Author: Colin Douglas
Doctor Heal Thyself
The Effect – Strawdog Theatre
Yeaji Kim’s stark, clean scenic design and precise projections perfectly create what appears to be an expensive, upscale medical clinic, in Lucy Prebble’s absorbing new drama. The winner of the Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Play is now enjoying its Chicago premiere. A modest followup to her spectacular “Enron,” presented just a few years ago by TimeLine Theatre, Prebble’s four-hand drama takes a discerning look at the intersection of love and neuroscience. It’s an engrossing, albeit slightly predictable, love story that focuses on two individuals and how medical advancements may alter their attachment.
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Horror on Haunted Hill
Grey House – A Red Orchid Theatre
This terrifying tale of terror and dread starts the way all good thrillers begin: It was a dark and stormy night. Two weary, wounded travelers seek refuge from the howling wind and raging storm that caused their car to crash. Max and her husband Henry have hit a deer in the blinding blizzard. Henry’s bleeding head wound has left him almost unconscious, while his left ankle appears to be broken. When no one responds to their frantic knocking on the cottage door, the couple hobbles inside calling for help. This is their first mistake and one from which they will never recover.
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Remember Me 4Ever and Ever
Language of Angels – Three Crows Theatre
As Autumn leaves begin turning color and pumpkins start transforming into jack-o-lanterns, Three Crows Theatre kicks off their fourth season of always entertaining, thought-provoking stories. Their opening production is a psychological ghost story, just in time for Halloween. Written by the prolific and generously awarded playwright, Naomi Iizuka, this haunting one-act is, like most of her work, non-linear. First produced in San Francisco nineteen years ago, Ms. Iizuka’s drama plays with the conventions of time and space, with its nine characters telling their stories both in the past and present. The result is a sometimes confusing, but very well-acted production that will leave audiences thinking long after the lights fade to black.
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An Almost Enthralling Ghost Story
Tippy: Stories From the River – The Impostors Theatre Company
Housed in the Flat Iron Arts Building, this fledgling theatre company is both creative and full of positive energy, a winning combination for any arts organization. They strive to “Embrace the Art of Pretend.” In accomplishing this, they’ve raised storytelling to new heights through the dramatization of all kinds of tales. Now in their second year, the company opens a new season of original, story theatre plays beginning with this interesting new drama by archivist and playwright, Kayla Belec.
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Fanfare For the Man in the Mirror
A Man of No Importance – Pride Films & Plays
Mild-mannered, middle-aged, Alfie Byrne, works as a ticket agent on a Dublin bus. It’s 1964, back when acceptance and equal rights were something only dreamed about by members of the gay community. But Alfie harbors a secret love for Robbie Fay, the handsome, young bus driver with whom he works side-by-side every day. Unable to share his buried emotions with anyone else, Alfie secretly communes with the spirit of Oscar Wilde, his literary idol and imaginary confidante.
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With One Look
Sunset Boulevard – Porchlight Music Theatre
I’m not sure if this is “The Perfect Year,” as Norma Desmond optimistically sings in just one of her gorgeous songs, but Michael Weber has assembled the perfect cast and supporting crew for his perfect production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s heartbreaking musical. And this role is the perfect character for Chicago favorite, Hollis Resnik, to play. I predict that Porchlight Music Theatre’s ravishing production will be remembered and talked about for decades to come.
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Humor Amongst the Heartbreak
Twice, Thrice, Frice – Silk Road Rising
In this polished and beautifully performed world premiere production, Fouad Teymour’s captivating story of a relationship between three Muslim women bursts with life and love. In a mere 100 minutes, the playwright introduces the Western world to the often controversial Islamic practice of men taking more than one wife. Teymour’s drama is laced with an abundance of humor, which helps soften the heartbreak that the ladies will experience.
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An Attempt to Make History Accessible
Richard III – Eclectic Full Contact Theatre
Sparked by the rise of alcoholism, family violence and political corruption, the United States entered a period of history called Prohibition. Between 1920 and 1933, a strict ban on alcoholic beverages made the production, importation and sale of liquor illegal. However, this attempt to impose healthier living and sound morals on the nation also encouraged a rise in crime and illegal activity. Bootleg booze and secret nightclubs that served liquor, called speakeasies, became popular in large cities. Criminal gangs, who controlled the underground alcoholic beverage supply, became the rulers of metropolitan areas, like Chicago. This is the background for Eclectic Full Contact Theatre’s imaginative vision for Shakespeare’s history/tragedy drama.
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And the Butler Didn’t Do It
Who Killed Joan Crawford? – Glitterati Productions
A violent storm rages outside, but within the cozy, countrified cottage, belonging to Emmy Award-winning soap opera star, Trick Rogers, a birthday party is about to commence. The theme for the elaborately festive soiree is to come dressed as one of the iconic characters that Joan Crawford played in her films. So, one by one, each of the five gay men, decked out in full drag, arrive with gifts in his arms and hostility in his heart. It turns out that one of the guests is consumed with more than mere bitchiness. His masked malice toward the birthday boy and his sycophantic entourage is unleashed as this merrymaker turns into a murderer.
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Crack-a-lackin Fun for the Family
Madagascar – Marriott Theatre
Following a typical day of crowd-pleasing performances at the Central Park Zoo, Marty the Zebra is surprised by a party thrown in his honor by his animal friends. Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the hypochondriac Giraffe all help Marty celebrate his tenth birthday with a cake and some gifts. But, after Marty blows out the candles, he confesses to his buddies that his secret birthday wish is to escape the confines of the zoo and return to The Wild.
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