Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Dirty (The Gift Theatre)

  

  But make no mistake, *Dirty* - by Jeff Award nominated playwright Andrew Hindreaker - is a show that you should not hesitate to see, as it is incredibly... Read more

  Posted on 22 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Big Knife (Raven Theatre)

  

  Though Playwright Clifford Odets’s points are too flatly stated and his characters too cardboard, as a period piece *The Big Knife* has a noirish appeal that’s... Read more

  Posted on 22 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Hamlet (Writers’ Theatre)

  

  I’ve seen three movie versions of Hamlet, and at least seven stages versions of Hamlet, including two last year. I’ve never seen anything like *this* Hamlet.... Read more

  Posted on 21 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: 42nd Street (Theatre at the Center)

  

  Go see this show. This is a step back into the time when Broadway was at its best and when the magic of the theater seemed real. 42nd Street is definitely... Read more

  Posted on 20 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Jitney (Court Theatre)

  

  Longing and connection form a nexus that underpins the whole of *Jitney*, the story of a tight-knit community struggling to maintain and make ends meet without... Read more

  Posted on 20 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Sound of Music (Chamber Opera Chicago)

  

  The Sound of Music is a universally-beloved musical. Chamber Opera Chicago’s production is a prime example, however, of how one performance can taint two and a... Read more

  Posted on 19 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Magic Flute (Chicago Opera Theater)

  

  In this non-traditional production, Chicago Opera Theater succeeds in creating an experience that appeals to all operagoers, whether it’s a newcomer learning ho... Read more

  Posted on 19 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Barnstormers (Drinking & Writing Theatre)

  

  Bring a sharp ear and be prepared to learn some cool stuff while watching Barnstormers. The lines are rapid fire and appeal to the trivia lover. And as you're... Read more

  Posted on 18 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Grease (Paramount Theatre)

  

  Fans of Grease should like this rendition, despite its dissonance. But, considering the neutering of the original gritty Chicago production into this present-da... Read more

  Posted on 18 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Spitfire Grill (Boho Theatre Ensemble)

  

  Apart from the charms of the material, the skill of these performers – most of whom are relatively new to Chicago stages or have not had such significant parts... Read more

  Posted on 18 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Woman in White (Lifeline Theatre)

  

  The marital team of Robert (adapter) and Elise Kauzlaric (director) bring this gothic thriller, penned by Wilkie Collins, to the stage. Read more

  Posted on 18 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Xanadu (Drury Lane Theatre)

  

  The line between fun parody and eye-rolling indulgence is as fine as a strand of permed hair, but director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell walks it with aplomb. Read more

  Posted on 17 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Tusk Tusk (Piven Theatre Workshop)

  

  Despite the script's shortcomings, this production holds some commendable elements, including the young cast, the excellent English accents (kudos to dialect... Read more

  Posted on 16 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Wrong Mountain (Rare Terra Theatre)

  

  Despite soliloquies that run too long and are often redundant, Wrong Mountain provides a poignant view of a life’s work from a different vantage point. Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The North Star (Chemically Imbalanced Comedy)

  

  It’s ironic that a show named for the greatest compass point in the sky would lose its direction so completely. If I had to guess, I’d say *The North Star* is... Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Six Dead Queens and an Inflatable Henry (Piccolo Theatre)

  

  Though the resolution of *Six Dead Queens" is merely satisfactory, the production is more about bringing these six historical figures to life in an... Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Iron Stag King, Part I (The House Theatre)

  

  Director Nathan Allen has pulled together a magical story out of his and co-author Chris Mathews' imaginations, and this first installment of the Iron Stag... Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Venus Envy (Viable Theatre)

  

  The concept is promising enough - a look at a world where women are in charge and men are mere sex objects. Unfortunately, Playwright Vincent Truman ensures tha... Read more

  Posted on 13 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Tempest (Theatre-Hikes)

  

  With effective but minimal props, and Yonit Olshan’s eye-catching costumes (not to mention the splendid backdrop of the Morton Arboretum), a grassy swale and a... Read more

  Posted on 13 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Iphigenia 2.0 (Next Theatre)

  

  Playwright Charles Mee adapted this Greek tragedy into a contemporary tale. But instead of pulling us into the centuries-old tale, Director David Kersnar keeps... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA