A Puppet’s World is Flat

The Table – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

As part of CST’s lauded and much-welcome World Stages Series, the United Kingdom’s eclectic Blind Summit Theatre tours to Navy Pier with a three-person, one-puppet performance that defies description. Not so much a play, and certainly not a “puppet show” in the literal sense, this ingeniously offbeat 70-minute production is part philosophical discussion, part stand-up comedy act.

The technical support for this performance couldn’t be simpler: a table placed front and center on an otherwise empty stage, enough lighting to illuminate Moses, the irascible Bunraku star of this performance piece, and his puppeteers Mark Down, Sean Garratt and Irena Stratieva. As director, Down operates the character’s left hand and large, cardboard head, while providing Moses‘ voice. Garratt controls the puppet’s right hand and “bum” while Ms. Stratieva, bent over the table, manipulates the character’s feet. With the puppeteers clad entirely in black, the effect is that Moses is really in control of his humans.

Artistically Gut-Wrenching Theatre

Lord of the Flies

In this thrilling environmental production of William Golding’s controversial novel, the audience experiences this

The Diva Directs

Master Class – Theo Ubique

Before the houselights even dim, diva Maria Callas steps onto the Julliard lecture hall stage (authentically recreated in detail by scenic designer Adam L.Veness) and speaks directly to her audience. Chosen from hundreds

A Wheels of a Dream Production

Ragtime

Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’ epic musical, with a book by Terrence McNally, is based upon the sweeping, historical 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow that depicts the challenges and changes that America witnessed at the turn of the century, set against a newly evolving style of ragtime music. Doctorow created a cast of fictional characters drawn from three different ethnic groups who interact with several real historical figures of the period. The result is a musical valentine to the American Dream that paints a colorful portrait of the nation on the brink of change.

Coalhouse Walker, a ragtime pianist from Harlem represents African Americans; Mother, the matriarch of an upper class suburban family exemplifies the affluent Caucasian group; and Tateh, a Jewish widower from Latvia typifies the masses of destitute European immigrants pouring through Ellis Island searching for a better life in America. Their stories all begin in isolation from each other, but eventually they intersect until, by the final curtain, the three groups have melded into one. These imaginary characters and their families exist along side of famous historical folks, such as Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, Henry Ford, Emma Goldman, J.P. Morgan and other celebrities from 1906. Their journey toward change and understanding is what electrifies this much-accoladed musical (the 1998 Tony winner for Best Book, Score, Orchestrations and Supporting Actress), making it a popular choice for theatre companies the world over.

In a Dark, Dark Room

Northanger Abbey – Remy Bumppo

One of Jane Austen’s lesser known novels, Northanger Abbey was among her earliest works, but was only revised and published after her death by her brother in 1818. The story has been enjoyed as BBC and A&E televised versions, and there have been several other novels inspired by Austen’s work. Most notably are an updated young adult novel called Northanger Alibi, by Jenni James, and Margaret C. Sullivan’s sequel to Austen’s classic, There Must Be Murder. However, except for Michael Napier Brown’s dramatic adaptation, written 15 years ago for the the Royal Theatre of Northampton, Austen’s most theatrical novel ironically hasn’t appeared much on stage. With Tim Luscombe’s new adaptation, all the melodrama and romance found in Jane Austen’s parody of the gothic novel finally sparkles on the boards.

A Winner By a Nose

Cyrano de Bergerac – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has been continually branching out each season to include international classical and noteworthy contemporary plays and musicals, in addition to those penned by the Bard. Edmond Rostand’s most famous work about a real-life French nobleman, poet and musician with an oversized nose is currently enjoying a lush production on CST’s three quarter-round Courtyard Stage. The play succeeds both because and in spite of its production elements.

Director Penny Metropulos, returns from Oregon Shakespeare Festival after her overwhelming successes here with “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and her multi Jeff-honored “The Madness of George III.” Once again she partners with her Jeff Award-winning leading actor, Broadway’s Harry Groener, to play the title role, bringing new life and energy to Anthony Burgess’ translation of the Rostand classic. When Groener is the focus of this production the play is everything it should be. Groener, under Ms. Metropulos‘ guidance, delivers each line of poetry as naturally as if it were everyday speech. He mines every golden ounce of comedy and subtle humor from his portrayal, while still able to bring honesty to Cyrano’s moments of melancholy, loneliness and unrequited love. Beyond that, Mr. Groener also proves to be quite the accomplished swordsman, thanks to Rick Sordelet’s expertly devised fight choreography. In short, Harry Groener is the perfect Cyrano and should start dusting off a shelf for one more Best Actor Award.

Don’t Cross Mama

The Water’s Edge – Ashton Rep

When Richard pulls back the tarp revealing to his pretty, young companion Lucy an outdoor bathtub, his favorite part of the lake house his father built many years ago, the audience recognizes it’s significant for reasons yet to be revealed. Prolific playwright (“Mauritius”), novelist (Three Girls and Their Brother) and screenplay writer (“Harriet the Spy”) Theresa Rebeck has fashioned a modern retelling of the ancient Greek tragedy “Agamemnon” that’s both fascinating and horrifying, taking audiences on a tense journey of revenge. The classical work inspiring this play tells of the famous Trojan War hero who sacrificed his own daughter to appease the gods. Then, after several years abroad, Agamemnon returns home flaunting his new, young wife Cassandra and Clytemnestra (his first wife and mother of the slain daughter) eventually takes her revenge. As audiences witness Richard’s uncomfortable reunion unfold with his former wife Helen and their two children Erica and Nate, the storyline seems very familiar and we know that this is not going to end well.