The Art of Making Art

[title of show] – Brown Paper Box Theatre Company

Plays and musicals that illustrate how art is made aren’t as plentiful as one might expect. Sondheim’s “Sunday in the

Magic to Do

Pippin

There is a quiet moment near the beginning of Stephen Schwartz’s historically-based musical during which

Kokandy Repeats with Another Hit

Loving Repeating – Kokandy Productions

Kokandy Productions has put on a charming production of “Loving Repeating” a musical in which all of the words and lyrics are taken from the works of Gertrude Stein and which is billed as a tribute to the author.

The imaginative and compact set is filled with reproductions of the numerous modern artworks that decorated the author’s Paris home and is built on several levels allowing the actors to transition easily while  the narrator – Gertrude Stein herself (played with wry wit by Caron Buinis) provides running commentary from the highest corner.

Chronicling from Stein’s days as a student near Boston to her later years as a celebrated author in Paris, her prose and poetry cover her struggles with what the narrator describes as two of her primary concerns: love and publication.

Director Allison Hendrix has captured the true essence of this piece calling it “an enthusiastic celebration of life, love and art.”  Music Director Kory Danielson has produced a lovely lyrical accompaniment that is a pleasure to the ear and expertly performed on keyboards, reeds, guitar/banjo/mandolin, and cello.

Amanda Giles is lovely as the fresh-faced younger version of Gertrude; Emily Goldberg’s (as Alice B. Toklas)  standout vocals are a highlight. They are supported by a solid ensemble including Sarah Hayes, Andrew Lund, Jake Morissey, Maisie Rose, Stephanie Stockstill and George Toles.

The performance is staged as a smallish Broadway musical with the exception of  the lyrics which are the work of an author known for her experimentation with language and repetition. This does not always lend itself to songs that are completely pleasing; but the listener must surrender in this case, I think to one of the conundrums of artistic endeavor: sometimes the writer’s need for full self-expression supersedes the reader’s need to fully understand.

You Can Go Home Again

Take Me Back – Poor Theatre Company

After serving four years in prison, Bill has returned to his hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma. He’s back living with

Endless Love

Men of Soul – Black Ensemble Theatre

Jackie Taylor’s wonderful, effervescent Black Ensemble Theater, always a joyous gift to Chicago, is back doing what

A Road to Redemption

Grand Concourse – Steppenwolf Theatre

Shelley begins early every morning at the church soup kitchen cleaning up after the janitors have done their job. She

A Hundred Minutes of Confusion

Whatever – The Side Project

Robert Tenges is a well-known, Chicago-based playwright. His works have been produced, not only by the side

Under the Sea

The Little Mermaid – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Audiences might want to bring their bathing suits or snorkels when they visit Navy Pier this summer, because a new,