Reviews by Carol Moore

** Somewhat Recommended ** The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington felt like a 60s acid trip – with real people chanting horrible, hurtful words, morphing into nightmarish specters in vicious, swirling colors threatening sanity.  I know that slavery was evil, repugnant and a blot on our American history, but I still cringed at the level of torture portrayed on Steppenwolf’s stage.  Honestly, I’d take the acid trip over this play.  2 Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Paramount’s production of Dreamgirls was exactly what I expected to see – a big, spectacular, sparkly, sequined extravaganza.  Set in the 60s, Dreamgirls is loosely modeled on the experiences and successes of the Supremes, minus Motown.  Fans of 60s music will love this show.  People were chair dancing all over the auditorium. Unfortunately, it was also loud, so loud that I couldn’t understand what the actors were saying.  3 1.2 Spotlights

*** Recommended *** Black Ensemble Theatre’s latest production, "My Brother Langston" is a play with music, a tribute to poet and civil rights leader, Langston Hughes, written and directed by Rueben Echoles.  Based on the title, I thought this would be a bio play about Hughes, but it’s much more autobiographical, with Hughes (brilliantly portrayed by actor Chris Taylor) telling his own story.  The production struggles –his life story jumps willy-nilly from personal relationships to the Harlem Renaissance and back again, but the moments of his poetry shine brightly.  3 Spotlights  

**** Highly Recommended **** TimeLine Theatre is known for their thoughtful, well-researched, intelligent plays based on real people, real history.  In addition to meeting those criteria, "Campaigns, Inc.", a story about the very first political consulting firm – and its female founder – is poignant and surprisingly funny and so very relevant today!  Guess what?  Dirty tricks in politics have been around for a long time!  Kudos to Director Nick Bowling, "Campaigns, Inc." is one of my top ten plays of 2022.  4 BIG Spotlights