Author: Colin Douglas
Melodie de Paris
Phantom in Concert
Gloriously incandescent singing voices and soaring orchestral accompaniment are the hallmarks of Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass’ incredible concert production of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s PHANTOM. Sadly, playing for just two weeks at Naperville’s BrightSide Theatre, this musical is based on the Gothic horror novel by Gaston Leroux. It tells the same story as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s more visually spectacular PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, now playing in Broadway in Chicago’s touring production at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. But the greatest difference is that BrightSide’s harmonic, highly enjoyable version of this book musical focuses far more on the characters and their story. It’s a production filled with soaring strains of music that doesn’t simply impress with bravado, as in the other version. The songs further the plot and define each character in a way that often brings the audience to laughter or tears. This is truly a captivating production, filled with Yeston’s “Melodie de Paris,” that absolutely should not be missed.
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Leapin’ Lizards!
Annie
Music Theater Works, under the fine Direction of Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc, assisted by Andrew Lund, is joyfully celebrating the holiday season with this lovable, tuneful, heart-warming family musical. It’s an appropriately spirited and Christmasy finale to the company’s 2025 season. And, Leapin’ Lizards! It’s hard to believe that this beloved musical classic, that’s become a part of theatre history, is now almost 50 years old!
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A Holiday Gift
Much Ado About Nothing
You know how every once in a while you receive an unexpected present that feels like it was created especially for you? It’s the perfect color, size and style that you would’ve chosen for yourself, but your Secret Santa knew it was exactly what you wanted. It’s like a cup of warm cocoa or a warm hug from a friend—something that only the theatre can give. Well, that’s the very special holiday gift that the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has waiting for every theatergoer. For several reasons, I was late to this party. But I’m so very glad that, despite the bitter cold and snow, I finally made it to Navy Pier. This delightful, delectable production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING delivers so much joy, laughter and music that theatergoers may want to return to enjoy it again…and again…and again…
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Deck the Halls With Desperate Divas
The Real Housewives of the North Pole
Every year, theatergoers familiar with the work of Hell in a Handbag’s multitalented Artistic Director, David Cerda, anxiously anticipate his holiday productions. It may be either a revisit to one of their happy holiday classics, or an exciting, brand new production. This year, in celebration of the company’s 24th season, Mr. Cerda has created another original and campy Christmas confection. And this fresh and hilarious holiday production is as au courant and astonishing as it is gaudy and goofy.
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Merry Almost Christmas
A Year with Frog and Toad
Two best friends and next door neighbors, Frog and Toad share a whole year of everyday adventures that children will both identify with and enjoy watching. From baking cookies to frolicking at the beach, from raking Autumn leaves to sledding down the hillside, Frog and Toad, plus their other forest friends, enjoy their lives in the woodland together. As the year goes by lessons are learned and problems are solved because these two devoted friends care so much about each other. Children (and their grownups) will definitely be warmed by the joy and comradery found in their close friendship.
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Footsteps in the Night
Gaslight
A melancholy gloom hangs heavily over the upscale, three-floor flat in Turn-of-the-Century New York City (a beautifully Designed Set by Collette Pollard and Lighted with wavering gaslight and shadow by JR Lederle). Suave, overbearing Victorian gentleman, Jack Manningham, acts as husband and caretaker for his wife, Bella. But Jack is an abusive man, and he’s quietly tormenting his wife, slowly and methodically driving her mad. He flirts with Nancy, the household’s saucy young maid, while accusing his wife of losing things and playing childish pranks on him. Bella simply can’t recall any of this. Since her mother was declared mentally ill, Bella is now questioning her own sanity.
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Sparklejollytwinklejingley
Elf, the Musical
Are you looking for a holiday musical that’s a perfect fit for your entire family? A show that leaves you giddy because it overflows with Christmas Spirit? A play that’s fresh and full of life, as well as a sweet theatrical bon bon that’s as bright and colorful as the lights on a Christmas tree? Well, you’re in luck. In Chicago for only two joyful weeks, “The Story of Buddy the Elf” brings optimism, good cheer and happy holiday spirit to the Windy City. This is a marvelous musical that’s funny, surprisingly stirring and, as Buddy sings, absolutely “Sparklejollytwinklejingley.”
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Truth is Rarely Pure and Never Simple
Dorian
Open Space Arts has an incredible hit on its hands. It’s a brilliant and electrically charged drama, laced with dark comedy, that’s both scholarly and cerebral, intelligent and erotic. Written with lots of wit and incorporating contemporary music, style and celebrity names, this two-act play melds The Picture of Dorian Gray with events from the life of its author, Oscar Wilde. The parallels between Dorian Gray and his acquaintances, and the Irish playwright and his world, is uncanny and enlightening. But, as Wilde often said, we learn through this play that “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
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Family, Faith and the Future
Miracle on South Division Street
For generations the Nowak family has called their neighborhood in Buffalo, New York, home. Clara is the matriarch and her three grown children, Ruth, Beverly and Jimmy, are her pride and joy. The old neighborhood has gone through many changes. Businesses have closed, buildings have been shuttered or even torn down. Many of the old residents have moved away, relocating to the suburbs. But despite all of this, one landmark still remains the same. Located outside the Nowak’s home, just steps away from the old barbershop, stands a very large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Let Down Your Hair
Rapornzel
Have you ever heard of a Panto or Pantomime? I’m not talking about a game of charades or a performance by French mime artist Marcel Marceau. A Panto is a very popular English theatrical tradition presented around the holidays. It’s a comedy with music, usually based upon a familiar fairy tale, and the humor is broad and extremely bawdy, especially for the adults. The Panto features cross-dressing: the Panto Dame is typically played by a man in drag and the Principal Boy is portrayed by a young woman in trousers. The show also incorporates plenty of audience participation. We’re often asked to sing along with the cast, and the show features lots of audience participation and call-outs. For example, theatergoers are directed to shout a racy greeting each time a certain characters appear on stage. We’re also instructed to “Boo” the villain whenever he or she shows up. A gay Fairy is greeted with mad cheering and applause and when any of the Good Guys join the story, the audience is commanded to whistle, shout and cheer.
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