Author: Colin Douglas
A Purr-fect Production
Cats
Based upon T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a book written to entertain the poet’s grandchildren, one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best known musicals is primarily a song and dance concert. Without any deeper meaning, the show only seeks to entertain and introduce the audience to a variety of feline characters. Through all their dances and songs, the cats’ only goal is to be chosen by their leader, Old Deuteronomy, to journey to the Heavyside Layer, a kind of reincarnation.
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Back In the Room Where It Happens
Hamilton
Can anyone recall a Broadway musical that’s had as significant a cultural impact as HAMILTON? Who would’ve thought that a musical telling the story of one of America’s most important, but little understood, founding fathers would become an international phenomenon? And other than Broadway musical aficionados, was anyone else familiar with the name Lin Manuel Miranda before this musical took Broadway by storm? But now, ten years later, HAMILTON has not only been seen and adored by millions of avid theatergoers, it’s achieved what many thought was impossible: the show has brought scores of young people into theaters who had never set foot there before. And now, for only a few weeks in early Spring, HAMILTON is back in “The Room Where It Happens.”
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Fantasy Films and Falling in Love
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
In 2007, Dominican American author, Junot Diaz wrote an incredible, multi-award-winning novel that was especially unique. He lovingly gave his fellow Dominicanos a story with which they could truly relate. Through the character of Oscar de Leon, a young, overweight teenager living in New Jersey, the Dominican community could finally see themselves as a part of the American story, vividly alive on each and every page. Now, in enjoying its World Premiere in English, this new stage adaptation by Marco Antonio Rodriguez offers Chicago audiences an opportunity to experience Diaz’s book as it roars to life.
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A Post Pandemic Fantasy
Morning, Noon and Night
Back in March of 2020, just six years ago, the World Health Organization officially declared the dangerous and highly infectious COVID-19 outbreak to be a worldwide disease. During the pandemic, people were sequestered in their homes and, whenever going out anywhere, were required to wear a mask.Travel came to a standstill. Schools closed and at home learning became the new normal. Class discussions and town hall meetings were held via computer. As a result, the internet became our best friend, as social interaction and work meetings took place during Zoom calls. Online shopping and home delivery of takeout meals became the new way of life. In short, we were physically cut off from each another.
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The Lady of Lourdes
Bernadette, the Musical
In February of 1858, near a forest grotto, a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous was out collecting firewood with her sister and a friend. From a niche in a riverbank grotto, the 14-year-old saw, as she is quoted saying, “a dazzling light and a white figure.” It would be the first of 18 visions Bernadette would experience of a young woman she called “Aquero.” Her companions said they saw absolutely nothing.
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Dealing With Grief
Pivot
Grief is a universal emotion. Sadly, everyone will experience some form of grief in their lives and each individual will deal with their deep sorrow in different ways. In playwright Alex Lubischer’s dark comedy, cleverly titled PIVOT, he uses the meaning of that word in a couple of different ways.
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The Quest of Bilbo Baggins
The Hobbit
Set in mythical Middle Earth during the ancient time, between the age of Faeries and the Dominion of Men, simple and home-loving Bilbo Baggins hears an unexpected knocking at his Hobbit hole door. Just as he’s settling down for tea, Gandalf, the Wizard, comes calling to convince Mr. Baggins that he needs some adventure in his life. Suddenly, thirteen dwarves descend upon Bilbo’s cozy underground home. Led by Thorin, their proud and pompous leader, the dwarves are setting off on a quest to both take back their kingdom under Lonely Mountain and to retrieve the treasures stolen by Smaug, a wicked and ferocious dragon.
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The Candy Man
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Some books or films don’t translate easily to the stage. After Roald Dahl’s extravagantly magnificent Broadway production of MATILDA, the New York production of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY was disappointing. Perhaps Roald Dahl’s best-known children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory received a less impressive musical theatre treatment. Of course, the book had already been turned into a beloved film in 1971, that starred Gene Wilder. Then Tim Burton filmed his more bizarre version of the story in 2005, starring Johnny Depp. Finally, in 2023, a prequel to the previous films, that starred Timothee Chalamet, depicted Willy Wonka’s early years. In 2013, Sam Mendes directed a theatrical musical production in London that, despite lukewarm reviews, managed to run for three-and-a-half years in the West End. When the production landed on Broadway four years later some changes had been made to the show. However, there were still problems with the New York production.
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The Ladies Who Lunch
Top Girls
If given the opportunity to invite any famous person from history to join you for lunch, just who would you invite? To celebrate her big promotion at the Top Girls Employment Agency, Marlene has chosen a very interesting group of strong, unusually independent women. The Top Girls sitting at this conversational round table provide a fascinating scene of overlapping dialogue about the aspirations of these notable women. Each participant hails from a different locale and time period. Invited to Marlene’s party at this posh restaurant are the mythical female Pope Joan, who achieved her position during the Middle Ages, dressed as a man; the 19th century Scottish author and international explorer, Isabella Bird; Chaucer’s fictional Patient Griselda, from his Canterbury Tales; 13th century Japanese concubine to the Emperor, Lady Nijo; and Dull Gret, or “Mad Meg,” the Flemish peasant woman who invaded hell with a brigade of women warriors, in artist Peter Brueghel’s 16th century painting, Dulle Griet.
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An Homage to Caryl Churchill
Pot Girls
Raven Theatre has two plays running simultaneously this winter, “in creative conversation” with each other. Interestingly, they happen to be very similar to each other. Of the two, prolific playwright Caryl Churchill’s TOP GIRLS is, of course, the more well known. But similar in construction and theme, actor, playwright and Story Theatre’s Governing Ensemble Member, Paul Michael Thomson (BROTHER SISTER CYBORG SPACE at Raven) is presenting his World Premiere. The play is a kind of homage to Ms. Churchill’s dramatic classic of a similar name.
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