An opera as suspenseful as a Hitchcock film, a soul-searing score, and a marvel of a two-tiered set. And that’s before we even mention the voices on stage at the Lyric Opera of Chicago‘s premiere of “The Passenger” the evening of Feb. 24. The score by Mieczysław Weinberg begins with menacing drums, painting a musical portrait […]
Scene One. Marie Antoinette and her ladies drink tea and nibble on decadent French pastries as they walk back and forth across the golden “Hall of Mirrors” and chat frivolously about fashion, gardens and men. So begins Director Robert O’Hara’s modern and unconventional production of “Marie Antoinette” at Steppenwolf Theatre. Playwright David Adjmi intends to […]
A celebration of the late, lamented August Wilson dominates Chicago’s theater scene in March and April, while at Victory Gardens, another African-American scribe tells a story inspired by today’s headlines. Other highlights include critically praised stories set in Ireland and terra incognita. “Two Trains Running” and August Wilson Celebration March 7 to April 18 August […]
Remember TV’s “Dating Game” from the ‘60s and ‘70s? It was the ultimate blind date: one woman, three bachelors, divided by a wall and a smarmy emcee. Questions were asked and answered before the winning date was chosen, sight unseen. The audience could see all—and it was hilarious. Fast forward to last night’s opening of […]
A middle-aged gay couple, a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, an ultra-conservative politician and his traditional wife, and two young adults in their twenties who plan on getting married in spite of their families’ differences are all brought to life in The Marriott Theatre’s newest production of “La Cage aux Folles.” The classic musical comedy […]
Emily Berman first became interested in theater after following a friend to an audition. “She was auditioning for children’s theater plays and I was like, ‘I want to do that,’” Berman says. “When we both got cast, it just became one of my favorite things to do.” Today, the New Trier grad is starring in […]
It’s no surprise that a play called “White Guy on the Bus” is about racism. The white guy in the title—a rich suburban financial wheeler-dealer named Ray—is the only white person on that bus. He sits down next to an African American woman named Shatique, who’s on her way to visit her brother in jail. […]
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! “Newsies” is in town and taking Randolph Street by storm. This touring production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit based on the 1992 movie of the same name is ultimately based on the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City. In “Newsies,” a group of ragtag boys working for […]
“Anna Bolena” premiered in December of 1830, composed by Gaetano Donizetti, who lived from 1797 to 1848. So it is a bel canto opera, right? Yes, but don’t think the principals will just stand there and sing. The three hour and 25 minute production at Lyric Opera of Chicago opened Saturday, Dec. 6, and this […]
On a recent Saturday morning, my 6-year-old daughter and I were ready to see “Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat.” That is, until she told me, “I want to stay home! I don’t want to go to a show for babies!” Luckily for me, I’m not alone. It seems Chicago’s Emerald City Theatre has […]
