Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: Blagojevich, Blagojevich! (Athenaeum Theatre)

  

  Blagojevich, Blagojevich! Written by Michael K. Feinstein Directed by Clayton Fox Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport (map) thru Sept 22 | tickets: $29 | more... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Better (Bartleby Productions)

  

  This play’s second to last scene, portraying sibling loyalty, is awkwardly sweet and touching. If only *Better* had more scenes like this – polished in their... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: WRENS (Rivendell Theatre)

  

  Playwright Anne McGravie penned this semi-autobiographical salute to her two year stint in the WRENS. Director Karen Kessler superbly shapes the seven talented... Read more

  Posted on 12 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: AnneePocalypse! (Hubris Productions)

  

  Picture the classic feel-good family musical Annie: so squeaky clean it was based on a comic strip, which was based on a poem about a cute little orphan. Now ad... Read more

  Posted on 11 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Commedia King John (Chicago dell’Arte)

  

  In keeping with the commedia style, Chicago dell'Arte took a basic script, inserted character types, and employed improvisation to flesh everything out. Read more

  Posted on 11 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Shaw Vs. Chesterton – The Debate (Provision Theater)

  

  Based on actual exchanges between the George Bernard Shaw and journalist GK Chesterton, Though this talk-heavy format may not appeal to everyone, this adaptatio... Read more

  Posted on 10 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Illegal Use of Hands (American Blues Theater)

  

  Though billed as a dark comedy, the play is not clearly defined. There are some chuckle-worthy moments, but primarily it’s just sad. Read more

  Posted on 10 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Impenetrable (Stage Left Theatre)

  

  There’s so much to Impenetrable that it’s difficult to do it justice. Men as well as women come under the microscope here: Playwright Mia McCulllough digs far... Read more

  Posted on 09 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Spirits to Enforce (Abraham Werewolf at Studio BE)

  

  This show is amazing! It’s like “The Tempest” fell into a vat of toxic waste and now has the power to make us laugh... really hard. Spirits to Enforce is art... Read more

  Posted on 09 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: What Was Mine To Do (Strangeloop Theatre)

  

  At over 2 hours with intermission, the script does need some cutting and tightening. To its credit, however, the show’s wonderful performances and commitment... Read more

  Posted on 09 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Cymbeline (The RIFF Collective)

  

  Despite the hodge-podge nature of the script, there are some interesting themes in play that come out well in this production. Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Last Five Years (Another Production Company)

  

  Thought to be based on Jason Robert Brown’s real-life failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill, *The Last Five Years* is an alternately touching, funny, and compellin... Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: After (Profiles Theatre)

  

  In just 90 minutes this concentrated drama nails the plight of an exonerated prisoner now facing his fears of freedom—and the ugly fact that 17 years of his lif... Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: A Class Act (Porchlight Music Theatre)

  

  Despite boasting a strong and talented cast, "A Class Act" falters by never adequately delving into the intricacies of Edward Kleban’s undeniable gifts and... Read more

  Posted on 06 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Pirates of Penzance (Tall Ship Windy)

  

  What makes this production unique is the fact that it is performed on a moving old time ship with actors weaving their way between seated audience members, and... Read more

  Posted on 05 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Dreamgirls (Marriott Theatre)

  

  Director/Choreographer Marc Robin keeps the action moving, rotating positions on the stage so that we stilll get to see shifting perspectives at various... Read more

  Posted on 04 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: A Big Lebowski Burlesque (Vaudezilla)

  

  Every Vaudezilla show is prefaced by *Rollin’ Out of Here Naked*, which teases that there is a touch of raunchiness. True-to-form, the humor is blue and there i... Read more

  Posted on 01 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: 33 Variations (TimeLine Theatre)

  

  Through achingly natural dialogue, first-rate acting and a live piano score that underlies the many important moments, *33 Variations* runs the gamut of emotion... Read more

  Posted on 01 September 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Skin Tight (Cor Theatre)

  

  Playwright Gary Henderson has written a cliffnotes version of a marriage, extracting moments in the couple’s life and introducing them in fragments. Read more

  Posted on 31 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride (Babes With Blades Theatre)

  

  This world premiere of Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride works on several dual levels. It’s a mystery that also makes good use of dramatic irony, a farce... Read more

  Posted on 29 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA