Author: Sophia
“Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them” with Eclipse Theatre Company
To conclude their 2019 season of Christopher Durang’s work, Eclipse Theatre Company chose Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, a political comedy that examined the line between jumping to conclusions and dormantly not checking what is hidden in the closet. Even though this text tended to ramble and meander more than Durang’s other works, it sharply poked and prodded our minds about whether the USA’s enemies lie in nations across the sea or in the behaviors of those we share a house and a name with. With direction by Steve Scott, Eclipse has again succeeded in delivering a comedy with relevant issues, presented in an accessible way.
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LAURA AND THE SEA with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
Currently playing with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Laura and the Sea opened on November 4th and is a perfect palate cleanser for all of the saccharine and synthetic sentimental tripe that we are going to be inundated with over the approaching holiday season. For the world premiere of Kate Tarker’s play, it was placed with utter confidence and trust into director Devon de Mayo’s accomplished hands. This comedic tragedy asked us how well do we know and understand the people that we see everyday. Do you know someone at their core, or do you only know them by how they fit into your life?
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“N” with The Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions
The Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions have paired up for the world premiere of N, a political drama by David Alex. Playing in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, the production is directed by TaRon Patton. Labeled as a political drama, we can expand that label to include political, racial, economic, and philosophical drama.
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SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS with First Floor Theater
First Floor Theater has presented the Chicago premiere of Sugar In Our Wounds by Donja R. Love. Directed by company member Mikael Burke, the piece is part of a trilogy by Love, looking at black love in pivotal moments in history. Sugar in Our Wounds is something that we all know and love, a romantic period piece, but also something that we seldom get: a queer, black, romantic period piece.
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How Connective Theatre Company and Awakenings are Healing Sexual Violence Through Theatre
In textbooks for acting classes across the globe, we have chapters devoted to interpreting musical theatre performance, Shakespeare, commedia dell’arte, and other material. But we have no language to discuss how to create, interpret, and perform something that has been around since before stages could be tread: sexual violence. Me Too Monologues with Connective Theatre Company and Awakenings is more than a performance of monologues written by and performed by people sharing their own experiences, even though that is a feat of its own. It is a study, a lesson, and an experiment on how to create theatre that takes a painful experience and spreads the lesson and healing without creating more pain.
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How indie band THE FAMILY CREST is using their music to retell Shakespeare’s most-loved tragedy
After having debuted on the Chicago theatre scene earlier this year with My Name is Rachel Corrie, Jacaranda Collective is teaming up with Ryan Martin and The Den Theatre to co-produce and present Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet. How do you sell the greatest love story ever told to a jaded generation who connects with one another by swiping left on a handheld screen? Audacious newcomer Jacaranda Collective’s solution is simple, but not easy: it’s truth. And how are they proposing to present a production of Romeo and Juliet rooted in truth? Answer: with an ensemble of actors and dancers performing in an immersive space accompanied by a live soundtrack performed by The Family Crest, featuring songs you already know and love, or will love after being introduced to the band.
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“Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead” by Hundo4U Productions
Have you had enough of men? Have you had enough of anger? Have you had enough of angry men? Well, the men in Hundo4U Production’s Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead have had enough of being angry and men too. Since you and the characters have something in common, don’t let this production slip past you! For a limited two-night engagement, Donterrio Johnson is taking the stage as all of the angry men in the Chicago premiere of Eric Bogosian’s one-man play, directed by Jon Dambacher.
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“Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary” at The Goodman Theatre
Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary has started its limited engagement run at the Goodman Theatre as a part of Destinos – the 3rd Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival. This production also marks the midwest premiere of Marissa Chibas’ autobiographical solo piece. The piece looks at Cuba’s turbulent political history through the lens of three people who have had the biggest impression on Chibas’ life: Raul, her father, Eddy, her uncle, and Dalia, her mother. Chibas has said that it has been an honor to share their stories, and it is truly an honor to hear and see her pass their stories on.
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“Hope: Part II of A Mexican Trilogy” with Teatro Vista
Hope: Part II of A Mexican Trilogy, by Evelina Fernadez, tells the story of the Morales family living in the United States during the 1960s. This production has opened Teatro Vista’s 2019-20 season and was co-directed by Ricardo Gutiérrez and Cheryl Lynn Bruce. Don’t let the “Part II” of the title dissuade you from attending a performance. Even without a viewing of Part I, you will be entranced and invested in the plight of this Mexican-American family navigating life during the era of the Civil Rights movement and the sexual revolution. An all-star cast and beautiful costume and set design will keep you entranced through the many cliches present in the script and the distracting, unnecessary songs.
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“Every Brilliant Thing” with Windy City Playhouse
Windy City Playhouse is now presenting the Chicago premiere of Every Brilliant Thing, by Duncan Macmillan. Directed by Jessica Fisch, it opens their new performance space at the Playhouse’s South Loop location. Rebecca Spence as the narrator walks us through a list of objects, concepts, and occurrences that she started as a way to encourage her mother, who struggled with depression. As the list progresses, the items on the list expand to include things that help our narrator deal with the tragedies of life. This show truly has every brilliant thing about theatre in it: an outstanding performance, subtle and intricate script, flawless direction, and creative set, props, and sound design.
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