Photo: Liz Lauren
RECOMMENDED
“The tools of the theater are not the same as the tools of journalism.” Playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury recognizes the complex theater-versus-journalism trap that monologist Mike Daisey recently found himself ensnared in, and deftly maneuvers her script around it. Read the rest of this entry »
Amira Sabbagh, Joel Kim Booster, Joyee Lin, Jaii Beckley, Danny Bernardo, Christine Bunuan, and Dipika Cherala/Photo: Michael Brosilow
RECOMMENDED
Consider the holiday that many Americans just celebrated: a god, with a three-part persona, is one-third executed, only to return from the dead in, natch, three days. And part of the celebratory ritual is an act of metaphorically cannibalizing the deity. And, to top it off, add in painting the eggs of chickens and a mysterious rabbit who delivers confectionery fauna. Pretty exotic stuff if you were an alien or even just raised on the other side of this planet. This is the kind of cultural self-examination that “Re-Spiced: A Silk Road Cabaret” brings to mind as its cast of color plows through a carefully organized songbook of American and British tunes old and new that address, in some way, Asian and Middle Eastern themes. Woven into a clever and entertaining pastiche of songs, many focused on the “exoticness” of the East, are text excerpts drawn from the Western canon, the likes of Walt Whitman, Edith Wharton and Friedrich Nietzsche that punctuate or counterpoint the verses. Read the rest of this entry »
Anna Hammonds and Matthew Keffer
RECOMMENDED
N. Richard Nash’s 1954 story is a bit dusty, like the drought-stricken ranch where it’s set. But Boho’s gentle approach manages to breathe life into a classic.
The Curry family is struggling. Their cattle are dying of thirst and sister Lizzie (Anna Hammonds) pines for love. Brother Jim (Nate Santana) chafes in big brother Noah’s (Daniel Gilbert) shadow; father HC (Robert Frankel) tries to keep the peace. Enter Starbuck (Matthew Keffer), a dreaming schemer who promises to bring relief. Read the rest of this entry »
Greg Matthew Anderson/Photo: Johnny Knight
RECOMMENDED
The NEA’s denial of four artists’ grant money in the early nineties still provides grist for the creative mill; Lee Blessing’s 1999 solo response show explores artistic themes that still hold up today.
Performance artist Kerr (Greg Matthew Anderson) becomes the target of a conservative politician’s senatorial campaign. Accused of creating obscene art, Kerr’s grant money is revoked; in revenge, he plots to steal the politician’s photogenic dog as his next “performance piece.” What follows is a madcap criminal escapade that reinforces Kerr’s belief in the transformative power of art. Read the rest of this entry »
Northlight Theatre announces the final selection for its 2012-13 season, the World Premiere of Stella & Lou by Bruce Graham
Previously announced titles include Woody Sez—The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie, The Odd Couple, The Whipping Man and Stones in His Pockets
Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces the final selection for its 2012-13 season: the World Premiere of Bruce Graham’s Stella & Lou, directed by BJ Jones. Read the rest of this entry »
BROADWAY IN CHICAGO IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 2012-2013
BROADWAY IN CHICAGO SUBSCRIPTION SERIES: I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, KINKY BOOTS, SISTER ACT, DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, WAR HORSE AND PETER PAN
Off-season specials include: STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, ROCK OF AGES, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES and LES MISÉRABLES
CHICAGO (April 2, 2012) – Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the complete 2012-2013 subscription series. The upcoming season will include I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, KINKY BOOTS, SISTER ACT, DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, WAR HORSE and PETER PAN. Off-season specials include STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, ROCK OF AGES, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES and LES MISÉRABLES. The 2012-2013 Season Series emphasizes Broadway In Chicago’s long-standing commitment of bringing the best of Broadway to Chicago. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo: Sean Williams
RECOMMENDED
By placing the audience around communal tables (loaded with purchasable wine and beer) in a setting that manages to feel like a restaurant with a theater in it rather than the other way around, this delectable mix of Cirque du Soleil and fine dining helps establish a relaxed sense of camaraderie between audience members well before the on-stage theatrics begin. The thirty minutes prior to showtime are spent marveling over margaritas and appetizers with fellow patrons rather than just settling into assigned seats. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo: Martin Rayner and Mark H. Dold
RECOMMENDED
In our search for answers, we can turn to logic or spirit for comfort; many maintain we cannot turn to both. Mark St. Germain’s supple script focuses on the battle between science and religion and details the clash between two of its most respected devotees.
A cancer-stricken Sigmund Freud (Martin Rayner) receives a young C.S. Lewis (Mark H. Dold) on the eve of Britain’s entrance into World War II. The titans battle it out over the existence of God, analyze each other’s flaws, and pay tribute to the frailty of the human condition. Read the rest of this entry »
RECOMMENDED
Some called him a prophet. When he died of AIDS-related causes in 1997, more than a million people attended his funeral.
And now Fela lives. At least as long as Tony nominee Sahr Ngaujah is playing him on stage, the Afrobeat pioneer and political activist from Nigeria is brought to life in an astonishing performance. Ngaujah sings with his explosive band, grabbing a sax and taking the instrumental lead on several occasions. He dances with his “queens” and vamps effortlessly with the crowd in a show designed to portray the final show ever at his Lagos nightclub, The Shrine. He rouses the audience with his story of fierce activism in trying to change his corrupt government, even in the face of immense persecution and personal loss. Read the rest of this entry »
Pat Whalen and Andrew Swanson
RECOMMENDED
Jackalope’s latest is a taut pas de deux that examines life’s banal cruelty. The piece’s central issue (do you know who you are?) transforms into the larger, more sinister question: Does anybody know anyone?
Royall (Andrew Burden Swanson) waits for the arrival of actor Gerry (Pat Whalen), who hopes to rent Royall’s lake house. The interview digresses to wide-ranging tangents concerning survival and sacrifice. Read the rest of this entry »
