2,003 stories by "Scotty Zacher"
Fans of Grease should like this rendition, despite its dissonance. But, considering the neutering of the original gritty Chicago production into this present-day saccharine version, don't lo…
Apart from the charms of the material, the skill of these performers " most of whom are relatively new to Chicago stages or have not had such significant parts before " is reason enough to s…
The marital team of Robert (adapter) and Elise Kauzlaric (director) bring this gothic thriller, penned by Wilkie Collins, to the stage. Robert masterfully condenses the plethora of informat…
The line between fun parody and eye-rolling indulgence is as fine as a strand of permed hair, but director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell walks it with aplomb. With a lesser director, Xanadu …
Despite the script's shortcomings, this production holds some commendable elements, including the young cast, the excellent English accents (kudos to dialect coach Kate Devore), Chad Bianchi…
Despite soliloquies that run too long and are often redundant, Wrong Mountain provides a poignant view of a life's work from a different vantage point. This show would be an especially powe…
It's ironic that a show named for the greatest compass point in the sky would lose its direction so completely. If I had to guess, I'd say *The North Star* is about how tragedy can be a grea…
Though the resolution of *Six Dead Queens" is merely satisfactory, the production is more about bringing these six historical figures to life in an entertaining romp. You will definitely lea…
Director Nathan Allen has pulled together a magical story out of his and co-author Chris Mathews' imaginations, and this first installment of the Iron Stag King trilogy ensures an entertaini…
The concept is promising enough - a look at a world where women are in charge and men are mere sex objects. Unfortunately, Playwright Vincent Truman ensures that there is no room for nuance…
With effective but minimal props, and Yonit Olshan's eye-catching costumes (not to mention the splendid backdrop of the Morton Arboretum), a grassy swale and a stand of trees can become such…
Playwright Charles Mee adapted this Greek tragedy into a contemporary tale. But instead of pulling us into the centuries-old tale, Director David Kersnar keeps us disengaged with his circus…
Blagojevich, Blagojevich! Written by Michael K. Feinstein Directed by Clayton Fox Athenaeum Theatr…
This play's second to last scene, portraying sibling loyalty, is awkwardly sweet and touching. If only *Better* had more scenes like this " polished in their sense of reality " one would not…
Playwright Anne McGravie penned this semi-autobiographical salute to her two year stint in the WRENS. Director Karen Kessler superbly shapes the seven talented actors giving each their own …
AnneePocalypse! Written by Jason Dabrowski, Calidonia Olivares …
In keeping with the commedia style, Chicago dell'Arte took a basic script, inserted character types, and employed improvisation to flesh everything out. With *Commedia King John*, the result…
Based on actual exchanges between the George Bernard Shaw and journalist GK Chesterton, Though this talk-heavy format may not appeal to everyone, this adaptation by Timothy Gregory is an int…
Though billed as a dark comedy, the play is not clearly defined. There are some chuckle-worthy moments, but primarily it's just sad. The lead protagonist is so abrupt and overbearing that th…
There's so much to Impenetrable that it's difficult to do it justice. Men as well as women come under the microscope here: Playwright Mia McCulllough digs far more than skin deep into the wh…
This show is amazing! It's like "The Tempest" fell into a vat of toxic waste and now has the power to make us laugh... really hard. Spirits to Enforce is art to enchant!
At over 2 hours with intermission, the script does need some cutting and tightening. To its credit, however, the show's wonderful performances and commitment to character had me wanting to b…
Despite the hodge-podge nature of the script, there are some interesting themes in play that come out well in this production. It's a very bold attempt at resurrecting a rarely-seen Shakespe…
Thought to be based on Jason Robert Brown's real-life failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill, *The Last Five Years* is an alternately touching, funny, and compelling work to behold. (read more…
In just 90 minutes this concentrated drama nails the plight of an exonerated prisoner now facing his fears of freedom"and the ugly fact that 17 years of his life were lost behind bars becaus…
