321 stories by "Bob Bullen"
Hollis Resnik in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Follies” Why, yes! It’s yet *another* top 10 list! This year I was actually on top of shit and maintained an honest-to…
If there’s one reason to see the tour of La Cage Aux Folles, which is playing at the Bank of America Theatre through January 1, it’s for Christopher Sieber’s ovation-worthy…
Four middle-aged men stand in the bottom of a giant pool bearing their souls (and their bodies) in a desperate attempt to win the affections of an etherial figure who watches from her plasma…
John Bolton and the company of “A Christmas Story: The Musical!” Photo by Carol Rosegg What is it about the 1983 movie, A Christmas Story, that captures our hearts? I know whenev…
Photo credit: Jonny Stax Presents, Inc. I’ve written enough about Alien Queen that you should know what it’s about by now, right? That it’s a rock concert performance piece…
Ned Lowenscroft (Steven Sutcliffe) spars with Queen Elizabeth (Diane D’Aquila) in Chicago Shakes’ “Elizabeth Rex.” Photo by Liz Lauren Queen Elizabeth is in a rare qu…
A preface: this Branson-meets-Vegas spectacle gave me a headache. But the audience loved it. Of course. And, I’ll admit: it had its moments, mostly thanks to Mr. Osmond’…
The cast from the 2010 production of The House Theatre of Chicago’s “The Nutcracker” About 10 minutes into The House Theatre of Chicago’s surprising production of The…
Stef Tovar in Route 66′s production of “A Twist of Water.” While I hardly believe a production has to open in New York for it be validated, it’s exciting news (per Ch…
Linda Gillum and D’Wayne Taylor look on as Nicolas Gamboa hams it up in Remy Bumppo’s “Changes of Heart.” Photo by Johnny Knight Following Remy Bumppo’…
“I’d say we’re a cross between the Sonny and Cher show meets the Muppets. On acid.” That’s how Scott Bradley, one-half of the creative genius behind The Scooty …
The cast of American Theater Company's "It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" I dare you to find a more "awww"-inducing moment on any Chicago stage currently then when beloved Chicago actor…
Bryan Fenkhart and Felicia Boswell star in the national tour of “Memphis.” Photo credit: Paul Kolnik. Due to the holiday weekend, I sadly couldn’t make press opening of the…
Check out my latest Chicago Like a Local blog post, giving a few recommendations for local holiday-themed shows. With enough productions of A Christmas Carol occurring in the city right now�…
What happens when you take the cult movies “Alien” and “Aliens” and combine then with the glorious rock music of Queen? You get Alien Queen: The Concert – a …
What happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam. At least, that’s what should have been the case for Matt (Dan Behrendt), Davis (Dereck Garner) and a mysterious redhead named Christina (S…
This article (which is technically a blog post — ironic, given the subject matter of the piece) by Michael Kaiser, president, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has been m…
“This is the first show I’ve done in my 13 years performing at Davenports that is perfectly themeless,” said the effervescent Joan Curto of her new cabaret show, “Thi…
Assisted Living, a new play by Deirdre O’Connor, is a tender domestic drama about a woman struggling to rediscover herself in a life consumed by taking care of her ailing mother. Reall…
Obviously, this blog post has absolutely nothing to do with Chicago theatre (though, I technically saw this move in a theatre in Chicago, so there’s that). But Lars Von Trier’s m…
Hershey Felder is a talented man. He can play piano virtuosically (that’s a word, right?). He can command a stage. He knows how to establish a mood through carefully modulated delivery…
Let’s face it: we’re a facebook society. I’m addicted to it, as I’m sure you are, too. So, CTA now has a facebook presence. I hope to use this facebook page to engage…
Jeff Award winner Harry Groener in ChiShakes’ “The Madness of George III.” First off: congrats to all the Equity Jeff winners! Some thoughts: The shockers: Steppenwolf&#…
Get ready for some random theatre-y thoughts: Sondheim gets his ChiShakes on: After receiving the Chicago Tribune Literary Prize for lifetime achievement on Sunday morning, the man himself v…
Sophia Menendian, Antoine Pierre Whitfield and John Steinhagen in Raven Theatre’s “Bus Stop” I admire Raven Theatre for many reasons. The staff and actors all seem to love …
