31 stories by "Jonathan Abarbanel"
The Color Purple, a 2005 musical adaptation of the famous, pithy Alice Walker novel, ran for three years on Broadway but didn't charm the critics or the Tony Awards voters (it received 11 no…
In a theater, film, and TV career approaching 40 years, William Petersen has been known for the precise focus of his performances and for his tense, often sexual, and usually explosive physi…
Was Michael Shannon smiling? The tall, square-jawed actor was performing in a 77-seat Off-Loop theater, and as he turned his back to the audience, those of us on the side could see a smile o…
As Act I closed of Gary Griffin's new production of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's
Sunday in the Park with George at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, I found myself curiously unengaged by…
Whether they illuminate or puzzle, director David Cromer's interpretations of classic plays always are eccentric, and his new version of Tennessee Williams'
Sweet Bird of Youth at the Goodm…
Tracy Letts' new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's classic drama at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble receives a handsomely designed and heartfelt production.
This curious, frequently moving show focuses on the people who were killed in the famed 1915 ship disaster.
Deanna Dunagan leads a flawless cast in this intimate and very funny production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's classic musical.
Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy give superb performances in Robert Falls' brilliant production at Chicago's Goodman Theatre of Eugene O'Neill's monumental work.
Nathan Gunn and Ashley Brown headline Lyric Opera of Chicago's excellent production of the Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II musical.
The musical adaptation of the iconic holiday film is fast-paced, ingratiating, and superbly cast.
Diane D'Aquila and Steven Sutcliffe lead an excellent cast in Chicago Shakespeare's worthy production of Timothy Findley's historical drama.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a near-perfect production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's landmark musical
Highlights include the national tour of Hair; a revision of Stephen Schwartz and company's Working; Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of Orlando; Madeline George's new play, Precious Little; Harold Pi…
Highlights include John Leguizamo's warm up for his Broadway-bound Ghetto Klown; the Belarus Free Theatre'sBeing Harold Pinter; the new musical Starship featuring songs by Glee's Darren Cris…
January highlights include Regina Taylor's The Trinity River Plays, Monty Python's Spamalot, Garry Griffin directing As You Like It, An Unscripted Romance, The Boys Room, The Beauty Queen of…
Actor-playwright Tracy Letts dominates Steppenwolf Theatre Company's powerful and engaging production of Edward Albee's great American drama.
December highlights include Amy Morton and Tracy Letts in Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, a return engagement of the musical Wicked, the Goodman's A Christmas Carol, John Sche…
This month's highlights include the new musical Departure Lounge, Gary Griffin's production of The Music Man, a re-worked The Story of My Life, Martin McDonagh's The Lonesome West, Julia Cho…
Disney's The Lion King comes back to Chicago, InFusion world premieres Ghostbox, Sarah Ruhl adapts Three Sisters, Robert Falls stages The Seagull, and Silk Road mounts Scorched.
Lisa D'Amour's play about a quartet of ordinary Americans is engaging, but lacks scope.
