Chicago Theatre Review

News & Reviews Category

A Stage Filled With Rage

January 23, 2016 Comments Off on A Stage Filled With Rage

Sunset Baby – Timeline Theatre

 

Playwright Dominique Morisseau’s gritty one-act play, now enjoying a Chicago premiere after its Off-Broadway

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Unfolding the Heart

January 19, 2016 Comments Off on Unfolding the Heart

Animals Out of Paper – Shattered Globe Theatre

 

It’s wisely said that a teacher learns as much, if not more, from his students than from all of his college education.

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The Bitch of Living

January 18, 2016 Comments Off on The Bitch of Living

Spring Awakening – Marriott Theatre

 

Ten years after it opened on Broadway to wild critical and popular acclaim (winning 8 Tony Awards, including Best

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The Fabulous Mineral Point Men

January 17, 2016 Comments Off on The Fabulous Mineral Point Men

Ten Dollar House – Pride Films and Plays

 

Anyone familiar with Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, better known as television’s Fabulous Beekman Boys,

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It’s All Greek to Me

January 16, 2016 Comments Off on It’s All Greek to Me

Bruise Easy – American Theatre Company

 

Playwright Dan LeFranc has penned some interesting and successfully insightful, well-written dramas that reveal

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Waiting for the Spark

January 14, 2016 Comments Off on Waiting for the Spark

Botanic Gardens – Citadel Theatre

 

Those who have been married for several years or been involved in a loving, long term relationship will find this

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The Ties That Bind

January 14, 2016 Comments Off on The Ties That Bind

No Wake – Route 66

 

A shattering tragedy forces divorced couple Edward and Rebecca back together again in William Donnelly’s new

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What I Did For Love

January 1, 2016 Comments Off on What I Did For Love

Gotta Dance – Broadway in Chicago

 

Just when naysayers may be thinking that the prolific Jerry Mitchell has run out of steam, this talented

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The Gift of Girl Power

December 21, 2015 Comments Off on The Gift of Girl Power

Dynamite Divas – Black Ensemble Theatre

 

Jackie Taylor has done it again! Back to producing what BET does best, the divine and dynamic Ms Taylor has

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Jingle, Jingle, Jingle

December 21, 2015 Comments Off on Jingle, Jingle, Jingle

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Rosemont Theatre

Tired of holiday shopping? Looking for something fun to do with the kids? And with these warm temperatures it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas yet.

So just to make sure we are all in the holiday spirit Rosemont Theatre is presenting the  beloved holiday film on stage starring everyone’s favorite reindeer Rudolph. So take the journey with Rudolph and his friends as he helps guide the sleigh with his famous red nose and saves Christmas.

This show is for any and all ages.

For ticket information  call the box office 847-671-5100

or visit www.rosemont.com

The dates are Friday December 18 @ 7pm

and Saturday December 19 @ 11am, 2pm, or 7pm

Half price tickets are available.

 

So Chicago is known for its traditions especially holiday ones. Just to name a few: Christmas Carol at the Goodman,Windows at Macy’s, the Walnut Room, The lights on the Magnificent Mile. In this city of “big shoulders” there is always room for more.

Friday night I attended the opening of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at the Rosemont Theatre.  I was four years old in 1964 when Rudolph made its television debut and went on to become the longest running and highest rated TV special.  And for another piece of Chicago Trivia the book was originally written by Robert Mays in 1939 a copywriter for Montgomery Wards and given away free to children as a way to get more traffic in the store.

This musical made its way to Rosemont last year and was quite successful. It is not always easy to transform something to the stage especially such beloved characters as Rudolph and his friends. This production did not disappoint. It really is as if you are watching the TV show including some outstanding puppetry and graphics. We see the Burl Ives snowman character moving around through the snow and an adorable Rudolph flying through the air. At times I did not even realize there were people in the costumes.

I took my  grandkids to the show who sometimes have a hard time sitting still. This time they didn’t. They loved the whole thing from start to finish especially when the abominable snowman took over a large part of the stage. My favorite part of the show was not only the sing along at the end but the priceless faces of the children. In this  challenging world we need something like the innocence of Rudolph and his friends to teach love and acceptance.

Make no mistake, this show is not just for the young. I felt transported back to my childhood when life was simple and carefree.

It is my hope that Rudolph the Musical will take its rightful place as a new holiday tradition.

Very Highly Recommended