Reviews Category
A Greek Tragedy set in Pilsen
Victory Gardens Theater’s Mojada
Mojada is the story of an immigrant family who tries to make a new life in Chicago. It is the story of a woman who hopes only to be a true wife and mother. It is a story about ambition and what it takes to survive in America. Frankly, it’s just a good story. It is adapted from the Greek play Medea by Euripides by Luis Alfaro, who has also brought Greek adaptations to Victory Gardens before, with Oedipus el Rey and Electricidad. He has taken Medea and made it about the Latino community in Pilsen, and the hardships they deal with not only in getting to Chicago, but also with making everyday life manageable once they’re here.
This Bee is a Winner
At this years Scripps National Spelling Bee the winning word was Knaidel (a Jewish version of a dumpling). The winner was a 13 year old from New York. Being Jewish myself and having grown up eating Knaidels perhaps I could have won the bee and $30,000. But instead I was quite content seeing Theatre at the Centers 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. TATC is located in Munster, Indiana (a short drive from downtown Chicago.)
At this particular bee we are introduced to six students who have all become finalists. They all, for their own personal reasons are driven to be the one who finally wins the bee and the coveted trophy. Along the way we get to know some of the their quirkiness which makes them charming and endearing.
Read More“Say Yes” to Scott Gryder and His Cabaret
LIFE IS A CABARET! The Music and Words of Kander & Ebb
Recommended
Last Saturday night the full audience in attendance of Roosevelt University’s cabaret series was bid “Wilkommen” and treated to the charismatic exuberance that is Scott Gryder and his one-man cabaret, “LIFE IS A CABARET! The Music and Words of Kander & Ebb” accompanied by Nick Sula on piano and Phil Martin on drums. The show is a 50th anniversary tribute to the songwriters known for Broadway hits like Chicago, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and many more.
Read More‘AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES’ COMES TO CHICAGO
Broadway Play House Till Aug 4th
Reviewed By Frank Meccia
Chicago Theatre Review
Back in 1979 at the old Chicago Stadium for 2 days there were a group from England/ Australia that were making hit after hit for years. I got to see them finally after having at least 4 of there albums. (For those under 30 it’s now called a CD )They had a 70’s style disco set up and their music was wonderful, even though the sound quality back then was simple and loud. 34 years later a remastered group of talented actors and musicians have recreated that sound and style as a tribute band to the Bee Gees. Over the last several years we have had tribute plays to great actors and bands; The buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet, Rain, all which made you feel that you were at a great concert. But tonight was different, I really felt I was at a more intimate concert with the Bee Gees. This trio has played all over Europe and have been to Vegas, and other cities across America. And you can tell by the way they use their walk, they have this show down pat.
The members of the Chicago cast include California based Matt Boldoni as Barry Gibbs, and Australian natives Paul Lines as Robin and Jack Leftley as Maurice.
A true retrospective of their 40 year history, with great costume changes and looks. These guys did the job, there mannerisms, voices and style mimicked the great Bee Gees, as evident by the way the audience was up and dancing during the show.
If you missed going to a real Bee Gees concert, then get down to Chicago Broadway Playhouse and see the “Australian Bee Gees” for 2 hours and 20 minutes you will relive some great music from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.
Americans in Paris
Abby and Zack, the 20-something American couple at the center of Amy Herzog’s play, appear to have a good marriage, but something isn’t right. Seeing is not believing and, as the audience will slowly discover, nothing could be further from the truth. Abby’s an actress-turned-Yoga instructor who has always wanted to live in Paris, or so Zach believes. Her husband is a medical graduate working for the French Doctors Without Borders, or so his wife thinks. That’s only part of the deception as this psychological thriller slowly scrapes away the glossiness of love and hope. Information these young expats share with one other may or may not be true. Like peeling an onion, their story is slowly revealed, both to the audience as well as to each other. Information we (and they) accept as truths eventually prove to be lies. And thus what begins as a look at a reasonably happy, well-balanced marriage gradually erodes into a gripping tale of mounting horror.
Packing for the End of the World
Sideshow Theatre Company’s The Burden of Not Having a Tail
If the end of the world hits there is no need to fear, go see The Burden of Not Having A Tail to learn how to prep. In this one woman show, your bunker host tells you everything from what food to pack, how to say goodbye to loved ones, and the dangers of scented soap. The tips are equally as helpful if you’re hiding from emotional trauma as well.
Karie Miller is the sole performer in this production about how she is currently making life work without connections to the exterior world. The set looks like a cross between a child’s reading room and your mother’s pantry, except covered entirely in plastic wrap. Miller has an appropriately neurotic, and crazed glint in her eyes for the part, but does get tiresome. Bleeding through the cracks is the story of a woman who is grieving the loss of her infant daughter. And this history really does seep through the packing tutorial. Miller will be in the middle of explaining why scented soap is bad for you (I won’t spoil the surprise), and will trail off on a tangent about using scented soap on her daughter. She will get very quite and you’ll wonder what is going on, then she’ll look at you and realize you’re still watching her so to break the tension she’ll shout ‘GAMES!’. And then she discussed how to pass the time in a bunker.
Read MoreNot too late to celebrate Moliere at Court Theatre
By Lazlo Collins
Highly Recommended
The successful modernization of the French Classics is indeed the goal with all theatres that include a worldly repertoire. The Court Theatre’s “Tartuffe” brings this satirical comedy by Moliere to life with accessible gladness.
Under the expert direction of Charles Newell, and lovingly translated by Richard Wilbur; this adaptation is superb. It is a smart and funny production that has the audience from the first word.
The story of the imposter Tartuffe takes us to our very own Hyde Park/Kenwood, and the home of Orgon (A.C. Smith). Orgon has a guest that the rest of his family is ready to boot out of the house. He is completely under Tartuffe’s power. The guest is Tartuffe (Philip Earl Johnson). He is a religious charlatan that has taken over the household. Tartuffe instructs and swaggers, keeping all that reside or enter the house within his religious fervor.
Mr. Johnson plays Tartuffe with all the smarmy robed elegance he can muster. He was as beguiling as he was oily.
Orgon’s mother (lovingly and hilariously played by Allen Gilmore) approves of Tartuffe’s house take over. Mr. Gilmore plays the part with just the right amount of sass and wink. She extoll his virtues to the home’s occupants as the story unfolds.
The immediate family unit is Orgon’s wife, Elmire (Patrese D McClain); their son, Damis (Dominque Worsley); and daughter, Mariane (Grace Gealy).
We learn Mariane’s heart belongs to Valere (Travis Turner), but her father has other plans for her to wed Tartuffe.
As the story unfolds, the family must stop the impending nuptials. Since they cannot sway Orgon’s opinion of Tartuffe, they need proof. Tartuffe has shown some unwanted affection towards Elmire. She decides to trap Tartuffe in a classic hilarious over-and-under the table scene. Ms. McCain was superb as the faux vixen.
After Tartuffe is revealed as the player he is, he vows to ruin the family and remove them from his home. Can he be stopped?
This talented and energetic cast makes this piece sing with joy and abounding energy. I appreciated all the actors’ attention to character detail. Mr. Smith as Orgon commands the stage as he slowly comes around to see what the family has been trying to tell him from the start.
Leading the persuasive charge from the get go, is Mariane’s lady’s maid, Dorine. Passionate and outspoken Elizabeth Ledo brings the audience fully on board with her delightfully cocky portrayal. Her character says it like it is, and won’t be still for anyone. He performance is a stand out.
The set design, lighting and sound were perfect for all the proceedings.
I thought the costumes, although modern in style, gave us a nod and a wink to the past. It was a bright and beautiful collection keeping the audience smiling.
I have seen productions of “Tartuffe” before and this particular production is at the top of the list. The translation was bright with a contemporary flair.
Tartuffe at the Court Theatre continues through 14 July as part of the Moliere Festival. For tickets visit www.courttheatre.org
For this and other productions please visit www.theatreinchicago.com
Into The Wild
The Jungle Book
Chicago has become a developmental hotbed for Broadway bound plays and musicals, especially within the last ten years. The latest entry is Mary Zimmerman’s highly-anticipated stage adaptation of Walt Disney’s animated classic. The film had been freely adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s episodic coming-of-age story about Mowgli, the man cub raised by wild jungle animals. Influenced by Kipling’s time spent in British-colonial India, Ms. Zimmerman has integrated much of the look, sound and culture from this Asian time and place into her musical. The result is a stage adaptation that’s visually stunning, often musically pleasing, but lacking in a real connection to the heart.
Read MoreLoving You Until It Hurts
The Artistic Home’s BEATEN
When entering the Artistic Home’s new space at Grand and Noble, I was given a playbill and went to my seat in a small but well utilized, black box theatre. The playbill had a comic book style depiction of a nerd dreaming of saving a damsel in distress with the words ‘BEATEN’ in dynamic font across the top. The lights faded and Greg, a nerdy young man in a captain America t-shirt and thick-rimmed glasses, stood center stage and delivered a monologue filled with pop culture references and satirical humor. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this play was not really about the nerd who gets the pretty girl. In fact, it is about three generations of women dealing with physical and emotional abuse, with a slightly misleading prelude.
Are Chuckles Enough For You?
Big Lake Big City at Lookingglass Theatre Company
Somewhat Recommended
Wrapping up Lookingglass’ 25th anniversary season is the world premier of Big Lake Big City, a comedic “modern noir thriller” directed by ensemble member David Schwimmer and written by Keith Huff (A Steady Rain). Audiences will enjoy the fast-paced quips and constant references to Chicago, an aspect that at first glance may cause this to appear a perfect fit for the theatre company based in the historic Water Tower Water Works on Michigan Avenue. Yet I left feeling surprised at this addition to the season—and surprised at the confusion I felt, instead of the exhilaration with which I have typically left this particular theater in the past.
Read MoreRECOMMENDED SITES
