**** Recommended **** Lookingglass Theatre’s production of Her Honor Jane Byrne had just opened – I think they had four or five previews and opening night – and then the pandemic hit. I never got a chance to see this gripping political drama, so I was happy to see that Lookingglass was reopening with Her Honor Jane Byrne. It was worth the wait! 4 Spotlights
I love going to Lookingglass because you never know what to expect. The most flexible theater space in the city is a different theater for every show, as everything from stage location to seating changes for every production. I can remember sitting in baseball bleachers for one play, and rough, wooden Chautauqua pews for another. For Her Honor Jane Byrne, the entire floor is the stage, with the backdrop on the Michigan Avenue side of the theater, and seating around three edges.
In January of 1979, a blizzard shut down the city. When it took days for the city to plow the streets, most people blamed interim Mayor Michael Bilandic 
(who took office after Richard Daley’s death). Unfortunately for Bilandic, the mayoral primary was just a couple of months later, and Jane Byrne used the blizzard to defeat him.
One of the most famous episodes in Byrne’s tenure was her residence at Cabrini-Green, one of the city’s most dangerous housing projects. Her Honor Jane Byrne is set during that time. Jane Byrne was probably sincere about her interest in cleaning up Cabrini-Green. Unfortunately, most people thought it was a publicity stunt.
I’ve never lived in Chicago, so I was only vaguely aware of the city’s politics. 
That made it difficult for me to keep straight all the characters, their various affiliations, their relationships with the Mayor and each other, and their conflicts with the mayor and/or city administration.
Mayor Jane Byrne (Christine Mary Dunford) called a meeting in the courtyard of Cabrini-Green, with the Police Superintendent, the Cabrini-Green District Police Commander, and the city’s Housing Director. She was furious about the dangerous conditions at C-G and demanded solutions to the gang shootings.
Once she moved into Cabrini-Green, she faced off against people who had vested interest in the status quo – the Alderman who told her to stay out of his 
Ward; the crime boss who ran drug sales at C-G; the gangs that ruled the complex, the reporter who wanted a story, community organizers and even the residents.
In addition to Dunford, the ensemble cast – many of whom play multiple characters - includes Emily Anderson, Sydney Charles, Robert Cornelius, Raymond Fox, Nicole Michelle Haskins, Renée Lockett, Frank Nall, Josh Odor and Willie "Prince Roc" Round. Kudos to those who played multiple characters.
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination before entering the theater. 
Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
Her Honor Jany Byrne runs through December 19th at Lookingglass Theatre in Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan., Chicago. Discounted parking is available at 875 N. Michigan ($10); Olympia Centre ($11): Water Tower Place ($14 for 4 hours). Validate parking ticket at Lookingglass Box Office. Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with an intermission.
Performances are: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm; Thursdays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm. * Thursday Matinee & Sunday Evening performances alternate, so check the calendar. Tickets start at $60. FYI https://lookingglasstheatre.org/event/her-honor-jane-byrne-2021.