Monthly Archives: February 2019
How Lucky You Are
Seussical – Marriott Theatre
Oh, my goodness! Just tell yourself, “How Lucky You Are,” Chicagoans, especially those with families of young children. With Spring lurking just beyond the next snowdrift, there seems to be dozens of pleasurable options wherever you look. But this exciting and entertaining production stands out as one of the most multicolored musical offerings around. Marriott’s 65-minute Broadway caliber extravaganza is actually an combination of eight Dr. Seuss classics cleverly rolled into one charming story. The show is filled with oodles of catchy, toe-tapping, pop/rock songs by talented Broadway composers, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (“Ragtime,” “Once on this Island,” “Rocky”), and featuring additional scripted material by Monty Python’s Eric Idle.
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Waving Through a Window
Dear Evan Hansen – Broadway in Chicago
When this intensely moving and very topical musical opened on Broadway three years ago, one of its strongest selling points was that it was completely original. Unlike almost every other show on the Great White Way, that’s based upon a popular movie or book, Steven Levenson’s book, and the music with lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, was fresh and groundbreaking. This talented team had written a stunningly poignant play that truly spoke directly to today’s youth, the adult theater audiences of tomorrow. As the winner of six Tony Awards in 2017, including the coveted accolade of Best Musical, this astounding show, like “Hamilton,” continues to draw new theatergoers and play to sold-out audiences. Now Chicagoans have the opportunity to experience this affecting, heartbreaking musical for themselves.
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The Door Opens Again
A Doll’s House, Part 2 – Steppenwolf Theatre
In 1879, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen wrote a play that would become one of his masterpieces and provide, for that time, a shocking evening at the theatre. In “A Doll’s House,” Nora Helmer, the leading character, ends the play, and her stifling, unfulfilled marriage, by walking out and slamming the front door. In doing so, Nora signaled that she was leaving behind her husband and children and starting out alone, on her own terms.
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Navigating Loneliness
Fulfillment Center – A Red Orchid Theatre
The lights rise on the loading dock of a mail order business that ships packages from its New Mexico facility to the rest of the country. Suzan, a former, semi-famous folk singer (“I had a couple of fans”), is interviewing for and trying to land a seasonal job with the company. She’s recently fled a failed relationship and has found temporary shelter at a nearby campground, while trying to earn enough money to repair her broken-down car. Suzan convinces Alex, the kindhearted, 20-something supervisor of the shipping firm, that she’s capable of handling the stressful, physically demanding work load, despite her age.
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The Valentine Edition
The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – Hell in a Handbag Productions
The cheesecake is in the fridge, the coffee’s perking away on the counter and love is blossoming out in the lanai. Yes, it’s time for another edition of Hell in a Handbag’s rollicking parody of and homage to America’s favorite quartet of senior citizens: Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. This time around, it’s February down in Miami and, with Valentine’s Day not far away, thoughts of love are in the air.
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When You Got It, Flaunt It
The Producers – Paramount Theatre
Glitzy, spectacular and filled with unstoppable laughs! That just about sums up Paramount’s new, high octane production. Out in Aurora, there’s a Broadway calibre presentation of Mel Brooks’ musical theatre adaptation of his popular 1967 film, that’s well worth the commute from Chicago. The movie originally starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. In Jim Corti’s fantastic, kaleidoscope of comedy, song and dance, he’s give audiences two dynamic new stars and a multitalented, energetic, 28-member company, many of whom play multiple roles, who award theatergoers with more than their money’s worth.
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A Helpless Rage
Nina Simone: Four Women – Northlight Theatre
When we first meet Nina Simone, she’s clothed in a smart sequined dress and singing her famous rendition of Gershwin’s, “I Loves You Porgy,” probably at a northern nightclub. Suddenly a deafening explosion shakes the theatre and plunges the room into darkness. When we next see the talented singer, she’s all in black. The dust is still settling as Ms. Simone enters through the charred doors of the demolished sanctuary of what was once the beautiful 16th Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s September 15, 1963, following the horrendous bombing that maimed several of the church’s congregation and killed four innocent young black girls. Filled with a helpless rage, Nina Simone tries to find the words to express her nearly uncontrollable anger through her music.
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Heart-stopping Horror
On Clover Road – American Blues Theater
In order to not spoil the theatrical experience for future audiences, there’s really not very much that can be written about Steven Dietz’s heart-stopping horror story, now enjoying its Chicago premiere. This isn’t the first time that American Blues Theater has presented Mr. Dietz’s work. The prolific writer has more than 30 original plays and theatrical adaptations to his credit, but this one is unique.
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Telling Chicago Stories
Red Rex – Steep Theatre
Ike Holter is a talented, nationally known playwright, who also just happens to be one of our own. He’s a Chicagoan by choice, if not by birth, and Mr. Holter has earned his well-deserved fame by telling stories about the Second City through his plays. Of course, this gifted wordsmith first came to national attention when “Hit the Wall,” his riveting drama about gay history and the Stonewall riots, moved from the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre to Off-Broadway. But within six short years, Mr. Holter has added a number of additional tough, tenacious dramas to his repertoire, but these are genuine, gritty tales of the (Windy) city.
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Blood, Buffoonery and Brainless Burlesque
Evil Dead the Musical – Black Button Eyes Productions
There’s so many reasons to recommend this show that it’s difficult to know where to begin. But first, this definitely isn’t a musical for everyone. The more conservative audience member who prefers the classics of Theatre’s Golden Age may be put off by this show. Besides being a cleverly written satire of a B-level, cult supernatural horror film (which is itself a satire of the genre), the musical is filled with over-the-top characters, raucous rock songs, a plethora of profanity and gallons of guts and gore. Nowhere in sight is there a surrey with the fringe on top.
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