Chicago Theatre Review

Author: Gayle

Poi Dog Pondering

September 18, 2014 Comments Off on Poi Dog Pondering

Poi Dog Pondering  – Ravinia

Despite record low temperatures and rain falling on and off throughout the evening, the fifteen member band known as Poi

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Toto and Michael McDonald – A Night to Remember

September 8, 2014 Comments Off on Toto and Michael McDonald – A Night to Remember

Like a fine wine and cheese it was the perfect pairing of great artists, Toto and Michael McDonald. Throw in a beautiful

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Ravinia Then and Now: A personal journey

July 13, 2014 Comments Off on Ravinia Then and Now: A personal journey

I was born November 2, 1960. This year my friends and I turn 54. Along with the day to day trials and tribulations we lost 2 close friends that

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An Evening with Yes

July 10, 2014 Comments Off on An Evening with Yes

An Evening with


 

 

PERFORMING TWO OF THEIR CLASSIC ALBUMS

IN THEIR ENTIRETY IN ONE EVENING:

‘FRAGILE’ AND ‘CLOSE TO THE EDGE’

PLUS AN ENCORE OF THEIR GREATEST HITS

 

Saturday July 26 at 8:00 pm

 

Reserved Seat Tickets $100/$75/$50

 

at Ticketfly.com, Copernicuscenter.org or charge by phone at 877.4.FLY.TIX (35.9849)

THE ICONIC AND GRAMMY-WINNING ROCK BAND

YES

ANNOUNCE 35-DATE SUMMER TOUR

 

PERFORMING TWO OF THEIR CLASSIC ALBUMS

IN THEIR ENTIRETY IN ONE EVENING:

‘FRAGILE’ AND ‘CLOSE TO THE EDGE’

PLUS AN ENCORE OF THEIR GREATEST HITS

 

TOUR LAUNCHES JULY 8 IN BOSTON

FEATURES PERFORMANCES AT

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK CITY (7/9)

AND THE GREEK THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES (8/24)

YES (L-R): Steve Howe, Jon Davison, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Chris Squire

Photo Credit: Rob Shanahan

Throughout 2013, the iconic and Grammy-winning rock band YES marked a career first by performing a triple-header concert featuring three of their classic albums in their entirety, all in one concert. For 2014, the band is back to rock crowds nationwide with an amazing show. The 35-date summer tour will feature YES performing–in their entirety–1971’s groundbreaking album FRAGILE for the first-time ever and a repeat performance from last year’s tour of 1972’s CLOSE TO THE EDGE, followed by an encore of the band’s greatest hits.

 

Kicking off July 8 in Boston, the tour will then stop at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall July 10 before making its way throughout the Northeast, hitting Wallingford, CT, Westbury, NY, Newport, RI, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and more. Among their many tour stops, YES will perform in Detroit, Madison, Chicago, Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and San Jose before wrapping August 24 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. See full itinerary below.

 

During the encore on the upcoming tour, the multi-platinum progressive rock band–bassist CHRIS SQUIRE, guitarist STEVE HOWE, drummer ALAN WHITE, keyboardist GEOFF DOWNES and singer JON DAVISON-will also perform material off HEAVEN AND EARTH, their new studio album, out July 8.

 

The album FRAGILE is considered to be their U.S. breakthrough album peaking at #4 on the Billboard Album charts in the U.S. The RIAA-certified double platinum album has sold over two million copies and features YES’ hit single “Roundabout” and other classics likeLong Distance Runaround” and “Heart of the Sunrise.” It also marks the band’s first collaboration with artist Roger Dean on cover art, who has designed many of the band’s album covers and logos. The band’s album CLOSE TO THE EDGE-widely regarded as one of the greatest progressive rock albums ever recorded-was on the U.S. charts for 32 weeks, peaking at #3. A Rolling Stone review noted, “Yes’ colors are subtle, almost imperceptible tints, but the main strokes are bold and thick, applied with sureness and natural instinct.” Inspired by Siddhartha and their “state of mind” at the time, the Gold-certified album featuring epic suites such as “Close To The Edge” and “You And I” was named one of the “100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time” by Guitar World (2006). Track listings for both albums listed below.

 

Tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, March 28.YES is proud to provide special show packages, which include near-stage seating, a meet and greet with the band, exclusive limited-edition gifts from YES, and much more. For more information on prices, on-sale dates and to purchase YES packages/tickets, go to www.yesworld.com or visit one of the links below.

 

About YES:

Founded in 1968 by Chris Squire and Jon Anderson, Grammy-award winning recording artists YES have created some of the most important and influential music in rock history, such as iconic pieces “Roundabout,” “Close to the Edge,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” and countless others. Having sold over 50 million records over its forty-six-year career, YES continues creating masterful music that inspires fans and musicians from around the world. 

 

 

 

 

 


Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS

May 14, 2014 Comments Off on Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS

Jack Lemmon Returns – Royal George

It is said that imitation is the highest form of flattery. When a family member remembers a beloved parent who has died it  is wonderful.

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There No Place Like Home

May 3, 2014 Comments Off on There No Place Like Home

WIZARD OF OZ – BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Reviewed by: Frank Meccia

“ We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz”.  This classic book/movie  has finally come to Chicago, after being in London, Toronto, and NYC. The Frank L. Baum tale was transformed to a movie in 1939, and has spent the last 75 years as a classic. Andrew Lloyd Weber and Jeremy Sams took this MGM classic and re-adapted it for the stage with some of the original songs that were left out for the movie and new songs added by Tim Rice.

As one lady sitting next to me said, “In a world of crisis it’s so nice to escape for 3 hours and remember an easier time in life”.  And she was so right. With the modern use of digital and video projections, everything you remember about this classic came to life. And with a national wizard1touring cast straight from London and Toronto Starring Danielle Wade as Dorthy,  Jay Brazeau as the Wizard and Jacquelyn Donovan as the Wicked Witch you have a tight and wonderful cast.

I have to admit the the scene stealer in this show was Toto played by Nigel a rescue from the Northeast Humane Society, who spends a great deal of time on stage and has his acting down to a tee. The next big plus is the 12 piece orchestra who bring all the music to life and make for one great enjoyable evening.

The Wizard of Oz is only playing till May 11, although I do wish it was playing longer. But for a Mothers day treat  bring mom and  the whole family to a theatre classic that everybody can enjoy. And remember “there’s no place like home.”

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

For further information visit www.broadwayinchicago.com

Further information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com

 

 

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MB FINANCIAL PARK AT ROSEMONT ANNOUNCES ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK 2014

April 20, 2014 Comments Off on MB FINANCIAL PARK AT ROSEMONT ANNOUNCES ROCKIN’ IN THE PARK 2014

FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP

Free Outdoor Music Festival to Feature 14 Weeks of Concerts
From Memorial Day to Labor Day

ROSEMONT, IL – MB Financial Park kicks off the summer season with Rockin’ in the Park 2014. The weekly concert series is scheduled to begin Thursday, May 29 and will continue through Thursday, August 28, featuring the music of classic cover bands, as well as fireworks, food and beverage tents on the park’s great lawn, located at 5501 Park Place, Rosemont.

All Rockin’ in the Park shows are from 7 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. Admission to Rockin’ in the Park is free. Outside coolers are prohibited. Parking is available at the MB Financial Park parking garage and is free with validation from any of the park’s venues.

For more information, visit www.Rosemont.com.


Primal Screams

March 11, 2014 Comments Off on Primal Screams

The Wild

As the opening production of Steppenwolf’s fifth annual Garage Rep, this movement-based theatrical group presents a performance piece created entirely by its eight-member ensemble and directed by Thom Pasculli, inspired by the myth of Dionysus and featuring text by prolific playwright Charles L. Mee

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Book ‘Em, Michaels

March 2, 2014 Comments Off on Book ‘Em, Michaels

Corpus Delicti – Madkap Productions

Sometimes a play reads well on the page, offering just the right amount of drama and social commentary. Then, when it’s on its feet in an actual, full-scale production, its shortcomings become evident and sometimes outweigh its positive qualities. Such is the case with the staging of David Alex’s latest script. The prolific playwright has written many successful plays and this new thriller does show promise.

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Broadway in Chicago: All That Jazz and Then Some

February 27, 2014 Comments Off on Broadway in Chicago: All That Jazz and Then Some

Chicago


For a show that’s been around for almost four decades, Kander & Ebb’s Vaudevillian satire of the justice system and, more specifically, criminals as celebrities shows no signs of running out of steam.

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