**** Highly Recommended Would it be too corny of me to say that I was thrilled ‘to be in the room where it happens’? Oh well, it’s true, so I’ll say it. I just saw "Hamilton", and it is totally awesome – and I learned a lot about our history. I know you’ve heard it before – but not from me - Hamilton is a masterpiece! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended You can add another kudo to Kate Fry’s resume, her tour de force performance in Northlight Theatre’s production of "Birthday Candles". I don’t mind telling you that this beautiful play, directed by Jessica Thebus, had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. Everything about it moved me! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Shattered Globe Theatre’s gripping production of "A View from the Bridge" transcends the ‘50s setting. Although "A View from the Bridge" is not one of my favorite plays, nuanced emotional performances from the talented cast kept my attention riveted to the stage. In fact, I thought the casting was spot-on. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended Once again, Linda J. Wilczynski gives a tour de force performance at the Towle Theater, this time in "Sidekicked". In this one-woman show, Wilczynski is Vivian Vance, also known as Ethel Mertz, wise-cracking landlady and sidekick to Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. This is a play and a performance that are well worth seeing. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Paramount Theatre’s production of "Little Shop of Horrors" was – as every production on that stage – very well done. Talented cast, clever music, just enough choreography, an interesting ‘80s take on costumes and a well-designed set – all the ingredients for a fabulous show – but this one just didn’t pop for me. This is not to say you shouldn’t see it, you absolutely should. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended Drury Lane’s production of "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" is a fabulous musical experience but if you’re looking for a story, this is not for you. This production is all music, no dialog. About the music, I must say, this is one of the most talented casts I’ve seen in a long time. They’re all strong musicians, they all play multiple instruments – and they all sing! For that alone, Ring of Fire is well worth seeing. 4 Spotlights
*** Recommended "Moon at the Bottom of the Ocean" is an interesting little play that I can’t quite classify. Although it’s purported to be a comedy, it’s not very funny. It’s about a married couple I couldn’t bring myself to like, and the push-pull of their creative angst. Introduction of a neutral party brought some humor to the story. By the way, the title has absolutely nothing to do with anything. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended The Marriott Theatre production of "Gypsy" is a musical treat. I’ve seen "Gypsy" multiple times so I wasn’t particularly excited to see it again, but this production reached out and grabbed me. This Rose (Lucia Spina) is phenomenal. She absolutely owns the stage. The rest of the cast is pretty darn good too. I’m pretty sure "Gypsy" will reach out and grab you too. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Hell in a Handbag is one of my absolute favorite Chicago theater companies. Their unauthorized parodies of old black and white films and TV shows from the fifties, packed with double entendres, puns, running sight gags and bad wigs, never fail to make me laugh! Understanding that, fans of Angela Lansbury’s TV series "Murder She Wrote" will love Hell in a Handbag’s newest parody, "Murder ReWrote". I’m happy to say that Handbag has scored again. Be prepared for murder, mayhem and a lot of laughs. "Murder ReWrote" is hilarious – and it’s a musical. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Music Theatre Works has a hit with their 150th production, "The Producers A Mel Brooks Musical", an outrageously funny musical based on Mel Brooks’ 1968 Academy Award winning black and white cult classic film. If you like fast-paced dialogue, clever lyrics, slapstick comedy, pratfalls and sight gags, you’ll love this show. No matter how many times I’ve seen The Producers it always makes me laugh. 4 Spotlights.
