Chicago Theatre Review
An Over-Exuberant New Holiday Musical
The Land of Forgotten Toys – Greenhouse Theatre
Amidst a growing crop of holiday productions, Chicago is being treated to yet another new family friendly show. Chirpy, relentlessly over-exuberant and with very few moments of reflection or subtlety, this new holiday musical could really use some layers and a bit of variety. As it now plays in its world premiere, the production is a little overpowering. It’s a little like sitting in the front row of an IMAX theatre: there’s no escape.
Read MoreSend in the Clowns
Burning Bluebeard – The Ruffians
Audiences flocking to the theatre these days seldom give any thought to their own personal safety. Even back at the turn of the century, only 30 years after the Great Chicago Fire, there was little cause for alarm…that is until Chicago’s Iroquois Theatre, billed as “absolutely fireproof,” caught fire during an oversold matinee, on December 30, 1903. Who could’ve imagined that a holiday pantomime entitled “Mr. Bluebeard” would result in one of the most tragic losses of life in American history.
Read MoreA Tribute to the Common Man
Working – Theo Ubique Cabaret
The dreams, duties and dynamics of the everyday worker are celebrated in this wonderful musical play. A tribute to the common man, Stephen Schwartz’s musical first saw the light of day at the Goodman Theatre in 1977, and eventually opened on Broadway the following year. It was nominated for six Tony Awards in 1978 and has been produced around the world ever since. Continually being updated by the playwright, this latest version of the musical is being given a fresh, gorgeous new production at Fred Anzevino’s Evanston cabaret theatre.
Read MoreStill Not an Elf on the Shelf
The Santaland Diaries – Goodman Theatre
The holiday season isn’t always a time for unbridled joy and delight as movies, musicals and television specials would have you believe. Even that crabby old curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge, eventually found Christmas to be a season of joy and renewal. But ask anyone working in the public sector during the holidays, especially in retail or hospitality, where they’ve suffered the indignities and downright rudeness of people at their worst, and you’ll understand how some folks look at Christmas in an entirely different light.
Read MoreAn Italian Feast for the Eye and Ear
The Light in the Piazza – Lyric Opera of Chicago
Elizabeth Spencer’s beloved 1960 novella about an American mother and her young daughter on vacation in Italy became a popular film just two years later. It starred Olivia de Havilland, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton and Rossano Brazzi. Then, in 2003, book writer Craig Lucas and composer Adam Guettel teamed up to develop a theatrical musical version of this heartwarming story. This artistic collaboration began its journey at Seattle’s Intiman Playhouse, completing its pre-Broadway course at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, a year later.
Read MoreWe’re All Orphans
The Christmas Foundling – Pride Films & Plays
On a cold Christmas Eve in 1850, high in the Sierra foothills of California, a pregnant young woman stumbles into the crude, cabin of gold prospectors, Hoke and Old Jake. Hoke helps deliver her baby and, before he can learn her name or where she’s from, the woman dies in his arms. Not very learned in the art of childrearing, Hoke and his partner Old Jake at least realize the baby is crying because he’s hungry. They borrow a nanny goat from one of their male buddies and the child, whom Hoke names Tom, thrives.
Read MoreA Holiday Reality Show
America’s Best Outcast Toy – Pride Film & Plays
A delightfully original new holiday musical is debuting in the Buena neighborhood and is both nostalgic and current, at the same time. The shift in television entertainment from sitcoms and dramas to reality shows inspired this spunky musical spectacular. With a brilliant book and lyrics by Larry Todd Cousineau and a catchy score by Cindy O’Connor (the team that wrote the Jeff Recommended “All That He Was”), savvy theatergoers have a brand new holiday alternative available to them, premiering this year at Pride Films and Plays.
Read MoreYou Can Chris-My-Ass-Miss!
Q Brothers Christmas Carol – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
The amount of sheer energy overflowing from this production, coupled with its flash and fleetness, along with the abundant entertainment value and cleverness of the script and songs, makes for a joyful evening at the theatre. This is one holiday production that could easily be enjoyed at any time of the year. And while the show might be aimed at younger theatergoers, savvy audiences of all ages will delight in the imaginative retelling of a familiar story.
Read MoreYou Gotta Have Friends
Bette: Xmas at the Continental Baths – Hell in a Handbag
Wrap that towel around you, settle back with a stiff one and get ready to enjoy The Divine Miss M, at her holiday best. Once again it’s the early 1970’s, and we’re at Manhattan’s popular gay bathhouse where Bette Midler, portrayed at Mary’s Attic by the incomparably talented Caitlin Jackson, came to prominence. Ms. Jackson, her tumbler filled with vodka, is cheerfully serving up an hour of some of Ms. Midler’s best, most beloved tunes. She also treats the audience to a few of Bette Midler’s bawdy Sophie Tucker jokes. The show is all wrapped up in a colorfully festive holiday setting, courtesy of Jeremy Hollis; and Ms. Jackson’s wigs, courtesy of Keith Ryan, self-designed costumes, assisted by the talent of David Cerda, complete the period look.
Read MoreNaughty and Nice
The Golden Girls: The Lost EpisodesThe Holiday Edition, Vol. 2 – Hell in a Handbag
Deck the halls and Come, all ye faithful, they’re back! But face it, how could they possibly stay away? It’s Christmas, and those merry matrons of Miami—Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia—have returned to Mary’s Attic in another holiday special. Multitalented playwright, costumer, actor and Hell in a Handbag Artistic Director, David Cerda, has once again crafted another delightfully dishy drag parody of the iconic 1980’s NBC sitcom. Due to their well-deserve popularity and bawdy, R-rated humor, these naughty but nice comedies have become a holiday staple in Chicago.
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