Author: Colin Douglas
More Befuddled Than Beguiled
Taming of the Shrew
Always reluctant to attend a production of what’s consider William Shakespeare’s most controversial play, I was intrigued to see how the highly respected Court Theatre would treat this comedy. Would I be befuddled or beguiled? TAMING OF THE SHREW is viewed as a problem play, especially since the Me Too Movement, because of its subject matter. For anyone not familiar with the play, Shakespeare’s comedy is about—indeed, seems to celebrate—misogyny. Baptista’s docile younger daughter, Bianca, isn’t allowed to marry until his more outspoken daughter, Katherina, finds a husband. But no one’s interested in Kate because she’s so strong-willed. The Bard focuses on male dominance over females, in is play, and how women need to be beaten down and brought to their knees. At the end of the play, after being “tamed” by Petruchio, Kate, the Shrew, instructs her female companions that a wife must be obedient to her husband. It’s a most irritating and painful monologue, to say the least.
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Bigger and Better Than Ever!
A Christmas Carol
If you can believe it, this is the Goodman Theatre’s unbelievable 48th year presenting their popular, critically acclaimed production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. And the great news is that this year’s production is even bigger and better, than ever! Each year the Theatre surprises audiences with lots of exciting, new surprises that make their production feel fresh and even more extraordinary than the previous year. New cast members grace the stage and familiar actors seen in an unusual role tell the story. Technical tweaks in the scenery, new special effects and additional music and properties add a special freshness to the production. And each year, while Charles Dickens’ story and Tom Creamer’s script are both basically the same, the production is always a little different. And viva la difference!
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All the World’s a Stage
As You Like It
Shakespeare’s sweet, pastoral comedy, thought to have been written around 1599, is one of his more frequently performed of his plays and an audience favorite among professional, regional and educational theaters, alike. It boasts a large cast of memorable characters, all of whom spend most of their time roaming through the forest and farming community and pining for love. The story has even been adapted for radio, film and the musical stage.
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Happy Holidays
White Christmas
We’ve already had an early snowfall in Chicagoland this Winter, but, at Aurora’s breathtaking Paramount Theatre, the snow is falling again on stage, night after night. The award-winning Theatre’s latest offering is a truly magical stage adaptation of the classic 1954 film holiday film. Audiences, both young and old, will be absolutely delighted and emotionally moved by Paramount’s sweet-sounding, visually stunning Christmas confection. This musical production glitters so brightly and sparkles with so much talent that it’s guaranteed to put the audience in the holiday mood.
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Fabulous, Baby!
Sister Act
Dreaming of fame, fortune and phenomenal stardom is the attractive and audacious Deloris Van Cartier. The charismatic protagonist of this musical is a flamboyant Philadelphia nightclub singer. Deloris is hoping, as she auditions her hit, “Take Me to Heaven,” that her smarmy gangster boyfriend and discotheque director, Curtis Jackson, will make that happen. But when Deloris accidentally witnesses Curtis and his posse of thugs offing a guy who squealed on him, suddenly her life is in danger. Led by Deloris’ old high school buddy, the sweet-natured “Sweaty Eddie,” the Philly Police decide that the best place for Lady Fabulous to safely hide is in a convent. And thus this moving story of friendship, sisterhood and becoming “Fabulous, Baby!” begins.
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Music, Menace and a Murder Myth
Amadeus
Sparked by rumors and stories surrounding the life and death of Austrian Classical composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, famed English playwright, Sir Peter Shaffer (EQUUS, BLACK COMEDY, LETTICE AND LOVAGE) wrote this historically-based murder mystery. Shaffer’s 1981, multiple Tony Award-winning wig-and-costume masterpiece was also adapted three years later into an impressive, Oscar-winning film. The play is narrated by Antonio Salieri, the 18th century court composer for Viennese Emperor, Joseph II. Within the first moments of the play, Salieri states that he’s not only responsible for poisoning Mozart, but that he’s riddled with guilt and has decided to take his own life. Come hell or high water, Salieri only wants to be remembered, if not for his artistry, then for his notoriety.
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A Privilege to Pee
Urinetown
Welcome to Urinetown. It’s not an actual place, as Officer Lockstock, our Narrator and political henchman enjoys telling us: it’s a metaphysical state of mind. He and Little Sally, a precocious street urchin, inform the audience that a twenty-year draught has led to a severe water shortage. This unnamed, dystopian city is now run by a corrupt municipal administration. It’s lorded over by the evil authoritarian, Caldwell B. Cladwell. This miserly money grubber has outlawed private toilets and is gleefully exploiting the poor for every penny. Each citizen is forced to pay an exorbitant fee, in order to use the communal toilets around town. Suddenly it becomes “A Privilege to Pee.”
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Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas
For fans of the popular jukebox musical, the original MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, this may be the perfect holiday show for you. That musical was last seen at the Marriott in a brilliant production that opened their 2019 season. Closing out the Theatre’s 50th season, the Marriott’s holiday offering is once again another perfect production, appearing at the perfect time of the year. Similar to the original show’s premise, famed rock&roll, rockabilly and country/western recording stars, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash have reunited once again at Sun Records. They want to celebrate Christmas Eve with the man whose care and guidance launched their careers, Sam Phillips. And once again, Elvis has brought along his lovely girlfriend, Dyanne. The result is a rousing, 90-minute reunion of old friends, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
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Girl on Fire
Hell’s Kitchen
We are always in the process of becoming the best version of ourselves. Stories, such as the beautiful HELL’S KITCHEN, remind us that we’re never really finished with our own Coming-of-Age journey. With a beguiling book by playwright Kristoffer Diaz (Pulitzer Prize finalist for THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DIETY), and an enthralling pop/hip-hop score by singer and songwriter Alicia Keys (a seventeen-time Grammy Award recipient), this TonyAward-winning musical has finally made its way to Chicago. A tender, sometimes heartbreaking and highly exhilarating show about a young woman’s transition from childhood to adult, the story’s loosely based on Alicia Keys’ life. With some fictional enhancement, we watch Ali, a young, evolving musician, overcome the many challenges of growing up. By the end of the story, Ali has transitioned from rebellious teenager to wise and talented young adult—a Girl on Fire.
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All For the Best
Godspell
Welcome to contemporary coffeehouse where, in addition to a cup of Joe, patrons can enjoy some tasty baked goods, log onto their electronic device of choice and enjoy some music at the open mic venue. But as we observe the patrons and employees doing their thing, we begin to hear the prerecorded voices of cast members, spouting ideas from various famous world philosophers. Suddenly, John the Baptist appears at the microphone, interrupting the cacophony with three blasts of electronic feedback. This is the modern version of the shofar call to worship that always opened earlier productions. After watching the entire cast being baptized at the cafe’s water cooler, we’re treated to improv-inspired performances of the parables of Jesus. Every song and each dramatized story will soon be presented “All for the Best.”
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