Author: Colin Douglas
Leader of the Harlem Renaissance
My Brother Langston – Black Ensemble Theatre
Langston Hughes, who was originally named James (after his abusive, uncaring father), was a prolific writer. He was known for his plays, short stories, children’s books, novels and works of non-fiction. But Langston Hughes is primarily remembered for his beautiful, evocative poetry. Rueben D. Echoles, the multitalented Black Ensemble Theater member, wrote this heartfelt tribute to Hughes because he recognized the writer’s work as “powerful, revolutionary and still very relevant to this day.” In his beautifully crafted 90-minute play with music, audiences will definitely come away knowing the gifted writer known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
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The Birth of Fake News
Campaigns, Inc. – Time Line Theatre
To most of us, the irritating practice of dredging up muck from a politician’s past and creating false soundbites, televised impressions and untrue news stories is a recent trend in TV reporting. But the birth of fake news goes back to 1934. While the art of employing deceit and devious campaign strategies wasn’t new, the two-person team of journalist and carnival promoter Leone Baxter and political supporter and newspaper man Clem Whitaker invented a whole new occupation: the first political consulting firm. Together they became an unstoppable force who called themselves, Campaigns, Inc.
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Melodrama and Music
Zorro: The Musical – Music Theater Works
The legend of Zorro tells about a vigilante nobleman who returns from Spain to his California hometown to rescue his countrymen and bring about law and order. It’s a story filled with fiery passions, daring rescues and flaming swordplay. The tale is a familiar trope in literature, film and on stage. From the 1919 novella by Johnston McCulley, to Isabel Allende’s 2005 novel, Zorro (the Fox) became a Walt Disney televised serial in the late 1950s, as well as the 1998 film, “The Mask of Zorro.” The character is now familiar to most of us, and those who know this folk hero have certain expectations when anticipating a stage version of the story. Despite there already being several theatrical incarnations that feature the titular hero, a new musical version was created several years ago.
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A Boogie Wonderland
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Amidst a profusion of sequins, marabou and mylar the ensemble of this cotton candy of a musical dazzles and delights audiences of every age, gender and persuasion. It’s just plain fun and, boy, with all that’s going on in the world today, do we ever need this dose of eye-popping, over-the-top beguilement right now. Christopher Chase Carter has energetically directed and choreographed a spirited, vivacious heartfelt musical version of the 2011 Tony Award-winning production that was, in turn, based upon a 1994 film cult classic.
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Storytelling At Its Best
Dear Jack, Dear Louise – Northlight Theatre
Handwritten letters. Does anyone remember these blasts from the past? Nowadays, we read a person’s thoughts in Twitter comments, short texts or possibly email missives—all electronically produced. But Goethe once wrote that handwritten letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them. For Ken Ludwig, the much-acclaimed prolific playwright of such popular comedies as “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” and the George Gershwin musical “Crazy For You,” this sentiment is a perfect description of his latest comic drama. It’s storytelling at its best, all told through the hundreds of imagined letters written by his parents, Jack and Louise Ludwig. And the result is a warm, very funny and often gripping true life story that’s also a heartfelt tribute to two wonderful, real life people.
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A Night With Felicia P. Fields
Pearl’s Rollin’ With the Blues – Writers Theatre
When audiences think of the Blues, they most often associate that musical style with sadness, depression or melancholy. But the Blues can also have happy or even slightly bawdy lyrics, as the packed house at Writers Theatre joyfully discover when Chicago superstar, Felicia P. Fields takes the stage. Co-created by Ms Fields and Director Ron OJ Parson, the Tony Award-nominated actress/singer absolutely brings down the house in Glencoe. Closely harmonizing together with her onstage band, the talented company dazzles the audience with their salty and heartfelt words and music that provide additional heat to the summer night.
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Examine, Enjoy and Empathize
The Chinese Lady – TimeLine Theatre
Imagine what it was like for a young, innocent, Chinese girl to be sold by her parents to a pair of American merchants, and then brought to America to be put on exhibit in a museum. Most of us would agree that this experience is simply incomprehensible, but Lloyd Suh’s remarkable one-act, brilliantly directed by Helen Young, is a theatrical experience that’s based upon an historical truth. It allows audiences to learn about and empathize with this sadly exploited young woman.
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Curiouser and Curiouser
Lookingglass Alice – Lookingglass Theatre Company
Known for original, story-centered productions developed by their multitalented ensemble members through physical and improvisational rehearsals, Lookingglass Theatre brings back their highly popular mashup of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass for a return visit. It’s been more than ten years since “Lookingglass Alice” was first presented by this inventive theatre company, to wild, popular and critical acclaim. The production is created in association with the Actors Gymnasium, a northside theatrical school devoted to instructing circus arts and physical performance of all kinds. The company likes to boast that it teaches its participants how to fly–both physically, emotionally and creatively. In “Lookingglass Alice” this is precisely what the actors and the audience experience together.
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Sparring to Fit in and Stand Out
Athena – Writers Theatre
Two 17-year-old young women meet each other in an after-school fencing program. At first reluctant, the girls finally agree, after much verbal sparring, to train together. Initially strangers, but both strong, equally-gifted athletic competitors, the teenagers eventually become close friends. Together they decide how to balance their camaraderie and competition. They argue whether practice needs to be painful, if the rules of the sport can be tweaked a bit, and how to parry, both in their fencing and in their lives.
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In Mourning for My Life
Seagull – Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Possibly the most famous two lines of any Chekov play opens this production, a play that’s been translated, adapted and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov. The end result is a beautiful, rich and completely enthralling presentation. Masha is asked, “Why do you always wear black?” Her dour response is, “I’m in mourning for my life. I’m unhappy.” This opening conversation sets the tone for the entire play, and prompts the first laugh of the evening. It could’ve, however, been uttered by almost any of the other characters in this play. No one in this comedy seems particularly happy with his or her existence, and in their melancholia we find humor. However, there’s also plenty of promise in the air, which fills the play with possibilities of love.
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