This piece is by turns funny and devastating, and the final scene is unsettling and thought-provoking. *Six Characters* is a different kind of theatrical experience; one that will stay with …
Though watered down for the non-equity national tour, Rodgers and Hammerstein's soaring *South Pacific* still has staying power.
Director Gary Griffin paces *Midsummer Night's Dream* for non-stop laughs. The merrymaking ensemble swirls and twirls through the madcap romances. This show charms with frolicsome fun! Hig…
Jon Steinhagen's world premiere *Danting Walter Dante*, a take on the still-unsolved Drew Peterson case, isn't scary, sexy or strange enough to carry off its mission. But then Rob Lowe could…
Those who attend The State Theatre's production of *Crowded House*, hoping for a somber evening filled with the Bard's affecting prose, are in for a disappointment - it's not for everyone, b…
Directed by Julieanne Ehre, Shattered Globe's staging of *Orpheus Descending* is solid, if not always as smoldering and downright incendiary as it needs to be. Slightly Recommended.
*Unnecessary Farce* certainly isn't food for thought, but its unsophisticated charm is a good taste of unabashedly crude comedy done right. And if madcap comedies aren't your thing, it's wor…
There is a lot to love about The Foreigner. It's cuddly entertainment with a lingering message to be kind. With excellent acting, directing and design, this show is definitely a must-see. H…
Ben Fort's script wisely avoids the obvious jokes encompassing the Harry Potter franchise, aiming instead for a yarn that places itself in a slightly askew and a little more deviant world th…
The beauty of *Barnum* is that, despite the magnitude of its subject matter, it's a relatively small-scale show, and is an ideal fit for small but mighty Quest Theatre Ensemble. Despite some…
Though a disturbying story, Scenic Designer Scott Davis and Projections Designer Mike Stanfill create a fairytale-like feel. Branches hang from the ceiling. Kaleidoscope imagery on the bac…
Jeremy Menekseoglu's script is as fascinating as its staging. Peter Pan's Shadow is not a direct adaptation of Barrie's work but a conscientious embodiment of the tale's underlying themes. W…
If Green Day's *American Idiot* were presented as a concert, we'd be raving its praises. This is music that touches the soul, performed with a fierce passion. It's a shame the score is surro…
In his inaugural season, Artistic Director Chay Yew has brought an invaluable gift to Victory Gardens in the form of UNIVERSES. So memorable is their show *Ameriville*, it leaves less of an …
Residue is a loud and somewhat forgettable comedy. Subtler direction may lend the characters more depth, which in turn would provide more weight to the piece. Still, it shows glimmers of cre…
One hundred years ago, Playwright George Bernard Shaw presented a satirical play based on a well-known fable. Now, ShawChicago presents a staged reading that befuddles the work - playing wi…
*The Complete History* starts off at full-speed, and the audience feed off the actors' screwball energy and comedic enthusiasm, even when the jokes are stale. The 3 leads have great chemistr…
With a few more confrontational scenes, Hesperia could fulfill its potential - the actors and director are more than up to the challenge. Until then, like the sexuality of its religious char…
Playwright Leslye Headland's *Bachelorette* is a tightly-paced whirlwind of absurd destruction. This isn't the sequel to the movie "Bridesmaids, but instead a twisted yet satisfying revenge…
For this *Aida*, Lyric Opera has created a more sensual Aida; the edges are softened, the costumes flow. Even the death chamber for Aida and Radames is swathed in a soft golden tone and gen…
In TimeLine's staging of Prebble's drama, the human faces of Enron mailroom provide a fascinating lesson in hubris and a compelling study of an economic freefall from board room to mail room…
Michael Salinas, as Alexander Gog, transforms from arrogant artist to interactive showman to desperate victim and so much in between. *The Gog/Magog Project* is not a one man show. It's more…
This play will thrill you in ways that as an adult you probably thought were no longer possible, awakening the childish wonder of magic that still exists in us, and if done right, can amaze …
In Steppenwolf's intimate Upstairs Theatre, Director Austin Pendleton has shaped a narrative comprised of fiercely independent and creative characters who feel compelled to record the carnag…
American Theatre's world-premiere play *Disgraced* is full of personality. The cast provides ongoing thought-provoking viewpoints on religion, race, gender. Stereotypes are explored and we…