Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Review: ‘Flood’ by Shattered Globe Theatre stays underwater by Chris Jones

In the grim drama “Flood," Mashuq Mushtaq Deen has written an environmentalist allegory with absurdist underpinnings.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:24PM
Monday, January 29, 2024

Paramount Theatre will stage Disney’s ‘Frozen’ as part of its upcoming season by Chris Jones

Aurora’s ever-growing Paramount Theatre has been granted the rights this fall to what’s likely to be a hot-selling musical.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:27PM
Sunday, January 28, 2024

Review: In ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ on Broadway, locked in a booze-soaked marriage by Chris Jones

Brian D’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara play the on-the-rocks couple in Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel’s potent musical.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:00PM

Review: ‘Champion’ at Lyric Opera delivers the full force of a boxer’s painful story by Chris Jones

Three different singers play the welterweight boxer Emile Griffith in Lyric Opera’s visceral production of Terence Blanchard’s 2013 jazz opera.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:35PM
Friday, January 26, 2024

Actress Dana Delany corresponded with a fan on Twitter. What happened next is ‘Highway Patrol’ at Goodman Theatre. by Chris Jones

“I think it says something about our times,” she says about the play, “and the loneliness we all feel.”

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:30AM

Ronnie Marmo plans to bring the Richard Christiansen Theatre back to life by Chris Jones

He plans to stage his prior Chicago hit “I’m Not a Comedian ... I’m Lenny Bruce,” as directed by Joe Mantegna, and a new production of “Bill W. and Dr. Bob."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:15AM
Thursday, January 25, 2024

‘Beauty and the Beast’ musical will launch new tour in Chicago by Chris Jones

The new Disney tour will open at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago‘s Loop in July 2025.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:37AM
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Roche Schulfer will step down at Goodman Theatre, with managing director John Collins taking over leadership by Chris Jones

Roche Schulfer, 72, plans to retire from his job as the Chicago theater's executive director, effective Aug. 31.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM

All things grow: Justin Peck is transforming Sufjan Stevens’ album into ‘Illinoise,’ a different kind of stage musical by Chris Jones

Peck is best known as a dance choreographer but he wants "Illinoise," opening soon on Navy Pier, to be a theater piece. There is a narrative.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Monday, January 22, 2024

Review: In Rossini’s ‘Cinderella’ by Lyric Opera, a lively story without a princess in sight by Chris Jones

“Cinderella” is a barnstormer of a title, but there is no fairy godmother or glass slipper in this emotionally potent “La Cenerentola.”

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:30PM

Invictus Theatre Company will move into former Windy City Playhouse by Chris Jones

The theater will produce its 2024 season in the venue at the western end of Chicago’s North Center neighborhood.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Sunday, January 21, 2024

Review: ‘In Quietness’ by A Red Orchid Theatre is a story about faith and marriage that takes some strange turns by Chris Jones

As the wife, Max decides to repair herself to her husband’s Southern Baptist seminary. “Why is this woman here?” you keep wondering.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:20PM
Friday, January 19, 2024

Review: In ‘Anything Goes’ by Porchlight Music Theatre, star Meghan Murphy makes this Cole Porter musical sail along by Chris Jones

Take a cruise with a show packed with vitality, honesty and love for old-school Broadway.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:20PM
Thursday, January 11, 2024

Top 10 theater for winter 2024: From the world premiere of ‘Purpose’ to Dana Delany in ‘Highway Patrol’ by Chris Jones

The winter theater season is upon us. We have 10 Chicago-area shows opening between now and the end of March that look especially interesting.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Review: ‘Prayer for the French Republic’ on Broadway shows generations of a Jewish family — with scary prescience by Chris Jones

The play is set partly in 2016 as the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen makes unnerving political inroads and partly in 1946, when many Jewish families had been obliterated.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:00PM

Second City teachers threaten strike and picketing of shows by Chris Jones

They say they will begin picketing theaters Jan. 16 and will ask audiences not to cross the picket lines.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:46AM
Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Top 10 best of Broadway in 2023: From Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Merrily’ to Jessica Chastain in ‘Doll’s House’ by Chris Jones

Here, in order of preference, are my top picks from New York's Great White Way on the first full year since the pandemic.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Monday, December 25, 2023

Best performances in Chicago theater in 2023: These actors made plays, musicals and comedies come alive this year by Chris Jones

They were the leads of big musicals ("Boop," "Tommy") or stars in other ways. Including an unprecedented top-10 double appearance.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Saturday, December 23, 2023

Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum dies at 99, the oldest working actor in the country by Chris Jones

“He was the godfather of the working Chicago actor,” said Barbara Gaines, former artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:20PM
Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Chicagoan of the Year for Theater: Roche Schulfer guided the Goodman through the arts storm of the century by Chris Jones

Across the country during the pandemic, nonprofit theaters lost their audiences and were forced to cut staff. Not at the Goodman Theatre.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Monday, December 18, 2023

Review: ‘Appropriate’ opens on Broadway, with Sarah Paulson leading the most intense family since ‘Osage County’ by Chris Jones

Paulson is on fire all night long, torching not just anyone sharing Second Stage with her — including Elle Fanning — but half of the open-mouthed audience.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:00PM
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Best Chicago theater of 2023: From ‘Tommy’ to a soul opera, our top 10 shows chosen from many by Chris Jones

This was an especially fine year for musicals but over the last 12 months, I’ve also admired everything from revivals to daring new plays.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:40AM
Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Review: Warm ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!’ by American Blues Theater has always felt like home for the holidays by Chris Jones

Now staged in its new theater on Lincoln Avenue, this holiday show based on the Jimmy Stewart movie has gathered an audience that would follow it anywhere.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:50PM
Monday, December 11, 2023

Review: Updated ‘Dial M for Murder’ at Northlight Theatre will keep you guessing by Chris Jones

Mysteries and thrillers like this one are having a sudden, surprising renaissance in Chicago theater.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:10PM

‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ is coming to Chicago next, a boost for theater-going in the Loop by Chris Jones

Some eight years after its London bow, the “Harry Potter” stage play is coming to Chicago next September, and sticking around.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:53AM
Sunday, December 10, 2023

Review: ‘How to Dance in Ohio’ on Broadway is at its best when it lets its autistic stars shine by Chris Jones

This new musical focuses on a group of real, young, neurologically atypical persons in Columbus, Ohio, all preparing together for their prom.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 09:30PM
Friday, December 8, 2023

Review: ‘Promises, Promises’ by Blank Theatre is a fun, retro night out with Burt Bacharach by Chris Jones

I admire the way director Danny Kapinos’ production is willing to trust the audience with this 1960s musical.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:47PM
Thursday, December 7, 2023

Review: ‘Boop! The Musical’ opens in Chicago with a new Broadway star, far from a cartoon by Chris Jones

The relatively unknown Jasmine Amy Rogers turns in an astonishing performance at the heart of “Boop! the Musical” in its pre-Broadway opening, directed by Jerry Mitchell.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:37AM
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Review: Jamie Allan’s ‘Amaze’ at Rhapsody Theater is a revelation, and in the most unexpected ways by Chris Jones

Everything this longtime British magician does on stage is rooted in personal storytelling — there's an uncommon warmth and openness amid all the illusions and deception.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Review: ‘Islander’ at Chicago Shakespeare is a welcome, beguiling musical visitor from Scotland by Chris Jones

This is a contemporary folk tale inspired by the music and sounds of Scotland, earlier seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Friday, December 1, 2023

Review: ‘Christmas With Elvis’ at the Chopin Theatre feels like a trip back to fearless off-Loop theater, circa 1992 by Chris Jones

Playing a single woman visited by the ghost of Elvis, Brenda Barrie apparently has decided she is doing Eugene O’Neill and proceeds accordingly. She’s very funny, too.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:30AM
Thursday, November 30, 2023

Review: Promising new ‘The Wiz’ at Cadillac Palace has moments where it strays off the road by Chris Jones

Few titles command the affection of “The Wiz,” and the show’s most fabulous songs, including “Ease On Down the Road,” have been sung now for close to 50 years.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:04PM
Monday, November 27, 2023

American Blues Theater opens a new home on Lincoln Avenue, carved from a former Walgreens by Chris Jones

The impressive new two-theater complex will stage the upcoming “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!,” slated to open on Dec. 10.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:32PM
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Review: ‘Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas’ at the Studebaker is a happy holiday show for all ages by Chris Jones

Any fan of Jim Henson shouldn’t miss this truly splendid addition to the seasonal attractions on offer in Chicago’s Loop.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:15PM
Monday, November 20, 2023

Review: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ at the Paramount has lots of chocolate, now it just needs to warm up by Chris Jones

Granted, Roald Dahl’s dark and complex stories from the 1960s are not easy to adapt into family musicals.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:54PM
Friday, November 17, 2023

Review: A swirling, fashionable ‘Cinderella’ at Drury Lane Theatre brings sparkle to the season by Chris Jones

What you are seeing here is the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein “Cinderella,” retooled a bit for modern sensibilities.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:21PM

‘Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas’ is a new holiday musical in Chicago with puppet otters and Broadway aspirations by Chris Jones

Everyone involved in the production reveres the title's old-school Jim Henson legacy.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM
Thursday, November 16, 2023

Review: In ‘Spamalot’ revival on Broadway, Eric Idle’s knights fight bravely on by Chris Jones

Yes, there's a digital set in this revival of Eric Idle's hilarious musical and much of the audience doesn't know the material. But 'tis but a scratch.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:00PM
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Our holiday theater list: Top 10 shows to make your season bright, from Cirque to ‘Carols’ by Chris Jones

There’s no better time to get out and support Chicago theater than the festive season, when warm holiday performances abound.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:45AM

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