Never Never Land

Peter Pan

A newly updated musical version of the boy from Never Never Land, who refused to grow up, has soared into Chicago for only two weeks. The title character in this version’s portrayed with adolescent finesse by a handsome young actor. But this is just one of the many differences in this newly modernized musical. The original production, based upon the novel and play by Sir J.M. Barrie, was adapted, directed and choreographed 70 years ago by the late, great Jerome Robbins. This new, updated version, directed by Lonny Price, sports an “additional book” credited to Larissa Fasthorse (the first female Native American playwright to have written a show for Broadway, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY). The libretto and most of the songs in this revised, non-Equity production, are based upon the original 1954 version, but everything is served up with a 21st century sensitivity and realness. 

Guaranteed to Make You Think

Love Song

Remy Bumppo Theatre is known in the Windy City for its productions that are guaranteed to make audiences think. John Kolvenbach’s 90-minute one-act is such a play. The theatre company is also famous for plays that celebrate language. Kolvenbach’s LOVE STORY features a script that’s a banquet of precise and poetic communication, often incorporating beautiful and unusual combinations of words that stir the imagination and tickle our fancy.

The Guiding Principles

Purpose

What exactly does the word “purpose” mean? It can be said that it’s a long-term aim or guiding principle. It’s the impact that we want to have on the world. Having a purpose in life means having a sense of direction and meaning. It means knowing what you want to achieve and why it matters. Research has shown that people who have sense of purpose are happier, more resilient and more successful than those who don’t. It’s a person’s aim, end goal, intention or objective.

Love and Substance Abuse

The Brightest Thing in the World

Lane is the face of, and a hardworking employee at, Recovery. It’s a trendy, cozy little cafe and bakery in Lexington, Kentucky that’s staffed by workers dealing with substance abuse. For its customers, the bistro offers plenty of comfort, coffee and cupcakes. The cafe provides a warm, home-away-from-home office space or den in which to work or just enjoy themselves. Folks, like Steph, are encouraged to stop by with their computer or favorite books and stay as long as they like. Friendly, free-spirited baker, Lane (played with vivacity and impish charm by Claire Kaplan), takes an instant shine to Steph, a more reserved new customer (portrayed by the delightfully smooth and charismatic Jojo Brown). Soon she learns more about Steph than that she takes her coffee with almond milk. Steph writes for a small Lexington newspaper and also works at a florist shop. Before long Steph lowers her guard, gives in to Lane’s enthusiasm and a sweet romance develops between the two young women.

Sweltering Sultriness

A Streetcar Named Desire

It might still be cold and snowing in Illinois, but the heat and humidity from New Orleans has worked its way North. The thick, musty air seems to sizzle and sear into Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The cause for this sweltering sultriness isn’t due to climate change. It comes from Artistic Director Jim Corti and guest co-director Elizabeth Swanson’s scintillating production of Tennessee Williams’ 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Playing now through late April, it’s a production that no one should miss. 

Mamma Mia! Here we go again…

A heartwarming story full of laughter, love, and familial dynamics, “Mamma Mia!” is not to be missed! Told through the music of Swedish quartet ABBA, “Mamma Mia!” follows the story of Sophie Sheridan as she prepares for her upcoming wedding to Sky. Sophie’s mother Donna owns and operates a hotel on a small Greek island, and that’s where the wedding is set to take place. The only thing that could make Sophie’s day perfect is the presence of her father, but there’s a small problem. She isn’t sure who he is. So what does she do? She finds the names of three men whom Donna had relationships with years ago, and invites all three to her wedding in the hopes that she’ll recognize her father at first sight. This goes about as well as expected, and only serves to confuse Sophie further and send Donna into distress. Now Sophie has to juggle three potential dads while readying herself for marriage, and Donna is forced to revisit feelings she thought she buried long ago. 

By the Pricking of My Thumbs

What the Weird Sisters Saw

Dramatizing the damaging psychological effects that political ambition has on those who seek power, William Shakespeare’s shortest drama, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, begins with a supernatural encounter. Amidst lightning and thunder, the Scottish general and his friend Banquo are returning victorious from defeating the allied forces of Norway and Ireland. There upon a heath, by the pricking of my thumbs, Macbeth meets Three Witches, who are also called the Weird Sisters. After praising his valor in battle, they portend that Macbeth will “be king hereafter.” Thus begins a sordid tale of evil, corruption, murder and revenge.

Broadway Baby

The Sondheim Tribute Revue

Absolutely delicious, delectable and delightful. Those are some of the adjectives that flowed through my mind as I basked in the mellifluous glory that is a new tribute to the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim. This undisputed genius of the American musical theatre recently passed away but his legacy, the melodic majesty he created for our age and time immemorial, will last as long as there are instruments to play and voices to sing. Like one of his most popular songs claims, Sondheim is a true “Broadway Baby.”