Clinging to Your Dreams

Hands on a Hardbody – Refuge Theatre Project

Welcome, ya’ll, to the Floyd King Nissan Dealership of Longview, Texas. It’s 1995 and a competitive giveaway is about to commence. Ten passionately-committed individuals of this dismal little town, from all ages and backgrounds, will attempt to win a cherry red pickup truck; but the winner is the contestant who has the stamina to keep one hand on the vehicle the longest and outlast all the others. This simple-sounding premise may sound like a breeze; but, in reality, it will turn out to be anything but easy.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Herland – Redtwist Theatre

Herland, a new play getting its Chicago premiere at Redtwist, is the story of three friends who decide that rather than shuffle off to a sad retirement community, they are going to form one of their own. Their defacto leader, Jean, converts her garage, the previously off-limits rehearsal space for her ex-husband’s Bruce Springsteen cover band, into her office and the headquarters of their planned retirement community. She hires an intern to help them, primarily by being more comfortable with technology. The name of the play is taken from a 1915 utopian novel about a world with no men.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2 Unfortunate 2 Travel – Prop Thtr

Seeking to escape the outcome of the Election that Shall Not Be Named, Jack takes off on a tour of the world. Returning with a diary full of his journeys, he turns the portrayal of his travels over a group of six women to bring the stories to life.

The Past, Present and Future Merge

The Time Warp Trio – Lifeline Theatre

Joe, Fred and Sam are three kids who find they suddenly have the power to travel through time and space to the past, present and even the future. The magical talisman that enables them to accomplish this feat is a birthday gift, given to Joe by his magician uncle, simply called “The Book.” The adventures these three friends enjoy together also provides the added benefit of teaching facts about each era and locale to which they travel. They’re able to learn firsthand from all kinds of famous men and women from history, people who inspire their daily lives.

A Trip Through the Arab World

Detour Guide – Silk Road Rising

Travel can be kind of expensive these days. Most often one must tap into his savings to be able to afford a vacation that will take him to romantic and mystical locales on the other side of the planet. But this 90 minute journey through the Arab World, guided by Egyptian-American storyteller, musician and dancer, Karim Nagi, can be a money-saving alternative trip that will yield a fantastic educational and cultural experience.

The Choices We Make

A Bronx Tale – Broadway in Chicago

This latest offering from Broadway in Chicago was ten years in development. The musical is based upon a story that became a play and then a film, of the same name, by film actor Chazz Palminteri. The expanded musical version of a one-man show, with a book by Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater,  premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in February of 2016. It eventually opened on Broadway later that same year, co-directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks, and only closed last summer.

Monkeying Around in the Salon

Ruse of Medusa – Facility Theatre

Facility Theatre is a Chicago collective, that relishes searching for and locating rarely seen works and original plays and producing them with a fresh eye and an alternative perspective. With their current production, Dado, Facility’s resident director, has taken a forgotten short play by Erik Satie and put her own stamp on it. To say that Windy City audiences have never seen anything like this is an understatement.

Don’t Feed the Plants!

Little Shop of Horrors – Mercury Theater

Under the guidance of the superb team of director Walter Stearns and musical director Eugene Dizon, Mercury Theater has a bonafide hit to welcome the spring season. This company has recently produced several winning productions, sellout sensations that confirm the Mercury as one of Chicago’s finest theaters. In this current campy and impressively produced presentation, Mr. Stearns mines every ounce of humor, satire and wit from this cult classic. Audiences familiar with the musical, as well as those who are new to its hilarious, satirical sci-fi love story, will be singing the praises of this show-stopping production.

The World Inside a Frame

The Bridges of Madison County – Theo Ubqiue Cabaret Theatre

Happily, Fred Anzevino has worked his magic once again. In the earlier, much-awaited opening of Theo Ubique’s shiny, new theatre space in Evanston, there were some problems with the balance of sound between the singers and the accompaniment. But all of those kinks were eventually corrected after opening night. With “The Bridges of Madison County,” their second production, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre is back once again as a Chicagoland treasure. This new production sparkles with talent and artistry, thanks to Mr. Anzevino’s always dazzling, distinguished, collaborative work.

Monster Jam 2019

Monster Jam 2019 is fun for the whole family. It’s a  great adrenaline rush, without any real dangers. The way these massive machines can move, turn and fly thru the air is incredible. 8 trucks compete during many different events including the 2 wheel challenge, donut competition and they even bring out the ATVs to race.