2,260 stories from Chicago Theater Beat
The APTP ensemble is contagiously passionate throughout the performance, presenting a showcase for these dedicated performers. Despite the need for more focus on the story's overall arch, th…
The staging of Sandalwood is good and Dustin Pettigrew's set is wonderfully claustrophobic in portraying the open and empty Wild West. Despite holes in the storytelling, it's an interesting …
Chicago Shakespeare's World's Stage Series is a true gift for this city, and England's Kneehigh is the latest international troupe to create magic on the Pier, whose production takes the aud…
You'll definitely have a great time with Rick Elice's alternately smart and silly script that offers its share of bad puns, personal hygiene and self-referential jokes and anachronisms. And …
The Jewels is a very pretty production " everything from the beautiful score to the balletic transitions is thoughtful and well-placed. If only the spoken dialogue was so compelling.
There's much talent on display here from this brand new company and a cast that has not yet been seen a lot on Chicago stages. It's likely we'll see good things from them all in the coming y…
Theater Wit's latest academic-themed dissection of love in the 21st century expertly mingles broad with incisive humor for a look at love in an altogether different generation. 4 stars! (re…
Everything works in TaRon Patton's lovingly wrought, hilarious and heartbreaking tour d'ensemble, including a period-perfect design team. Both melded and distinguished, the nine performers c…
The Wild remains reasonably successful as a piece of abstract dance or performance art, but as theatre, it fails to establish characters, develop action, or tell a story. If you are specific…
While the story, characters and performances are engaging , it's the issues raised that are of most interest: does privacy even exist in today's digital world? Might someone with access to …
Both hot and healing, this gem of a review is a consummate inventory of how love breaks and works. Cute and acute, both performers act out every nuance as forcefully and honestly as they sin…
Good Boys and True Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Directed by Cody Estle at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Cl…
It would be hard to imagine a better realization of Road Show than from the loving hands of Director Gary Griffin and company. For Sondheim buffs, this Show is an absolute must. (read more.…
Being one of Sondheim's most intimate and raw musicals makes Theo Ubique's small small the perfect venue for giving an up-close look at all the heightened emotion of the piece. (read more an…
Directed by Jim Corti for the Paramount Theatre, Rent is yet another glorious production that makes driving out to Aurora a necessity for musical theater fans. Steal a car if you must. The P…
A rich and satisfying production on every level, Seminar is beautifully acted and funny with emotional integrity that never veers into sappiness. This is truly great theatre. (read more...)
Using a powerful poem by Christian Fleetwood to explore race relations in America, it's unfortunate that this production is frustratingly one-dimensional. Rather than bringing this hero of t…
For a truly enjoyable night of theatre, allow yourself to get roped in by this world premiere of a fantastic true Chicago story. (read more...)
If you're looking for a way to get your kid interested in science, this might be the ticket to tickle their inquisitive minds. (read more and watch production video...)
Behanding is a wicked show that doesn't pay much mind to making sense and much regard for casual cruelty. Chemically Imbalanced's young cast does their best with the twisted script, and offe…
Stolowitz' writing is concise and has fantastic bursts of dialogue part hilarious and part emotionally devastating. Mitch Golob's direction is even handed and keeps the back and forth time c…
Deeply emotional but never cloying or sentimental, Chapatti follows the unexpected intersection between two late-middle age singletons - a widow with 19 cats and a bereaved gentleman who liv…
Ever-willing to take risks, The Right Brain Project once again hits more often than it misses in bringing a script to life. Head out to see this stylized classic unfold practically in your l…
As provocative as it is hilarious, Venus in Fur is Vanda's show, and Amanda Drinkall's performance gives plenty of reasons for viewers to submit to the character's allure. (read more and wa…
I highly recommend that you check out American Myth and take someone that you can have a good discussion on the subject matter. This one will sit with you for a while. (read more and watch …
