Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Phantom Pain (Organic Theater)

  

  World premiere covers complex matters with broad strokes Today's society is very different than it was a year ago, yet racism has always been a pervasive issu... Read more

  Posted on 18 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Henry V (Babes With Blades Theatre)

  

  Innovative and enjoyable all-female Shakespeare Review by Lauren Whalen What makes a leader? Young Henry V is about to find out as he takes the throne of... Read more

  Posted on 17 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Consumed (Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble)

  

  Despite phenomenal cast, 'Consumed' in need of nuance It's obvious that Consumed was put together with a lot of care. The debut work of Sara Maslanka as... Read more

  Posted on 14 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Broadway in Chicago)

  

  Gussied up 'Hedwig' still a potent testament to hope and defiance Review by Catey Sullivan There are so many essential life lessons in Hedwig and the Angry... Read more

  Posted on 14 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Snare (Jackalope Theatre)

  

  Thoughtful, thrilling, and achingly human world premiere Reading press release, and looking at its poster, I walked in expecting a B-thriller in live theater... Read more

  Posted on 09 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Straight White Men (Steppenwolf Theatre)

  

  As necessary as it is entertaining Review by Catey Sullivan The titular men of Young Jean Lee's 90-minute drama have it all. In addition to the trifecta of... Read more

  Posted on 07 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Gentle (TUTA Theatre)

  

  Exquisitely designed, passionately produced - despite thin source material I last saw TUTA Theatre when I reviewed their 2014 production of , an adaptation... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Urinetown (BoHo Theatre)

  

  Bursting with heart, spectacle and rafter-raising vocals Review by Catey Sullivan Boho Theatre's budget may be small compared to the well-heeled, well-oiled... Read more

  Posted on 05 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Love’s Labor’s Lost (Chicago Shakespeare, 2017)

  

  Despite gorgeous visuals, 'Love' is lacking Review by Catey Sullivan Love's Labor's Lost is decidedly lesser Shakespeare. Within its rambling plot you can... Read more

  Posted on 05 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Squeeze My Cans (Greenhouse Theater)

  

  Funny and sharp survival tale Review by Lauren Whalen Cathy Schenkelberg is many things: a successful voice-over artist and performer, a single mother, a... Read more

  Posted on 04 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Sweeney Todd (Paramount Theatre)

  

  A diabolical, soaring 'Sweeney' The sheer size of Aurora's Paramount Theatre is both a boon for directors and a potential show-killer. The house seats nearly... Read more

  Posted on 04 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Uncle Vanya (Goodman Theatre)

  

  Inspiring production of one of world's great plays Those of us who see a lot of Chicago theater (i.e. readers and writers of this site) can take the quantity... Read more

  Posted on 03 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Venus in Fur (Circle Theatre)

  

  Venus in Fur In the right hands: twisted, dark comedy is intelligent, sexy In the wrong hands, could be a dangerous production. I'm not talking about... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: A Disappearing Number (TimeLine Theatre)

  

  An enthralling window into another world Review by Catey Sullivan I've heard that when mathematical equations become advanced enough, they turn into poetry.... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Earthquakes in London (Steep Theatre)

  

  Skillful direction, talented cast can't save bloated script It's not a good sign when I ask myself, "why does this play exist?"Earthquakes in London is one... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Scottsboro Boys (Porchlight Music Theatre)

  

  Riveting dissonance permeates every minute of powerful production Review by Catey Sullivan About a third of the way into Porchlight Music Theatre's riveting... Read more

  Posted on 01 March 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: A Wonder in My Soul (Victory Gardens Theater)

  

  A world premiere drama full of joy, strength and fascinating characters Review by Catey Sullivan There's an important, provocative and entertaining story... Read more

  Posted on 27 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Book of Joseph (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

  

  Compelling, inspiring source material weakened by uneven structure Review by Lauren Whalen When Chicago Shakespeare Theater first commissioned The Book of... Read more

  Posted on 26 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Deep in the Heart of Tuna (New American Folk Theatre)

  

  Review by Lauren Whalen Deep in the Heart of Tuna is the newest script in the Tuna series. The short plays chronicling the wacky exploits of the third-smalles... Read more

  Posted on 26 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Wolf at the End of the Block (Teatro Vista)

  

  Ike Holter's world-premiere 'Wolf' gets Chicago right Review by Catey Sullivan As one of the most hotly anticipated shows of the season, the pressure is on... Read more

  Posted on 25 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA