Chicagotheaterbeat

LATEST ARTICLES ( 2140 )

• Review: EL Stories (Waltzing Mechanics)

  

  At just an hour, *EL Stories* tells a plethora of mini true tales from passengers on Chicago’s trademark trains. With few exceptions, the vignettes follow the... Read more

  Posted on 27 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Marvin’s Room (Circle Theatre)

  

  *Marvin's Room* is an ambitious production, but Circle Theatre's interpretation leaves you scratching your head. The story plods through what should be importan... Read more

  Posted on 26 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Sweet and Sad (Profiles Theatre)

  

  No question, Director Joe Jahraus triggers very believable performances from this palpable family and their actor friend. But so many stories here don’t... Read more

  Posted on 26 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Pool (no Water) – Vitalist Theatre

  

  With less flailing, this pool (no water) could dive into a strong riptide of emotion. Right now, it’s just treading water with excessive movement. (read more.... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Princes of Waco (Signal Ensemble Theatre)

  

  At first, playwright Robert Askins succeeds in flushing out an interesting but predictable story. But then Askins rolls out twists and turns in the *last*... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Idomeneus (Sideshow Theatre)

  

  The show captivates upon arrival. Director Jonathan L. Green masterfully uses a multi-cultural and multi-generational ensemble to deliver the story --- in... Read more

  Posted on 24 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Streeterville (Theatre-Hikes)

  

  For the past 11 years, Theatre-Hikes has pioneered a combination of… wait for it… theater and hiking. With *Streeterville*, Theatre-Hikes presents a thoroughly... Read more

  Posted on 23 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Coriolis Theater)

  

  Though strong musically, Coriolis Theatre's debut production *East of the Sun, West of the Moon* plays out like a first draft. With enough editing, the work... Read more

  Posted on 22 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Fall of the House of Usher (The Hypocrites)

  

  No doubt, Sean Graney's adaption and director of *The Fall of the House of Usher* is compelling in its innovative casting and chilling design. Read more

  Posted on 21 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Midsommer Flight)

  

  When done right, Dream is pure hedonistic fun – and Midsommer Flight does it right. Shakespeare’s language sparkles in the night air, out of the mouths of a... Read more

  Posted on 20 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Crave (The Blind Owl Theatre)

  

  *Crave* is a demanding piece with an effect that ripples into the subconscious. Wading into these waters is not for the faint of heart. Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret (Pride Films and Plays)

  

  The All-American Genderfuck Cabaret serves up a panorama of different ways people approach sexual relationships and sexual identity. Read more

  Posted on 14 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: All Kinds of Crazy (16th Street Theater)

  

  The rise and fall of Arlene Malinowski’s depression is the centerpiece of her performance in her one-woman play, but it’s surrounded by a detailed backdrop of... Read more

  Posted on 13 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Man of La Mancha (Light Opera Works)

  

  With the strength of Hogenmiller’s vision, the brilliant performances by Harms and Todd, and the strong vocal and orchestral readings of Mitch Leigh’s rich... Read more

  Posted on 13 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Antigone (Cold Basement Dramatics)

  

  What this 5,000th (or so) adaptation of Antigone, gains in clarity and immediacy are countered by losses in grandeur and mystery. Read more

  Posted on 11 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Richard III (Oak Park Festival Theatre)

  

  A big challenge for the show is the less-than-ideal acoustics of Austin Gardens. Competing with planes, cicadas and the occasional siren, the cast is forced to... Read more

  Posted on 09 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Savage Land (Nothing Special Productions)

  

  There may be a good idea for a story somewhere deep within this jungle, if only those within could see the forest for all the trees. Read more

  Posted on 09 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Thirty Thousand One (Pursuit Productions)

  

  This piece, telling the story of a myth called Thirty Thousand One, is equal parts dancing and acting. The dancing, in particluar, is gorgeous, often taking... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: Julius Caesar (Muse of Fire Theatre, Evanston)

  

  Muse of Fire’s Julius Caesar effectively portrays the man behind the execution with thought-provoking and empathetic honesty. Read more

  Posted on 07 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA

• Review: The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Kokandy Productions)

  

  Producer Scot T. Kokandy has gifted Chicago with a contagiously funny musical that, despite cracks in the not-so-enthralling storyline, takes you on a wild... Read more

  Posted on 06 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA