Tennessee Williams and Harold Pinter aren’t usually thought of as joined-at-the-hip dramatists. The former favored florid self-dramatizing southern gothic tragedy, while the latter is famous for what isn’t said in his “comedies of menace” peppered with those oft-analyzed pauses. But thanks to Writers’ Theatre, I now see both as masters of domestic, territorial battles that […]
The sprawling cast of characters in “Season’s Greetings” includes a dashing young novelist, who says his writing is “painfully witty or wittily painful—I forget which.” That’s also an apt description of what British playwright Alan Ayckbourn was aiming for with “Season’s Greetings”—a mix of humor and pathos. The play has plenty of both, and a […]
Chicago theaters take on tradition this December. December is not just any month. The last month of the year is designated for gathering with friends and family to partake in age-old traditions, such as attending midnight mass, lighting the menorah and making the trek to your great Aunt’s annual cookie exchange. From Sedaris to Irving […]
It’s not unusual for intellectual recitations to flow from the bowels of old Evanston buildings. That’s why Piven Theatre Workshop’s current premiere staging of Rebecca Joy Fletcher’s “Cities of Light” fits right in at the Noyes Cultural Center in Northwestern University’s shadow. Make no mistake, this is no “Mary Poppins,” but then again, it doesn’t […]
The sound of slender reeds opens a story of political intrigue, plots and crimes in Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov.” Lyric’s music director Sir Andrew Davis conducts this grim masterpiece, which is based on Pushkin’s play of the same name and recounts events from late 16th century Russian history. Boris is sung by an Italian bass, Ferruccio […]
A doctor’s life’s work is depicted … On the main stage out Lincolnshire way At the Marriott Theatre for young-uns Where the shows all run during the day It’s a rhyming bonanza of color and fun An excellent show is this, “Seussical” The book, score and acting, directing and such Would make this a fine […]
Chicago Children’s Theatre’s new production, “Goodnight Moon the Musical” is anything but sleepy.
“All Together Now”—a soundtrack for Thanksgiving Day). 1. The Way You Laugh by Dawes 2. Brand New Day by Trevor Hall 3. Share With Me the Sun by Portugal. The Man 4. How Come You Never Go There by Feist 5. Barrytown by Steely Dan 6. Hunger Song by The Middle East 7. Drink On […]
3-D is all the rage; just take a look at current movie offerings.
Illustrating fire on stage is a challenge, especially when it’s the subject of an entire play. Such is the case in “The Great Fire,” which launched the 2011-2012 season at the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre. “The Great Fire,” which is about the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, uses no open flames. Instead, a woman embodies […]
