Goodman Theatre’s “Carlyle” is a twisted political romp of a play-within-a-play that follows the trajectory of a black Republican. As you watch him move through identity after identity, Carlyle becomes more than just a character — and it is here the brilliance of both actor James Earl Jones II and director Benjamin Kamine really shines. Here are […]
Robert Falls will celebrate 30 years as artistic director at Goodman during the theater’s 2016/2017 season, titled “Essential Goodman.” Falls will direct “Uncle Vanya,” a Chicago premiere adaptation, and “Ah, Wilderness!” Other season highlights include world premieres “The Magic Play,” “King of the Yees,” “Objects in the Mirror” and “Lady in Denmark,” and Chicago premieres […]
Glencoe’s Writers Theatre is introducing its audience to its new theater space with Tom Stoppard‘s time-jumping tale “Arcadia.” Set at a manor in the English countryside, “Arcadia” takes its audience to the early 19th century where a girl uncovers a scientific and mathematical theory well before her time against the backdrop of uproarious relations between various members of […]
The Den Theatre is a fantastically quirky playhouse in the heart of Wicker Park that feels more like a rabbit warren crossed with your great-aunt’s living room than anything else. On stage now, “New Country” is not to be missed. Eighty-five minutes of nonstop action (no intermission, FYI) yield a surprisingly nuanced show that defies […]
Goodman Theatre is bringing the play that inspired “Hello, Dolly!” to life with the help of a Northwestern grad. Kristine Nielsen, who plays Dolly Gallagher Levi in “The Matchmaker,” hasn’t been back to the Chicago area in more than 30 years, but says she “leapt at this chance” to work with the Goodman. “I credit […]
There would be no spectacular new home for Writers Theatre, which will put this location firmly on the national theater map, without Michael Halberstam, the theater’s artistic director. His artistry, passion and charm led the organization from small community theater in the back of a bookstore to national prominence. Any time spent with Halberstam is quality time indeed. […]
In the world of local theater, the most anticipated opening in March and April isn’t a play — it’s a new venue. Writers Theatre opened the doors of its new Jeanne Gang-designed building in Glencoe in February. The beautiful structure features two performance spaces and promises to be an accommodating home for this consistently outstanding […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago is bringing another classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to its stage this spring, “The King and I,” and has two powerhouse talents starring as Anna and the King of Siam. Kate Baldwin is a Tony Award-nominated actress for the Broadway revival of “Finian’s Rainbow” and a Northwestern grad. Paolo Montalban has […]
It’s no secret that Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago produces some excellent shows — they’ve got 12 Tony awards to prove it. But sometimes, the shows can be a little … strange. Not all art is for the masses, but that’s what makes Steppenwolf so brave: they don’t care. This could hardly be truer about […]
For Kathy Talan, a second-grade teacher at Albany Park’s Volta Elementary School, watching her students write and perform an opera was an experience in her career that will be hard to top. For 16 weeks, her students — a diverse group including non-English speakers, dual-language students, students with special needs, and academically gifted students — […]
