Chicago Theatre Review
Endless Deja Vu
Groundhog Day: The Musical
Each year, Phil Conners, a cynical, arrogant, womanizing television weatherman from Pittsburg, is assigned to cover the annual Groundhog Day celebration in the rural town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Cocky Mr. Conners views this assignment as being beneath his journalistic talent. However, once again he reluctantly accompanies his cameraman, Larry, and Rita Hanson, his lovely new producer, to the small hamlet, whose only claim to fame is a meteorologically clairvoyant rodent. From the start, things don’t go very well…and they continue to grow worse.
Read MoreGhosts of Chernobyl
Ghosts of Chernobyl – Theatre Above the Law
Theatre Above the Law’s new show, Ghosts of Chernobyl, has been a long time coming. It was originally set to premiere in March 2020. I was particularly excited since I had then recently finished the HBO series about the Chernobyl disaster and gone on a deep dive on the subject. I had my ticket ready to go and even hoped that, after a shutdown we thought would last two weeks, the show could reopen. As well all know now, the shutdown of the world, and theater in particular, lasted much longer. Happily, Theatre Above the Law remembers that the show must (eventually) go on.
Read MoreUnstoppable Girl Power and Talent
Women of Soul With a Special Tribute to Aretha Franklin – Mercury Theater
You probably think it’s electricity, but there’s actually so much Girl Power and unstoppable musical talent and energy on the stage, it’s lighting the marquee above the Mercury Theater. For the next several weeks, this company of eight dazzling divas, along with one gifted guy, are taking their audiences on a melodic trip down memory lane. The songs never stop and the portrayals of these famous soulful women are incredibly accurate and magical.
Read MoreHigh Flying Adored
Evita – Drury Lane Theatre
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s pop/rock opera is a spectacular work of art, no matter where it’s produced. The musical has been entertaining and emotionally affecting audiences around the world since its 1978 West End opening. That first English production followed the success of a concept record album two years earlier. The show became an unprecedented hit and was awarded London’s Lawrence Olivier Award for Best Musical. Then “Evita” opened on Broadway the next year, where it became the very first British musical to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, along with six others, as well as a whole raft of additional accolades and honors. I’ve been fortunate to have seen many of these earlier productions, including a stellar 2013 National Tour that was fantastic.
Read MoreYou Can’t Stop the Beat!
Hairspray – Broadway in Chicago
“The Nicest Kids in Town” are teasing their hair, singing and dancing up a storm and striking a blow for equal rights in the latest production from Broadway in Chicago. It’s a bang-up, non-stop, rock ’n rolling Tony Award-winning musical that makes audiences want to get up and dance in the aisles. This National Tour is masterfully directed by Matt Lenz with almost nonstop, high-octane choreography, originally by the enormously talented Jerry Mitchell, and recreated here by Michele Lynch. This non-Equity production thoroughly entertains, while capturing all the spirit and social relevance of Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan’s script, which was adapted from the campy1988 John Waters film.
Read MoreJourney to Freedom
Gem of the Ocean – Goodman Theatre
What an exciting and theatrically perfect way to kick off Black History Month! Pulitzer Prize-winner, August Wilson, is the revered playwright, known for his ten-play body of work that’s been called the “Pittsburg Cycle” or the “Century Cycle.” The reasons are obvious: Every play is set in Pittsburg and each of the dramas represent a different decade of the twentieth century. The cycle begins with this play, which is set in 1904, and is now having an auspicious revival at the theatre where it originally premiered. Wilson attempted to chart the African-American Experience in America as times changed and the country continued to evolve, from the Emancipation of Slavery through to the Civil Rights Movement. The Goodman’s new production is a magnificent ethereal journey to freedom for its diverse characters, and a powerful experience that audiences will never forget.
Read MoreAn Overload of Angst
Fireflies – Northlight Theatre
Charles is a renowned Southern preacher whose heartfelt, powerful prowess as an inspirational speaker is unsurpassed. He travels everywhere delivering speeches and eulogies to bring hope and encouragement to his audiences and congregations. However, it’s Olivia, Charles’ dutiful, stay-at-home wife, who actually writes all of his orations and sermons and painstakingly coaches him on his delivery. On the surface they make a great team, but there’s something very wrong beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect relationship.
Read MoreCruelties of Our Shameful Past
Relentless – TimeLine Theatre
The pandemic has changed our lives for the foreseeable future, and restrictions have loosened up a bit. We’re allowed to gather in groups once more but we have to show proof that we’re fully vaccinated and wear a mask that covers both our nose and mouth. These measures help protect both ourselves and others from possible exposure to Covid. But, thankfully, the opportunity to attend a live play or musical in person has returned. Why do we enjoy going to the theatre so much? The reasons are many, but it usually boils down to a desire to get together and share entertainment and/or be enlightened in some way.
Read MoreWage War or Give In
Wellesley Girl – Compass Theatre
Brendan Pelsue’s futuristic one-act, which premiered at the 2016 Humana Festival, was originally scheduled for a Chicago production two years ago. Then along came Covid-19, which shut down everything in its wake. With the pandemic seemingly under some sort of control, the play was then scheduled to begin earlier this month, but, once again, the virus prevented that from happening. Now that Mr. Pelsue’s drama has finally opened, masked and vaccinated audiences can finally attend Compass Theatre’s first production of the new year. The rewards of this uneven production may be difficult to fully recommend.
Read MoreWho Will Get the Final Rose?
Bachelor: An Unauthorized Musical Parody – Right Angle Entertainment
After the great success of their parody of the British holiday film, “Love Actually,” Right Angle Entertainment has returned to the Apollo Theater with their new 75-minute musical entertainment that lampoons one of America’s most popular hit TV series. After 25 seasons of tears, laughter, love, rose ceremonies, and more melodrama than you can possibly imagine, dozens of beautiful people have been seen vying for love in this sappy television program. Like every other reality show, this one was ripe for a parody. So here it is—live and in person, featuring a stellar cast of seven topnotch, local actor/singers, all of whom know how to belt out a tune and land a comic line.
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