June is here, and that means Canterbury Summer Theatre is back. Canterbury opened the season with a rather eerie play, "The Thin Place" by Lucas Hnath, directed by David Graham. If you like hearing/reading/watching spooky ghost stories, this is the play for you. I’m not really into this genre, but I have to say, I felt a prickle of unease once or twice. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Recommended **** The Drama Group in Chicago Heights is celebrating their 90th season, definitely a major milestone. As if that’s not enough for a party, this is their 20th year exchanging productions with the Stables Theatre from Hastings, England. So, for the first time on an American stage, the Stables Theatre production of "Run for Your Wife", a really funny farce by Ray Cooney. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** The Second City’s 110th Mainstage Revue, "Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not" is downright hilarious. Everywhere I looked, the folks in the audience were laughing – not polite little titters, either – I’m talking guffaws! Unlike recent revues, this one isn’t angry or political or even newsy – although there was one funny sketch about doddering senior citizens which ended with the zinger – do we really want to elect these guys? I haven’t laughed so much in years! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** "Skates A New Musical" playing at the newly renovated Studebaker Theatre through June 26th, is a polished production, but the story didn’t resonate for me. It’s kind of a mash-up – a pop star takes a nostalgic trip back to a particular place and time, Windy City Skate in the ‘70s. Once there, however, she gets to meet and interact with her teen-aged self. Skates is colorful, fast-paced and fun to watch. 3 ½ Spotlights
**** Recommended **** "Hand to God" is a totally irreverent, foul-mouthed, bawdy, but absolutely hilarious comedy playing at the Copley Theatre through July 10th. At the beginning, an understated yet profane puppet prologue; at the end, a scene of chaotic destruction and possible redemption, in the middle, a possessed puppet determined to take over the world – or at least this little corner of Texas! Kudos to August Forman and his puppet, Tyrone, on a brilliant performance. Depending on your perspective on religion and church hypocrisy, "Hand to God" will have you laughing or gasping in horror! I chose laughter. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** Somewhere Over the Border is Brian Quijada’s tribute to his mother and her journey from El Salvador to the United States. Although I’m sure the trek was scary dangerous, Quijada takes a lighter approach, modeling his musical on The Wizard of Oz – consistently light-hearted but always determined and goal-oriented – even through the scary bits! Quijada’s original music includes cumbia, Mexican mariachi boleros, American rock and hip hop styles – all played by a live band. Kudos to Teatro Vista for a toe-tapping joyous show. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** Each of the plays in August Wilson’s ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle, which chronicles African-American experiences, is set in a different decade of the twentieth century. "Two Trains Running", which opened at the Court Theatre last week, set during the sixties, examines the disruption caused by urban renewal in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a once thriving African American neighborhood. It is thought-provoking, poignant and yet laugh-out-loud funny. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** Take everything you think you remember about "To Kill a Mockingbird", the movie or the play, and toss it out. Aaron Sorkin’s nuanced adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel – hard to believe that it was written more than 50 years ago – is just about perfect. One could almost see the ‘Breaking News’ headlines this story could generate! However, telling the story from a child’s perspective bares all the ugly truths while muting some of the racial prejudice, hatred and mob action. Don’t miss "To Kill a Mockingbird!" 4 Big Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** Once again, TimeLine Theatre brings us a thoughtful, well-researched, intelligent play about a person who appears briefly in American history. I"n 1834, a pair of American merchants brought a 14-year-old Chinese girl to America and put her on display. Playwright Lloyd Suh has given that girl a voice in The Chinese Lady". Mi Kang, who graduates from Northwestern with an MFA later this year, gives a tour de force performance as Afong Moy, "The Chinese Lady". 4 BIG Spotlights
**** 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
