All stories by Aaron Hunt on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

By The Sword Excalibur: A Review of Camelot at Music Theater Works by Aaron Hunt

Music Theater Works offers a version, as directed by Brianna Borger, that promises to focus on the characters, having set aside the fussy pageantry.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Monday, October 24, 2022

In The Library With A Quip and A Pratfall: A Review of Clue at Mercury Theater by Aaron Hunt

If you’re a fan of the board game or the movie, or if you just love to belly-laugh over witty rejoinders and beautifully executed stand-up comedy, “Clue” at Mercury Theater is just the…

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Monday, September 12, 2022

Lyric Opera Opens With A Verdian Banquet: A Review of Ernani at Lyric Opera by Aaron Hunt

Beginning his second full-time season with Lyric, Enrique Mazzola proves once again his connection to the early operas of Verdi, shepherding Lyric’s fine orchestra, mighty chorus, and a gr…

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Ghosts of Georgia: Is Terry Guest’s “The Magnolia Ballet” Fable or Parable? by Aaron Hunt

The piece is given the category of “Southern Gothic Fable,” a moniker that deserves unpacking.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Children Will Find The Door: A Review of Mary Rose at Black Button Eyes Productions by Aaron Hunt

There is more than a kernel of something fantastic here. This is the sort of thing that storefront theater in Chicago can create out of spit-and-a-snit.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021

Is That A Heart In Your Handbag? A Review of Christmas Dearest at Hell In A Handbag Productions by Aaron Hunt

If you’ve been needing a little Christmas, and you’ve gotten to the point where you need it this very minute, you’re in luck.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Monday, November 15, 2021

Love Songs From The Rainforest: A Review of Florencia en el Amazonas at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

With the programming of the first Spanish-language opera to appear on the main stage, the company continues its climb toward greater inclusivity, the first with a Spanish libretto to be comm…

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Friday, November 5, 2021

Mozart With Singing Heads: A Review of Magic Flute at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Directors Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky took the piece in a decidedly high-tech angle, using animation and film.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Prophesy Proves True: A Review of Macbeth at Lyric Opera by Aaron Hunt

Lyric has opened this season with a production that is delivered open-throttle by everyone involved.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Living on the Precipice: A Review of I Hate It Here: Stories from the End of the Old World at Studio Theatre by Aaron Hunt

Ike Holter's new work is razor sharp and faster than a speeding bullet while maintaining a grace and a lightness that balances the weight of the message.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, December 1, 2020

What Common Ground: A Review of The Diplomats at Random Acts by Aaron Hunt

Nelson Diaz-Marcano's new play illustrates the complexity of individual perspectives and that unification is no simple task.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Keeping it Simple: Lyric Opera Opens the Fall Arts Season in Your Living Room by Aaron Hunt

The Lyric Opera's season opener balances the gravitas of the moment with joy and celebration

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 04:45PM
Monday, April 27, 2020

Scholastic Media: Lyric Opera Empowers Youth During COVID-19 by Aaron Hunt

In the wake of a pandemic, the company's EmpowerYouth! initiative was able to quickly adapt to the limitations and opportunities of the New Normal.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Renewal Over Replication: A Passing of the Baton at Lyric Opera by Aaron Hunt

"Contemporary opera is our way to make the audience aware of contemporary problems and to open our minds to see possible solutions to those problems."

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 09:00AM
Monday, February 24, 2020

Up to Everything: A Review of Charley’s Aunt at Saint Sebastian Players by Aaron Hunt

Brandon Thomas’ 1892 farce is even better seen than remembered.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Monday, February 17, 2020

Long Live This Queen: A Review of The Queen of Spades at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Director Richard Jones projects psychological depth onto Tchaikovsky’s opera to such shocking effect that it must be seen to be conceived.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 05:00PM
Monday, February 10, 2020

One Step More: A Review of Madama Butterfly at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Lyric's production of “Madama Butterfly” is fashioned to invite discussion rather than uninformed permissiveness

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Friday, January 24, 2020

Earth, Water, Love and Death: A Review of Once On This Island at Broadway In Chicago by Aaron Hunt

If our country’s politics is exhausting you with its complexity, this production offers the opportunity to consider some of the same themes in a gentler rhythm.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Monday, January 20, 2020

Idol Spectacle: A Review of Voice of Good Hope at City Lit Theater by Aaron Hunt

Kristine Thatcher’s biographical drama on Barbara Jordan resurfaces at a crucial juncture in American history.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:30PM
Monday, November 18, 2019

A Don For All Time: A Review of Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Robert Falls' understated production does not impose its will upon the audience but rather presents the facts of Mozart's opera plainly.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00PM
Tuesday, November 12, 2019

War Is Never Won: A Review of The Falling and The Rising at Petite Opera Productions by Aaron Hunt

A stirring opera conceived by a U.S. Staff Sergeant and brought to life by composer Zach Redler and librettist Jerry Dye for the benefit of all.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00PM
Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Ready for a Close Up: A Review of Sunset Boulevard at Porchlight Music Theatre by Aaron Hunt

Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of Billy Webber's Academy Award-winning 1950 film gets the star treatment at Porchlight.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Monday, October 14, 2019

Intriguing Love: A Review of Luisa Miller at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Incoming music director Enrique Mazzola takes the reins on this early Verdi masterpiece with tact and aplomb.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:30PM
Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Rising and Setting: A Review of Sundown, Yellow Moon at Raven Theatre by Aaron Hunt

The local premiere of Rachel Bonds' play, featuring music by The Bengsons, leaves much on said.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00PM
Monday, September 30, 2019

Escape with Rosina: The Barber of Seville at Lyric Opera of Chicago by Aaron Hunt

Lyric's 2019/20 season commences in full regalia.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:30AM
Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Real Who’s Whodunit: A Review of Whose Body? at Lifeline Theatre by Aaron Hunt

Dorothy L. Sayers' debut novel gets the Lifeline literary adaptation treatment.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Good Trouble: The Music Man at Goodman Theatre by Aaron Hunt

Led by Mary Zimmerman, this pitch-perfect revival is the ideal accompaniment to a summer night.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:30AM
Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Hooks and Hook Ups: A Review of Grindr The Opera at Pride Films and Plays by Aaron Hunt

Sitting on the fence between camp and cautionary tale, this rock opera unveils a world of love and lust that is more finger-to-finger than face-to-face.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:41PM
Thursday, May 16, 2019

Sound Minds: A Review of Next To Normal at Writers Theatre by Aaron Hunt

Tony Award winner and Chicago native David Cromer directs this gut-wrenchingly contemporary musical about love, loss and living on.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:59PM
Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Ship Shape: A Review of Dames at Sea at Theatre at the Center by Aaron Hunt

This big-hearted, small ensemble musical will tap your troubles away.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 10:00AM
Thursday, April 25, 2019

Clerking for the Weekend: A Review of Two Days In Court at City Lit Theater by Aaron Hunt

A delightful pairing of Stephen Vincent Benet’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and the Gilbert & Sullivan one-act operetta “Trial By Jury.”

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 04:00PM

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