321 stories by "Bob Bullen"
Last weekend I did the most amazing thing. It involved a pre-loaded MP3 player with headphones, my fully charged cell phone and a trust in myself to face highly ambiguous situations — …
Heidi Kettenring, Skyler Adams and Derek Hasenstab in ChiShakes’ ‘The Aventures of Pinocchio’ Looking for an entertaining way to teach your kids about making wise choices? …
The cast of Steep Theatre’s “Pornography” “It’s a city of strangers. Some come to work some to play. A city of strangers. Some come to stare, some to stay. A…
Mary Sohn and Tim Baltz in Second City’s “Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting)” It’s been a long time (months, really) since I’ve actually teared up in th…
You either love Beckett or you loathe him, they say. I’ve loathed and eventually learned to love the avant-garde Irish playwright. I recall leaving Steppenwolf’s Endgame last yea…
Check out this article I wrote for Chicago, Second to None about family friendly shows in Chicago. Please offer your suggestions in the comments area!
For whatever reason, Chicago Shakespeare Theater doesn’t send me casting press releases, so this is some sloppy second-hand reporting, but I had to share the casting news for one my my…
My friend and fellow Chicago theatre reviewer/blogger Katy Walsh has recently expanded her coverage of Chicago’s theatre scene with a new podcast series. In the more recent episodes, C…
I’m starting a new job next week, and took a week off between jobly obligations to head to Northern Michigan for some much-needed R&R in Alpena, Michigan — my hometown. It…
Exciting news! I’ve recently been asked to lend my love of Chicago theatre to a new blog developed by the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, Chicago, Second to None. The goal of …
Nick Vidal and Jacqueline Grandt in “That Face.” Photo credit: Jan Ellen Graves Polly Stenham’s play, That Face, has all sorts of tawdry things happening. A son, Henry, has…
There’s nothing remarkable about Middletown, a fictional town that’s the inspiration for Will Eno’s new play that debuted in 2010 at NYC’s Vineyard Theatre and is new…
Lumiere’s flames have been reduced to a pair of halloween decorations. The cast moves the wobbly scenery and the orchestra is thin and reedy. Belle’s wedding gown is the same dre…
Summer’s here! And Chicago’s theatre scene, which is typically quiet for this time of year, is on fire. Looking for a show to see this weekend? Check out my constantly updated li…
A confession: I’ve a debilitating fear of spiders. Like, when one crosses my path, it’s all I can do to avoid screaming and tearing up. The result is me breaking into…
I mulled this question over after reading some long, rambly diatribes on other blogs. Here’s what I have to say: are you reading this? Well, there’s your answer. :)
Let X = a confounding play Let Y = a confused audience (X + Y) / (a talented cast desperately trying to hold things together) = one major headache Maybe I’m just stupid. I mean, I̵…
Through his smart observations of cultural differences impacting our rapidly changing business landscape, David Henry Hwang finds the uncomfortable hilarity in the art of global negotiation …
Since when did theatre become so serious? It's been weeks — maybe months — since I've really laughed at a play. I mean, belly-achin’, nearly-wet-myself laughed. And this in…
I like lesbians. I like quiche. I like The New Colony. And I really liked The New Colony’s Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche when it premiered as a 15-minute sketch as part of Sketchbook X…
Rita, a spunky, effervescent hairdresser (played by the charming, if too overeager, Whitney White), just wants to get a proper eduction. She’s looking to change herself. She also likes…
