Reviews by Carol Moore

Action-packed "Athena" Blew Me Away! - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** I almost didn’t recognize Writers Theatre’s smaller Gillian Theatre when I walked in, what with two tiers of seats facing each other across a narrow platform. I did feel like I was walking into a gym somewhere to watch a sporting event. Actually, I did watch an absolutely riveting sporting event inside a play called "Athena" which chronicles two girls competing in the sport of fencing. Teen angst is one thing, teen angst amid friendship and competition is something else again. Wow! "Athena" is action-packed and it blew me away, it’s that good! 4 BIG Spotlights

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"Seagull" opens Steppenwolf's New Theatre - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Steppenwolf Theatre opened the new in-the-round Ensemble Theatre in Honor of Helen Zell with Seagull, a new version of Chekhov’s classic, The Seagull, adapted, translated and directed by Yasen Peyankov. I’m not a Chekhov fan, so even though the production was very well done, the cast outstanding, I can’t get too enthusiastic. Seagull is worth the trip. 3 ½ Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Lookingglass Alice" is Whimsical and Athletic - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** "Lookingglass Alice" is quite simply the most fascinating show of the season, and exactly the pick-me-up we need! Forget those silly cartoons, this Alice flies through the air, the Red Queen walks on bouncy stilts and the White Knight rides a unicycle. Children (over age 5, please) will love this whimsical show produced by Lookingglass Theatre in association with The Actors Gymnasium. I was enthralled from start to finish. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Five Actors play Nine Characters in "Hope and Gravity" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Towle Theater’s new production, "Hope and Gravity", is hard to define as five actors play nine characters – four couples and an unmarried poetry professor. Could be comedy, could be tragedy, but actually more like a mishmash of both. I know I laughed out loud more than once, and shed a few tears! Done in a series of scenes interspersed with blackouts, it had a feel of Second City. I think you’ll enjoy "Hope and Gravity". I know I did. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"The Tragedy of King Christophe" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** "The Tragedy of King Christophe", written by Aimé Fernand David Césaire, is the true story of a former slave who rose up from poverty to became President of the state of Haiti, then declared himself king. Henri Christophe ended up being the only king of Haiti. This is an ambitious undertaking for a small company like House Theatre of Chicago, but the ensemble made it work – and it’s truly an ensemble effort. 3 ½ Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Strong Women prevail in "All’s Well That Ends Well" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** There are so many good things to say about Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of "All’s Well That Ends Well", it’s hard to decide where to start. It is so well written it might just be Shakespeare’s best, although it was never staged during his lifetime. The characters have more depth, the women’s roles are stronger, and it appeals to our 21st century selves. Kudos to Director Shana Cooper who has assembled a stellar cast. The CST production will keep you spellbound until the end. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Spring Awakening" Ensemble is Superb! - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of "Spring Awakening" is musical adaptation of an 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, a frequently banned drama about a sexually oppressed community in Germany. Steven Sater (book and lyrics) and Duncan Sheik (music) have turned it into an alternative rock, coming-of-age musical. No matter the century, teen angst is teen angst, after all. Porchlight's production, led by 18-year-old Maya Lou Hlava, is an ensemble piece, and the blend of voices is superb! 4 Spotllights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Intimate Apparel" is Well-Acted and Beautifully Staged - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** In order to survive, humans need connections with other humans – friends, lovers, mates. Northlight Theatre’s production of Lynn Nottage’s play, "Intimate Apparel" is a thoughtful story about a lonely black woman who desperately wants an intimate connection with someone. It is a good play, well-acted and beautifully staged but somewhat repetitious. In fact, I found myself zoning out a couple of times during the first act. 3 ½ Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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You’ll Be Dancing in Your Seat at "Rock of Ages" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** Are you ready to rock? "Rock of Ages", the fabulous jukebox musical playing at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, is the show for you! Although "Rock of Ages" has a plot, 'save the Bourbon Bar' as well as a boy-meets-girl sub-plot, the music is the real story – and it rocks! Seriously, the score includes 28 hits from artists like Bon Jovi, Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar, Poison, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Europe, Starship, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon and more. You’ll be dancing in your seat! 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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The Children ARE "The Sound of Music" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** No matter how many times I’ve seen "The Sound of Music", it doesn’t get old. Marriott Theater’s new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is one of the best. There are seven reasons I say this – the seven Von Trapp children – who are amazing! The rest of the cast is pretty darn good too! All in all, I think everyone (except a couple of curmudgeons I know) will love this show. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about The Children ARE "The Sound of Music" - Review by Carol Moore

Action-packed "Athena" Blew Me Away! - Review by Carol Moore

"Seagull" opens Steppenwolf's New Theatre - Review by Carol Moore

"Lookingglass Alice" is Whimsical and Athletic - Review by Carol Moore

Five Actors play Nine Characters in "Hope and Gravity" - Review by Carol Moore

"The Tragedy of King Christophe" - Review by Carol Moore

Strong Women prevail in "All’s Well That Ends Well" - Review by Carol Moore

"Spring Awakening" Ensemble is Superb! - Review by Carol Moore

"Intimate Apparel" is Well-Acted and Beautifully Staged - Review by Carol Moore

You’ll Be Dancing in Your Seat at "Rock of Ages" - Review by Carol Moore

The Children ARE "The Sound of Music" - Review by Carol Moore

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