**** Recommended Kayla Shipman absolutely sparkles in the Music Theater Works production of "Legally Blonde." Her Elle Woods is fierce and very, very smart as well as drop-dead gorgeous. Harvard Law never saw her coming! "Legally Blonde" is well-written, has clever songs and is downright funny. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended The "Dickens’ Christmas Carol Dinner Show" is a somewhat abridged, totally schmaltzy, retelling of the Dickens classic. Originally adapted into a radio-style script by Philip Potempa it was CVPA’s first post-Covid show, transferred to the stage in 2022 and restaged in 2024. New this year – an abridged children’s version. 3 1/2 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** For the last several years (try 15 or more), one of my favorite holiday treats has been the Towle Theater’s "A Fabulous 50’s Christmas." The show, conceived by retiring Towle Artistic Director, Jeff Casey, is modeled on the old Perry Como/Andy Williams Christmas specials our parents/grandparents watched in the 50s. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** If you’re looking for some adults-only holiday cheer and a raucous good time, head for Theater Wit and the fourth year of their smash hit "Who’s Holiday!" a one-woman show, starring Veronica Garza as 40-something Cindy Lou Who. You might remember a certain cartoon, and a cute little tot who caught a green guy stealing her Christmas tree. That was then, this is now! This version of Cindy Lou Who has a story to tell – and everything she says is in rhyme! Garza has incredible comic chops, so "Who’s Holiday!" is raucous, raunchy and absolutely hilarious. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended I missed seeing the Goodman Theatre’s annual intro to the holiday season, "A Christmas Carol," the last couple of years, so it was a definite joy to be back in that audience. Although the overall production remains the same, there are some changes – I loved Christopher Donahue in his first year as Scrooge and Kate Fry who stepped in as the Narrator. A note: Austin Tichenor steps in as Scrooge at ten performances. A Christmas Carol remains a holiday tradition for many families. The Goodman lobby, festive with decorations and a sparkling holiday shopping area, adds zing to the holiday spirit. Now in its 47th year, "A Christmas Carol" will put you in the holiday spirit with a fabulous cast, lavish sets and colorful period costumes. 4 Holiday Spotlights.
**** Highly Recommended Have you ever wondered... what if Cathy married Heathcliff instead of what’s-his-name … or what if Rose pulled Jack onto that door? What if Juliet decides she’s over Romeo? That’s the premise of "& Juliet" a charming musical about a girl who takes back her power – even from the greatest writer of all time. It’s chock full of pop hits by Max Martin, probably one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, making it one of the best jukebox musicals I’ve seen in a long time. 4 Spotlights
*** Recommended "Yippee Ki Yay: The Parody Celebration of Die Hard" is the perfect show for someone who thinks that Die Hard is the best Christmas movie ever made. Unfortunately, that is not me. I didn’t like the movie and don’t understand why people think it’s about Christmas. That said, Richard Marsh’s one-man re-telling of the film – all in rhyme – is quite clever. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended "Falsettos," produced in Partnership with Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company, and directed by TimeLine co-founder and Associate Artistic Director, Nick Bowling, is an unusual musical in that it defies classification. It’s about the angst-ridden lives of six New Yorkers, but it’s not annoying – at least most of the time. It has funny bits, but it’s not a comedy. It has really sad bits, but it’s not a tragedy. The entire script is sung, but it’s not an opera or even an operetta, it’s a musical soap opera. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane Theater’s enchanting production of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" might just be the best musical they’ve ever done – if not the best, then it’s in the top five! The sets and costumes are gorgeous, the puppets are incredible and then there’s Ursula! Everyone cheered when favorite characters entered or favorite songs began. Adults became kids again – everyone was enthralled. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended The Madison Square Garden Production of "Annie" playing at the Chicago Theatre is an absolute delight. The success of this production rests squarely on the shoulders of twelve-year-old Hazel Vogel, who is onstage virtually the entire play – a daunting prospect for many adults – but this girl is definitely up to the task! Kevin, the dog who plays Sandy, is darling and very well trained. "Annie" is a perfect choice to introduce young people to live theater. 4 Spotlights
