All stories by Christopher Borrelli on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Think ‘Les Miz’ and lasers. Broadway Raves are the new big night out for young lovers of show tunes. by Christopher Borrelli

"Masquerade," anyone? We traveled to Detroit to catch this touring singular sensation before it plays a sell-out party at Subterranean.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Saturday, January 14, 2023

Review: Louis C.K. is back at the Chicago Theatre — but seems tentative, tired and halfway there by Christopher Borrelli

Now when he walks out on stage there’s a standing ovation, then the room grows unsettled, more awkward than expectant. He tries to get in front of this.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:50PM
Sunday, January 1, 2023

As a new year begins, looking back on events of 2022 and Chicago places that mattered by Christopher Borrelli

This year felt like a loud reminder that culture often points out where we are and what is worth fighting for.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Thursday, November 3, 2022

In a recent WWII Days reenactment, some participants played the Nazis — we talked to them about why they do it by Christopher Borrelli

"We deliver a story, say what happened," say some who don German uniforms at Rockford’s annual World War II Days. But some historians and Holocaust experts say that kind of reasoning can b…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Friday, July 15, 2022

Review: John Mulaney shocks the United Center, spinning stories of rehab and not-niceness by Christopher Borrelli

He took the stage in a tuxedo and boomed in his carnival barker cadence, but considering the size of the audience and squirminess that followed, it felt subversive.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:17AM
Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Author and American Writers Festival presenter Natalie Moore has a new play on abortion rights, debuting in Chicago by Christopher Borrelli

In 2011, an anti-abortion billboard went up in Black neighborhoods, targeting Black women, with a picture of Obama on it.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Thursday, January 17, 2019

How to speak puppet — and 5 types you'll meet at Chicago's International Puppet Fest by Christopher Borrelli

When you think of Chicago and its relation to puppets — on the very off-chance you ever do this — what do you think of? The traveling Puppet Bike that’s played local street corners for…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00AM
Monday, May 22, 2017

Time feels right for the Ringling Bros. to call it quits by Christopher Borrelli

Our daughter clapped for the first time at the last circus. She sat up and, without urging, both slapped her hands together and missed her hands completely. I think she was clapping for a ca…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:48AM
Friday, August 21, 2015

Anna D. Shapiro at Steppenwolf Theatre: Work in progress by Christopher Borrelli

Anna D. Shapiro, thoughtful and pushy, a hugger with a smirk never far from her face, an inquisitive art house picture tucked inside a pin-balling screwball comedy, about to become one of th…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:16PM
Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Goodman Theatre would like to be in your will by Christopher Borrelli

The other morning I was standing in the lobby of the Goodman Theatre when a bike messenger glided past without a word and disappeared into the bathroom. A moment later, he reappeared and dot…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:27PM
Friday, April 10, 2015

Talking to Dick Gregory: Comedy, Selma and Cosby by Christopher Borrelli

Talking to Dick Gregory these days is a chore. Not because the man rambles — he's 82 and has earned the right. Not because every question for the famously philosophical comedian and activi…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Friday, February 13, 2015

Searching for signs of John Belushi in his hometown by Christopher Borrelli

The first time I visited Chicago, about 25 years ago, I asked the clerk at the front desk of my hotel if he would point me in the direction of the John Belushi statue, the John Belushi memor…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:29PM
Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Chicago 'Friends' parody looks for Rosses and Rachels by Christopher Borrelli

Amanda Marcheschi looked like a Rachel. Definitely Aniston-esque. She had dark, longish hair and a self-possession that cracked slightly when she spoke, revealing a touch of uncertainty. She…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:52PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

'Mariposa Nocturna': The King of the Graveyard will see you now by Christopher Borrelli

San Pascualito Rey, King of the Graveyard, Guatemalan patron saint of illness and death, probably resplendent in his cape and finery and reminiscent of a Latin American James Brown, was not …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00AM
Tuesday, December 23, 2014

When pop culture becomes myth by Christopher Borrelli

Jeremy Wechsler is not the kind of guy you ask if he has watched the trailer for the new "Star Wars" movie yet. He's the kind of guy you ask how many times he has watched the trailer for the…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:54PM
Friday, December 19, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Khecari presents a dance performance in a dungeon by Christopher Borrelli

To find the latest performance piece by the rising experimental dance company Khecari — "rhymes with 'treachery,'" explains founder Jonathan Meyer — go to West Rogers Park on the Far Nor…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 05:16PM
Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Chicago writer/performer takes on James Franco by Christopher Borrelli

In 'Bring Me the Head of James Franco,' Ian Belknap howls at the poser artists/dilettantes everywhere, but particularly at James Franco A couple of weeks ago, Ian Belknap, who at 47 has the…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00AM
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Thursday, December 13, 2012

Thank God I'm not watching 'Book of Mormon' with Mom by Christopher Borrelli

Last spring, during Easter dinner, my aunt leaned across the table and asked: "Chris, have you read this 'Fifty Shades of Grey?'" I said I had not but I had heard about it and, changing the …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:41PM
Friday, April 6, 2012

Charles Newell is on an amazing theatrical roll at Court Theatre by Christopher Borrelli

Charles Newell's office is spotless. Unnervingly tidy. Standing in it makes you feel as though you have intruded on a magazine photo shoot about anal-retentive work environments. His desk, w…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:08AM

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