Northlight Theatre: "Stones in His Pockets"

Ah, the Irish! Full of wit and humor, but somehow, sad at heart. Those qualities infused Northlight Theatre’s funny, poignant two-man show, “Stones in His Pockets.”   The stars, David Ivers and Brian Vaughn, portray two Irish fellows in their 30s, Jake and Charlie. Jake is just back from a few fruitless years in New […]

by Dorothy Andries

Goodman Theatre: "Measure for Measure"

The last time Robert Falls directed a Shakespeare play at the Goodman, where he serves as artistic director, he transplanted “King Lear” into a landscape that resembled war-torn Yugoslavia.   It was a shocking, riveting, gut-wrenching and epic experience. Now, Falls is taking a similarly transformative approach to another Shakespeare work, “Measure for Measure.” Although […]

by Robert Loerzel

Cadillac Palace Theatre: "Jekyll & Hyde"

The “Jekyll & Hyde” musical revival’s pre-Broadway express derailed at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace March 14, replete with theatrical carnage demanding its patrons look away. Put the debacle squarely at the feet of the show’s producers, undaunted by the musical’s original 1,543-performance run from 1997- 2001 that still managed to lose more than $1.5 million and […]

by Barry Reszel

The Perfect Touch of Grace

Until now, I’ve resisted doing a full review of an uber-fine dining, very expensive restaurant for this column. Why? Places like Alinea and Next provide rarefied experiences that are difficult to share on paper. It’s virtually impossible for anyone to get a reservation, and once you do, the meals are filled with sleight of hand, […]

by Julie Chernoff