Author: Colin Douglas
A Prophetic Musical Production
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog – Black Button Eyes Productions
Back in a more innocent time, about thirteen years ago, Covid-19 hadn’t reared its ugly head. We weren’t yet imprisoned in our homes for safety’s sake or masked for protection from a pandemic when we had to go out. After theatres shut their doors in March of 2020, live productions ceased to be. Only plays, musicals and concerts that could be streamed online were safe for presentation. Entertainment and enlightenment for an arts-hungry public was limited, but still possible.
Read More
Coming Into the Light
Songs for a New World – Theo Ubique
Most theatres share a commonality, now that we’re finally coming out of the pandemic and presenting live shows. We are seeing more modest, smaller cast productions, typically a musical revue or a one-person show of some kind, that creates an immediate feeling of intimacy between the audience and the performers. At Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, this style of show is their specialty, as one can tell from the company’s name. Also, no one in Chicagoland produces a more polished show than Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. This visionary Director and multi-Jeff Award winner is once again collaborating with his gifted, award-winning Musical Director and pianist, Jeremy Ramey. And once again the duo have brought magic to their audiences. Joining these two gentlemen, Theo Ubique newcomer Jamal Howard brings his own talent as Associate Director and Choreographer, to help guide this polished, professional production toward perfection. The result is a 90-minute show, with intermission, that sparkles with a welcoming glow as, after almost two years, we can finally return to live performances.
Read More
Music As Memory
American Mariachi – Goodman Theatre
As is often the case, this warm and wonderful play by Jose Cruz Gonzalez has its roots in his own, true life experiences. Mariachi music was the soundtrack of this playwright’s life. After discovering that Mariachi was taught in the music department of Cal State, where Gonzalez was an instructor, he began to take lessons. This lively art form is a huge part of the Mexican culture and is heard played at every important moment in one’s life: baptisms, birthdays, quinceaneras, marriage ceremonies and even funerals. It’s been generally thought of as a male-dominated musical form, with the history and skill being handed down, from father to son. But that was all soon to change.
Read More
A Heavenly Musical
Forever Plaid – Drury Lane Theatre
Can you remember the last time you heard “Three Coins in a Fountain,” accompanied by an accordion, or the proud, Highland anthem, “Scotland the Brave,” or wallowed in the nostalgia of “Moments to Remember”? Well, unless you’ve found a radio station that plays the hit tunes from the 1950’s, it’s probably been a very long time, if ever! In Stuart Ross’ sweet tribute to the close-harmony male vocal groups of the Eisenhower years, we’re treated to a jukebox musical revue with a clever plot. For younger patrons, this Heavenly musical is a creative introduction to the hit songs of a more innocent, bygone era; but it’s a sweet trip down memory lane for every Baby Boomer in the audience.
Read More
The Songs of Kander and Ebb
The World Goes ‘Round – Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre
Lovely Allison Blackwell slowly walks onto the Marriott stage and immediately her eyes tear up. Most of the audience can empathize with her emotional response, as she surveys her surroundings. Christopher Rhoton’s imaginative scenic design presents a space that resembles an abandoned theatre, possibly the Marriott itself, as it might’ve looked the day the lights were turned off almost two years ago. That’s when the pandemic shut down every Chicagoland venue. A dusty act curtain lay across the stage; an old piano, some assorted chandeliers and few props and costumes are strewn here and there; and the ghost light, a promise of good things to come, shines brightly, frightening away bad spirits and welcoming the joyous energy of a new show.
Read More
Sex in the Leather Archives and Museum
The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5 – Hell in a Handbag Theatre
While the pandemic, unfortunately, isn’t completely over, it’s at least being somewhat held at bay. Just observe everyone being required to wear surgical masks and having to show proof of their vaccinations, upon entering the venue. But, what the heck, let’s celebrate the positive: They’re back again! After a two year hiatus, thanks to every theatre in America being closed because of Covid-19, David Cerda’s live Hell in a Handbag productions have returned. And who better to herald in a new season of kinky confections, but those crowd-pleasing, madcap matrons of mirth and mayhem from Miami—The Golden Girls.
Read More
What It Means to Be a Family
Brighton Beach Memoirs – Citadel Theatre
Back in 1983, Neil Simon, the undisputed King of Comedy on Broadway and film, surprised theatre critics and patrons alike with his latest, an autobiographical play. Up to this point in his career, the gifted playwright had mainly brought only laughter to audiences with brilliant comedies like “Barefoot in the Park,” “The Odd Couple,” “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” and the play that launched Simon’s career, “Come Blow Your Horn.” But in this largely personal play, Simon’s signature one-liners serve as welcome comic relief for all the domestic drama that plagues this loving family.
Read More
Survival Through Storytelling
Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play – Theatre Wit
There are definite parallels between the stifling sixteen months of pandemic lockdown that we’ve just experienced, and a horrific, nation-wide nuclear catastrophe that almost brings the world to an end. It’s not clear yet whether this Covid virus will ever be fully controlled, what with the virus continually mutating into new forms, folks spouting conspiracy theories about its origin, and refusing to get vaccinated or even masking up. Hopefully these holdouts will soon see the light. But in this respect, Anne Washburn’s dystopian comic drama truly hits home. In the fictional world she’s created, entire cities have been wiped off the face of the earth. Those few hearty souls who’ve survived the nuclear holocaust are left with very little except their spotty but fond memories of pop culture. These recollections come from television commercials, popular music, and that most enduring of all TV shows, “The Simpsons.”
Read More
Everybody Say Yeah!
Kinky Boots – Paramount Theatre
Have you ever heard the term “triple threat” used when in describing theatre talent, and wondered what exactly that meant? It’s a multi-skilled actor, who’s at the very top of his game. He’s an artist who is unrivaled and has mastered the skills of acting, singing and dancing, all equally excellent. Well, Chicagoland, get ready to offer standing ovations every night to an entire company of triple threats, all poised to knock your socks (or pantyhose) off!
Read More
The Truth Hurts
The Things I Could Never Tell Steven – Pride Arts
Oscar Wilde once wrote that “the truth is rarely pure and never simple.” The Bible says that “the truth will set you free.” And someone quite wise once wrote that “the truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever.” All of these quotations could aptly apply to this chamber musical by Aussie writer and composer, Jye Bryant. Although we never see Steven, by the end of this 75-minute one-act, the audience will have heard all the lies the young man has told to everyone who was important in his life…including himself. Those lies will have injured many and will, indeed, hurt forever.
Read MoreRECOMMENDED SITES
