Monthly Archives: July 2026
Finish the Fight and Keep Marching!
Suffs
Not many Americans know very much about the long, difficult struggle it took to achieve Women’s Suffrage. All that is mentioned in most high school history textbooks is that “in 1920 the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationwide.” A few famous names may be mentioned, but the actual journey toward giving women equality is sadly simplified. The words “Suffrage” and “Suffragette” often pop up, but many people aren’t sure what those terms mean. They have nothing to do with suffering, as many believe. Suffrage simply means the legal right to vote in public political elections and referendums. And a Suffragette, or Suffragist, is a woman who advocated for women’s rights. But there’s a great deal more to learn from history about this bitter fight for gender equality. And, more importantly, while major advances have been made since 1920, equality for all women still isn’t a sure thing, even in 2026. The timely musical message that we hear repeated over and over again in SUFFS, is that we must “Finish the Fight” and “Keep Marching!”
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One Hundred Ways
Men of Soul
There’s big news from the top, just as the incredibly entertaining and uplifting Black Ensemble Theater celebrates its 50th anniversary. Jackie Taylor is announcing that Daryl Brooks, the creative force behind so many of the theater’s wonderful, effervescent productions over the past 20 years, has been named Artistic Director. Congratulations to Mr. Brooks for this well-deserved achievement! And then, to illustrate why this talented young man is the perfect new face of the Black Ensemble Theater, the company has revived MEN OF SOUL, one of his thoroughly researched and most entertaining productions from the company’s archives of wonderful shows.
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Total Insanity
Iceboy!
Wacky! Bizarre! Absurd! Stupid! Those are some of the audience reactions heard on opening night, following the curtain call of ICEBOY! One patron commented that it was like seeing “All About Eve” on ice! I agree with all of these comments…and many more. At this point in time, like practically every show that’s had its eye on a successful Broadway run, ICEBOY! has already gone through countless script rewrites, musical tweaking and cast changes. As the production opens to Chicago audiences eager to see an original hilarious musical and live, comic performances by its two high profile stars, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. And there’s no denying that the supporting cast for stars Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman is equally as talented. These local actors all share high accolades for their versatile characterizations, comic timing and musicality. But at this stage in its development, ICEBOY! still has a couple problems to address before the show is ready for a New York audience.
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