Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Carmen (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2017)

  

  Men have the power, but women have the brains Arguably the most accessible and popular of operas in the classical repertoire, Carmen has been successfully... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Game Changers (Joffrey Ballet of Chicago)

  

  Beautiful and groundbreaking Review by Lauren Whalen After a unique and moving new , Joffrey Ballet continues its tradition of excellence with Game Changers ... Read more

  Posted on 23 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Illusionists – Live from Broadway (Broadway in Chicago

  

  Terrific escapist entertainment Review by Catey Sullivan The Illusionists: Live from Broadway opens with Vegas-worthy flash, dazzle and cheesy pomposity.... Read more

  Posted on 23 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre)

  

  A mind-bending, futuristic thriller Review by Catey Sullivan Roughly five minutes into Jennifer Haley's mind-bending, futuristic thriller, you'll feel the... Read more

  Posted on 19 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Captain Blood (First Folio Theatre)

  

  First Folio gleefully finds its sea legs Review by Catey Sullivan Swarthy pirates flashing rapiers, saucy wenches and ridiculously coiffed villains. In all,... Read more

  Posted on 19 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Bootycandy (Windy City Playhouse)

  

  Whether funny, disturbing or intriguing, 'Bootycandy' draws you in Review by Catey Sullivan The playlets that comprise Robert O'Hara's amusingly titled... Read more

  Posted on 19 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Assembled Parties (Raven Theatre)

  

  Sad and heartfelt family story spanning decades Review by Lauren Whalen There's nothing I love more than a sprawling story of an erudite, neurotic New York... Read more

  Posted on 17 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The History Boys (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre)

  

  A valiant and enjoyable effort Review by Lauren Whalen As I write this, Betsy DeVos has just been confirmed as Secretary of Education. Knowing this, it... Read more

  Posted on 12 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Gloria (Goodman Theatre)

  Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins makes his points clearly and viciously in this sharply-observed satire of contemporary life, his primary target being... Read more

  Posted on 07 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Wit (The Hypocrites)

  

  Hypocrites close season with a mesmerizing winner Review by Lauren Whalen Margaret Edson's Wit is the Hypocrites' season closer - most know by now that... Read more

  Posted on 01 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Blues for an Alabama Sky (Court Theatre)

  

  Blues for an Alabama Sky Thrilling story, unforgettable characters and ensemble at top of its game Review by Catey Sullivan It's hard to overstate the... Read more

  Posted on 01 February 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Prelude to a Kiss (The Comrades)

  

  Lively ensemble make 'Kiss' a resonant romantic fantasy Review by Mark Davidson Most people are familiar with Prelude to a Kiss through it's 1992 movie... Read more

  Posted on 30 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Psychonaut Librarians (The New Colony)

  

  Original, entertaining fantasy Review by Lauren Whalen Since 2008, The New Colony has pledged to develop "NEW ART and NEW ARTISTS in order to educate and... Read more

  Posted on 30 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Tall Girls (Shattered Globe Theatre)

  

  Lots of potential in Meg Miroshnik's Deptression-era drama Review by Catey Sullivan If you look hard enough, there are glimmers of potential buried in Meg... Read more

  Posted on 29 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Baltimore Waltz (Brown Paper Box Co.)

  

  Fantastical and moving Review by Lauren Whalen could have been a complete cliché - luckily, Paula Vogel doesn't do cliché, and neither does Ed Rutherford.... Read more

  Posted on 28 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Pride Films and Plays)

  

  Despite delightful Honey West, this bus barely leaves the station Review by Catey Sullivan When it ran on Broadway, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was an... Read more

  Posted on 26 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Hunter and the Bear (Writers Theatre)

  

  Ghosts are sometimes our regrets and memories The Hunter and the Bear got a great assist from the winter weather. Coming in from a cold January night in the... Read more

  Posted on 24 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Winter (Rivendell Theatre)

  

  Exploration on mortality sometimes moving, often superficial Review by Catey Sullivan Winter is coming. We all know it, much as our denial of its inevitable... Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Temperamentals (About Face Theatre)

  

  Brutally poignant drama a vital must-see Review by Lauren Whalen The sad irony regarding The Temperamentals is how achingly relevant it feels today. Though... Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth (Lookingglass Theatre)

  

  Funny, charming and moving world-premiere multi-media fable It's been said in different ways, by different people, that one is not dead until they're forgotte... Read more

  Posted on 20 January 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA