Pardon the mass expression of schandenfreude emanating from Lincoln Park’s Apollo Theater. But it takes a dive into a German dictionary to succinctly define the audience’s reaction to Emerald City Theatre’s musical retelling of the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Schandenfreude means pleasure derived from the misfortune of […]
If you’re looking for a theatrical night of introspection and quiet anguish, “Bring It On” is probably not going to deepen your existential wonderings. But if you’re looking for an energetic, funny and witty musical—and yes, there are cheerleaders—you’ll love “Bring It On.” Loosely based on the 2000 movie, this Broadway-bound musical uses high school […]
Many decades ago, before even “Jesus Christ Superstar” began, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice presented a 15-minute pop cantata at a London school, telling-by-singing the “Genesis” story of Joseph and his brothers. Proving that, really, not just any dream will do—only the big ones, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” evolved into a global […]
Who would imagine that a Handel opera could be such fun? Lyric Opera opened a new production of the composer’s “Rinaldo” at the Civic Opera House, and the final opera in its 57th season is an extravaganza of music, drama, and plenty of side-splitting comedy! The story is slight. Crusader Rinaldo, sung gloriously by American […]
If you don’t know what “fml” means, then you probably aren’t a teenager. Teens are both the subject and the intended audience for Sarah Gubbins’ play “fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life” — but adults are also likely to appreciate this timely, heartfelt drama in Steppenwolf Theatre’s series for young audiences. For those of […]
Ready for its second musical release, mixed on a board once owned by Billy Joel, a North Shore blues/rock quintet embraces its growing audience. It’s curious that members of the band High Street have an iota of interest in Billy Joel. Because Joel is 50 years older than this group’s average age of 13.8. But […]
The British colonization of Africa was a protracted, complicated cruelty whose ramifications still affect Africans today. Western ways supplanted centuries-old native traditions, wiping away tribal life. “The Convert” examines the negative impact of European “progress.” In 1890s Rhodesia, Catholic priest Chilford (Leroy McClain) strives to assimilate into encroaching British culture. He acquiesces to housekeeper Mai […]
If you were labeled a “shrew” by your friends and family, how would you act? And would love allow you to show your true self? These questions are central to the spirited adaptation of “Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew” that just opened at Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The play is produced for […]
The American Gay Rights Movement started not with a bang but with several bangs. The Compton Cafeteria and the Black Cat Tavern riots in California foreshadowed a movement about to come to fruition. But neither of those conflicts grabbed the attention of the uprising that would become the linchpin of gay rights: The Stonewall Rebellion. “Hit […]
Oh man, you might be thinking. Avant-garde theater?
