Reviews Category
From Concept Album to Concert Presentation
Chess
Modeled on the Soviet Union’s authoritarian state, author George Orwell wrote his classic cautionary dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, 35 years prior to that future date. Little did the author know how prophetic his story would be. Also set in 1984, at the height of the Cold War era, “Chess” is a cult musical about a high stakes chess tournament between two grandmasters. The show’s also a metaphor for the tension-filled political climate of that decade. Depicting a chess tournament between a Russian and an American, the musical becomes an allegory for the political manipulation between these two nations. Indeed, references to strategic moves and how two players try to outsmart and second guess their opponent makes the comparison between the game and the politics obvious.
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Savage and Sanguine
Richard III
Shakespeare described the hunchbacked anti-hero of his tragedy, generally called a history play, as “rudely stamped.” It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power, and the short reign of terror, of King Richard III of England. While the role of Richard, Duke of Gloucester has almost always been played by a talented male actor, Artistic Director Edward Hall’s new breathtaking, eye-popping production breaks with tradition by casting an accomplished actress, a Tony Award nominee, in the title role.
Read MoreMothers Behaving Badly
Mothers
If you’re one of those people who only likes books, or movies, or plays, with “likable” characters, you might want to give a wide berth to Mothers, currently oozing its venom at The Gift Theatre. Seldom will you find a work of theatre with more rebarbative characters than this exhaustingly combative play by Anna Ouyang Moench.
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Unfiltered Voices
Notes From the Field
On an almost bare stage, three unquestionably gifted actresses bring to life the words of 19 individuals. These people, both men and women, young and not-so-young, are the subjects of documentary playwright, Anna Deavere Smith’s latest work. Created from the actual text of more than 250 interviews, the unfiltered voices of educators, inmates, students, the clergy, civil rights activists and even a highly respected politician explore America’s school-to-prison pipeline.
Read MoreOn Golden Pond at Skokie Theatre
My first visit to the Skokie Theatre is a reminder of the delight of local theatre in this 1912 intimate venue with MadCap celebrating its 10th year anniversary.
On Golden Pond was originally a successful Broadway play in 1981, and then a phenomenally successful film in which Henry Fonda (best actor), Katherine Hepburn (Best Actress) and Best Adapted Screenplay all wins at the 54th Academy Awards.
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A Tale Told Through Dance
Illinoise
For 90 uninterrupted minutes, a whole lot of magic takes place on the stage in Chicago Shakespeare’s beautiful Yard Theatre. A brand new and unique kind of inspirational musical production has opened in Chicago and is currently playing at the Navy Pier venue for a short run. The production is an enlightening and loving story that’s based upon an acclaimed concept album by award-winning singer, songwriter and composer, Sufjan Stevens. It’s a tale told through dance, movement, music, songs, light and a few props. The musical features a large cast of the most talented and appealing young artists imaginable. But what’s really unique and special about this story is that there is not one single word of dialogue.
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Gripping and Horrifying
Selling Kabul
Sylvia Khoury’s contender for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama is a gripping and ultimately horrifying story that’s ripped from today’s headlines. Taroon is a young man who’s been left behind by American armed forces in his native Afghanistan. Because he served as an interpreter for the military who left the country in 2021, Taroon is no longer safe in his own homeland. In fact, due to the rise in power of the perilously dangerous Taliban, Taroon and his family and friends’ very existence are continually at risk.
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Breaking With Tradition
Fiddler on the Roof
These days, certain Broadway shows open and close so abruptly you’d never know they even existed. But back during the Golden Era of Musicals gems like “Fiddler on the Roof,” with a book adapted by Joseph Stein from the stories of Sholem Aleichem, and beautiful music by Jerry Bock with lyrics penned by Sheldon Harnick, set records for longevity. Opening in 1964, this multiple Tony Award-winning musical became the first show on Broadway to play over 3,000 performances. The popularity of this show inspired a 1971 film version, countless international productions, many national tours and several Broadway revivals. But director Elizabeth Margolius (who guided the Jeff Award-winning “London Road” at Shattered Globe) wraps up Drury Lane’s final production of its stellar 2023/2024 season with a dazzling new production that’s faithful to the original but also, ironically, breaking with tradition.
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An Celebration of Family, Pride and Dreams
In the Heights
While the frigid winter temperatures and icy winds persist in Chicago, in the cozy theatrical world of “In the Heights” it’s a blistering hot day in early July. Bursting onto the Marriott stage, Lin Manuel Miranda’s loving portrait of the Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights, located in New York’s Upper Manhattan, absolutely erupts with joy and energy from the very beginning. The production is a celebration of family, pride and unlimited dreams, related through the stories of people of all ages who reside in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge. The sizzling atmosphere is fueled by Miranda’s hot, pulsating hip-hop score. It’s embodied by the superb direction by James Vasquez, the fiery, nine-piece orchestra conducted by Noah Landis and, especially, the electrifying dances created by one of Chicago’s most inventive and exciting choreographers, William Carlos Angulo.
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The Wilds of Social Media
Highway Patrol
It’s unavoidable and inescapable. The wilds of social media have infiltrated almost everyone’s lives and we simply can’t ignore it. The phenomenon is here to stay. There are so many sites to choose from, too. There’s Faceboook, Instagram, Linkedin, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest and, of course, Twitter (now retitled as X). Being a devotee of these sites can be dangerous and addictive. While freedom of speech reigns, there’s a risk that the information presented may be filled with disinformation. There’s also a possibility of scams and stalkers. But, on the positive side, social media is an easy way to stay connected to others. Friendships and love connections can develop or be rekindled and, despite where we live, we can feel a kinship or a part of the community on the World Wide Web.
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