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 […]
It’s hard to watch “the nicest kids in town” without reflecting on the iconic “American Bandstand’s” place in the nation’s history. And the death of Dick Clark just days before Drury Lane’s opening of the musical, “Hairspray,” makes it darn near impossible. That’s mostly a good thing. With introspection evident in the opening night crowd, […]
If you’re looking for a theatrical night of introspection and quiet anguish, “Bring It On” is probably not going to deepen your existential wonderings. But if you’re looking for an energetic, funny and witty musical—and yes, there are cheerleaders—you’ll love “Bring It On.” Loosely based on the 2000 movie, this Broadway-bound musical uses high school […]
“South Pacific” is a real treat—especially in this national tour rendition, based on the 2008 Tony Award-winning production at Lincoln Center. Strong cast members with wonderful voices tell the romantic story of two couples on a tropical island during World War II and the challenges that wartime brings them. Baritone Marcelo Guzzo, who has performed […]
The Mississippi riverboat named the Cotton Blossom has docked on the stage of the Civic Opera House. “Show Boat,” the wonderful, ground-breaking 1927 American musical by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, deserves a first-class presentation, and Lyric has given it just that with this lavish production, conducted by John DeMain. All the characters, under […]
My love of Green Day peaked in middle school, and I probably would have loved “American Idiot” in my angsty, grungy tween and teen years. It’s really more of a rock concert than a musical. But, I’m not in middle school anymore, so I longed for the usual anchors of a theatrical show—a plot, character […]
“In the Heights,” only playing through January 15 at the Oriental Theatre, is a wildly vibrant show that will win the heart of just about any theatergoer. Not only is the show acclaimed—it won 4 Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical, and the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album—but also it’s well […]
There are simply not enough accolades to bestow upon “Memphis.” The 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical is running at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace through December 4. But a single word of advice to musical-theater lovers suffices: Go. It’s obvious in the show’s first 3 minutes that the audience is in for a special treat. Clear storytelling, […]
Chicago Children’s Theatre’s new production, “Goodnight Moon the Musical” is anything but sleepy.
There is something about attending a Broadway musical … The buzz of the crowd as they make their way into the luxe red velvet and gold gilded playhouse, the thrill of hearing the pit orchestra honk and whistle out notes of what’s to come. The anticipation is heightened when the production is the classic “West […]
