When David Catlin was creating Lookingglass Theatre’s stage version of “Moby Dick,” a sentence in the first chapter of Herman Melville’s novel jumped out at him. The narrator (that fellow who introduces himself by saying, “Call me Ishmael”) remarks: “I cannot tell why it was exactly that those stage managers, the Fates, put me down […]
The Chicago theater scene has serious star power in May and June — with Stacy Keach embodying Ernest Hemingway in one drama, while Mike Nussbaum portrays Albert Einstein in another play. “Relativity” May 11 to June 18 The 93-year-old Mike Nussbaum is a marvel to behold, commanding stages with his nuanced performances. After playing Sigmund Freud […]
As spring blooms, local stages are bursting with brand-new works of theater. March and April will be strong months for regional and world premieres. “Linda Vista” March 30 to May 21 Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright Tracy Letts is back at his home theater with another world premiere. His previous play, “Mary Page Marlowe,” was the […]
As the new year begins, the highlights on local stages include the Marriott debut of a mega-popular musical, yet another new version of “Uncle Vanya” and world premieres of dramas at Northlight and Chicago Shakespeare. “Faceless” Jan. 26 to March 5 This venerable Skokie theater company is putting its spotlight on a young local playwright, […]
This holiday season, Steppenwolf, Northlight and Writers Theatre have some presents for us: new plays, never seen before on local stages. “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” Through Dec. 18 In this newly imagined sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” Mary Bennet (Emily Berman) grows tired of being the dutiful middle sister. At Christmastime, an […]
September and October may well be the busiest and most exciting months of the year for plays in Chicago. Not only are theaters getting into full swing with their new seasons — there’s also a little play you may have heard of … about that guy whose face is on $10 bills? “Hamilton“ Open run […]
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 […]
Expect lots and lots of Shakespeare on Chicago stages in 2016, with a yearlong festival celebrating the Bard’s works. Meanwhile, the Marriott is trying something a bit more daring than usual, and the Goodman is creating a five-hour epic about evil. Shakespeare 400 Chicago Throughout 2016 Chicago Shakespeare Theater is spearheading this big festival honoring […]
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without Scrooge, George Bailey and the Sugar Plum Fairies appearing on local stages. But November and December also bring other theatrical gifts, including some promising comedies and dramas that have nothing to do with Santa Claus. “You Can’t Take It With You“ Nov. 6 – Dec. 13 A huge […]
“Treasure Island” is one of those stories that has seeped into our culture. The way we picture pirates – those eye patches, peg legs, parrots and treasure maps – can be traced back to Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1888 novel. The book has been turned into dozens of plays, movies and cartoons, and now it’s getting […]
