All stories by Ben Kaye on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Dog Days: A Review of Yen at Raven Theatre by Ben Kaye

Anna Jordan's play, receiving its local premiere at Raven, examines toxic masculinity in terms of maternal care and its absence.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:28AM
Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Pulp Friction: A Review of Little Shop of Horrors at Mercury Theater Chicago by Ben Kaye

With a third local production in as many years, this Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical is showing its age.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Thursday, February 21, 2019

Anguish on Display: A Review of An Inspector Calls at Chicago Shakespeare Theater & The National Theatre of Great Britain by Ben Kaye

This pristine British import is both an aesthetic curiosity and a clue to an expanded theatrical language beyond kitchen sink realism.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Stuck in First Gear: A Review of How I Learned To Drive at Raven Theatre by Ben Kaye

With artistic director Cody Estle behind the wheel, this production alternates between slamming the gas and mashing the breaks.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Monday, February 11, 2019

Opening Doors: A Review of A Doll’s House, Part 2 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

Master of the theoretical dramatic exercise, playwright Lucas Hnath's latest takes on the legacy of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and the institution of modern marriage.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Can’t Keep Up: A Review of The Realistic Joneses at Shattered Globe Theatre and Theater Wit by Ben Kaye

The latest from wordsmith Will Eno concerns the limitations of language.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Monday, January 21, 2019

Broken Keys: A Review of Cardboard Piano at Timeline Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

What is broken and what can be fixed are essential and uneasy questions in this local premiere from playwright Hansol Jung.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Going Down: A Review of Elevator Girl at Vanguard Arts Collective by Ben Kaye

This world premiere from Vanguard Arts Collective suggests that the best tool for fighting sexual assault is...more sexual assault.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Friday, December 28, 2018

Creating Moonlight: A Review of Burning Bluebeard at The Ruffians and The Neo-Futurists by Ben Kaye

Returning to its original home at The Neo-Futurarium, The Ruffians' annual holiday tradition remains as anarchic, hilarious, and deeply terrifying as ever.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 06:00PM
Friday, December 21, 2018

The Little Things That Keep Her Alive: A Review of La Ruta at Steppenwolf Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

This Steppenwolf Theatre Company world premiere from local playwright Isaac Gomez serves as a promise to keep alive the true stories upon which this play is based.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:45PM
Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Things Could Be Better ‘Round Here: A Review of The Full Monty at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre by Ben Kaye

Theo Ubique christens their new home in Evanston with a production that shows just how far they haven't come.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Wednesday, November 28, 2018

#NotMyQueen: A Review of The Revolutionists at Strawdog Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

The ideas in Lauren Gunderson's play may not be new but they are still revolutionary.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00PM
Monday, November 19, 2018

Always Be Steadfast: A Review of The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Lookingglass Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

This world premiere adaptation from Mary Zimmerman at Lookingglass Theatre Company is not so much an escape as an embrace of wonder.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:30PM
Tuesday, October 30, 2018

That’s Too Long for a Play: A Review of Love’s Labour’s Lost at Invictus Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

At nearly three hours, this production from Invictus Theatre Company desperately needs shaking up.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Monday, October 29, 2018

Terrestrial Ruckus: A Review of Cosmologies at The Gift Theatre by Ben Kaye

This Midwest premiere from David Rabe at The Gift Theatre reaches for the stars but falls in blank space.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 07:00PM

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
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic