Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: This (Windy City Playhouse)

  

  Glimmers of hope amidst two hours of privileged people with problems Review by Lauren Whalen Even when society is in a state of chaos, plays about the... Read more

  Posted on 15 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Tomorrow Morning (Kokandy Productions)

  

  A sweet look at love and marriage Review by Lauren Whalen Off-Broadway musicals often create a greater sense of intimacy than their tourist-driven Broadway... Read more

  Posted on 14 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Between Riverside and Crazy (Steppenwolf Theatre)

  

  A leading man for the ages Review by Lauren Whalen In Chicago theater, 2016 may as well be renamed "Guirgis-a-Palooza." The work celebrated playwright, a... Read more

  Posted on 13 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Schoolhouse Rock Live! (Broadway Playhouse)

  

  Energetic and delightful summer excursion Review by Lauren Whalen The original "Schoolhouse Rock" 1970's television spots were slightly before my time, but... Read more

  Posted on 12 July 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The SpongeBob Musical (Broadway in Chicago)

  

  A volcano is set to erupt that will destroy life as we know it, and it is coming at the end of the day tomorrow! This is the challenge facing SpongeBob... Read more

  Posted on 29 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Death and Harry Houdini (The House Theatre, 2016)

  

  It's a rare show that really makes my job challenging, and Death and Harry Houdini falls squarely in that category. Not because it's bad; quite the opposite:... Read more

  Posted on 16 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Xanadu (American Theater Company)

  

  According to ATC's press release, the late American Theater Company Artistic Director PJ Paparelli was a "not-so-secret fan of the camp classic." Initially a... Read more

  Posted on 10 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Caught (Sideshow Theatre)

  

  Ambitious project better in theory than in practice Caught is part art installation, part dramatized philosophy, part lecture about the search for truth and... Read more

  Posted on 08 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Spinning (Irish Theatre of Chicago)

  

  Wonderfully acted, but predictable As I get older, I realize how fleeting life is. The smallest twist of fate, or conscious decision, can change everything.... Read more

  Posted on 05 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The North Pool (Interrobang Theatre Project)

  

  It's no accident that The North Pool begins with a hoodie. Khadim (Salar Ardebili) enters the vice principal's office sporting the very garment that has... Read more

  Posted on 04 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Distance (Haven Theatre)

  

  The Distance is a play that feels like a novel. Deborah Bruce's beautifully penned script about parenting, friendship and growing up feels like a British "Big... Read more

  Posted on 02 June 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Prowess (Jackalope Theatre)

  

  Prowess Visceral, exhilarating trip to a not-so-distant urban hell It's getting harder each week to read the news section of the daily newspapers. With... Read more

  Posted on 30 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Haymarket – The Anarchist’s Songbook (Underscore Theatre)

  

  Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook A home you don't want to go back to anymore One of this year's Tony award nominees for Best Play - had its world... Read more

  Posted on 29 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: One Man, Two Guvnors (Court Theatre)

  

  A comic marathon of classic proportions Reviewing Goodman's production of The Matchmaker for another site a few months ago, I wrote that a major benefit of... Read more

  Posted on 29 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Producers (Mercury Theater Chicago)

  

  The Producers A musical worthy of Chicago as comedy capitol As we Chicago theatre professionals and professional theatre fans like to say, we live in the... Read more

  Posted on 28 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Tug of War – Foreign Fire (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

  

  Well done epic, mixed results These days, plays tend to be very short or very long. The 90-minutes-no-intermission trend is thriving, shortening the working... Read more

  Posted on 26 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Once in a Lifetime (Strawdog Theatre)

  

  Slapstick comedy a rollicking sendoff for Strawdog space After 28 years in their Broadway Ave. location, Strawdog must close its doors. Next season will see... Read more

  Posted on 23 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues Theater)

  

  Little Shop of Horrors Small scale production is big on entertainment Looking at the musical theater catalogue of standards, there aren't a lot that lived... Read more

  Posted on 21 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Secretaries (About Face Theatre)

  

  Stunning visuals, fantastic cast overcome inconsistencies I've said it before and I'll say it again: black comedy is very, very hard to do well. See also:... Read more

  Posted on 19 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: In the Heat of the Night (Shattered Globe Theatre)

  

  Cast struggles to find heat in rock-solid adaptation The title of John Ball's page-turner only hints at the darkness and fire within. Set during a sweltering... Read more

  Posted on 11 May 2016 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA