Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: For Annie (The Sound)

  

  Smart and haunting world premiere. See it. Review by Lauren Whalen Female-driven work often isn't taken seriously (the "controversy" of a Ghostbusters movie... Read more

  Posted on 30 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Rose (Solo Celebration at Greenhouse Theater)

  Greenhouse Theater's "Rose", part of their summer-long Solo Celebration! festival, speeds by as the audience is kept entranced by the inner workings of matriarc... Read more

  Posted on 29 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Bakersfield Mist (TimeLine Theatre)

  

  A sweet, haunting search for truth Review by Lauren Whalen I walked into Bakersfield Mist and, right away, knew exactly who the main character was. She's... Read more

  Posted on 27 August 2016 CULTURE

• Review: Mame (Light Opera Works)

  

  Jerry Herman's classic musical looks and sounds great Light Opera Works has announced they will be changing their name to Music Theater Works as of the first... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Good Person of Szechwan (Cor Theatre)

  

  Brecht classic parable receives bold, vivacious adaptation Review by Mark Davidson A prelude begins The Good Person of Szechwan , featuring characters... Read more

  Posted on 23 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Bloodshot (Solo Celebration, Greenhouse Theater)

  

  Compelling, nuanced story in the wrong medium Review by Lauren Whalen Over the years I have reviewed a multitude of one-person shows, and a general... Read more

  Posted on 19 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Promise of a Rose Garden (Babes With Blades)

  

  Strong performances propel world premiere military drama Review by Mark Davidson Babes With Blades' world premiere of Dustin Spence's The Promise of a Rose... Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Three Hotels (Bluebird Arts)

  

  Three Hotels Heartfelt, compelling story lacks consistency Review by Lauren Whalen According to Three Hotels ' program, the play has enjoyed at least two... Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Bite–A Pucking Queer Cabaret (Pride Films and Plays)

  

  Bite: A Pucking Queer Cabaret Joyous and fun, with surprising depth Review by Lauren Whalen Bite is pure enjoyment. (My review could end there, but... Read more

  Posted on 16 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Direct from Death Row–The Scottsboro Boys (Raven Theatre, 2016)

  

  Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys Unforgettable history lesson makes us wonder how far we've really come With Playwright 's Direct From Death... Read more

  Posted on 13 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Einstein’s Gift (Genesis Theatricals)

  

  Einstein's Gift Fascinating story falls flat Review by Lauren Whalen Albert Einstein is a well-known, renowned figure in science and pop culture. His... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Newsies (Broadway in Chicago, 2016)

  

  Newsies Energetic cast, score, choreography make for entertaining evening The classic Disney musicals have always had a lesson or moral: Beauty and the... Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: War Paint (Goodman Theatre)

  

  War Paint A showcase for two virtually perfect musical theater stars If the idea of two divas playing fierce business competitors sounds... Read more

  Posted on 03 August 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Douglass (the American Vicarious)

  

  Douglass Worthy, timely account of nation's most revered abolitionist Review by Mark Davidson The american vicarious'Douglass , a world-premiere drama by... Read more

  Posted on 27 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Now. Here. This. (Brown Paper Box Co.)

  

  Now. Here. This. Indulgent navel-gazing Review by Lauren Whalen The trouble with shows like Now. Here. This. hinges on the misguided use of... Read more

  Posted on 26 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Portrait (Solo Celebration, Greenhouse Theater)

  

  The Portrait Appealing solo self-portrait world-premiere Review by Lauren Whalen An artist's mind is a curious thing, rife with colors, lines and most of... Read more

  Posted on 22 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Our Lady of 121st Street (Eclipse Theatre)

  

  Our Lady of 121st Street Sharp and gut-wrenching Review by Lauren Whalen Like the characters in Our Lady of 121st Street , I am a product of Catholic... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Kin Folk (The New Colony)

  

  Kin Folk Visually-dazzling modern-day fantasy well worth seeing Review by Mark Davidson The New Colony's production of Kin Folk is a modern-day fantasy b... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Company

  

  Company Focus on the scenes make for a smart interpretation It's hard to believe, given how popular Sondheim is among Chicago theatre companies and... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Chops (Dashnight Productions)

  

  Strong leads, brilliant set place you in the middle of the action Review by Lauren Whalen In the 1950's and 1960's, jazz was alive and well on Rush Street.... Read more

  Posted on 16 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA