Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Madagascar–A Musical Adventure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

  

  Big, colorful family fun Review by Lauren Whalen DreamWorks' "Madagascar"was a hit children's movie that's now a successful franchise, so it's not... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Triassic Parq (Circle Theatre)

  

  Funny, irreverent remount is 90-minutes of pure enjoyment Review by Lauren Whalen In a nutshell, Triassic Parq is "Jurassic Park" (as the opening song... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: "BLACK!" (Athenaeum Theatre)

  

  Enthralling one-man show explores what it means to be black in America and the world I have a great respect and admiration for a performer who can hold an... Read more

  Posted on 24 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Lela & Co. (Steep Theatre)

  

  Inspiring survival story is a disturbing but vital watch Review by Lauren Whalen Sadly, women are used to men controlling their narratives. Being told "that... Read more

  Posted on 21 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Megastasis (Eclipse Theatre)

  

  Relevant world premiere tells a story that needs to be told Review by Lauren Whalen The opening scene of Megastasis is (pun intended) arresting. Two young... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hir (Steppenwolf Theatre)

  

  In Mac's kitchen-sink drama, the meek shall inherit the earth Review by Catey Sullivan Early on in Taylor Mac's Hir , the playwright offers up a monologue... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre...

  

  Celebrating the trials of love and heartache Review by Lauren Whalen Step into a lonely Amsterdam bar in 1959. What will you find? If you are the team... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Beauty’s Daughter (American Blues Theater)

  

  A production, and performance, bursting with humanity Review by Catey Sullivan With transcendent one-woman shows including The Gimmick and Black 'n Blue Boys... Read more

  Posted on 18 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Something Rotten! (Broadway in Chicago)

  

  A gleeful hoot-and-a-half! Review by Catey Sullivan The stuffed-unto-bursting cod pieces are a dead giveaway: They're a relentlessly over-the-top,... Read more

  Posted on 16 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The School for Lies (The Artistic Home)

  

  Deft staging, acting of Molière adaptation is well worth a visit Review by Catey Sullivan penned The School for Lies more than 350 years ago, but in '... Read more

  Posted on 12 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: How to Be a Rock Critic (Steppenwolf Theatre)

  

  Jensen loses himself in the role of Lester Bangs, warts and all Rock critic Lester Bangsdidn't live long - he died at 33 after overdosing on cough syrup -... Read more

  Posted on 12 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hamlet (Midsommer Flight)

  

  Multifaceted, well-acted and free Review by Lauren Whalen Out of all Shakespeare's plays, Hamlet may be the most quotable. Every expression from "neither a... Read more

  Posted on 11 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Nance (Pride Films and Plays)

  

  Colorful and thought-provoking Chicago premiere Review by Lauren Whalen Burlesque has experienced a resurgence in the past decade, often incorporating circus... Read more

  Posted on 10 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Bridges of Madison County (Marriott Theatre)

  

  Bridges' intensely intimate staging makes for haunting production Review by Lauren Whalen Robert James Waller's novel The Bridges of Madison County was a... Read more

  Posted on 06 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Gin Game (Drury Lane Theatre)

  

  Dramatic 'Game' delivers profound commentary on value of forgiveness Review by Catey Sullivan The plot of D. L. Coburn's 100-minute, two-person drama sounds... Read more

  Posted on 04 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Changes – A Science Fiction Tap Opera to the Music of David Bowie...

  

  Review by Lauren Whalen David Bowie was both artist and revolutionary. Constantly challenging genres - and gender norms - Bowie taught a generation of kids tha... Read more

  Posted on 03 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Ah, Wilderness! (Goodman Theatre)

  

  Ideal summertime show celebrates love and family Review by Catey Sullivan Enter the world of most Eugene O'Neill plays and you'll find yourself in a world... Read more

  Posted on 03 July 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The King and I (Broadway in Chicago)

  

  Visually sumptuous, sonically gorgeous Review by Catey Sullivan Visually sumptuous and sonically gorgeous, the opulent national tour of The King and I is a... Read more

  Posted on 30 June 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Water & Power (UrbanTheater Company)

  

  Great plays can come from small theaters Great gifts can come in small packages. Likewise, great plays can come in small theaters. The UrbanTheater Company, o... Read more

  Posted on 28 June 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Ragtime (Griffin Theatre)

  

  The more things change, the more they stay the same A 19th century French critic wrote "The more things change, the more they stay the same." And so it is wit... Read more

  Posted on 27 June 2017 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA