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 […]
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” […]
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 […]
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 […]
Every family’s got that skeleton in a closet. Some are kept close enough to the door that it often joins in at family get-togethers—it’s so out there it could even help with chores and the carpool. “Who’s that driving the kids to soccer practice? Oh, that’s just Bobby’s 3-day school suspension for smoking weed.” Others? […]
For many, the holidays are synonymous with the theater—whether it’s a holiday date night out on the town or a traditional family trip to the city. Make this year special—from the traditional to funky, the choice is yours. Bah Humbug! Through December 22 Piccolo Theatre, 600 Main St., Evanston 847-424-0089 Looking for a slightly more […]
“SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody” has rolled into town and the Royal George Theatre might never be the same. Based loosely on the E L James bestselling novel, the play pokes fun at the “mommy porn” genre with song, dance, improvisation and even some audience participation (front row seats, you’ve been warned!) Written and directed […]
When you get called into the Director’s office in 1930s Russia, it probably isn’t to get good news. And from the first time the audience sees the nervous Anna, we know that she isn’t in her boss’ office to share a cup of tea and a little gossip. Yet when the Director, his only name […]
Good news to those in the suburbs, you needn’t fight the traffic and crowds downtown in order to catch some of Second City’s comedy this season.
Full of comic characters enmeshed in concealed identities, secret trysts in the garden and one disastrous (fake) marriage, “Pasquale” plays out at the Civic Opera House with broad humor delivered in elegant taste. The title character is well into his 70s and wants Ernesto, his nephew and only heir, to wed a wealthy woman of […]
