Chicago Theatre Review
The Vocabulary of Touch
In His Hands
The scriptures tell us that our very existence and the human condition are not controlled by those aggressors who would attack, persecute or oppress us. It’s said that God doesn’t create junk. We are all individuals with different personalities, wants and needs. Our lives are in His hands; indeed, as this beautifully performed one-act play opens, theatergoers hear a voice in the darkness singing, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” But the title of Benjamin Benne’s gay romantic comedy might also be referring to someone special in each of our lives who lovingly holds our heats and best interests in his hands, as well.
Read MoreBustin’ Out All Over
Carousel
Chicagoland audiences are in for a magical and moving musical treat with Music Theater Works’ second production of its 2024 season. Showcasing one of the best of the Rodgers and Hammerstein canon, this exquisite presentation follows their incredible production of THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. The company’s latest offering is a seldom-produced romantic musical by America’s iconic composer and lyricist team. Based upon “Liliom,” Ferenc Molnar’s tragic 1909 drama, this gorgeous musical, like their first hit, OKLAHOMA, became another groundbreaker in American theatre back in 1945, with its antihero, dark themes and poignant ending. And Music Theater Works’ new production, so full of talent, is simply “bustin’ out all over.”
Read MoreDown the Hole
Alice By Heart
Bombs are exploding everywhere and the sirens are directing everyone to take shelter. Wading through the debris, everyone heads down the hole into the Tube Station for safety. It’s 1941 and the London Blitz of WWII is in full force. The English refugees are a mixed lot. They include a no-nonsense Doctor, a brusque Red Cross Nurse, a spoiled young man and woman, who are clearly of the upper crust, as well as a variety of British commoners. But when teenaged Alice Spencer and her dear friend Alfred join the group seeking shelter, we learn that the young man is very sick and must be quarantined. Alfred is afflicted with incurable tuberculosis and, unfortunately, doesn’t have much time left in his young life. Thus, the fragile and filmy quality of Time weaves throughout the theme of this new musical, now enjoying its Midwest Premiere in Chicago.
Read MoreGinger Minj Presents
Big Gay Cabaret
Ring out the news! Two of Chicago’s most famous and best-loved LGBTQIA+ cabaret performers are performing for only two nights at the Mercury Theater in their monthly Big Gay Cabaret series. This time, the shows are practically sellouts, with two performances scheduled, not in the more intimate Venus Cabaret venue but, due to popular demand, in the mainstage theater. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the lovely, cleverly comic, multi-gifted Alexandra Billings and Honey West. These two hilarious storytellers and talented songsters appear together in a wonderful cabaret show, presented by Ginger Minj, from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Read MoreMagic Soaring Up into the Sky
Peter and the Starcatcher
Are you a fan of magic that soars up into the sky? Of books, films and plays that, like “Wicked,” provide a backstory for characters from other classic stories? If so, you’ll be excited and totally enchanted by this hilarious, highly imaginative play, which is the opening production of Paramount’s 2024-25 Bold Series at the Copley Theatre. The 2012 multi-Tony Award-winner was based upon a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson entitled Peter and the Starcatchers. But in addition to presenting a captivating new story, theatergoers will learn how a character named Boy gained his new name, Peter Pan, who is Molly and what’s her relationship to Wendy, how the Mermaids and Tinker Bell came to be, who were the Lost Boys, how Hook really lost his hand and earned his new moniker, whence came Mister Grin the ticking crocodile, how Peter decided to call his island Neverland and how Peter Pan learned how to fly.
Read MoreA Much-Loved Musical Classic
Les Miserables
It’s said that Alain Boublil became inspired to adapt Victor Hugo’s sweeping 1862 novel of injustice, forgiveness and survival to the musical stage while watching a production of “Oliver.” The character of the Artful Dodger reminded him of young Gavroche at the barricade. From there this much-loved Musical Classic, with a gorgeous, lush score by Claude-Michel Schonberg, became a concept album followed by the French theatrical premiere in Paris in 1980, and then a brilliant 1985 English production in London’s West End.
Read MoreThe Power of Friendship
Lord of the Rings—A Musical Tale
As this sprawling saga begins to unfold, the audience is warmly welcomed into the realm of Middle-earth by a joyous ensemble of characters. Theatergoers are invited to join the community of Hobbits gathered to celebrate the eleventy-first birthday of the Shire’s patriarch, Bilbo Baggins. Without further ado, Bilbo announces at his party that he’s about to leave the Shire on a journey of personal reflection. However, Bilbo has decided to bequeath to his favorite young nephew, Frodo Baggins, his house, all his possessions and, most especially, a mysterious golden ring. From the beginning, the audience, even those unfamiliar with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, will sense that there’s something magical and ominous about the ring. As Frodo accepts the One Ring, his odyssey commences in which he will learn the enduring power of friendship and how love can conquer evil.
Read MoreMemories Are Made of This
Million Dollar Quartet
Who could guess that an historical moment in early rock/country music history would eventually become a popular, highly-acclaimed jukebox musical? On a cold afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee, back in December of 1956, four of the top names in American music happened to stop by Sun Studio. They included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and a new kid on the block named Jerry Lee Lewis. Sam Phillips, who singlehandedly turned a deserted auto repair shop into a successful recording studio, had a role in launching the careers of all four of these musical giants. That day, Phillips goaded his Fab Four into singing some of their greatest hits as he recorded the session for posterity. He dubbed this gathering of stellar musical talent his “Million Dollar Quartet.” The rest is musical theatrical history proving that “Memories Are Made of This.”
Read MoreEveryone’s Got Their Own Thing
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Poor Pigeon. The little bird wants it all and is obsessed with so many interests, goals and ambitions. His latest passion is inspired by the new bus stop sign that was just erected on the street corner. Then, suddenly, when the August Rush Express bus shows up, Pigeon is even more inspired to become a bus driver. Without any hesitation Pigeon falls in love with this shiny, new public transportation vehicle. And in spite of everyone telling him he can’t, from the hip, street smart Bus Driver to the urban passengers hoping to get to their destinations on time, Pigeon is determined to fulfill his ambition. Then the Bus Driver inspires Pigeon to look at all the things he CAN do, reassuring him that “Everyone’s got their own thing.”
Read MoreBlank Theatre Company’s THE MAD ONES burns like a roman candle.
“[…]the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes “Awww!”
Front: Rachel Guth (Samantha Brown); Back: Anne Sheridan-Smith (Beverly Brown), Karylin Veres (Kelly Manning), and Aiden Leake (Adam) photo by Elizabeth Stenholt
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