The Truth Hurts

The Things I Could Never Tell Steven – Pride Arts

Oscar Wilde once wrote that “the truth is rarely pure and never simple.” The Bible says that “the truth will set you free.” And someone quite wise once wrote that “the truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever.” All of these quotations could aptly apply to this chamber musical by Aussie writer and composer, Jye Bryant. Although we never see Steven, by the end of this 75-minute one-act, the audience will have heard all the lies the young man has told to everyone who was important in his life…including himself. Those lies will have injured many and will, indeed, hurt forever.

Live Musical Theatre is Back, Baby!

Mamma Mia! -Music Theater Works

Accomplished actor, singer and member of the Columbia College’s Musical Theatre faculty, multitalented Justin Brill has staged a faithful new production of the 1999 smash hit musical, a show that became a cult classic for Baby Boomers over twenty years ago. It’s one of Broadway’s original jukebox musicals. Taking almost two dozen hit tunes from the ABBA songbook, this Musical Theater Works’ production is one of the first live stage presentations since the pandemic. In its joy and optimism, “Mamma Mia!” makes Chicagoland audiences almost forget the long theatrical hiatus of almost two years. But finally, at long last, we have the opportunity to revel in a live, professional, musical production again. Decked out in shiny spandex, platform heels and lots of glitter and glitz, this production is a feast for both the eyes and ears.

Well Worth the Wait

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play – Goodman Theatre

With an affectionate nod to such films as “Heathers,” “Legally Blonde,” “Mean Girls” and even “Cinderella,” actress/playwright Jocelyn Bioh’s funny and often touching new play heralds a joyful return to live theatre in Chicago. It’s a comic drama that’s inspired by a real-life incident, and it’s also prompted by her own mother’s schooldays at the real Aburi Girls High School, the Ghana boarding school where this play takes place. Bioh’s comedy is a delicious 85-minute one-act that brings joy, entertainment and a powerful message to Chicago audiences. 

Yipping, Barking and Smelling

Why Dogs Don’t Talk – First Folio Theatre

It’s safe to say that all dog owners, at one time or another, have wished their pets could talk. It would be so much easier to understand their pooch’s needs and wants, their preferences for certain things and for those elements that are undesired. But in Dean Monti’s short, 17-minute story, adapted for the stage by David Rice, patrons might be warned to be careful what they wish for.

“A heaviness that’s gone.”

The Tempest – Oak Park Festival Theatre

After a year of so much turmoil and sadness, it’s all too easy to be left feeling jaded, bitter, and resentful towards all that was taken from us. Returning back to the liveliness of theater is quite an event, and starting with a classic such as Shakespeare’s The Tempest is an appropriate reintroduction. Viewing The Tempest with the events from this past year still in close hindsight lets us absorb an entirely new perspective of this 400-year-old play. The antiquity does not make this play any less applicable today: especially with the lively modern alterations featured in this production.

When the World Exploded

I Hate It Here – Steppenwolf Theatre

If asked, most of us will freely confess that last year was a total bomb. 2020 will always be remembered as the year of the pandemic, when COVID-19 infected and devastated the entire planet, closing down everything and forcing us to stay inside our own homes. It was deadly and frightening and, ultimately, made our lives extremely depressing. This was the year when the world exploded and everyone had to quarantine. 

Bwahaha!

Henchpeople – Theatre Above the Law

Everyone knows about the super villain. Their face on every television screen in the city, or maybe projected from a blimp, threatening the city with destruction unless their demands are met. But what about the little people? The ones who make the death ray so deadly? The ones who antagonize the sharks in the pool under the trap door? And this spandex body suit with floor-length cape won’t clean itself… Theatre Above the Law returns to live, in-person theatre with a show that explores the stories of those unsung anti-heroes: the henchpeople.

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real

Martyrs’ – June 19, 2021, Jam Productions

October 2016 – Empire Polo Club in Indio California. I was one of the lucky ones that got tickets for this show which has come to be known as Desert Trip. A three-day concert – Night 1 Bob Dylan / the Rolling Stones. Night 2 –Paul McCartney / Neil Young with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. Night 3 – The Who / Roger Waters. Quite an event to say the least. One of the acts that really stood out was Neil Young. It was my first introduction to Lukas Nelson and POTR. From quite a distance their sound was incredible, and I knew I was seeing something great.

He Works Hard for the Money

Ride Share – Writers Theatre

In the third of three exceptionally fine virtual productions from Writers Theatre, this riveting, powerful one-man drama is the shining jewel on their crown. It’s a heartbreaking story told by Marcus, a 33-year-old African-American man, who’s just trying to make ends meet, earning a decent living and attempting to survive the hardships of the modern world. This 80-minute one-act, written by talented playwright Reginald Edmund, will captivate and hold your attention until the very last gut-wrenching moment.

What Did You Do To My Script?

Dingleberries – Interrogbang Theatre

Interrobang Theatre Project aptly describes their Season 11, entitled Off the Record, as “what happens when the world stops and life becomes viral.” With the quarantine imposed upon us by Covid-19, all live theatre and musical performances were, of course, halted. Theatres discovered new ways to share their stories with audiences, usually offering tickets to viral productions on the internet.