Highly Recommended ***** We have all heard the adage” fine wines become finer with age”. Is it possible that plays can do the same? I think that in order to do so, the writer would have to go back to the “drawing board” and recreate what they started out to do. This can take place when the writer matures and starts to see life from a different angle. It can also take place when an actor returns to play a role they did years earlier, but now, understands the role more clearly. This leads me into my look at a special representation of a show we saw years ago at Theatre in the Center in Munster, “Something In The Game: An All-American Musical”, an epic look at the life (and legend) of Knute Rockne, regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time.

★★★★★ Live theater! Anything can happen when we see a production, “live”. Today, at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, the youngsters who were in attendance at their opening of “Pinkaliciois the Musical”. indeed had a lesson in reality, as it happens in the theater. The full house of families (mainly little girls, dressed in pink), were ready to watch the musical adaptation of Victoria and Elizabeth Kahn’s popular children’s book “Pinkalicious”, as was I. In fact, the production began after all the typical announcements.

**** Highly Recommended **** I always look forward to the evenings I spend watching First Folio’s Shakespeare under the stars. Somehow, that atmosphere – an outdoor stage set in the lush Mayslake Peabody Estate – transports me into Shakespeare’s world. That stage has been transformed into a 1930’s Chicago jazz club as the backdrop for “Shrew’d”, First Folio’s brand new musical based on Shakespeare’s misogynistic comedy, “The Taming of the Shrew”. I fell in love with this show listening to the very first song, “City of Dreams”, a tribute to Chicago. Don’t miss “Shrew’d”! 4 Big Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Theatre at the Center’s production of "The Lady with All the Answers" is a perfect play for these hot summer days/nights. It’s a warm, humorous and very personal glimpse into the life of Esther Pauline “Eppie” Lederer, the woman behind “Ask Ann Landers”. I remember watching ‘Ann Landers’ on Irv Kupcinet’s TV show – a long, long time ago – and I think Janet Ulrich Brook was perfect in the part. In addition to Lander’s signature ‘helmet’ hairdo, she also mastered her unusually sharp speech patterns. Don’t miss “The Lady with All the Answer”, you’ll really enjoy it. 4 Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Folks Operetta’s production of “The Csárdás Princess” is a delightful ‘rich-guy-falls-for-poor-girl’ story with lots of obstacles in the path to true love. As most of you know, I’m not an opera fan, but the combination of a talented cast with gorgeous voices, a story with a happy ending and a surfeit of Viennese waltzes made it enjoyable. 3 ½ Spotlights

**** Recommended **** I have to hand it to Drury Lane Theatre! Instead of their usual tried and true Broadway-style musical, they decided to go with Tennessee Williams’ smoldering melodrama, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. While most families have a secret or two, the Politte family has skeletons – maybe even elephants – lurking in their closets. Those secrets become weapons in the war to win Big Daddy’s favor and ultimately control of the family estate/money. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is Tennessee Williams at his best. 4 Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** I can’t remember when I’ve laughed as much and as hard as I did at Marriott Theatre’s “Murder for Two”. If you like a good murder mystery, you’ll love this whodunit. High energy, fast-paced dialogue/lyrics, campy, vampy characterizations, plenty of zany suspects, a spooky mansion, a silly twist and a pratfall or two make “Murder for Two” so much fun. I loved this show! 4 Spotlights

Highly Recommended **** Chicago theater audiences have been waiting for the arrival of “Waitress”, making its Chicago debut, but a musical that has some unique ties to our city. The workshop and Broadway opening starred Jessie Mueller in the title role of Jenna. While I am sure that her followers were hoping that she would have done at least the Chicago portion of the tour, the young lady that is playing this role, Desi Oakley, is wonderful and will fill your heart and soul with the same emotions that Jessie would have.