Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Parsifal (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

  

  Parsifal is a huge commitment that comes with a huge reward. As much as audience members may murmur their discomfort at the marathon, we all jumped to our feet... Read more

  Posted on 15 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: I Wish to Apologize to the People of Illinois (The Agency Theater...

  

  With all its intriguing moral questions for our city, this is an admirable effort and one that ought to be of interest to those interested in the rough and... Read more

  Posted on 15 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review – Street Justice: Condition Red (Factory Theater)

  

  Street Justice: Condition Red doesn’t try to present itself as anything more than an action comedy romp poking fun at both Hollywood movie conventions and... Read more

  Posted on 14 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Wicked (Broadway in Chicago)

  

  While touring companies are frequently known for going stale, Wicked remains surprisingly fresh, injecting new energy by allowing the performers to make the... Read more

  Posted on 12 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Peacock (Jackalope Theatre)

  

  Archly coy to a fault, Playwright Calamity West's work depicts a gratuitously hostile fiction-writing workshop at an American university in 1946 where it... Read more

  Posted on 12 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up (The New Colony)

  

  Though not as raucous as it could be, Joel Kim Booster's black comedy holds an interesting dramatic undercurrent, a desire for truth under artifices that are no... Read more

  Posted on 11 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Normal Heart (TimeLine Theatre)

  

  The Normal Heart is set in the early 1980’s, but it’s far from dated. On the contrary, this play is essential. As the lights came up and I wiped away the... Read more

  Posted on 10 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Mary Poppins (Marriott Theatre)

  

  Marriott's overall take on the crowd-pleasing Disney musical definitely does not add up to a jolly holiday. Directed by Gary Griffin, the show is all but... Read more

  Posted on 10 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Chicago’s Weird, Grandma (Barrel of Monkeys)

  

  No question, however nonsensical the kids’ tales may seem, the Barrel of Monkeys and their guest artists treat them as faithfully as gospel and make them merry... Read more

  Posted on 09 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Gambit (Artemisia Theatre)

  

  For a play based around chess, a game that’s supposed to encourage logic, this is a surprisingly illogical play. By the end, we’re not sure if either woman has... Read more

  Posted on 09 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: They Died Where They Lied (Akvavit Theatre)

  

  They Died Where They Lied is billed as a comedy, and in that sense it definitely succeeds. If you enjoy well-executed, intelligent humor with a few hilariously... Read more

  Posted on 09 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Miss Saigon (Paramount Theatre)

  

  With Jeff Hancock's choreography, Jesse Klug's lighting and Linda Buchanan’s inspired set design, Miss Saigon comes together as a near perfect package. And whil... Read more

  Posted on 08 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Griffin Theatre)

  

  The comedy is not the only reason to see this hugely entertaining show - the high-energy musical numbers by the talented cast cast zing and sing with equally... Read more

  Posted on 08 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Click, Clack, BOO! (Lifeline Theatre)

  

  In this world-premiere adaptation of the latest in the Click, Clack, Moo series, playwright James E. Grote brings his signature wit, insight, and creativity to... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Haunting Julia (Eclipse Theatre)

  

  Eclipse Theatre has had a successful season with Sir Ayckbourn’s work, and they finish strong with Haunting Julia. It’s a ghost story that ironically reaffirms... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: To End to Seem to End (Curious Theatre Branch)

  

  Playwright Jayita Bhattacharya admirably gives us the feelings of loneliness both from a decaying relationship and the loss of that relationship in universal... Read more

  Posted on 05 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Joint Attention (Three Cat Productions)

  

  Playwright Pat Curtis has devised a script that clearly lays out the medical issues at stake when treating autism, but at the expense of character development;... Read more

  Posted on 05 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: All Girl Frankenstein (The Chicago Mammals)

  

  Bob Fisher’s script showcases the ‘inner demons’ in the entire Frankenstein’s household rather than just the monster on the loose. All Girl Frankenstein is not... Read more

  Posted on 04 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hello Dolly! (Drury Lane Theatre)

  

  A pleasant way to end one year and begin another, Rachel Rockwell’s cumulatively delightful revival may not be the most sumptuous recreation, but it’s got... Read more

  Posted on 01 November 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Sovereign Statement (The Neo-Futurists)

  

  Rarely does an entire audience get to feel like they are vital participants of a scripted play. Get your passport stamped and become a citizen of the... Read more

  Posted on 31 October 2013 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA