News & Reviews Category
A Family by Choice
Southern Comfort –Pride Films & Plays
When families come together for the holidays, reunions or simply for a celebratory dinner with the parents and siblings, there’s often a fair amount of teasing, arguing and oftentimes the occasion doesn’t end on a happy note. But, within any family the love is always there, even if it’s sometimes only unspoken and implied. And when the gathering is with a family by choice, rather than by blood, there’s really very little difference, because, as someone once said, “Love is love is love.”
A Button and a Buddy
Corduroy – Emerald City Theatre
A cuddly little teddy bear, dressed in green corduroy overalls, sits on the shelf in the toy department of Freeman’s Department Store. More than anything, Corduroy wants a friend. He believes that the reason he’s been passed over by shoppers is because he looks shop-worn and his bib tops are missing a button. One afternoon, just before closing time, a sweet little girl named Lisa spies Corduroy on the shelf and falls in love with him. She tries to convince her mother that, more than anything in the world, she wants to buy him. But Mother explains that money’s tight right now; however maybe, if Lisa would take on more of the household chores, she could raise her daughter’s allowance.
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Well Worth the Climb
We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915 – Steppenwolf Theatre
Steppenwolf’s Theatre for Young Audiences is “dedicated to creating work that is both provocative and drives us to think harder and deeper about who we are and the choices we make.” If this theater company has ever been successful at achieving this lofty, admirable goal, it’s in this current production. Jackie Sibblies Drury’s play is a look at how the creative process works in theatre. And, while the comic drama postures as a rehearsal for an upcoming, scholarly lecture about the first known genocide in the early 20th century, the play gradually evolves into an uncomfortable, shockingly realistic depiction of racism in America.
Read MorePuppet Masters
Ariodante – Lyric Opera of Chicago
Ariodante, premiering this week at the Lyric, is story of a medieval Scottish prince and his betrothed, Ginevra. The Evil Duke (Are there any non-evil Dukes in opera?) is Ariodante’s rival for Ginevra’s hand. She spurns him, but since women weren’t really allowed opinions at this time, the Duke carries on, tricking Ariodante into believing Ginevra has been unfaithful. Ariodante is heartbroken and Ginevra faces execution for a sin she did not commit. The Duke now plans to intervene to save her, winning the King’s favor and her affections.
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All Torn Up
I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart – Rivendell Theatre
Rivendell Theatre is giving Morgan Gould’s I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart its Midwest premiere this month. The story centers on Samantha, a self-described fat woman and Leo, her gay best friend and roommate. They have been friends since college. Now roommates in New York, they are trying to jump-start writing careers in between bingeing reality television and fighting over who left an empty soda bottle in the refrigerator.
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A Whimsical Look at Anarchy
The Man Who Was Thursday – Lifeline Theatre
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon in the London suburb of Saffron Park, a poet named Lucian Gregory is discovered delivering an impassioned reading of one of his works to the gathered public. Among the crowd is Gabriel Syme, a gentleman who attempts to debate with Gregory that revolt is not the true meaning of poetry. Syme insists that, as opposed to revolution, the law is the real essence. Gabriel ends up accompanying Lucian to his underground anarchist meeting where Gregory hopes to be elected to their governing body.
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A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
Mike Pence Sex Dream – First Floor Theatre
Following the 2016 election, two young men do their best to live their newly-wedded lives happily while coping with the frighteningly disastrous effects of the Trump presidency and administration. Ben is an excellent, compassionate elementary school teacher who cares for their students, but who also passionately wishes be a role model and make a difference. Ben, as a gay American, wants to show the school, and the world, that the Constitution has given them the unalienable right to be themselves. Thus, if Ben wants to wear a dress, there’s no reason for them to be challenged or ridiculed.
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And the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Act(s) of God – Lookingglass Theatre Company
A brand new original play, written by one of Chicago’s finest, most respected actors, and a Lookingglass Theatre company member, is a cause for celebration and demands an appreciative audience. Kareem Bandealy’s brilliant work as an actor has been seen by many and lauded by critics and audiences in productions all over Chicago. In his first attempt as playwright, Mr. Bandealy has embarked upon a new educational journey. His learning curve has expanded as he’s soaked up what it means to be on the other side of a production. This fledgling playwright has discovered, probably not unexpectedly that, in turning his script over to a director, a cast and a team of creative artists, it’s almost like sending your child off on his first day of kindergarten. But it’s the natural next step in the growth and nurturing of his young work, now in the hands of the theatre community.
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Pride and Prejudice
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde – Promethean Theatre Ensemble
One of the oldest maxims of the theater is that you can create drama by letting the audience know something the characters don’t, at least not yet. It’s what gives historical dramas their bite. We know what’s going to happen, but we aren’t bored as long we’re invested in the characters unknowingly marching to their doom. That truism is on full display in Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s restaging of it’s 2016 production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.
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Super Trouper
Mamma Mia! – Drury Lane
Artistic Director, William Osetek has staged a fresh and exciting new production of the 1999 smash hit musical, a show that became a cult classic for Baby Boomers twenty years ago, and is one of Broadway’s original juke box musicals. Taking almost two dozen hit tunes from the ABBA songbook, Drury Lane’s stage version makes audiences forget Chicago’s cold, snowy winter, as well as a rather disappointing 2008 film version. Here, live and on stage, is a great opportunity to enjoy a polished, professional production of how that musical is suppose to look and sound. And this production is not only pitch perfect but, decked out in shiny spandex, platform heels and a ton of glitter and glitz, it’s a feast for the eyes, as well.
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