Author: Colin Douglas
A Rossum’s Universal Robots Reboot
R.U.R.
In 1920, Czech writer, journalist, critic and playwright Karel Capek wrote a play that would become the forerunner of so many modern-day film classics, such as “Metropolis,” “Star Wars,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “The Terminator” and the animated movie, “Wall-E.” In imagining a future where robots become the world’s workers, Capek’s play warned of both the wonders and dangers of creating humanoid machines powered by artificial intelligence. His R.U.R., which stands for Rossum’s Universal Robots, was a dark, three-act science fiction melodrama that introduced the word “Robot” into the English language. The word was derived from “robota,” a Czech word meaning “forced labor.” Set in a dystopian future, Karel Capek was telling audiences to beware of letting science and technology get out of hand.
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Radiant!
Charlotte’s Web
Long before Harry Potter took over the bookshelves as the world’s favorite novels, author E.B. White wrote this beloved, heartwarming story about what it means to be a true friend. The 1952 classic that continues to be the favorite children’s book of all time (and has a place in the heart of every adult who’s familiar with it) is currently a family-oriented theatrical event, now playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center. With its easy-going style, its recollections of a simpler time when rope swings, the smell of newly-baled hay and the thrill of a county fair filled a child’s life, this story of the unlikely bond between a runt pig and a gray barn spider speaks to the heart. White knew how to capture the heart and warm the soul within a simple sentence or two. This translates flawlessly to the stage in a “terrific, humble, absolutely radiant” new production, presented by the Young People’s Theatre of Chicago.
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Magical and Majestic
Cats
It’s said that every cat has nine lives. Well, that must be true because Andrew Lloyd Webber’s whimsical musical from the 1980’s seems to continually get a new life. And the flamboyant feline fantasy has once again been reborn in Chicagoland. Filled with excellent singing, exceptional dancing, extraordinary feats of magic and exhilarating acrobatic and aerial work, this 1983 multi-Tony Award winner bursts onto the Paramount stage for a second time. By the way, this is the only show that Paramount has ever presented more than once. But even if theatergoers have seen CATS before, including Paramount’s exciting original presentation eleven years ago, this new production will absolutely amaze and delight audiences of all ages. It’s truly unique and far, far more spectacular than any I’ve ever seen. And, like all of Paramount’s musicals and plays, this reimagining of CATS is as professionally produced and performed as anything on Broadway.
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Love, Loss and a Sweet Little Bulldog
Gorgeous
Jenny is a nurse who has provided home care to an older man named Bill. We’re led to believe that through the mutual concern, tenderness and trust that flowed between Bill and Jenny, a fondness, perhaps even love, evolved. But Bill has recently passed away and Jenny has understood that his house will now be hers. While sorting through a lifetime of Bill’s accumulated treasures that have been stored away in the garage, Jenny is startled by the sudden, unexpected arrival of a loud, outgoing older woman named Bernie. And that’s when the fun begins.
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You Gotta Have Friends
Art
Serge is a very successful Parisian dermatologist who enjoys many of the finer things that life has to offer. To some people, he might be considered an intellectual snob, but to his two besties, Marc and Yvan, he’s simply their friend. Although each of the three men have a great deal in common, theirs is often a veritable love/hate relationship. The plot revolves around Serge having just purchased a large and controversial, all-white painting for an obscene price. Serge is pleased with and proud of his investment. Marc, however, is appalled by his friend’s frivolous acquisition, while Yvan tries to appease both his friends by remaining neutral. Their differences of opinion, while analyzing the nature of art, lead to heated discussions and passionate arguments. Eventually the confrontation turns outright physical. While not an olive branch, a bowl of olives is offered as a gesture of peace, and a kind of reconciliation takes place. Because, as Bette Midler sang, “You Gotta Have Friends.”
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The Course of True Love
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Did you know that, in addition to being a prolific poet, actor and theatrical director/producer, the Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays? And among his dramas, histories and comedies, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is quite possibly still the hands-down favorite today. It probably earned its high berth on the Bard’s hit parade because of all the high-spirited hijinks that fill the stage. Certainly that’s true in BrightSide Theatre’s current campy, comic production, adapted and Directed by talented guest artist, Jason Harrington. His production is filled with slapstick and silliness, buffoonery and burlesque, physical humor and pure ridiculousness. Only a production of the Bard’s A COMEDY OF ERRORS would come off with such absurd nonsense and horseplay.
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Rages Through the Ages
Bust
Theatrical works tend to be put into convenient categories so they can be labeled and discussed. When talking about plays, there are dramas, melodramas, comedies, farces, adaptations of classics, mysteries, horror stories, psychological thrillers, fantasies and science fiction. But last night at the Goodman Theatre a new, World Premiere opened on the Albert stage. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard, this extraordinary play is unique in so many ways. But, most of all, BUST defies being pigeonholed with any kind of label.
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A City in Transition
Berlin
Following the end of World War I, Berlin, Germany had become the world’s center of intellectualism, creativity and sensual liberalism. With a large upper class population and a growing middle class, the city’s poorer citizens continually struggled with poverty and unemployment. Playwright Mickle Maher’s ambitious play is an adaptation of Berlin, a three-volume set of graphic novels by Jason Lutes. Both the books and the play span the years between 1928 and 1933. As we bear witness to all the upheavals and changes, a theatergoer will find himself hoping for the best While watching the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Fascism and the Nazi Party. But there’s no doubt that the main character of this sprawling drama remains the actual city of Berlin, as seen throughout this two-and-a-half hour production. Its scope and spectacle astounds the audience depicting a city in constant transition.
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Sex, Drugs and Rocking Chairs
A Jukebox For the Algonquin
Many individuals have wisely commented upon aging. Mark Twain quipped, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.” George Bernard Shaw stated that “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Satchel Paige asked, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” But author C.S. Lewis reminded us that “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” All of these quotations, particularly the last one, could be the theme of Paul Stroili’s delightful comic drama, A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN, now playing at Citadel Theatre.
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History Repeats Itself
A Tale of Two Cities
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” Those opening lines of Charles Dickens’ epic novel are perhaps the most recognizable from all his books—probably from any work of fiction. The author’s 1859 serialized novel was very popular with Victorian readers, not just because it was filled with dozens of fascinating characters and thrilling, entangled plot lines. The story, which was set almost 100 years earlier, both in London and Paris, takes place before, during and after the French Revolution. However, 19th century readers could clearly see parallels with the era in which they were living. They were discovering a truism that we’ve all heard many times: History often repeats itself.
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