Daughter of Marx has much on her shoulders by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Miss Marx" by Strawdog Theatre ★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Miss Marx" by Strawdog Theatre ★★½ ... Eleanor Marx, youngest daughter of a fellow named K…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 4:22pm on February 25, 2014☆⚑

In 'Language,' love and finding the right words by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The Language Archive" at Piven Theatre ★★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "The Language Archive" at Piven Theatre ★★★½ ... So here's a thought. …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 1:00am on February 25, 2014☆⚑

Why late-night kingdoms are tricky to pass along by Chris Jones

If you watched the nervous opening monologue of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," you could not have missed this line: "I'm Jimmy Fallon. I'll be your host, for now." Hmm.  …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:11pm on February 21, 2014☆⚑

At Profiles, fighting for love — in the ring by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: Profiles Theatre ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: Profiles Theatre ★★★ ... The historic backroom at 4139 N. Broadway has seen illicit activity in its…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:10pm on February 21, 2014☆⚑

In 'Bridges' on Broadway, the passions remain covered too by Chris Jones

NEW YORK - As Francesca, the Iowa housewife at the heart of "The Bridges of Madison County," well knows, to love one's spouse and children and yet embark on an extramarital affair is to anti…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 9:00pm on February 20, 2014☆⚑

Harris Theatre to be closed through March 6 by Chris Jones

The Harris Theatre said late Thursday afternoon that it will be forced to remain closed through March 6 for repairs following an electrical fire Wednesday that cost the theater its performan…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 6:39pm on February 20, 2014☆⚑

'Old Jews' closing at the Royal George by Chris Jones

“Old Jews Telling Jokes,” the commercial production that has played for five and half months at the Royal George Theatre, has posted its closing notice, cast members were told Th…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:19pm on February 20, 2014☆⚑

When it comes to music, 'Gypsy' breaks the rules by Chris Jones

I've written before in this space about the crucial importance of live music to the musical-theater experience. Nothing is more disappointing than a show played to tape — such as the r…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:17pm on February 20, 2014☆⚑

Back in the old neighborhood, with questions buzzing by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Buzzer" in the Goodman's Owen Theater ★★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Buzzer" in the Goodman's Owen Theater ★★★½ ... "We are gentrifiers," d…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:58pm on February 19, 2014☆⚑

Northlight Theatre announces 40th anniversary season by Chris Jones

In the first of the major 2014-15 season announcements from Chicago’s theaters, Northlight Theatre said Wednesday that its 40th anniversary season will include a fall production of Ama…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:42am on February 19, 2014☆⚑

James Franco, Leighton Meester in Chicago for extended rehearsal stay by Chris Jones

James Franco is not just in Chicago for a poetry reading. The actor, who stars along with Chris O'Dowd in Anna D. Shapiro's upcoming Broadway production of "Of Mice and Men," actually is reh…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:03pm on February 17, 2014☆⚑

Comedy, coherence get lost in 'Transport' by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: 'Russian Transport' at Steppenwolf Theatre ★½ THEATER REVIEW: 'Russian Transport' at Steppenwolf Theatre ★½ "Russian Transport," the new show at the Steppe…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 7:26pm on February 16, 2014☆⚑

In stunning 'Gypsy,' a Mama Rose at the crossroads by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Gypsy" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Gypsy" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★★ ... "Anybody that sta…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:40pm on February 14, 2014☆⚑

Shirley Temple was the template for a child star by Chris Jones

Shirley Temple Black, who died Monday, was, as Shirley Temple, the biggest child star of them all. In the last two years of her contract with 20th Century Fox in the late 1930s, she was maki…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:35pm on February 14, 2014☆⚑

You can't see 'Woods' without the trees by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Into the Woods" by The Hypocrites at the Mercury Theater ★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Into the Woods" by The Hypocrites at the Mercury Theater ★★ ... Be care…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:29pm on February 12, 2014☆⚑

'Golden Soul' a joyous lesson in Chicago music history by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: 'Chicago's Golden Soul' at Black Ensemble Theater ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: 'Chicago's Golden Soul' at Black Ensemble Theater ★★★ So what came …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:17am on February 11, 2014☆⚑

TV chef's stage shtick not always palatable by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: 'Edible Inevitable' at the Oriental Theatre THEATER REVIEW: 'Edible Inevitable' at the Oriental Theatre. The 51-year-old Food Network star Alton Brown does not advocate buyi…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 1:00am on February 10, 2014☆⚑

Go West, Young Joseph Jefferson by Chris Jones

The daring men and women of the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee are pushing west.    

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:34pm on February 9, 2014☆⚑

Where is the DollarTree concept for the arts? by Chris Jones

In Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's clear-eyed, 2012 documentary "Detropia," which anticipated many of the things that would happen in (and to) the bankrupt Motor City in the year that followe…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:35pm on February 7, 2014☆⚑

Questions of science, gender and generations by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The How and the Why" at TimeLine Theatre ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "The How and the Why" at TimeLine Theatre ★★★★ ... Elizabeth …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:29pm on February 7, 2014☆⚑

'Motown' to head to Motor City after six months max in Chicago by Chris Jones

The national touring company of "Motown: The Musical" will exit Chicago after no more than six months and head to Detroit and elsewhere, the producers announced on Thursday.   &…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:48pm on February 6, 2014☆⚑

In a small town, navigating life's curves by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Sons of the Prophet" at American Theater Company ★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Sons of the Prophet" at American Theater Company ★★½ ... In the very fin…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 7:18pm on February 5, 2014☆⚑

'Misbehavin'' ain't supposed to be polished and safe by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Ain't Misbehavin'" at Porchlight Music Theatre ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Ain't Misbehavin'" at Porchlight Music Theatre ★★★ ... There is some…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:35pm on February 4, 2014☆⚑

Second City to collaborate with Hubbard Street Dance by Chris Jones

The Second City and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will embark on a new and distinctive collaboration this fall. A sketch-comedy show, as yet untitled but on the theme of modern dance and come…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 4:59pm on February 4, 2014☆⚑

New musical about composer of 'Amazing Grace" to premiere in Chicago by Chris Jones

"Amazing Grace," a new musical about the composer of the hymn of that name, will bow officially this fall in Chicago with performances from Oct. 9 through Nov. 2 at the Bank of America Theat…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 9:29am on February 4, 2014☆⚑