Places Aren’t Haunted, People Are

Paranormal Activity

A smart, attractive young married couple recently moved from Chicago to London. James had been so successful at his job that the company relocated him to their Great Britain office, and even provided the couple with a stylish two-floor flat. And, thanks to the internet, his wife Lou is able to continue with her own blossoming career via online videoconferencing on Skype. Even Jim’s religious, overly-possessive mother keeps in touch with her son by phone and on Zoom, as well. As with almost everyone, the young couple are also hoping to escape some dark moments from their past and begin a new chapter together. Life seems to be going so well that Jim and Lou are even talking about converting one of the upstairs rooms into a nursery. So what could go wrong?

Family, Immigration and American Identity

Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars

TimeLine Theatre’s 29th Season kicks off with a captivating new play that feels especially important and of the moment. Multitalented Actress Sandra Delgado’s World Premiere of HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS is about the collision of motherhood, marijuana and the multiverse. And although the play is set in Chicago in 2015, the Playwright has penned a dramatic story that’s as timely as today’s headlines. It’s a moving, often humorous tale about family, immigration and American identity. But, true to TimeLine’s mission, this story demonstrates how history connects us with the social and political issues of today. HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS mirrors the many incidents from today’s news about immigrant families being heartlessly torn apart by the government.

House of the Exquisite Corpse V: Blood and Puppets

Now in its fifth year, Rough House Theater Company’s House of the Exquisite Corpse has become my favorite Chicago Halloween tradition. Over the course of an hour, audience members in small groups make their way through a series of short plays. Some are scary. Some are unsettling. All are performed by puppets.

Whatever It Takes

Revolution(s)

An international coalition, led by the United States, went to war with Afghanistan in 2001. Operation Enduring Freedom was our nation’s response to the horrific tragedies inflicted upon America on 9/11. The military action raged on for many years, in an attempt to destroy the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization and the Taliban military regime. Though the armed conflict officially ended in 2021, there are still clashes and unrest that persist. Many young Americans bravely served their country during the bloody conflict. But if and when they returned home, these young soldiers often found that their home turf was now in the midst of its own revolution. 

‘Grimm’ Returns to Theatre Above the Law

Theatre Above the Law has brought back its fall tradition, Grimm, a remixing of Brother’s Grimm fairy tales. The mix of stories and characters veers from silly to scary, and as always, is a welcome addition to the fall theater scene in Rogers Park.

It’s Snatching Season

OAK

Along with the other junk discarded in the gutter, an old television unexpectedly comes to life, announcing that it’s seven o’clock—do you know where your children are? Then a perky newscaster covers in graphic detail the recent disappearance of sweet little blonde white child. Her poor, weeping mother is shown pleading with the public for any information that might lead to her baby’s return. And—oh yeah—fourteen black children have also disappeared from the tiny town of Oak. But it’s Snatching Season, so…

A Fine How-De-Do!

The Mikado

In 1999, “Topsy-Turvy,” a hit British film by Mike Leigh, won Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup. The movie told the story of famed British operetta writers, W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, during a creative conflict that occurred between playwright and composer. Set during the late 19th century, producer Richard D’Oyly Carte finally called upon Gilbert and Sullivan, imploring them to heal their creative differences and write a new operetta. Money talks loudly. Inspired by a Japanese sword that fell off the wall in his study, Gilbert supposedly hit upon the idea of writing a libretto set in exotic Japan, a country to which he’d never actually traveled. The idea was to poke fun at Victorian English society, without the story actually taking place on the British Isles. And, according to legend, the highly popular THE MIKADO was born.

Karma Can Be a Bitch

Veal

Do you remember what it was like to be a middle school student? We were immersed in a microcosm of friendships and cliques, cool kids and nerds, teenagers who were at the top of the food chain and those unfortunate kids who provided their nourishment. Figuratively speaking, the veal. Veal is the high-priced beef that comes from a young calf that’s kept in a confined space and fattened up, only to be slaughtered while it’s still a baby. For those middle school kids who are at the bottom of the food chain, they are the veal.

Hakuna Matata

The Lion King

The brilliant colors are almost blinding. The unbelievable artistry and energy are off the charts. Enchantment reigns once again over Pride Rock. Julie Taymor’s creativity sparkles everywhere in this extraordinary musical, reminding audiences why her innovative, authentic, African-inspired production about family loyalty won so many Tony Awards. The captivating score, with gorgeous Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, is filled with tribal rhythms, lush ballads and upbeat, inspirational melodies. Additional music and lyrics are provided by Ms Taymor, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer. And under the skillful Musical Direction of Karl Shymanovitz, who also conducts the full-sounding pit orchestra, this score has never sounded better. Familiar film favorites fill the air, like “Hakuna Matata,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” soaring along with the beautiful “They Live in You” and “Shadowland.”