All stories by Scotty Zacher on BroadwayStars

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
Sunday, March 15, 2015

Review: The Full Monty (Kokandy Productions) by Scotty Zacher

Kokandy’s Full Monty pulls off what few shows can - it’s clever in every way, but never winks at its audience. Thanks to wonderful writing, direction, design and acting, we get a ragtag …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 05:05PM
Friday, January 30, 2015

Temporary Post Used For Theme Detection (f329aa33-bb3a-42da-ae73-7594f6af14ae – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7) by Scotty Zacher

This is a temporary post that was not deleted. Please delete this manually. (133a13e8-a72d-430b-8a2d-5121abd5b164 – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:26PM

Temporary Post Used For Theme Detection (7c5aedfa-966d-470d-b073-7361fd525e31 – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7) by Scotty Zacher

This is a temporary post that was not deleted. Please delete this manually. (16b900d3-bd6d-4a75-be30-9dda5def562b – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:03PM
Monday, January 19, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Review: Panic on Cloud 9 (Second City of Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

Panic on Cloud 9 showcases the best of Chicago sketch comedy. It’s the perfect show to bring your friends and family who are visiting from out of town and a great destination for local ske…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 04:43PM
Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Review: The Humans (American Theater Company) by Scotty Zacher

This is a small, deceptively quiet play where the fireworks of family implosion reverberate in your head long after the curtain has come down. There’s wisdom, humor, and deep honesty fou…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:06PM
Monday, December 22, 2014

Review: Pericles (Chicago Shakespeare) by Scotty Zacher

Chicago Shakes’ winter’s tale is as fun to feel as its plot is forgettable to recall. Director David H. Bell’s glorious stage pictures will stay with you long after the seemingly impro…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 10:37PM
Saturday, December 20, 2014

Tweet of the Week–from a “Newsies” cast member by Scotty Zacher

Tweet of the Week (from "Newsies" cast member): fyi, if you're filming our show from the third row and think we can't see you...we can.

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 12:41PM
Friday, December 19, 2014

Review: A Klingon Christmas Carol (Commedia Beauregard, 2014) by Scotty Zacher

Everything about this production is well-crafted, but particularly the juxtaposition of Kidder-Mostrom’s calm Vulcan with the rambunctious Klingons. A combination of terrific costumes, mak…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:13AM
Thursday, December 18, 2014

Review: Newsies (Broadway in Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

In a nutshell, Newsies’ choreography alone is worth the price of a ticket. The running time is bloated, the added songs leave a lot to be desired, and the female character is eye roll-wort…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 07:10PM
Saturday, December 13, 2014

Review: The Nutcracker (Joffrey Ballet, 2014) by Scotty Zacher

Joffrey Ballet, annual production takes audiences on a magical journey to a dream world of dance. With a lush, dramatic design and an impeccably cast ensemble, Joffrey’s Nutcracker is brim…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:37PM
Thursday, December 11, 2014

Review: Twist Your Dickens or Scrooge You! (Second City at Goodman Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

If you, like me, need your egg nog with a little bourbon or your favorite holiday special is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, Second City and Goodman have cooked up a satirical…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 09:07PM
Sunday, December 7, 2014

Review: Holmes and Watson (City Lit Theater) by Scotty Zacher

Adapter/director Terry McCabe takes a minimalist approach to these pieces - not much lighting, set or sound effects accompany the action. McCabe relies upon Doyle’s revered writing and a …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:52PM
Saturday, December 6, 2014

Review: The Christmas Schooner (Mercury Theater, 2014) by Scotty Zacher

Nineteen years after its advent, this show has become as essential to a Chicago Christmas as the lights on the Magnificent Mile. But it’s especially crucial when it comes to the central s…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:12PM
Sunday, November 30, 2014

Review: Titanic (Griffin Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Big musical about a big ship works in this small package as Director Scott Weinstein and his talented design team have created a theatrical world where your imagination fills in the details.…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 01:58PM
Saturday, November 29, 2014

Review: The Testament of Mary (Victory Gardens Theater) by Scotty Zacher

For anyone who’s ever wondered what Jesus’ mother felt like while watching her son’s brutal murder at the hands of a corrupt government, this script is ultimately very rewarding. Chock…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 05:40PM
Friday, November 28, 2014

Review: Mud, River, Stone (Eclipse Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Nottage’s story seems to aspire to shine a light on the unfairly desperate straits endured by Africans struggling to navigate a racist and classist societal structure that’s both toxic a…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 10:59PM
Saturday, November 22, 2014

Review: Porgy and Bess (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2014) by Scotty Zacher

An unmissable American classic! By the end of Lyric’s Porgy and Bess, I was flabbergasted by how moved I was not just by the stellar quality of the music itself but the humanity of those …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:33PM
Thursday, November 20, 2014

Review: Annie (Broadway in Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

The latest national tour of Annie the Musical, directed by the musical’s lyricist Martin Charnin for the umpteenth time, at times feels a bit stale, but show-stealing performances and lova…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 03:44PM
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Review: Lotto Fever in the Sucker State (Saint Sebastian Players) by Scotty Zacher

Lotto Fever’s main issue is its source material. Not the setting or time period, not the characters, but a script that can’t effectively straddle the line between pathos and belly laughs…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:49PM
Saturday, November 15, 2014

Review: Frederick (Chicago Children’s Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

The world premier of Leo Lionni's classic children's picture book Frederick is an example of good theater for children that isn't JUST for children. So many little touches throughout this mu…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 05:58PM
Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review: A Bright Room Called Day (Spartan Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

A Bright Room is timely viewing for liberals after the recent mid-term elections. Kushner’s morality fable on the dangers of complacency is a clarion call to rally against its dangers - we…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:38PM
Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review: Great Expectations (Strawdog Theatre, 2014) by Scotty Zacher

Since this is a Charles Dickens adaption, it feels perfectly right for the holidays, so thoroughly have his novels stamped the season. But, seasonal relevance aside, the play, like the book,…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 06:20PM
Sunday, November 9, 2014

Review: Watch on the Rhine (The Artistic Home) by Scotty Zacher

Lillian Hellman’s story is a solid American classic that remains as timely now as it was more than 60 years ago. But at the Artistic Home, that story hits the ear with such inauthenticity …

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 11:58PM
Friday, November 7, 2014

Review: Welcome to America (Prologue Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

As our understanding of the human condition increases, our ability to lay blame becomes more nuance. Getting passed that difficult, visceral desire to hate without contemplation is not at al…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 10:04PM
Monday, November 3, 2014

Review: Animal Farm (Steppenwolf Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Thanks to tight direction of a solid adaptation, starkly effective production values and spot-on character development, this Animal Farm is a brutal, thought-provoking journey for students a…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 08:58PM
Sunday, November 2, 2014

Review: King Lear (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) by Scotty Zacher

With Barbara Gaines at the directing helm, the powerful, entertaining performances of this cast roll over the few missteps mentioned. The production is a great chance to catch up on one of S…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 02:12PM

Review: The Frozen on the Square, 1982 (Akvavit Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Akvavit Theatre once again mounts a challenging Nordic play and cultivates interesting moments that might not be obvious from a simple reading of the text. But this time they don’t do quit…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 12:39AM
Saturday, November 1, 2014

Review: Whatever We Want (Vivarium Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

At its best, Megan Johns' new work Whatever We Want is a contemplative reflection on how early experiences shape who we become. But one needs to clear away the cliches and stock characters t…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 07:15PM

Review: Both Your Houses (Remy Bumppo Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

The prescient Both Your Houses attempts to skewer the sausage-making process of churning out legislation. But despite its inherent timeliness, the production has all drama of an 8th grade pr…

SOURCE: Chicago Theater Beat at 04:52PM

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