Assassination, betrayal, politics—“Julius Caesar” has a lot of potential, but in this modern retelling, the audience is left looking for the heart of the production. The story is familiar; Caesar rises to power after a successful military campaign. But the people’s wish to crown him king threatens the new republic. Senators, including Cassius and Brutus, […]
For many, the holidays are synonymous with the theater—whether it’s a holiday date night out on the town or a traditional family trip to the city. Make this year special—from the traditional to funky, the choice is yours. Bah Humbug! Through December 22 Piccolo Theatre, 600 Main St., Evanston 847-424-0089 Looking for a slightly more […]
National Theatre of Scotland’s “Black Watch,” which opened the evening of October 10, is a tough show. Presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater after a successful run last year at the Broadway Armory, it is billed as a musical, though it’s not clear why. Recordings of bagpipes do drone on and plenty of marches, patriotic anthems […]
What’s it like to be in hell? So colossally boring that you’ll even seduce the Devil to get the hell out. That’s what happens in the National Theatre of Scotland’s merry and quite mad production of “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.” It is now running in the charming little cabaret-style theater on the sixth […]
Enchantment is in the air with the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s new production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” The play, based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated film and Tony Award-winning stage musical is pure magic with delightful songs, clever costumes and plenty of razzle-dazzle. The performance is directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell (who also […]
The shows at Chicago theaters this month will either leave you sore from laughing or humming a clever tune—whether it’s puppets, cupcakes, Sondheim, the misunderstandings of a foreign language, or the ruminations of an overweight comedian. Jeff Garlin’s “No Sugar Tonight” at Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre July 13-24 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago 312-335-1650 steppenwolf.org As […]
You’ve probably seen Shakespeare reinterpreted a hundred ways: transported settings (modern day Berlin), interpretive costumes (Macbeth in Armani), but Claudio as a rap star?much “Funk It Up About Nothin’ ” is definitely a new twist on “Much Ado About Nothing.” Playing in the intimate upstairs theater at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through Feb. 13, this […]
Imagine “West Side Story” without any songs. Or the Jets and the Sharks, wearing their trademark leather jackets, in a rumble with swords, but their names are Montague and Capulet. That’s only the first scene in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s stunning production of “Romeo and Juliet,” which opened in its Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier Wednesday […]
Want a guaranteed date night? Then put aside the remote, get off the couch and treat yourself to live theater. Now is when 2010-2011 seasons are announced, so it’s the ideal time to lock in good seats at the best prices—some 25 and even 30 percent less than single performance tickets. But which theater […]
