Reviews Category
She Shall Overcome
From the Mississippi Delta
The late Ida Mae Holland took the first name Endesha later in life, as a tribute to her African roots. She earned a bachelors degree in African-American Studies at the University of Minnesota, followed later by a Masters and a PHD degree in American Studies. She wrote six plays, one of which was adapted from her memoir, From the Mississippi Delta. Dr. Holland won the Lorraine Hansberry Award, as a playwright, and taught at the State University of New York, in Buffalo, then became a professor of theatre at the University of Southern California. If someone had told the young Ida Mae Holland that these impressive accolades and achievements would eventually be a part of her future, she would’ve told them that they were crazy. But, to paraphrase the Pete Seeger folksong and the words of Martin Luther King, although Ida Mae didn’t know it at the time, She Shall Overcome.
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Speaking From the Heart
The Language Archive
George is a devoted scientist in every sense of the word. His career is his entire life. As such, George is passionately involved with the recording, cataloging and documentation of every spoken language that has ever existed. He’s the head of an institution called The Language Archive. It’s a library of manuscripts and recordings of the spoken word that seeks to preserve every system of communication in history, particularly those that are dead or dying out. George is an expert in his field but, despite being so learned and fluent in most of the 6,900 languages of the world, it’s ironic that he finds it impossible to communicate when speaking from the heart.
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Waitin’ For the Light to Shine
Big River
Based upon Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this American classic is either revered or condemned. The novel still appears on high school summer reading lists but, thanks to a recent rise in literary censorship in conservative areas, is also banned in some areas. The story unfolds like a Southern version of Candide. Like Voltaire’s novel, it’s about a young man’s journey toward self-discovery. Episodic and peppered with pain, humor and lots of eccentric characters, Huck travels on and learns valuable lessons about life and the human race.
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From Murder to Musical
London Road
A well-earned standing ovation to the brilliant, unbelievably talented and absolutely engaging cast, director, musicians and artistic team who brought this show to life at Theater Wit. In Shattered Globe Theatre’s grand finale to their 2022-23 season they are proudly presenting the U.S. premiere of this fascinating theatrical work. It’s not your typical musical and, as such, a production that might not appeal to everyone. But it’s an intelligent and truly inventive piece of theatre that earns an overused word I generally hate, but really applies to this show: Amazing!
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Once Upon a Time
Into the Woods
“Once upon a time” proclaims the wise, old narrator, played by Broadway veteran David Patrick Kelly, cueing the accomplished, 15-member onstage orchestra that’s conducted by talented Musical Director, John Bell. What a dynamic opening to one of Stephen Sondheim’s finest, lush and best-loved scores!And just like that, this incredibly magical, magnificent musical is off and running.
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A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
The Importance of Being Earnest
I normally start a review with a brief, spoiler-free synopsis, but I don’t think I can do that this time. If you aren’t already familiar with Oscar Wilde’s classic farce, I think the fun will be in letting it unfold in front of you with no help from me. And whether you are familiar with the show or now, Theatre Above the Law’s new production, directed by TATL Aristic Director Tony Lawry, will be delightful way to spend an evening.
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A Journey to the Other Side
The Wonder
Are you familiar with a paranormal occurrence that was dubbed “The Watseka Wonder”? Apparently, it’s part of Illinois history. One can learn about this series of incidents and experience the strange events through an ethereal, somewhat unsettling World Premiere by actress/playwright Maggie Lou Rader. The story may frighten, confuse or even inspire theatergoers to delve further into this factual, but almost forgotten, incident from the state’s past.
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Music in the Mountains
The Porch on Windy Hill
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the world to stay cooped up at home for over a year. When people did go out they were advised to wear face masks to help protect them from the contagious, air-borne disease. But like so many others, Mira and Beckett, have been cooped up in their tiny New York apartment for so long, that they burst out and embark on a road trip. But this twosome are unique. Both are brilliantly talented musicians and highly educated. Mira is a classically trained violinist and Becket, who’s a more-than-capable musician on any stringed instrument, is working on his dissertation. He’s exploring the concept that folk music is adapting and changing along with the population. And, since they’re also activists for social change, the couple’s always looking for a cause to support.
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You’re in the Band
School of Rock
Dewey Finn is a down-on-his-luck wannabe rockstar. He’s been renting a room from his lifelong friend and closet rock music aficionado, Ned Schneebly. Schneebly is a substitute teacher who shares his life with domineering girlfriend, Patty. But without a steady income, nor any inclination to find another job after being fired from his band, Dewey has turned into a freeloader in danger of losing his living quarters.
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Hopelessly Devoted to You
Grease
What can be said about a musical that might even be called a modern-day theatre classic since it’s one of the most often produced musicals in the world? Since the show first appeared at Chicago’s Kingston Mines back in 1971, and then went on to Broadway a year later, albeit more sanitized, “Grease” has truly become “The Word.” For a while it was the longest-running show on the Great White Way.
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