Sometimes, it’s all about punctuation. To many, hinging a professional musical-theatrical production on the abilities of a bunch of children would be a huge question mark. Not to folks in Oakbrook Terrace. At least, not when they have director/choreographer extraordinaire Rachel Rockwell at the helm. Drury Lane’s current production of “Oliver!” doesn’t include an exclamation […]
Summer is here! Which means it’s time to take your workout outdoors. Since the start of a new season demands a hot playlist, we rounded up a few tracks to help you push through the heat. Here are the best pump-up jams, chart-toppers and pop-rock anthems that are guaranteed to take your workout to the […]
Summer is just around the corner, and Chicago-area theaters are pulling out all the stops with their big spring shows. The themes on display include French comedy, Chicago history, a neighborhood tavern and Hollywood’s treatment of black actors. Stella & Lou May 3–June 9 Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie 847-673-6300 Four-time Emmy winner Rhea […]
We all know how “Othello” ends. The love story between the mighty Moor of Venice and his gentle Desdemona comes to the same tragic conclusion in Shakespeare’s 1693 drama, Verdi’s 1887 opera, the 1995 Hollywood film and in the ballet, choreographed by Lar Lubovitch for American Ballet Theatre in 1997. A revival of that story […]
Clap if you believe in enchantment! Audiences are certainly enjoying “Enchanted April,” the final production of its 10th season. Keep in mind, for it to work you need to suspend disbelief when you take in this tale of two women who flee London rain and neglectful husbands for a month of sunshine and wisteria at […]
There’s no love/hate conundrum when it comes to the circus; everyone seems entrenched in one of two distinct tents. Tent One inhabitants count down the days until the Bulls and Blackhawks vacate the United Center to make room for the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Those in Tent Two see the circus as a sketchy entertainment […]
Scottish playwright David Grieg’s “Yellow Moon” is about many things, but more than anything else, it’s about the way we tell stories. The characters don’t have all that much dialogue—not the usual sort, anyway. Instead of talking to each other in conversations, they spend more time narrating and explaining and talking about each other. And […]
Music and pajamas always go well together. Such is the case with The Music Theatre Company‘s production of “The Pajama Game.” When I think musical, I tend to think big and boisterous—not something you would you expect in a smaller theater. This isn’t a problem for director Jess McCloud, along with founding artistic director and […]
It’s a party to celebrate and educate. The Women’s Health Foundation is dedicated to empowering all women to embrace pelvic health, and its annual “Below the Belt” gala has become the fundraiser no one wants to miss. Surprisingly, despite decades of movement toward female equality, more sex education in schools, and the sheer importance of […]
I think it’s going to be a few weeks before I don’t panic every time I forget where I put my keys. That’s the intensity that Lookingglass Theatre’s world premiere adaptation of Lisa Genova’s novel, “Still Alice” brings to the topic of early-onset dementia. It’s scary, it robs you of all the things you love, […]
