Over the years I’ve been to many a Halloween show at M & M Productions’ Center Stage Studio Theatre. This year, the show is "Ghost Writer 1989" written & directed by Mike and Melinda’s son, Jacob Reinhart who took the tired “teens in an isolated cabin” trope and added his own creative plot twists. Kudos! Don’t miss this show.
4 Spotlights! Towle Theater’s production, The Spider or the Fly?, a psychological thriller by Sam Bobrick, explores the relationship between Maura (played by Mary Margaret McCormack) and Scott (played by Martin Downs) who are serving on a jury for a murder trial. They become romantically involved, but soon discover they are at odds on what they believe should be the verdict of the trial.
**** Highly Recommended The Marian Theatre Guild production of "Birthday Candles" is a definite must-see. Kudos to Susan Bobos on her tour de force performance. I don’t mind telling you that this beautiful play made me laugh and moved me to tears. It’s a shame that MTG only does four performances of their plays. This one deserves more! 4 BIG Spotlights
*** Recommended "The Story of My Life," was a lot like watching a funeral, what with the flower-flanked podium situated in front of an arch, placed exactly in the center of the stage. The rest of the stage is strewn with notebooks and loose sheets of paper. This is a show about a pair of childhood friends who grew up in a small town. One left and one stayed behind. All those sheets of paper contain the stories of their lives together. Although it’s billed as a musical, I’d call "The Story of My Life" a play with music. It’s both poignant and lyrical. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended The Drama Group production of "The Addams Family" is fun, fun, fun! Audiences are loving the show! The talented cast has totally embraced the Addams zaniness. Director Tyler McMahon has the cast playing these already over-the-top characters relatively straight, adding to the crazy! The costumes are spot-on, the set is equipped with all the latest torture devices – and a hidden passage or two. Throw in a disembodied hand, swash-buckling swordsmanship and a taste of tango and you have the recipe for an Addams hit. A tiny warning, you’ll only hear that signature Addams finger snap in the overture. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** The Towle Theater production of "Women in Jeopardy" is a lot of fun, a comedy of errors involving three divorced gal pals, a clueless, self-involved girl, a spacey, cougar-obsessed boy and a creepy dentist. Are two of the gals jealous because the third met someone – or is it really about his weird vibes? I had to laugh out loud at the funny dialogue and improbable situations in this light-hearted comedy. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Recommended **** Hammond Community Theatre’s latest show is a totally macabre musical revue – and it’s hilarious! No kidding, "Madwomen’s Late-Nite Cabaret" will have you laughing from the very first song all the way to the finale. You will not believe how perfectly certain well-known songs certain maligned women’s lives/death scenes. This is a don't miss show!
**** Highly Recommended **** Towle Theater opens their 20th season with a one-woman show, Love, Linda (The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter), an absolute tour de force for star, LInda J. Wilczynski. Love, Linda is an autobiographical musical about Linda Lee Thomas who was married to Cole Porter for 35 years. This show is not to be missed! 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** One of my favorite things post-Thanksgiving treats is the Towle Theater’s Fabulous 50’s Christmas. The show is modeled on the old Perry Como/Andy Williams Christmas specials our parents/grandparents watched in the 50s.
**** Recommended **** The Drama Group chose Chicago’s own bittersweet musical, The Christmas Schooner as its holiday production. This is the story of the first ship to brave Lake Michigan’s frigid waters and November gales to bring Christmas trees to the German immigrants living in Chicago, a tradition maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard today. This is a must-see show, don’t miss it! 4 Spotlights
