Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: A Life Extra Ordinary (The Gift Theatre)

  

  Adept cast, direction makes a 'Life' worth seeing Review by Catey Sullivan Playwright Melissa Ross' script isn't doing anyone any favors in the Gift Theatre'... Read more

  Posted on 17 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Merge (The New Colony)

  

  Intriguing but disconnected world premiere Review by Lauren Whalen Merge makes a promising first impression. Audience members walk into The Den Theatre's... Read more

  Posted on 15 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Apartment 3A (Windy City Playhouse)

  

  Off-kilter romantic comedy with a touch of the surreal I was looking forward to seeing this play because I have always admired the work of the playwright, Jef... Read more

  Posted on 12 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Burials (Steppenwolf for Young Adults)

  

  Review by Lauren Whalen Like the well-meaning teacher in The Burials , I was in my teens when Columbine happened. Sixteen years later, I sat in my boss's... Read more

  Posted on 11 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Visiting Edna (Steppenwolf Theatre)

  

  Thoughtful world-premiere explores end-of-life issues Those of us who have had parents in the stage of their lives where they worry about their health rather... Read more

  Posted on 10 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Man in the Ring (Court Theatre)

  

  World premiere a gut-punching, riveting drama Review by Catey Sullivan It seems cheap to go for the cheesy, obvious metaphor, but there's no getting around... Read more

  Posted on 06 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Miss Holmes (Lifeline Theatre)

  

  Smart and engaging female-driven world premiere Review by Lauren Whalen The first reaction I had to Miss Holmes was one of relief. I've never been a die-har... Read more

  Posted on 01 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Happiest Place on Earth (Sideshow Theatre, Greenhouse Theater)

  

  An essential theatrical experience Review by Lauren Whalen When I first met Philip Dawkins, he was wearing bright yellow sneakers. "I like your Chucks!" I... Read more

  Posted on 01 October 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hand to God (Victory Gardens Theater)

  

  Gloriously gruesome and wildly over the top Review by Catey Sullivan For many who came of age in the 1970s, the devil will forever be associated with the... Read more

  Posted on 27 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Wonderful Town (Goodman Theatre)

  

  Bernstein's music steals the show Review by Catey Sullivan Eye-popping sets, lavish costumes, clever choreography, a lush, 16-piece orchestra in the pit and ... Read more

  Posted on 23 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: I Do Today (The Other Theatre Company, Greenhouse Theater)

  

  Review by Lauren Whalen As society grows more complex, so does marriage - or does it? If you go by I Do Today , one of the world's most traditional institution... Read more

  Posted on 23 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Amour (Black Button Eyes Productions)

  

  A charming production of love and whimsy Review by Mark Davidson Adapted from the short story "Le Passe-Muraille" by Marcel Ayme, this Tony Award-nominated... Read more

  Posted on 23 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Life Sucks. (Lookingglass Theatre)

  

  Mighty cast delivers a whole lot of sound and fury Review by Catey Sullivan Be advised: There's a whole lot of audience-interrogation in Lookingglass... Read more

  Posted on 21 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Julius Caesar (Writers Theatre)

  

  Compelling cast, design rise above disjointed, superficial 'Caesar' Review by Catey Sullivan It's a dark and stormy night in the Rome during the opening scen... Read more

  Posted on 20 September 2016 THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: In the Heights (Porchlight Music Theatre)

  

  'Heights' radiates with percussive flair and exuberant sensuality Review by Catey Sullivan Before he turned into a household name with , composer/lyricist... Read more

  Posted on 19 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Drury Lane Theatre)

  

  Drury Lanes delivers a powerhouse production Review by Catey Sullivan It's not just smoke coming from Smokey Joe's Cafe . The revue of 39 songs by Jerry... Read more

  Posted on 16 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Mamma Mia! (Paramount Theatre)

  

  Delightfully kitschy and gloriously over the top Review by Catey Sullivan Quick question: How many disco balls can you fit on a stage and still have room... Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hot to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Marriott Theatre)

  

  How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Despite strong performances, slick production values 'Business' still feels hollow Review by Catey... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Next to Normal (BoHo Theatre)

  

  A rock musical that's emotionally way above the rest Just nine musicals have won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, the most recent winner being Hamilton. Next to... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Kinky Boots (Broadway in Chicago, 2016)

  

  "Everybody say yeah!" to the current Kinky Boots cast It's been nearly four years since Kinky Boots surprised us with its pre-Broadway engagement at that... Read more

  Posted on 01 September 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA