Prospera!

Advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, but who will be transformed? And what does it mean to win?

Otherworld Theatre formed in 2012 with the goal of bringing science fiction into the theatrical experience. True to the mission, Prospera! is an epic re-imagining of The Tempest in an alternate universe of interplanetary intrigue, intra-familial maneuvering, and a struggle over life-altering power that is maybe tech – or maybe divine.

Dancing Toward His Dream

My Life As a Cowboy

Although some Brits call it “Little Manhattan,” the South London Borough of Croydon is no New York City. The hamlet is anything but bright and exciting, and it’s especially boring to Connor. He’s a seventeen-year-old gay kid, living with his Mum and feeling weird, stuck and stagnating in this tiny town. But Connor has an unexpected secret dream and a plan of how to make it come true. He wants to enter the local talent contest as a dancing Country-and-Western cowboy. But in order to achieve his goal and begin dancing toward his dream, Connor needs to solicit the help of his friends.

Group Chats

Eureka Day

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year at Eureka Day, a fictional, privately run, very liberal elementary school in California. As the curtain rises, five parents who comprise this year’s Advisory Board are discussing the concerns of another parent. It seems they have offered some suggestions for changing the wording in the school’s admission form. As always, the group’s consideration is always for equality, inclusion and diversity in every element of the school. The decision for amending the document must be a unanimous vote, as dictated by Eureka Day’s bi-laws. The school prides itself on showing respect and offering open arms to one and all. There’s a promise that the voice of every staff member, parent and student will always be heard and respected in every situation.

Dead as a Dodo

The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival kicked off its 8th season with a jaw dropping production at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building tonight. Dead as a Dodo, a production from Norwegian/US theater company Wakka Wakka, tells the story of a skeleton boy and his best friend, a skeleton dodo. If the other 100+ events scheduled over the next twelve days are half as good as the show we saw tonight, you simply have to see as many of them as you can.

Melodie de Paris

Phantom in Concert

Gloriously incandescent singing voices and soaring orchestral accompaniment are the hallmarks of Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass’ incredible concert production of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s PHANTOM. Sadly, playing for just two weeks at Naperville’s BrightSide Theatre, this musical is based on the Gothic horror novel by Gaston Leroux. It tells the same story as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s more visually spectacular PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, now playing in Broadway in Chicago’s touring production at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. But the greatest difference is that BrightSide’s harmonic, highly enjoyable version of this book musical focuses far more on the characters and their story. It’s a production filled with soaring strains of music that doesn’t simply impress with bravado, as in the other version. The songs further the plot and define each character in a way that often brings the audience to laughter or tears. This is truly a captivating production, filled with Yeston’s “Melodie de Paris,” that absolutely should not be missed.

Leapin’ Lizards!

Annie

Music Theater Works, under the fine Direction of Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc, assisted by Andrew Lund, is joyfully celebrating the holiday season with this lovable, tuneful, heart-warming family musical. It’s an appropriately spirited and Christmasy finale to the company’s 2025 season. And, Leapin’ Lizards! It’s hard to believe that this beloved musical classic, that’s become a part of theatre history, is now almost 50 years old! 

Everybody

Spoiler alert: No one gets out of here alive. Everybody dies.

If you had ninety minutes to find someone to accompany you in death, could you do it? Who would be your true companion? Or must we all die alone? These are the eternal questions, and the quest, that Everybody faces in this timeless, hilarious, and though-provoking production of Everybody by Couch Penny Ensemble.

A Holiday Gift

Much Ado About Nothing

You know how every once in a while you receive an unexpected present that feels like it was created especially for you? It’s the perfect color, size and style that you would’ve chosen for yourself, but your Secret Santa knew it was exactly what you wanted. It’s like a cup of warm cocoa or a warm hug from a friend—something that only the theatre can give. Well, that’s the very special holiday gift that the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has waiting for every theatergoer. For several reasons, I was late to this party. But I’m so very glad that, despite the bitter cold and snow, I finally made it to Navy Pier. This delightful, delectable production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING delivers so much joy, laughter and music that theatergoers may want to return to enjoy it again…and again…and again…

Deck the Halls With Desperate Divas

The Real Housewives of the North Pole

Every year, theatergoers familiar with the work of Hell in a Handbag’s multitalented Artistic Director, David Cerda, anxiously anticipate his holiday productions. It may be either a revisit to one of their happy holiday classics, or an exciting, brand new production. This year, in celebration of the company’s 24th season, Mr. Cerda has created another original and campy Christmas confection. And this fresh and hilarious holiday production is as au courant and astonishing as it is gaudy and goofy.

Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, was first published in 1853. Dickens himself publicly performed the story more than 120 times before his death in 1870. At Theatre Wit this holiday season, Dickens is still going, and he is not happy about it. I was joined for this night at the theater by my friend Gino, who is also joining me in writing this review. We both agree that this inventive show, and its strong performance by its charismatic lead, put this high on our list of shows to see this season.