All stories by Jerald Pierce on BroadwayStars

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Does theater have to be on a stage? Teatro Vista’s new co-leaders challenge themselves and the company to think different by Jerald Pierce

With its “Futurology” season, guided by co-artistic directors Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo, Teatro Vista offers a glimpse at the future of the company.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Monday, November 29, 2021

How does the Goodman Theatre try out new plays? New Stages is back with free live performances in December by Jerald Pierce

Audiences can get an early look at theater’s future. “New Stages is a really important part of our new-work pipeline,” said director of new works Jonathan L. Green. “It feels great t…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Monday, November 22, 2021

Review: Let ‘Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins’ by Strawdog Theatre be a new Chicago holiday tradition by Jerald Pierce

On the first night of Hanukkah, a quirky band of actors comes across a town and they look to trade a story for food and shelter. That story tells the tale of Hershel as he spends Hanukkah ou…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:25PM
Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Review: ‘Hundred Days’ by Kokandy Productions is a moving story about grief, death and love, told through a concert-like play by Jerald Pierce

“Hundred Days” allows love to shine through the darkness of grief. The story plays out over the course of essentially an hour-and-a-half concert featuring a mix of folk and punk music.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:37PM
Sunday, November 7, 2021

Review: ‘Pump Boys & Dinettes’ is Porchlight Music Theatre’s warm welcome return for its audiences. Pie, anyone? by Jerald Pierce

When the cast bursts onto the stage with a blast of warm energy against the quickly cooling Chicago weather, it’s clear that there are few better ways to spend 90 minutes than with gas sta…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:36AM
Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Review: ‘The Last Pair of Earlies’ at Raven Theatre is set in Chicago and the South, exploring a marriage heading in different directions by Jerald Pierce

The play follows two tracks: One, with a young Wayland wanting to move away from the racism he’s facing in Mississippi and to Chicago. In the other, Della Rose sits dreaming of a chance fo…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM
Monday, October 18, 2021

Far from closed: Mercury Theater on Southport is back, both its mainstage and cabaret, and first up is ‘Sister Act’ by Jerald Pierce

As the Mercury Theater reopens, it looks to become a place for artistic growth and community. “For those audience members coming back, it’s still going to be the same great Mercury that …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM
Thursday, October 14, 2021

Athenaeum Theatre on Southport plans a renovation, as well as a new mission and new name by Jerald Pierce

Now called the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, the historic venue company will undergo a series of renovations, beginning with a $4 million first-floor project.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Review: ‘This Wide Night’ invites audiences to open their hearts to pair of women just out of prison by Jerald Pierce

Inspired by real accounts of women in a U.K. prison, this Chicago premiere is presented by Shattered Globe Theatre in association with Interrobang Theatre Project.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Friday, October 1, 2021

Review: ‘Drunk Shakespeare’ cast attempts, hilariously, to tap into ‘Macbeth’ — drinkers with a Shakespeare problem by Jerald Pierce

Tucked away in a corner of the Loop, "Drunk Shakespeare,” created by Scott Griffin and David Hudson, sets about telling the story of Macbeth’s rise to and fall from power through improvi…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Thursday, September 30, 2021

First big touring musical back in Chicago? ‘Rent’ — including cast members on return visits by Jerald Pierce

“Every person, no matter who you are, no matter what walk of life you come from, there’s someone on that stage that you can relate to in some capacity," said Javon King about "Rent."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Collaboraction’s Peacebook includes Karen Olivo in her first time on stage since departing Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ by Jerald Pierce

This Saturday, Collaboraction will present the second night of its sixth annual Peacebook Festival, featuring a series of films and solo reflections on the topic of peace.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:16PM
Thursday, September 23, 2021

Destinos Latino Theater Fest is back on stage: With plays from Chicago, Mexico and elsewhere, what to expect from 2021 by Jerald Pierce

After a year away, Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival returns to brighten Chicago stages with presenters both local and international.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Review: ‘The Infinite Wrench’ is back on the Neo-Futurist stage without missing a beat by Jerald Pierce

The basics remain the same: The Neo-Futurists ensemble attempts to perform 30 short plays in 60 minutes, with the order of the plays determined by the audience.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:46PM
Monday, September 13, 2021

Longtime leader Ann Filmer steps down at 16th Street Theater in Berwyn. Where does 16th Street go from here? by Jerald Pierce

A little more than a week ago, after 14 years at the helm of 16th Street Theater, she retired from from the company she had built. A new chapter begins for her and the theater, recognized fo…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Theatre Y’s ‘You Are Here’ invites audiences to walk with the theater and each other through Chicago’s South and West Sides — a 6-hour exper by Jerald Pierce

On a blistering Sunday afternoon, a walk around North Lawndale as part of Theatre Y’s “You Are Here” series perfectly encapsulated both the promise and the potential pitfalls of the th…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Monday, August 23, 2021

Stepping Stone aims to give diverse comedians a leg up and bring shows to more Chicago neighborhoods by Jerald Pierce

“I decided to just create my own theater where I can do the scouting and the searching myself for improvisers of all backgrounds, and give them a platform where they can not only perform, …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:57PM
Monday, August 16, 2021

Presto! Magic Lounge and other magic shows reopen in Chicago, putting the illusions right in front live audiences again by Jerald Pierce

At the Chicago Magic Lounge, the new Trickery and the Magic Parlour, the close-up magic is back. But magicians are finding their stage nerves, if not their hands, need some time to adjust ba…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Thursday, August 5, 2021

‘School Girls’ is back at Goodman Theatre after an overnight shutdown in 2020. But acting is something ‘we can’t just put in a box.’ by Jerald Pierce

This play directed by Lili-Anne Brown was closed on the edge of its opening night in 2020. All but one of the cast is back. But dusting it off and getting it back on stage has been no simple…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards