**** Highly Recommended "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is phenomenal! Really, I’m not exaggerating. Harry Potter is wizardly and action-packed. The special effects are awesome, in fact, mindboggling. It’s a true continuation to J.K. Rowlings’ original series, AND it’s not a musical. It’s a tad long at nearly three hours, but you’ll never notice while you’re watching! I loved this show! 4 BIG Spotlights
Highly Recommended Goodman Theatre’s thoughtful revival of "Inherit the Wind", directed by Henry Godinez, is incredibly timely. To paraphrase a baseball pundit, it was like déjà vu all over again. The play, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee, is loosely based on the famous 1925 Scopes ‘Monkey’ trial. There’s a lot of religious ranting and bigotry but the trial comes down to a battle of wits between two larger than life lawyers. The title comes from the Bible, Proverbs 11:29. For me, the mark of a good play is in the discussion on the way home. My friend Crista, who happens to be a prosecutor, and I had a great time dissecting "Inherit the Wind". 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Although "Noises Off" is the funniest farce ever written, I was really surprised to hear that Steppenwolf was bringing it back. Maybe I’m being a tad judgmental here, but "Noises Off" didn’t seem ‘edgy’ enough for Steppenwolf. On the other hand, as I heard people talking during intermission, I realized there are a lot of young people who have never seen a production of this absolutely hilarious show – and were loving it! It was obvious the cast was loving it too – overacting their hearts out! I loved "Noises Off", you will too. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Chicago Shakespeare’s "Henry V" is a fast moving action-filled production. It is martial, violent, nationalistic and very loud, but it still manages to include a bit of comic relief as well as moments of introspection. I remember the first time I saw "Henry V," back in 2014, I said it was like watching the Military Channel, all war, all the time – and I just couldn’t get involved. This production had me from the moment the ensemble cast marched into the Courtyard Theatre singing "A Pair of Brown Eyes" (by the Pogues) – and as the Chorus, deliver the Prologue – until the Chorus returns at the end. 4 Spotlights
*** Recommended Court Theatre’s first production of the fall season, "East Texas Hot Links" is a difficult play to describe or categorize. Although it has some funny moments, drawing some loud guffaws from the audience, the story ends on a tragic note which definitely drew gasps. It is well acted but it was very difficult to understand the dialect, especially if English is not your first language. 3 Spotlights.
**** Recommended Towle Theater’s latest production, "Slow Food," is a stupidly funny little comedy about a restaurant patron’s worst nightmare, a passive-aggressive waiter. It’s totally predictable yet laugh-out-loud funny. The talented cast makes the most of the story. Don’t miss this one. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Recommended I knew about Mike Royko, but only in a visceral way. I’ve never lived in Chicago – except for two years in a college dorm – so I can’t say I knew a lot about him. That said, I thought that "Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago," an anecdotal portrayal of a fearless journalist, written and performed by Mitchell Bisschop and directed by Steve Scott, was fascinating. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Janet Ulrich Brooks performance as Queen Elizabeth II in Drury Lane Theatre’s production of "The Audience" was a tour de force. You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this historical drama, but it’s fun to imagine being in the room and listening in on conversations in the Audience room. The set was gorgeous, the costumes – especially that iconic white ball gown and crown – were authentic. The only criticism I have to offer – I had a hard time hearing some of the dialogue. 4 Spotlights
**** The Paramount Theatre’s production of "The Full Monty" is a rowdy, risqué and totally fun show. The ensemble is terrific – the men are sexy-ish (you know they’re trying), the ladies are whooping it up! Kudos to the cast and crew on a great job! My friend Helen and I loved it. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended "1776" is one of my least favorite musicals, so I wasn’t looking forward to seeing this musical about the founding fathers again. However, I did like the Marriott Theatre production which is so timely in light of these stressful times. Marriott’s in-the-round staging brought everything closer to the audience making viewers feel more involved. Their non-traditional casting (black actors and female actors – both of whom would have been excluded in 1776) was also spot on. If you’re interested in history, you’ll enjoy "1776," especially the solemn role call as they sign the Declaration of Independence. 4 Spotlights
