How Can Humans Do Better?

Cat’s Cradle

There aren’t enough expletives of praise in the English language to express the magnificence of this incredible, two-hour production of Kurt Vonnegut’s 1963 classic. The famed American writer, known for a large canon of stories (Welcome to the Monkey House), plays (Happy Birthday, Wanda June) and wryly satirical novels (including Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions), wove elements of science fiction and fantasy into his stories to highlight the horrors and ironies of living in the 20th century. All of his books, like Cat’s Cradle, are marked by a a fatalistic viewpoint while still embracing humanistic beliefs. In this play Vonnegut seems to be continually asking, “How can humans do better?”

The Music of Johnny Cash

Ring of Fire

We have all experienced our own highs and lows throughout life. It’s safe to say that no one has sailed through the years without their share of sorrow and hardship, hopefully balanced by more joyful opportunities and happier times. The Man in Black, better known to his many fans as American Country-Western singer Johnny Cash, documented the ups and downs of life through his soulful music. 

The Four-Color Trilogy, Part Two

The Innocence of Seduction

Once, in the 21st century, there lived an ultra conservative, but arrogantly stupid man who possessed a modicum of power in the state he governed. However, this man longed for even more authority and strict control over his people—in fact, all his country’s people. He tried to become its leader. In attempting to win over the other unimaginative right-wingers, this narrow-minded man began a campaign to limit what could be taught in schools. But even worse than that, he began banning all the children’s books that didn’t meet his personal criteria and moral standards. Not only were hundreds of books removed from school curricula and libraries, they were often even burned.   

A Brightly Shining Moon

I experienced a sinking feeling during the first fifteen minutes or so of Moon at the Bottom of the Ocean, the new play by Bryn Magnus from the Curious Theatre Branch, now playing at Chicago Dramatists.  The situation seemed dated and frayed at the edges: A scraggly bearded, deeply neurotic urban schlub named Paul (Jeffrey Bivens) who fancies himself a “literary novelist” but never seems to finish the novel he claims to be working on hires a detective to stalk a far more successful fellow writer who’s just won a MacArthur fellowship (aka the “Genius Grant”) in order to learn the “secret” of his prize-winning prose.  

Everything’s Coming Up Rose

Gypsy

Arthur Laurents’ glorious Musical Fable is certainly one of the most entertaining and frequently produced shows in theatre history. While a fictionalized biography of famed stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, this show is also a heartbreaking story about a mother fiercely determined to have her children achieve stardom, at any cost. It’s a bittersweet  journey that travels from Vaudeville to Burlesque, filled with love, sacrifice, and the need to be noticed and accepted. Featuring a hit score by the great Jule Styne with lyrics by the inimitable Stephen Sondheim, this theatrical classic is both a thrilling treat and a timeless treasure.

Trial and Error

Gay Card

Logan recently graduated from his Florida high school and is about to begin college. He recently came out as gay and, because being gay in 2023 is considered “awesome,” Logan is certain that he’s on the brink of experiencing four mind-blowing years of popularity. However, the young man mistakenly believes that his sexuality defines his identity. He thinks that being gay is truly who he is. Logan also knows that college is the time for trial and error and he’s eager and ready to try a lot of things, maybe make a few mistakes but ultimately become awesome, trendy and well-liked by everyone. 

A World Premier to Die For

Murder ReWrote

One of Chicago’s most multitalented young creatives, Ed Rutherford is likely known to many theatergoers as the Producing Artistic Director of eerie Black Button Eyes Productions. With a definite fascination for murder, mysteries and all things supernatural, Mr. Rutherford has penned many fascinating and often horrifying melodramas and musicals, including the Jeff nominated “Mary Rose” and the ghoulish “Nightmares & Nightcaps.” As a prolific director, Ed has guided such wonderfully frightening productions as “Coraline,” “Shockheaded Peter,” “Evil Dead, the Musical,” Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” and many others. Working together with the cleverly camp Hell in a Handbag Productions, Ed Rutherford has collaborated with Jeff Citation winner and prolific composer and lyricist, George Howe, to create this wild and witty parody of one of television’s most popular and long-running series.

Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop

Last year I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Part of the trip was to go to Pittsburgh and see the Andy Warhol museum. We never made it and my boyfriend was very disappointed as he is a big Warhol fan. 

This summer all we had to do was drive about 40 minutes to the College of Dupage at the McAninch Arts Center to experience the Bank of America Collection Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop. And what an experience it was. There were 94 works from soup cans to flowers, over 150 photos, interactive silver clouds, a pop art print factory for kids (although I have to say we had a great time making our own pictures), concessions and a great gift shop.