Author: Colin Douglas
Being Different Isn’t a Crime
Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer
This popular and joyful holiday musical, written by Hell in a Handbag’s multitalented Artistic Director, David Cerda, is a gender-bending Christmas entertainment that’s now in its 25th year. Baby Boomers will especially enjoy traveling back in time to relive the essence of this nostalgic 1964 stop-action cartoon classic. But while the basic plot and theme remains the same, Mr. Cerda has put a LGBT+ twist on the story and added some new topical and contemporary adult humor. Even the song lyrics have been updated for today’s audiences.
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An Important Work For Today
A Bright Room Called Day
Tony Kushner, the brilliant Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of ANGELS IN AMERICA, began his writing career while in his early 20’s. In 1985 Kushner wrote this long, extremely wordy, yet intellectual and lyrical examination of how Adolf Hitler’s rise to power affected a group of artistic and progressive friends living in Berlin. The play is set in the small apartment of Agnes Eggling (a superb performance by Katherine Schwartz), a middle-age actress. She shares the flat with her Hungarian lover, Vealtninc Husz (nicely enacted by Raul Alonso). Blank Theatre Company’s stirring production proves to be an especially important work for today.
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Not a Black or White Matter
The Totality of All Things
Everyone should see this play because it’s filled with so many probing and controversial issues. It also says so much about the climate of this country today. THE TOTALITY OF ALL THINGS is the premiere production of Redtwist Theatre’s Twisted Playfest. It’s an important new work that sets the tone for the upcoming staged and stand readings of the original plays by Chicago writers, like Eric Gernand.
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Painting With Her Pen
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott wrote what she knew. That was the advice her publisher offered and so the young author painted pictures with her pen and turned her family life during the 19th century into one the most beloved of all American classics. And Lauren Gunderson’s beautiful new version of Alcott’s autobiographical novel is a story we need today. Although there have been dozens of theatrical and film versions, the story continues to speak strongly to audiences, especially to 21st century Americans. It portrays a very loving, tight-knit, resilient family who are trying, against all odds, to survive. The four sisters and their mother endure poor economic conditions, illness, romantic complications and a host of trials and tribulations that many of us still face today, especially at the holidays. The play may be set in New England during the mid-1800’s, but it’s universal. It’s a story about people who truly care for each other, and it carries a message that still rings true today.
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What If…
& Juliet
Life is full of what if’s, especially at this time of year. What if my Amazon package doesn’t arrive in time? What if I can’t get all my cookies baked in time for the party? What if the weather prevents me from spending the holidays with my family? And in the theatre, there’s been a recent rash of plays and musicals in which writers have reimagined alternative situations for familiar stories. What if, in Homer’s The Odyssey, Penelope had a more prominent and feminist role? The Goodman’s recent production of THE PENELOPIAD explores that premise. In another strong feminist treatment of a classic, the musical’s playwright and composer imagined what if the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good were actually best friends? That’s the basis for the highly popular show, WICKED. This trend in writers thinking outside the box continues in a brilliant new coming-of-age jukebox musical, currently in Chicago for only two weeks. Treat yourself to a holiday gift and do whatever you can to see this show. You’ll be so glad you did.
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No Man’s a Failure Who Has Friends
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
The beautiful new American Blues Theater venue is once again decked out in sparkling, colorful holiday decor. All the typical ornamentation, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, menorahs and candles fill both the stage and lobby, bringing a cornucopia of cheer to those who celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. But it’s really what happens inside the theater that’s always so special.
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Wear Your Tiara and Glass Slippers
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Charles Perrault’s 17th century fairy tale is everyone’s favorite princess story. The French folktale has been adapted into every culture with its own version of the poor, put-upon young girl who rises above her miserable situation to win the hand of the handsome prince. American Composers Rodgers & Hammerstein understood the universal charm of this beloved story. In 1957 the famous composers wrote a musical version for television that starred a young Julie Andrews in the title role. The popularity of this production prompted other televised incarnations, as well as the current full stage version. Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre for Young Audiences has mounted a beautiful, professionally produced 60-minute adaptation of the musical that’s just as funny, magical and heartwarming as the full-length production.
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The Grandaddy of Holiday Stories
A Christmas Carol
There’s an old saying that everything old is new again, and that crossed my mind after attending the opening of this year’s holiday offering at the Goodman. I also thought to myself, how do they continually do it? After 47 years of excellent productions of this humorous and heartbreaking holiday classic, I thought I knew this play. But each year this theatre surprises me with exciting new surprises that make their production feel fresh, different and even more extraordinary than the previous year. So, once again, this new production is everything anyone could desire in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. It’s what Christmas is all about, and Chicago is so lucky to have it back for another holiday season.
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Hitting All the High Notes
Falsettos
You may want to take a deep hit of oxygen before the manic opening musical number of this show. Why? Well, the clever patter song that introduces the main characters hits all the high notes, and might leave you breathless, with its lightning-paced lyrics and waves of emotion. And that’s just in Act I. Then, get ready for the racing roller coaster ride that’s Act II. This show packs more concerning the human condition into its first hour than in any play in recent memory. It’s peopled with seven realistic, multilayered characters who (like many of us) are continually dissatisfied with their lives for various reasons. The musical is tightly packed with 37 songs, a number of finely choreographed interludes, a countless subtle scenic changes and a tsunami of emotions.
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It’s My Thing!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Who’s the writer that, in 2003, the New York Times Book Review called “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far”? Why none other than children’s author Mo Willems. The native of Des Plaines, IL has a huge following. Just ask any children’s librarian or schoolteacher, or visit the children’s department of your favorite bookstore. They’ll confirm this fact. The preschool-through-third grade set simply adore Willems’ funny and often fact-filled stories, and they know all his many books and characters by heart. Mo Willems’ works include several much-loved series of books, including the Knuffle Bunny series, the Elephant and Piggie series, the Cat series, and a whole lot of additional standalone titles.
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