Lyric Opera: "La Boheme"
It is impossible to not fall under the spell of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of “La Boheme” at the Civic Opera House.
Chicago Children's Theatre: "Bud, Not Buddy"
If there’s only one show you bring your kids to this season, make it Chicago Children’s Theatre’s new production “Bud, Not Buddy.” The play, based on the Newberry Award-winning book, follows a charismatic 10-year-old orphan (Bud) as he embarks on a journey to find his father in depression-era Michigan. Using clues his late mother […]
February Theater Highlights
Even the busiest of couples usually find time for at least one date night this month. Make it memorable with a trip to the theater. With historical journeys, memes on parenting, and classics from Pinter and some guy named Shakespeare, there’s certain to be a show to light your fire. The Whipping Man Through February […]
February Guide To Live Music on The North Shore
If you’re jonesing for a night out – and love some live entertainment, dancing, or maybe even a mosh pit, check out this month’s upcoming shows at several of the North Shore’s best in music establishments: SPACE 1245 Chicago Ave. 847-492-8860 Tuesday, February 9: Joe Firstman & Ernie Halter […]
Steppenwolf: "The Motherf**ker with the Hat"
If the title of this Anna Shapiro-directed play leaves any doubt in your mind, let me confirm, it’s not PG rated. This tale of betrayal, revenge and addiction is a quick-moving exploration of modern love and friendship, and the language reflects all the messiness that involves. The play stars John Oritz, as Jackie, a recovering […]
Bank of America Theatre: "Book of Mormon"
“Book of Mormon” = Book of Awesome. And … that’s what I posted on Facebook after seeing the Chicago production of the Tony Award-winning musical, in town through June 2. Taking the show in with a friend, she asked afterward exactly how I was going to write about it, and this is what I said: […]
January Theater Highlights
This month, Chicago gets to see a few plays that were already big hits in New York. These might be old news as far as East Coast critics are concerned, but the Second City’s first-rate, so don’t be shocked if the plays are even better here than they were on Broadway. The Motherf**ker With The […]
Cadillac Palace Theatre: "War Horse"
The biggest question for Broadway in Chicago following its triumphant opening of the five-time Tony-awarded play, “War Horse,” is: why only three weeks? The moniker “theatrical magic,” bestowed by the New York Times on 2011 Tony’s Best Play is perfect. If this production at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre doesn’t satisfy critics who clamor for “fresh” […]
Lyric Opera: "Hansel and Gretel"
Do not, I implore you, take younger children to see Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel und Gretel.” Perhaps middle schoolers upwards, but not the little ones. It is a frightening, occasionally grotesque staging of this fairy tale, which, full disclosure, I could never read to my own children because in the original […]
Drury Lane Theatre: "Singin' in the Rain"
The perfect illustration of the art and science that is theatrical production is found in Drury Lane Theatre’s current presentation, “Singin’ in the Rain.” Art abounds in the show’s terrific dancing, professional vocals and instrumentation and stunning costumes and special effects. It doesn’t just rain on stage; it pours. But in the Oakbrook Terrace production’s […]
