One More Time with Cohesion: A Review of August Rush: The Musical at Paramount Theatre by Ben Kaye

Based on the 2007 film of the same name, this world premiere is just as lost as its titular character.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 4:28pm on May 6, 2019☆⚑

Strike Up the Band: A Review of Cambodian Rock Band at Victory Gardens Theater by Ben Kaye

Hyperbole be damned, the latest from Lauren Yee may just be the best show of the year.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:09am on April 16, 2019☆⚑

All That Glitters Is Wood: A Review of Pinocchio at the House Theatre of Chicago by Ben Kaye

A marvelous and magical world premiere that's intermittently too self-aware for its own good.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00pm on April 9, 2019☆⚑

Good Things Brewing: A Review of Mr. Kotomoto Is Definitely Not White at NoMads Art Collective by Ben Kaye

Part workplace social comedy, part hyperactive fever dream, this world premiere has plenty to sip on.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:49am on April 2, 2019☆⚑

Great Expectation: A Review of The Ridiculous Darkness at Sideshow Theatre Company by Ben Kaye

This aesthetically adventurous adaptation follows many tributaries before arriving at its destination.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 2:05pm on March 29, 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 on March 27, 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 2:00pm on March 12, 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 2:00pm on February 21, 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 2:00pm on February 12, 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 2:00pm on February 11, 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 3:00pm on January 23, 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 2:00pm on January 21, 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 2:00pm on January 16, 2019☆⚑

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 6:00pm on December 28, 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 1:45pm on December 21, 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 1:00pm on December 11, 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 on November 28, 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 1:30pm on November 19, 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 3:00pm on October 30, 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 7:00pm on October 29, 2018☆⚑