An intimate 'Light' shines in Rogers Park by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The Light in the Piazza" by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at No Exit Cafe ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "The Light in the Piazza" by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatr…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:09pm on March 13, 2012☆⚑

'Falling': Why there aren't more plays about air disasters by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Falling: A Wake" at the Rivendell Theatre ★ THEATER REVIEW: "Falling: A Wake" at the Rivendell Theatre ★ ... At the top of Gary Kirkham's "Falling: A Wake," the…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:53pm on March 13, 2012☆⚑

Bieito's nightmarish 'Camino Real' puts the spotlight on Tennessee Williams by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Camino Real" at the Goodman Theatre ★★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Camino Real" at the Goodman Theatre ★★★½ ...Spanish director Calixto Bie…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 5:03pm on March 12, 2012☆⚑

'Sunday in the Park,' 'Julius Ceasar" and return of 'Black Watch' are highlights of Chicago Shakespeare season by Chris Jones

Gary Griffin will direct Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's "Sunday in the Park with George." Barbara Gaines will stage both David Ives' "The School for Lies" and William Shakespeare's "Hen…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:06pm on March 12, 2012☆⚑

'Rain,' again by Chris Jones

The Beatles tribute show "Rain" is returning to the Auditorium Theatre for a week in June, Broadway in Chicago said Monday. The Broadway production, which involves a lot of "Zelig"-like arch…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:38am on March 12, 2012☆⚑

Stratford Festival names new artistic director by Chris Jones

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada announced Saturday that Anthony Cimolino, its current executive director, will become its next artistic director.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:00pm on March 10, 2012☆⚑

A few more 'Hit the Wall' shows. But this is last call at Stonewall. by Chris Jones

"Hit the Wall," the hit, freewheeling show about the Stonewall riots, has been extended for one last week, Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced early Friday. The show, penned by Ike Holter,…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 9:11pm on March 8, 2012☆⚑

'Bring It On' starts slow but becomes cheerworthy by Chris Jones

Initially weighed down by cliches, musical eventually reaches great heights For "Bring It On," the very promising and belatedly affecting new cheerleader musical in progress, to succeed on …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:08am on March 8, 2012☆⚑

Sleight of hand in a wood-paneled room is quality entertainment of the old school by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The Magic Parlour" by House Theatre at the Palmer House Hilton ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "The Magic Parlour" by House Theatre at the Palmer House Hilton ★…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:54pm on March 7, 2012☆⚑

Writers' Theatre to stage 'Hamlet,' chamber 'Sweet Charity,' as part of 2012-13 season. by Chris Jones

Writers' Theatre, the Glencoe-based theater company, will stage an intimate version of the classic Broadway musical "Sweet Charity" in 2013, the ambitious company announced Wednesday.  Do…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:13pm on March 7, 2012☆⚑

'Hit the Wall' sold out by Chris Jones

Citing formidable world of mouth, Steppenwolf Theatre said Wednesday that the extended engagement of "Hit the Wall," the show about the Stonewall riots created by The Inconvenience and stage…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 1:00pm on March 7, 2012☆⚑

Steppenwolf announces 2012-13 season by Chris Jones

A production of Harold Pinter’s “The Birthday Party” directed by Austin Pendleton, a fresh staging of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Broadway hit “Good People,” a…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 9:52am on March 7, 2012☆⚑

Gift Theater tries, but 'Hell' is tough to fit in a storefront by Chris Jones

With a cast of 22 actors crammed into the minuscule Gift Theatre, Sheldon Patinkin's production of Rodney Ackland's loquacious but fascinating play, "Absolute Hell," three hours and 15 minut…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 1:00am on March 7, 2012☆⚑

'Rock of Ages' to sit at Broadway Playhouse for much of summer by Chris Jones

"Rock of Ages," the touring musical celebrating the rockers of the 1980s, will sit down at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place for most of the summer, Broadway in Chicago said Tuesda…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:57am on March 6, 2012☆⚑

More chances to 'Hit the Wall' by Chris Jones

'Hit the Wall,' the hit production by The Inconvenience about the Stonewall Rebellion, is being extended for one week only. Tickets to the show, part of the Steppenwolf Theatre's Garage Repe…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:23am on March 6, 2012☆⚑

Dose of honesty would improve this story of teenage life by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "FML: How Carson McCullers Saved My Life" by Steppenwolf for Young Adults ★★ THEATER REVIEW: "FML: How Carson McCullers Saved My Life" by Steppenwolf for Young A…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 4:46pm on March 5, 2012☆⚑

Feeling the human cost of colonialism in 'The Convert' by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The Convert" in the Goodman's Owen Theatre ★★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "The Convert" in the Goodman's Owen Theatre ★★★½ ... When Jekesai,…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:37pm on March 5, 2012☆⚑

Porchlight announces new season by Chris Jones

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced its 18th season of musicals. Here are the shows, which have a heavy retro theme:

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:45pm on March 5, 2012☆⚑

'Bring It On' mission: Spread good cheer by Chris Jones

As they prepare for their Chicago opening Wednesday, the cast of the touring cheerleader musical "Bring It On" is sitting, cheerfully, in Des Moines, Iowa, working on major changes to its Br…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 4:30pm on March 2, 2012☆⚑

'Jamaica Farewell,' a show from Los Angeles, to arrive in Chicago by Chris Jones

"Jamaica Farewell," a solo show created by a Los Angeles-based actress called Debra Ehrhardt, is to have a Chicago run at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., beginning May 4.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:45am on March 2, 2012☆⚑

TimeLine announces 2012-13 season by Chris Jones

Joining the flood of season annoucements this week, Chicago's TimeLine Theatre said it will stage one world premiere and three Chicago premieres as part of its 2012-13 slate.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 3:09pm on February 29, 2012☆⚑

Yuri Lane and 'MeTube' coming to Collaboraction by Chris Jones

Yuri Lane, the self-styled human beatbox and recent YouTube celebrity, will stage his current solo show, "MeTube," at Collaboraction, beginning Mar. 16.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:57pm on February 29, 2012☆⚑

Funny, smart 'North Plan' will keep you on edge by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The North Plan" at Theater Wit ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "The North Plan" at Theater Wit ★★★ ... Kimberly Senior's zesty production of Jason W…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 2:39pm on February 29, 2012☆⚑

Broadway in Chicago books 'Sister Act,' "Grinch," 'Les Miserables." by Chris Jones

Broadway in Chicago said Wednesday morning that it will present touring productions of "Sister Act," "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and a reprise run of"Les Miserables"during th…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:10am on February 29, 2012☆⚑

Kristen Chenoweth to play Cadillac Palace Theatre by Chris Jones

Kristen Chenoweth, the original star of "Wicked"and currently the star of the ABC comedy "GCB," will play a rare concert performance at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., on J…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:37pm on February 28, 2012☆⚑