the most well-known musical in the […]
The Marriott Theatre‘s production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats,” based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” opened April 2. The following review is presented in the style of one of these poems, “The Naming of Cats.” The reviewing of “Cats” is a difficult matter, It isn’t just one of […]
It may finally be spring, but this month’s noteworthy plays have a dark tinge. Death will come dancing at Writers Theatre, while the past disturbs a young man at Next. Elsewhere, a sea captain’s obsessive quest will drive him toward destruction. But it won’t be all doom and gloom—hope springs eternal at the theater. Road […]
I’m the only girl in an all-male household. My four sons and husband love new technology. For years they’d pout on long car trips when I’d make them unplug to look out the window. They’d grunt and grab the remote out of my hand when I’d complain, “I can’t even turn on the TV!” They’d […]
What would you do if you couldn’t remember a traumatic event in your life? That’s just one question raised in Next Theatre’s “The Great God Pan,” written by Amy Herzog and directed by Kimberly Senior, whose work has been nominated for multiple Jeff Awards. Senior spoke with Make It Better about “The Great God Pan,” […]
One can hardly glance at his or her Facebook news feed without being cleverly implored a time or eight to “Dream BIG!”
The artistic director of a theater company is like the captain of a ship. A captain can’t do everything but must be sure everything gets done. Tasks include overseeing the budget, choosing the repertoire, hiring actors, set designers, costumers and directors. The men at the helm of two important North Shore theaters—BJ Jones, now in […]
You don’t have to buy the hottest ticket in town this weekend—it’s free.
