Author: Colin Douglas
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
The Wizard of Oz – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Since this classic movie first delighted children and grownups back in 1939, L. Frank Baum’s glorious fantasy has been a continual favorite. Whether on film, in print or live on stage, as it is at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this fanciful story, with its inspiring lesson about friendship, is one of the most beloved in children’s literature. Featured in this musical is known around the world. This road story, directed with spirit by Brian Hill and imaginatively choreographed by Kenny Ingram, is about how friends help, comfort and support each other. It also shows how experiencing new places can delight and educate, but ultimately reminds the traveler that, in the end, there’s no place like home.
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A Classic That’s Still Going Strong
Les Miserables – Broadway in Chicago
It’s said that Alain Boublil became inspired to transfer Victor Hugo’s sweeping saga of injustice, forgiveness and survival to the musical stage while watching a production of “Oliver.” The character of the Artful Dodger brought to mind little Gavroche at the barricade, and from there this much-loved classic became a concept album followed by a 1985 production in the West End. The stirring musical became a Broadway phenomenon two years later, and the rest is history. The show was a multi Tony Award-winning epic musical that has gone on to inspire other productions worldwide, including several national tours, educational theatre adaptations, film and concert versions and new recordings. Thirty-four years later this spectacular, emotionally powerful classic is an audience favorite that’s still going strong.
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Making Problems Easier to Swallow
Darling Grenadine – Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre
Harry is a talented, charismatic song writer who shares his Manhattan apartment with Paul, a Labrador Retriever that he rescued from a shelter. Harry’s made a fortune writing a simple jingle for a chain of burger restaurants, and he’s still doodling around composing other songs. But for months Harry’s creativity has stalled, suffering from the musical equivalent of writer’s block. Then one day, following her matinee performance, he meets Louise outside the stage door. She’s a talented youthful musical actress who stands out in the ensemble of her show. But, like Harry, Louise has bigger aspirations. The two hit it off from the start, partially because Harry’s dog is also taken with her.
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They’ve Got the Beat
Head Over Heels – Kokandy Productions
Whoever would’ve imagined that a new, surprisingly entertaining musical comedy, based upon a lengthy 16th century poem by Sir Philip Sidney, conceived and fashioned into a script by Jeff Whitty, and adapted for the Broadway stage by James Magruder, would evolve into a toe-tapping jukebox musical? With a score adapted from the songs of popular 80’s girl band, The Go-Go’s, this perky show not only feels original but groundbreaking. And, in many ways, it is. The musical follows in the footsteps of other unlikely tune-filled Broadway hits, such as “Spring Awakening” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Debuting in 2015 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the show ran for a month in San Francisco; but its next stop was a dazzling 2018 Broadway production, which just closed this past January.
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The Internet is for Porn
GRINDR the Opera – Pride Films & Plays
The lights gradually dim and out of the hazy darkness steps GRINDR, a glittering, over-the-top personification of the popular hookup app that’s used by thousands of gay men everywhere. Seductively, this bewitching drag performer, bedecked throughout the 85-minute show in a variety of stunning wigs, gowns and heels, sings about the appeal of this iPhone function. A flamboyant narrator, she’s accompanied by two glittering gents (played with panache by Andrew Flynn and Brandon Krisko) who serve as backup. The diva introduces the audience to four very different men, all of whom share varying experiences with this dating app and inspire the stories that are played out in faux operatic style.
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A Touching, Tragic Tale
Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Theo Ubique
First of all be warned: This may not be an entertainment that will appeal to every taste. Audiences who attend this four-time, 2014 Tony Award-winning musical should be comfortable with in-your-face performances, deafening rock music, blinding concert lighting and 95 minutes of adult humor and a brazenly bold backstory. The theatergoer who considers Rodgers & Hammerstein or Lerner & Loewe to be the hallmarks of the American musical probably won’t love a show that’s this garish and loud. However, younger, less conservative audiences, as well as the many devotees of this cult musical, will find everything to love about Theo Ubique’s finale to their first season, now playing in Evanston through July 28.
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Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Emma – Lifeline Theatre
In an age when social media has usurped our lives, it’s refreshing to visit a time whern people actually spoke to each other, and with eloquence, too. Like all her novels, Jane Austen’s 1815 novel is a comedy of manners set in Georgian-Regency England. The title character, however, is unlike any of Austen’s other heroines in that Emma is pretty, smart and rich, but also strong-minded, overindulged and rather full of herself. Because a woman’s goal and main occupation at that time focused on landing a good husband, Emma is also unlike her peers. While she fancies herself an accomplished matchmaker for other young women, Emma isn’t particularly interested in marriage herself. As one of the self-entitled, she finds meddling in other people’s lives more fun and fulfilling than minding her own business.
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A Hidden Agenda
Four Places – The Den Theatre
Theatergoers who prefer their dramas as real and affecting as everyday life should run to see this extraordinary production, now in its final performances at the Den Theatre. Joel Drake Johnson’s 80-minute one-act, which plays out in real time, speaks to every member of the audience, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 65 years. Smartly and perceptively directed by Lia Mortensen, a fine actor, herself, this production confirms that this artist’s talents extend both on and off the stage. She’s expertly guided her gifted, four member ensemble to breathe life into these characters, absolutely avoiding any false moves or artificial schmaltz. This, the Den Theatre’s return to producing their own plays and musicals, is a must-see.
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Fishing for Clues
The River – BoHo Theatre
In responding to Jez Butterworth’s play, and attempting to review this production, it becomes increasingly clear that this is a slippery critter to grasp. First of all, a writer won’t want to give away too much about this moody, poetic one-act. There’s the feeling of suspense and mystery here, perhaps even something akin to a ghost story, that shouldn’t be spoiled for future audiences. But then, and here’s the conundrum that there’s not much plot or character development available for the theatergoer to even grab onto. We find ourselves fishing for clues to help explain exactly what is going on in this unnerving psychodrama.
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Our Loved Ones Live On in Memories
If I Forget – Victory Gardens
In the Jewish religion, quite simply put, there is no heaven or hell. The spirit of a loved one who’s passed away remains as long as he’s being remembered by the living. But, asks Joey, the youngest character in this moving drama, what happens when there’s no one left who still remembers them? What if we forget?
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