Spotlight on Reviews

"Godspell" is currently livening up the stage at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie courtesy of Music Theatre Works.

***RECOMMENDED***     For the casual audience member attending an operatic performance, it is usually not necessary to know much about a production's narrative beforehand. That's the job of the librettist. If you have a good librettist, the story unfolds in real-time, it beautifully complements the rhythm of the composer's score and it is easily understood. However, if the source material happens to be Shakespeare or Greek tragedy, perhaps, you may want to do a little bit of research ahead of time. No need to dig out your old Edith Hamilton edition of "Mythology" however, in order to appreciate the season-opener "Medea" at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Just peruse the synopsis in your program before the curtain rises. The first paragraph will grant you vital information that will fill in memory gaps to Medea's backstory while also helping to answer questions that have major significance on what is her motivation for ultimately devising such a sinister plan. 3 SPOTLIGHTS

**** Recommended  Elizabeth McGovern, who stars as Ava Gardner in "AVA: The Secret Conversations," is one heck of an actress. I watched her play Lady Cora Crawley in every episode of Downton Abbey – and all three movies – and she was very good, but somehow dwarfed by the bigger personalities – her mother-in-law, her daughter, etc. – around the Abbey. Seeing her in this role, I see what a great actress she really is.  4 Spotlights

***** Recommended  I really enjoyed the Goodman Theatre’s production of "Ashland Avenue," written by Lee Kirk, a comedy filled with family angst. Kevin Depinet’s amazing set is part of the fun. How many TV sets can you count? And then there’s the cardboard cutout. The story wasn’t that original but it worked. It’s a little on the long side, however. 3 ½ Spotlights