Author: Colin Douglas
A New Christmas Pantomime
The Steadfast Solider – Lookingglass Theatre
Returning for a second holiday season at Lookingglass Theatre, Mary Zimmerman’s gorgeous adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story of love and valor warms the heart and nourishes the soul. From the moment we enter the theatre, we’re put in the holiday mood. The act curtain has been transformed into a gigantic Advent calendar. While the four powdered-wigged musicians begin playing below in the show’s petite pit orchestra, the cast enters the stage one-by-one. Clothed in delicious, brightly colored, exquisitely detailed costumes, designed and created by Ana Kuzmanic, each character opens one of the 25 tiny doors and reacts to the images behind them. The final door reveals the titular character and the pantomime begins. By the conclusion of the play the audience will understand the significance of each image.
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Magic, Music and Misery
Hoodoo Love – Raven Theatre
In a cluster of shacks nestled within a cul-de-sac near Beale Street, a pretty, young, African-American woman named Toulou dreams of becoming a celebrated blues singer. Katori Hall’s poignant drama, set in Memphis during the Great Depression, is filled with magic, music and misery. The ominous fog and mist roils out from between the hovels, drenching Toulou’s life in deception, despair and death. This two-act play, which debuted in 2007 at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre, is the kind of drama that will leave audiences both spellbound and shaken by its conclusion.
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A Modern Take On An Old Fairy Tale
The Other Cinderella – Black Ensemble Theatre
Born in the projects, an ill-treated young woman, nicknamed Cinderella by her selfish, cantankerous Stepmama and her two nasty, spoiled stepsisters, is part of the much-loved fairy tale that’s been a part of every culture since time began. This is Jackie Taylor’s contemporary version of the familiar fable, set in the contemporary, fictional African-American “Kingdom of Other,” which happens to be the title of the rousing, original pop/rock tune that both opens and closes this musical. The show is filled with lots of other catchy songs, written by the multitalented Ms. Tayler and Michael Ward, with additional contributions from Herman Wheatley, J. Wilson and A. Tucker.
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Women’s Right to Vote
The Suffrage Plays – Artemisia Theatre
Throughout history, theatre has served many purposes. The obvious benefit is to provide entertainment; but oftentimes a play will educate and a theatrical production may enlighten its audience. Such is Artemisia Theatre’s program of three one-act plays being presented under the collective title, “The Suffrage Plays.” These realist comedies, influenced by the works of of Henrik Ibsen, were written and presented between 1907 and 1914. They revealed the real issues behind the suffrage movement, including the double standards that women faced on a daily basis.
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The Ghetto Scholar Explains It All For You
Latin History for Morons – Broadway in Chicago
In an almost two-hour, nonstop performance, the seemingly tireless ball of fire known as John Leguizamo, transforms himself into an instructor of American History—the REAL American History, as he puts it. In his one-man show, Leguizamo examines 3,000 years of Latino history in an attempt to educate us, along with his bullied, 8th grade son. Throughout his presentation, the actor/author informs, questions, challenges and sometimes humorously berates the audience, all the while taking us through centuries of virtually unknown or forgotten facts about scores of famous people and events. It’s a highly exciting and extremely entertaining educational experience that reminds theatergoers of the scope of this actor’s unlimited talent.
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One Man’s Fight for the First Amendment
I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce – Theatre 68
Talented playwright and actor Ronnie Marmo brings to Chicago his heartfelt tribute to the man he calls The Godfather of Comedy. The 90-minute one-act, once again directed here by Tony and Jeff Award-winner, Joe Mantegna, has already enjoyed a successful run Off-Broadway. Marmo’s loving, respectful portrait of this controversial standup comic, famous for his obscenity-laced routines during the 1950’s and 1960’s, both provokes laughter while it stirs the emotions. The reason is that Lenny Bruce always brought the real passion and pain of his personal life into his stage act.
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Their Fingers Do the Talking
You Are Happy – Red Theatre
Bridget is an attractive single woman who, by her own admission, truly enjoys her independence. But she’s not entirely alone, because she’s taken on the responsibility of managing the well-being and happiness of her younger brother, Jeremy. Walking down the aisles of her local supermarket, Bridget notices that most of the customers are couples, everyone shopping in pairs and complementing each other with their wants and needs. When Bridget returns home to her apartment she, once again, finds her brother Jeremy trying to commit suicide. The lonely young man is determined to either slit his wrists with her razor or hang himself in her closet. Tired of having to keep managing her brother’s psyche, Bridget decides to try to find him find some happiness with the perfect romantic match.
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Friendship and Family Affection Abounds
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – Lifeline Theatre
What would you do if you just moved into a charming Victorian brownstone, on New York’s fashionable Upper East Side, only to discover there’s a crocodile in the bathtub of your new home? Well, after the initial shock, the Primm family decides that Lyle is a wonderful addition to their clan. He plays stickball with their young son, Josh. He helps the boy with his homework and he enjoys assisting Mrs. Primm with her household tasks.
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Myths and Legends Come to Life
Andares – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Three young actors, accompanied by a gifted guitarist/drummer, share many of the stories, myths and legends of the common, everyday people who live in the rural areas of Mexico. The tales these men share are told in Spanish, with English “surtitles,” captions that are continually projected and displayed above the actors. The narrative tells about three young men, their parents and grandparents, laced with the folklore and cultural beliefs of the area’s indigenous peoples. In a touching, often humorous series of adventures, the 80-minute one-act bursts with passion and energy. They tell the tales that project themes of social, cultural and human value that are so universal to every theatergoer.
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Demons Hiding Within
Proxy – Underscore Theatre
In 2014 two 12-year-old girls in rural Wisconsin lured their friend to the woods where they stabbed her repeatedly with a knife. The victim crawled to the roadside, where she was found and treated in the hospital. The two girls were arrested, tried and found not guilty, by reason of insanity. They’ve been sentenced to spend their lives receiving professional treatment in a mental institution.
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