All stories by Scotty Zacher on BroadwayStars

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Review: After Miss Julie (Strawdog Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

               After Miss Julie Written by Patrick Marber Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway (map) thru Sept 28  | …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:07PM
Saturday, August 29, 2015

Review: Twisted Melodies (Congo Square Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

In 100 minutes, writer-performer Kelvin Roston Jr.’s explosive one-person-show Twisted Melodies examines the tragic life of Donny Hathaway, exploring this troubled composer from the inside…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:32PM

Review: Kurios (Cirque du Soleil) by Scotty Zacher

From trapeze to clowning to acrobatics, Kurios is part old-school circus and part new wave entertainment that will surprise and gratify young and old alike. Highly Recommended! (read Lauren …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 05:25PM
Friday, August 21, 2015

Review: Assassination Theater (Museum of Broadcast Communications) by Scotty Zacher

Assassination Theater is a brilliantly packaged, fiercely forensic and seamlessly debated indictment of the Chicago mob as brazen history-changers who got away with the biggest murder of the…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 12:10AM
Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Review: South Pacific (Light Opera Works) by Scotty Zacher

South Pacific is one of Light Opera Works’ liveliest productions to date, thanks to the energy of the young and sexy cast as well as the upbeat songs, particularly in the first act. Highly…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 02:40PM
Monday, August 17, 2015

Review: The Boy from Oz (Pride Films and Plays) by Scotty Zacher

This Boy From Oz is definitely worth watching - composer-performer Peter Allen experiences a compelling journey, punctuated by catchy music and dance, and just enough poignancy that doesn’…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:26PM
Friday, August 14, 2015

Review: Loving Repeating (Kokandy Productions) by Scotty Zacher

Loving Repeating is a precious gift from a groundbreaking author brought to light by stunning adaptation, direction and onstage talent. This production is a true labor of love, and should be…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:21PM
Thursday, August 13, 2015

Review: Last Train to Nibroc (Haven Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Last Train to Nibroc is a sweet, pleasant reminder that two dynamic actors and a lovely script is all one needs for a wonderful audience experience. It’s nice to know these plays still exi…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:25PM
Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Review: Truth in Context (The Agency Theater Collective) by Scotty Zacher

If this piece were even a little bit different from the standard workplace drama, it would be enjoyable. The potential exists, as dies the talent. Unfortunately, the writer doesn’t take ch…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:50PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Review: Hamlet (Muse of Fire Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

The talented cast does a beautiful job concentrating on dialogue and acting, and is more than up to the Shakespearean challenge. There’s a reason Hamlet has lasted through the ages - it’…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 07:45PM
Sunday, August 9, 2015

Review: Bette, Live at the Continental Baths (Hell in a Handbag Productions) by Scotty Zacher

Whether you’re a casual listener or a devotee, Bette represents some of Handbag’s strongest work to date, and is an utterly unmissable accolade for a living legend. Highly Recommended. …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 04:24PM
Friday, August 7, 2015

Review: A Perfect Ganesh (Eclipse Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

A Perfect Ganesh suffers prominently from a case of the overs, but is ultimately saved by the splendid cast, most particularly Jeannie Affelder as Katherine. Slightly Recommended. (read Cli…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:33PM
Sunday, August 2, 2015

Review: Feast (Albany Park Theater Project, 2015) by Scotty Zacher

Everyone should see Feast, especially those who worry about the future of our country. Listening to snapping fingers, cheering and clapping hands, witnessing the glorious work of 25 smart an…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:50PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Review: [title of show] (The Brown Paper Box Company) by Scotty Zacher

As a deconstructionist riff on the entire musical genre, [title of show] is almost critic-resistant since it critiques itself. Don't miss [title of show] if you're looking for some frisky f…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 05:47PM
Friday, July 24, 2015

Review: Anne of Green Gables (Provision Theater) by Scotty Zacher

Anne of Green Gables is a wonderful novel for all ages, that’s withstood the test of time. Unfortunately, Provision Theater’s adaptation is disappointing at best and borderline sacrilege…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 03:52PM
Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Review: Kinky Boots (Broadway in Chicago, 2015) by Scotty Zacher

Kinky Boots returns to its birthplace a bit more mature and riding a wave of goodwill and awards. Kinky's a great, feel-good musical and a crowd pleasing contribution to the conversation we…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:33PM
Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Review: Good People (Redtwist Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

In "Good People", Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire gives us a brutally true play about America today. Our country's class system has never been split further apart. Why should theater be any …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 12:40AM
Thursday, June 18, 2015

Review: The Birds (Griffin Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Despite inconsistencies, Director Kevin Kingston and company manage to elevate the source material to something eminently watchable and suspenseful, creating the subtle tension-filled arc fo…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:44PM
Sunday, June 14, 2015

Review: Summer Series (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, 2015) by Scotty Zacher

Resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo is not so much an artist as a maestro. It’s only fitting that Hubbard Street’s Summer Series is an evening-length celebration of Cerrudo, who’s…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:26PM
Thursday, June 11, 2015

Review: The Secret Garden (Court Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Don’t miss your chance to see Court Theatre’s beautifully haunting “Garden” this month – it’s the perfect way to jump-start your summer! (read Lauren Whalen's entire review...)

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:57PM
Friday, June 5, 2015

Review: Who Too (Right Brain Project) by Scotty Zacher

This show falls into the category of well-written, well-produced fan fiction that delights in sharing its passion and devotion of Dr. Who with both its target audience and those just diving …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:48PM

Review: Once (Broadway in Chicago, 2015) by Scotty Zacher

Watching the musical Once is akin to seeing a moving, breathing, singing portrait of a life in which the ordinary becomes extraordinary. I was amazed, saddened, and uplifted - highly recomme…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 04:25PM
Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Finalists announced for 4th Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards by Scotty Zacher

Broadway in Chicago announces the 24 high school finalists for the 4th Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards, with the awards ceremony to be held at Broadway Playhouse on Monday…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:47PM
Thursday, May 7, 2015

Review: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Porchlight Music Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Porchlight is renowned for their excellent vocals and wonderful production values, and Forum is no exception. Highly Recommended! (see photos and production video at Lauren Whalen's full rev…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:09PM
Saturday, May 2, 2015

Review: New Works (Joffrey Ballet of Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

Due to the NFL draft, Joffrey was moved to the Cadillac Palace rather than the Auditorium. However, the Joffrey Ballet would be compelling in a church basement. Whatever the venue, their per…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 10:22PM
Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Review: Angry Fags (Pride Films and Plays) by Scotty Zacher

Given more time and at least one rewrite, Angry Fags can be a stirring, provocative play - the script has all the right ingredients. Though Pride Films and Plays’ production at Steppenwolf…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:37PM
Saturday, April 18, 2015

Review: Heat Wave (Cold Basement Dramatics) by Scotty Zacher

Heat Wave should be required viewing for every Chicagoan. Cold Basement Dramatics’ exceptional production highlights the scarier side of our city’s history – and the resilience of thos…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:29PM
Friday, April 10, 2015

Review: The Walk Across America for Mother Earth (Red Tape Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

While Red Tape Theatre's production values and choreography for "Walk Across Americ" are impressive, the script lags where it should snap and the players seem too caught up in their own worl…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 07:42PM
Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Review: The Hammer Trinity (The House Theatre of Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

Viewed separately or together, The Hammer Trinity makes believers of cynics, combining stirring staging, gorgeous design and stellar acting to do what the House does best: make great theater…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:46PM

Review: On An Average Day (Spartan Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

This stripped-down production had its shortcomings, but overall is an excellent example of accomplishing a great deal with very little. In under two hours, Spartan Theatre creates an intimat…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:45PM
Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: The Illusionists (Broadway in Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

Though some bits may be too scary for the most wee ones among us, this is fun for the whole brood. Everything is zippy and well-choreographed, complete with a live band, dancers and pyrotech…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:13PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre