Don’t assume theater groups will be around forever. Many fine ensembles and companies have folded over the years, for one reason or another. And now, the future of Evanston’s Next Theatre is uncertain. All the more reason to turn out for Next’s current season. Don’t take your favorite local theaters for granted. They need your […]
America’s original jazz dance company returns to its roots with new full-company work. A 12-year-old Ray Leeper took a deep breath, let his nerves settle, and accepted the hand that eventually ushered him onto the dance floor more than 20 years ago. The now award-winning choreographer (“So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent”) […]
Ghosts and devils often mingle with living human beings in Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s dramas. If there are any supernatural elements in his latest play—which is debatable—they aren’t quite so obvious. But the play is called “The Night Alive,” a title that hints at hidden forces in the darkness. The Chicago premiere of “The Night […]
Voices make the opera, and “Don Giovanni,” Lyric Opera of Chicago’s opening production of its 60th season, had stellar vocal artists to spare. The title role in this Mozart masterpiece is sung by Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien, not only a powerful singer, but a formidable embodiment of the aristocrat whose womanizing ways lead to his […]
The Goodman Theatre in Chicago celebrates its 90th anniversary this season. It is another milestone for the longest active nonprofit theater in Chicago, and its two stages will be filled with works by established playwrights and some promising comedies by bright new names. Robert Falls, who has been the theater’s artistic director since 1986, reflects […]
September is the start of a new season, and Chicago theaters are aiming to make a big impression. Isaac’s Eye Through December 7 While Writers Theatre builds a new Tudor Court venue designed by star architect Jeanne Gang, it will stage two shows this season in its 50-seat space at Books on Vernon—plus a site-specific […]
Running at Goodman Theatre through October 12, “The World of Extreme Happiness” is a thought-provoking production. Based on a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, “Happiness” explores China’s cultural and economic transformation from a rural-based society to a rapidly urbanized country. Goodman’s lively, funny and ever poignant production is directed by Eric Ting and captivates its […]
Jessie Mueller has had a good year. This past June, the 2001 ETHS grad scored the 2014 Tony Award for “Best Lead Actress in a Musical” for her brilliant performance as Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” Actually, it was more of a transformation than a performance, as Mueller’s complete lack of artifice […]
Just about every work of historical fiction takes liberties with the facts, but some take more liberties than others. “Isaac’s Eye,” Lucas Hnath’s play about 17th-century scientist Isaac Newton, takes a lot. It’s more fable than documentary. But this play, now at Writers Theatre, is completely upfront about that. It tells you right away: Most […]
After watching Ruth Madoff on “60 Minutes” in 2011,Amanda Peet was inspired. “I couldn’t stop thinking about her,” she says in the play’s program notes. “There’s an insane, communal craving—fomented by our media culture—to have access to the private matters of famous people; the more deeply personal, the better,” says Peet, who herself has been […]
