Reviews Category
The Door Opens Again
A Doll’s House, Part 2 – Steppenwolf Theatre
In 1879, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen wrote a play that would become one of his masterpieces and provide, for that time, a shocking evening at the theatre. In “A Doll’s House,” Nora Helmer, the leading character, ends the play, and her stifling, unfulfilled marriage, by walking out and slamming the front door. In doing so, Nora signaled that she was leaving behind her husband and children and starting out alone, on her own terms.
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Navigating Loneliness
Fulfillment Center – A Red Orchid Theatre
The lights rise on the loading dock of a mail order business that ships packages from its New Mexico facility to the rest of the country. Suzan, a former, semi-famous folk singer (“I had a couple of fans”), is interviewing for and trying to land a seasonal job with the company. She’s recently fled a failed relationship and has found temporary shelter at a nearby campground, while trying to earn enough money to repair her broken-down car. Suzan convinces Alex, the kindhearted, 20-something supervisor of the shipping firm, that she’s capable of handling the stressful, physically demanding work load, despite her age.
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The Valentine Edition
The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – Hell in a Handbag Productions
The cheesecake is in the fridge, the coffee’s perking away on the counter and love is blossoming out in the lanai. Yes, it’s time for another edition of Hell in a Handbag’s rollicking parody of and homage to America’s favorite quartet of senior citizens: Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. This time around, it’s February down in Miami and, with Valentine’s Day not far away, thoughts of love are in the air.
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When You Got It, Flaunt It
The Producers – Paramount Theatre
Glitzy, spectacular and filled with unstoppable laughs! That just about sums up Paramount’s new, high octane production. Out in Aurora, there’s a Broadway calibre presentation of Mel Brooks’ musical theatre adaptation of his popular 1967 film, that’s well worth the commute from Chicago. The movie originally starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. In Jim Corti’s fantastic, kaleidoscope of comedy, song and dance, he’s give audiences two dynamic new stars and a multitalented, energetic, 28-member company, many of whom play multiple roles, who award theatergoers with more than their money’s worth.
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A Helpless Rage
Nina Simone: Four Women – Northlight Theatre
When we first meet Nina Simone, she’s clothed in a smart sequined dress and singing her famous rendition of Gershwin’s, “I Loves You Porgy,” probably at a northern nightclub. Suddenly a deafening explosion shakes the theatre and plunges the room into darkness. When we next see the talented singer, she’s all in black. The dust is still settling as Ms. Simone enters through the charred doors of the demolished sanctuary of what was once the beautiful 16th Street Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s September 15, 1963, following the horrendous bombing that maimed several of the church’s congregation and killed four innocent young black girls. Filled with a helpless rage, Nina Simone tries to find the words to express her nearly uncontrollable anger through her music.
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Heart-stopping Horror
On Clover Road – American Blues Theater
In order to not spoil the theatrical experience for future audiences, there’s really not very much that can be written about Steven Dietz’s heart-stopping horror story, now enjoying its Chicago premiere. This isn’t the first time that American Blues Theater has presented Mr. Dietz’s work. The prolific writer has more than 30 original plays and theatrical adaptations to his credit, but this one is unique.
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Telling Chicago Stories
Red Rex – Steep Theatre
Ike Holter is a talented, nationally known playwright, who also just happens to be one of our own. He’s a Chicagoan by choice, if not by birth, and Mr. Holter has earned his well-deserved fame by telling stories about the Second City through his plays. Of course, this gifted wordsmith first came to national attention when “Hit the Wall,” his riveting drama about gay history and the Stonewall riots, moved from the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre to Off-Broadway. But within six short years, Mr. Holter has added a number of additional tough, tenacious dramas to his repertoire, but these are genuine, gritty tales of the (Windy) city.
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Blood, Buffoonery and Brainless Burlesque
Evil Dead the Musical – Black Button Eyes Productions
There’s so many reasons to recommend this show that it’s difficult to know where to begin. But first, this definitely isn’t a musical for everyone. The more conservative audience member who prefers the classics of Theatre’s Golden Age may be put off by this show. Besides being a cleverly written satire of a B-level, cult supernatural horror film (which is itself a satire of the genre), the musical is filled with over-the-top characters, raucous rock songs, a plethora of profanity and gallons of guts and gore. Nowhere in sight is there a surrey with the fringe on top.
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The Chocolate Cream Soldier
Arms and the Man – ChicagoShaw Theater Company
Continuing their 25th season, which is celebrating “All Shaw, All the Time,” is this popular and charming classic. Considered to be one of the playwright’s most entertaining comedies, ShawChicago has included a new production of this play in a season that celebrates the company’s namesake. Audiences unfamiliar with this company’s superb handling of the playwright’s works are in for a real treat. The play truly is the thing, because ShawChicago’s productions consist primarily of the author’s words. Stripped of snazzy scenery, ponderous props and special effects, the actors receive all of the focus, all the while carrying scripts and portraying their roles upon a bare stage. Mary Michell, in the tradition of the company’s late founder and artistic director, Robert Scogin, guides her actors toward their discovery of the play’s dynamics and pitch. She draws their performances downstage and full front. Working from music stands, the cast focuses front, engaging the audience as their acting partners. The result is an intimate performance that truly focuses on the author’s text.
Chicago Musical Theatre Festival
5th Annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival – Underscore Theatre Company
Producing a new musical is hard. Nearly impossible. The time, the energy, and the cost make it a daunting task. It’s part of the reason most new Broadway musicals are revivals of classics or adaptations of known, successful properties. There’s no other way to ensure a show will make back its investment. To counter that, Underscore Theater Company is dedicated to nurturing new works in Chicago. For the fifth year, they take submissions from writers around the world and give a chosen few productions over the course of three weeks. By pooling backstage resources like sound and lighting equipment and crews, new musicals can be more economically staged, and hopefully reach a wider audience.
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