EMERALD CITY THEATRE’S BELOVED PRODUCTION RETURNS FOR THE 2019 HOLIDAY SEASON
“A bear. A button. A place to belong.”
COMING TO BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE THEATRE NOVEMBER 15, 2019 – JANUARY 5, 2020
“A bear. A button. A place to belong.”
COMING TO BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE THEATRE NOVEMBER 15, 2019 – JANUARY 5, 2020
Highly Recommended **** “The Wizard of Oz” Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s summer family show is bright, colorful and fun! Kids of all ages will love it! It’s not too long, just 75 minutes, but everything from the original is included. The set is simple, the costumes are colorful, the music is lively, and Toto is a real dog! Everyone will cheer for Dorothy as she outsmarts the Wicked Witch of the West, played by twelve-time Jeff Award winner, Hollis Resnik. 4 Spotlights
Highly Recommended **** If you like a story with an interesting twist, then the Towle Theater’s new production, “String”, is the musical for you. Take a tiny bit of Greek mythology, drop it into a skyscraper somewhere, add a sweet love story with lush music and clever, complicated lyrics, it’s a recipe for success. My friend Nancy and I really enjoyed “String”. Kudos to Director Jeff Casey on another winner. 4 Spotlights
Recommended **** For me, “Darling Grenadine” has been difficult to write about because of the subject – addictions, specifically alcoholism. With alcoholism in my immediate family, I can truthfully say “been there, done that” about many of the behaviors depicted. There’s no denying that “Darling Grenadine” is a hauntingly beautiful musical, but I don’t recommend it for anyone with similar family issues. 3 ½ Spotlights
Highly Recommended **** Who knew that ‘80s pop music the people of today’s LGBTQ community and ancient Greece would make a wonderfully farcical jukebox musical? Taking that music, those people and that place – and the right cast – and Kokandy Productions made magic with campy romp, “Head Over Heels”. “Head Over Heels” is a little bit risqué, a tiny bit bawdy, kind of farcical, and very, very funny. 4 Spotlights
★★★★★ As a young man, when I watched the film depicting the life of Hans Christian Andersen, starring Danny Kaye, I knew that somehow I wanted to be involved with show business. I fell in love with story-telling and music. This movie is currently on stage at Nortwestern University in Evanston at The Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive which is a part of the Wirtz Center. Because it is a college production and the actors and musicians are students, I am only at liberty to give you an overall picture, but I must tell you, I enjoyed every minute of this 80 minute production.
★★★★★Driving down to the Cadillac Palace Theatre last night Jane said, why are we seeing “Les Miz” again? It has been 12 times at least, and as I always say, every production ( or even performance) is new and exciting and very different than the others, so we parked, entered the theater, said hello to other reviewers and friends, and watched two hours- fifty-five minutes of the newly stage ( direction by Laurence Connor and James Powell) and re-imagined sets (Matt Kinley) with a full house that were up on their feet in recognition of this masterpiece getting even better! Thank you Broadway In Chicago for giving Chicago this treat!
Recommended *** Many of you are aware of the small storefront theater called Rivendell, next to the pizza joint on Ridge Avenue, near Senn High School. While Rivendell is doing their production at Victory Gardens, they are renting their space out to a new company, Dandelion Theatre, who is presenting a World Premier called “Bury Me” written by Brynne Frauenhoffer. According to the notes on the playwright, this is not her first play, BUT is the first one she ever finished.
★★★★★ The classic musical! This is what many call Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man”, now on the main stage of The Goodman Theatre.
Highly Recommended ****First of all, when you see the title of this play, do not “judge the book by its cover” truly is the expression to use. "Hitler's Tasters" is a unique piece that is being presented by the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie as part of a special “Summer Theater” program. Written by Michelle Kholos Brooks, this 90 minute drama challenges the audience to fall in love with its characters despite their being a part of Nazi Germany. It all takes place in a large dining area where there are three girls, who have the task to taste the meals that their leader and commander is to be served.