Chicago Theatre Review

Monthly Archives: November 2021

A Holiday Extravaganza Filled With Heart

November 30, 2021 Comments Off on A Holiday Extravaganza Filled With Heart

A Christmas Carol – Goodman Theatre

Rejoice, Chicago! Goodman’s wonderful production of “A Christmas Carol” has returned once more as a live performance. After last year’s ambitious audio production, because of the pandemic, this reimagined and perfectly updated presentation is once again live on the Albert Stage. Can anyone believe that this is the 44th production of this wonderful show that’s become an annual Chicago holiday tradition? And Dickens’ almost 180-year-old this story is, after all, what Christmas is all about. Chicagoans are so fortunate to have Mr. Scrooge back for another holiday season. 

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A Timely New Twist

November 28, 2021 Comments Off on A Timely New Twist

The Snow Queen – House Theatre of Chicago

Chicago’s treasure trove of holiday theatrical offerings is a little richer this year. One play that’s not exactly new, but has a timely, contemporary new twist this time around, is making the familiar fairy tale a lesson about living in harmony with everyone around us and doing something positive to encourage the global conservation that’ll effect generations to come. This new play by Lanise Antoine Shelley is perfect for the entire family although, at 85 minutes, children under ten may become a little antsy. 

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Another Op’nin, Another Show

November 28, 2021 Comments Off on Another Op’nin, Another Show

Kiss Me, Kate – Marriot Theatre

Suppose you were playing Theatre Trivia somewhere and you were asked, “What was the very first show to win the Tony Award for Best Musical? You could respond that, not only do you know the answer but, in fact, you’d just recently enjoyed a dazzling new production of it. “Kiss Me Kate,” with music and lyrics by the late, great Cole Porter, and a book by Sam and Bella Spewack, was awarded the very first Tony in 1949. The musical was Porter’s response to the popular Rodgers & Hammerstein hit, “Oklahoma,” in which the music and lyrics were integrated into the story. Up until that time, musicals were merely a collection of comedy scenes interspersed with songs and dances that had no relationship to each other. With Cole Porter’s continuation of the “Modern Musical,” an entirely new era of theatrical entertainment was born. 

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An Evening of Sidesplitting Slapstick

November 24, 2021 Comments Off on An Evening of Sidesplitting Slapstick

Love, Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody – Right Angle Entertainment

Just in time for the holidays, Chicago audiences have a brilliant new parody of an film that’s become kind of a cult classic, especially at this time of the year. “Love Actually” is a 2003 romantic comedy set in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Although the movie received mixed reviews, it was a huge box office success and has since become a cult classic. Directed by Richard Curtis, the film features an ensemble cast telling ten separate stories, most of which eventually merge by the final scene. The movie offers a great deal of humor, but some warmhearted and poignant moments, as well. It’s an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours around Christmastime. 

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The Slipper Almost Fits

November 22, 2021 Comments Off on The Slipper Almost Fits

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella – Paramount Theater

Charles Perrault’s beloved 17th century fairy tale became a popular animated Disney film back in 1950. Then, in 1957, CBS commissioned the talented theatrical team of Rodgers and Hammerstein to create a television musical version of the story for Julie Andrews. It drew a huge audience and was remounted in 1967, this time starring Lesley Ann Warren. Thirty years later the musical was brought back to the small screen once again, with Brandy in the title role and featuring Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. Because of its popularity the TV screenplay was adapted for the stage, thus providing regional, educational and community theatres the opportunity to produce this R&H musical. Various other incarnations of the musical found their way to the stage, but when it was decided that the show would make an excellent Broadway production in 2013, Tony nominee playwright Douglas Carter Beane was brought in to spruce up the script.

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Let It Go

November 20, 2021 Comments Off on Let It Go

Disney’s Frozen – Broadway in Chicago

Almost every little girl who has ever seen the 2013 animated Disney film, and there are thousands of them, owns an Elsa or Anna costume and knows all the words to the movie’s powerhouse ballad, “Let It Go.” The story behind both the movie and the stage version isn’t too complicated. The plot, like “Wicked,” is moving tale of female friendship and empowerment in a world that’s largely run by men. 

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Happiness

November 20, 2021 Comments Off on Happiness

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – Citadel Theatre

Most theatres are reopening, just in time for the holidays. Many of them are either revisiting the shows that were in production when the shutdown came, or they’re presenting a Christmas or Hanukkah favorite. But Citadel has gone a different route and it’s a wise and wonderful choice. This delightful family musical portrays a typical day in the life of Charlie Brown. The show also features Snoopy, Lucy, Schroeder, Linus and Sally. It’s an inspired alternative holiday offering in a perfect, absolutely pleasurable production. 

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A Show That Makes You Think and Feel

November 18, 2021 Comments Off on A Show That Makes You Think and Feel

Paradise Square – Broadway in Chicago

Chicago has long been the perfect city to try out Broadway bound productions, and this new, historical musical is the latest to test the waters. “Paradise Square” is named for an actual 19th century saloon in Five Points, the former slum area of New York City, where this sweeping musical is set. The is a big show, filled with a large cast of extraordinarily talented triple-threats. It boasts some of the finest acting, phenomenal singing and most unbelievable dancers of in any show in recent memory. It’s a massive musical that’s ripe for its Broadway debut. The musical just needs a few tweaks and minor adjustments to tighten up the story and make it perfect.

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A Study in Terror and Alienation

November 17, 2021 Comments Off on A Study in Terror and Alienation

Bug – Steppenwolf Theatre

As the pandemic gradually releases its stranglehold on Chicago, allowing live theatre to return for audiences who are fully vaccinated and masked, audiences are being treated to a remount of Steppenwolf’s last brilliant production before the shutdown. In early 2020, Anna D. Shapiro called this play “a study in terror and alienation.” She had no idea then how prophetic her description was at that time. Tracy Letts’ searing drama is another case of Art imitating life. Now, almost two years later, we find ourselves sloshing through a crazy world of constant lying, disputes with scientific fact, riotous assaults on the Capitol, bizarre QAnon conspiracy theories and a political party that’s sold its soul to every hate-filled, Right-wing group in America. It’s a frightening scenario that keeps some of us up late at night, provoking distrust of almost everything and everyone. Tracy Letts couldn’t have had a clearer crystal ball when he wrote this play. 

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Living Life to the Fullest

November 16, 2021 Comments Off on Living Life to the Fullest

Hundred Days – Kokandy Productions

Kokandy Productions is the latest company to make its welcome return to the live Chicago theatre scene. Their goal, under Derek Van Barham’s Artistic Directorship, is “to leverage the heightened reality of musical theater to tell complex and challenging stories…” In this objective, the company has hit its target. Their first production is an autobiographical concert-style song cycle presentation about a young couple determined to live life to the fullest.

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