Other Professional Theater Reviews

***RECOMMENDED*** There is no death at Disney – at least not at any of their family-friendly amusement parks. If someone visiting Disney World should fall gravely ill or suffer a life-threatening emergency and meets the Grim Reaper instead of Snow White, the body is removed and is not officially pronounced dead until after it has physically left the property. They don’t want the pall of death to ruin the magic. Whether or not that’s actually true or just the product of the vivid imagination of playwrights Jillian Leff and Joe Lino, who share many insightful tidbits about the rules and regulations of working at the happiest place on earth, doesn’t really matter because their play “Small World” is such a thrilling joy ride to experience. This world premiere, presented by The New Colony and under the direction of Andrew Hobgood, is a darkly funny triumph. 3 and ½ SPOTLIGHTS

***RECOMMENDED*** As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June of 2015 that legalized same-sex marriages, there have been numerous plays that have featured gay couples navigating the uncertain terrain of wedded bliss. The majority of these works were written by cisgender males and, not surprisingly, all of the main characters have been gay men, most of whom are considering adopting children, expecting their new arrivals through surrogacy or already enjoying their little bundles of joy and adapting to their unfamiliar roles as parents. One of the most well-known of these plays is S. Asher Gelman's "Afterglow," which caused quite a sensation when it opened Off-Broadway and had a successful run of nearly a year and a half. 3 SPOTLIGHTS

***RECOMMENDED*** For the two young brothers at the center of Anna Jordan's play "Yen" it may initially appear that all they need is a strong dosage of love. No offense to Lennon and McCartney, but sometimes love is not always all that you need. These adolescent ruffians could have greatly benefited from a firm regulating hand in their early family life and development; to at least have had one dependable and sober parent to always be there for them in times of turmoil and to teach them valuable life lessons and make them feel secure along the way. Sadly, left to their own devices, which include PlayStation 4 gaming and streaming pornographic videos, it's not surprising to witness the wretched and unfortunate outcome of these truly uninspired youths. 3 SPOTLIGHTS

★★★★★ Very often, I am asked about the smaller theaters that are difficult to find. It has been a while since I have been to a play on Broadway ( yes, Virginia, we do have a Broadway in Chicago) but tonight I journeyed over to Pride Films & Plays Center’s Broadway Theater, located in yet another Chicago “storefront” at 4139 N. Broadway. They are doing the Chicago premiere of “Southern Comfort”, a musical based on a film documentary that tells the story of a transgender self-made community living life on their own terms in rural Georgia. With a book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, this musical is filled with Blue Grass music, and while you will not be humming as you leave the theater, you will have a good feeling as the characters find some happiness.