**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane Theatre’s new production of "Sister Act," one of my favorite musicals, is terrific. Drury Lane productions always include talented actors, beautiful costumes and sets, and really, really good, dancing-in-your-seat music; "Sister Act" fits that criteria perfectly. Kudos to Director E. Faye Butler for ‘hitting it out of the park’! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, "Amadeus," is just about perfect. Of course, I thought that about the 1984 movie starring F. Murray Abraham, too. No kidding, when I took my family to see that film, we all thought it was wonderful. In fact, my then seven-year-old son fell in love with Mozart’s music, which turned out to be a life-long love. Steppenwolf’s production of this masterpiece of clashing personalities and court intrigue is magnificent. Kudos to Director Robert Falls in his Steppenwolf debut. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Marriott Theatre’s holiday offering, "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas," combines the toe-tapping rock music of the original MDQ with favorite holiday tunes. Apparently, Colin Escott, who co-wrote the original, decided to ‘reimagine’ that 1956 jam session with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley into a jukebox Christmas. If you love old-fashioned rock n’ roll, you’ll be dancing in your seat…and…humming along with your favorite carol. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Recommended A 17-year-old girl with an absent father rebelling against her controlling mother is not a new story. What makes "Hell’s Kitchen" different is the music and Alicia Keys! Not actually Alicia Keys, but you couldn’t prove it by the screaming fans in the audience. I would give an A++++ on the voices & music, the choreography too, but just a B- on the story but nobody cared because – Alicia Keys! 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended I loved Writers Theatre’s production of "As You Like It," one of Shakespeare’s more complicated comedies. This delightful show was just what I needed! Shakespeare’s words and music are a natural fit in this enjoyable new adaptation by Shaina Taub and Laurie Wooolery. Kudos to Director Braden Abraham, Music Director Michael Mahler and Choreographer Erin Kilmurray, for bringing a new twist on an old favorite. Get your tickets for this terrific holiday show ASAP! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended The uber-talented Leslie Goddard returned to Theatre at the Center for another of her one-woman shows, "The Life and Legend of Lizzie Borden." Yes, indeed, it was Lizzie Borden herself, telling her story. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended The Towle Theater’s production of "Little Shop of Horrors" wowed northwest Indiana audiences for just two short weekends. What a shame! Although their space is tiny for a show of this size, they made it work using minimal props and scenery. I really enjoyed this one. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended After the opening performance of "Paranormal Activity" at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, a group of us were talking about the performance, which we had enjoyed. Somebody said that it had been way too long since we’d seen a good suspense-filled play – maybe since "Wait until Dark." At any rate, if you love shows about things that go bump in the night, you’ll love this one. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Why revive "Sound of Music" for a national tour? Simply put – it’s one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musicals, it’s family friendly, the love story is timeless and it’s the 65th anniversary of "The Sound of Music" on stage. This production is enchanting. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended The Q Brothers Collective – GQ, JQ, Jax and Pos – are back at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre with their unique take on Julius Caesar. "Rome Sweet Rome" is fresh, cheeky, fun and very original. Loved it! 4 Spotlights
