A Study in Terror and Alienation

Bug – Steppenwolf Theatre

As the pandemic gradually releases its stranglehold on Chicago, allowing live theatre to return for audiences who are fully vaccinated and masked, audiences are being treated to a remount of Steppenwolf’s last brilliant production before the shutdown. In early 2020, Anna D. Shapiro called this play “a study in terror and alienation.” She had no idea then how prophetic her description was at that time. Tracy Letts’ searing drama is another case of Art imitating life. Now, almost two years later, we find ourselves sloshing through a crazy world of constant lying, disputes with scientific fact, riotous assaults on the Capitol, bizarre QAnon conspiracy theories and a political party that’s sold its soul to every hate-filled, Right-wing group in America. It’s a frightening scenario that keeps some of us up late at night, provoking distrust of almost everything and everyone. Tracy Letts couldn’t have had a clearer crystal ball when he wrote this play. 

Living Life to the Fullest

Hundred Days – Kokandy Productions

Kokandy Productions is the latest company to make its welcome return to the live Chicago theatre scene. Their goal, under Derek Van Barham’s Artistic Directorship, is “to leverage the heightened reality of musical theater to tell complex and challenging stories…” In this objective, the company has hit its target. Their first production is an autobiographical concert-style song cycle presentation about a young couple determined to live life to the fullest.

A No-Holds-Barred Production

Her Honor, Jane Byrne – Lookingglass Theatre

November is truly a time for giving thanks. Lookingglass Theatre has reopened again and with a bang. Their sensational remounted production, which had originally opened just before the pandemic shut shut down every Chicago theatre, features many of the original cast, setting and technical support as in 2020. “Her Honor, Jane Byrne” is skillfully written and perfectly directed by Lookingglass Ensemble Member, J. Nicole Brooks, but it’s definitely not your typical holiday fare. This is a rough, unflinching look at the strong determination and myriad of controversies attributed to one of Chicago’s greatest heroes. 

Under the Masks

God of Carnage – AstonRep Theatre

Michael and Veronica, a pair of parents, are hosting another pair of parents, Alan and Annette, in their home to discuss a fight their two 11-year-old sons had resulting in one boy hitting the other with a stick and knocking out two teeth. It begins as four enlightened, urbane parents all coming together to showcase how mature they can be. It turns quickly into a four-way brawl that would put their children to shame.

Spread the Love Around

Sister Act – Mercury Theatre

“Sister Act” conjures up images of whimsy, wimples and Whoopi Goldberg and Dame Maggie Smith. They starred in one of the funniest and most financially successful musical films of 1992. In our current era of screen-to-stage transferals, audiences may either be skeptical of one more theatrical musical based on a popular movie, or they’ll be panting with the anticipation of seeing their favorite comedy, live on stage. And while this glorious new presentation, now playing at Chicago’s beloved Mercury Theater, doesn’t offer Whoopi Goldberg’s star power, the production still sparkles up to the heavens. Deloris Van Cartier, the 70’s club singer who goes into hiding after witnessing a murder, is in the very capable hands of a heavenly gifted young actress with a vast resume to prove her prowess.

Comfort Food and Country Music

Pump Boys & Dinettes – Porchlight Music Theatre

If you were to take a leisurely drive down Highway 57 you might end up at a little service station somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, North Carolina. Thanks to Scenic Designer Sydney Lynne’s attention to detail, the set fills the entire, wide stage of the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Adjoining the gas station is the Double Cupp Diner, where two sweet, spunky sisters are whipping up bottomless cups of coffee, pecan and sweet potato pies, and many other southern delicacies. If you pull up a chair you can relish the show’s easy-going menu of country pop/rock songs that celebrate life’s little joys and sorrows—something that everyone can understand and appreciate.

Pipe Dreams in the Jim Crow Era

The Last Pair of Earlies – Raven Theatre

Autumn in Chicago this year feels more like Spring, because it’s like a time for rebirth. After 19 long months, deprived of any live performances to enjoy and inspire us, the theatres are finally reopening. Like so many venues, Raven Theatre is also back to producing revivals by well-known playwrights and wonderful new works of art by emerging authors. This world premiere by Chicago playwright Joshua Allen that opens Raven’s new season, sensitively shaped and guided by the extremely talented Wardell Julius Clark, was well worth the wait.

Sunset Playhouse’s Wait Until Dark is a vision of simmering noir mystery that makes nearly all the right choices. 

Wait Until Dark – Sunset Playhouse

Wait Until Dark follows Susan Hendrix, a blind woman who is unwittingly in possession of a doll three nefarious men are trying to very much to get a hold of. That’s it; the entire plot of the play revolves around these three nefarious men—Roat, the oily, maniacal brains of the operation; Carlino, the dirty ex-cop muscle; Mike, the likeable honey pot— and their increasingly nefarious ways of bullying an innocent blind woman into giving it up. It is a deceptively simple plot, but it’s the clever choices it makes that make it work. 

On the Wheels of a Dream

Ragtime – Music Theater Works

Music Theater Works is on a roll with its latest offering, a gorgeous production, riding on the wheels of a dream cast, orchestra and artistic team. This theatre company has proven, in its first three shows, that under the guidance of newly appointed Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan, there’s nothing this professional group can’t accomplish.    

Illuminating the Pitfalls

What the Constitution Means to Me – Broadway in Chicago

If we couldn’t have Heidi Schreck, the playwright and original leading actress of the play on Broadway, then we’re very lucky to have Cassie Beck appearing in this National Tour production. She plays Ms. Schreck in her Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist play that illuminates the pitfalls of this almost sacred document, while supporting her presentation with events from Ms. Schreck’s own background. Cassie is attractive, charismatic, very articulate and extremely passionate about the subject, as if she’s actually channeling the playwright. This achievement must be, at least partially, attributed to Oliver Butler’s tight direction.