**** 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
*** Recommended I really enjoyed Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s joyful, fanciful and creative production of Shakespeare’s complicated comedy, "As You Like It". Although I always enjoy watching the lovers of Arden Forest trying to figure it all out, there were times –usually when the actors turned their backs to the audience – when we couldn’t hear what they were saying. The script does include one of my absolute favorite soliloquys, “All the world’s a stage …” but three hours is just too long. 3 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended "BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical" is just awesome! I was more than a bit skeptical going in – how would they, could they, possibly turn a classic adventure movie into a musical? Well, they did, and "BACK TO THE FUTURE" blew me away! The special effects are, as my friend Al Bresloff says, mindboggling! Hurry, hurry, hurry and get your tickets! 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended Kokandy Productions always seem to choose edgy, unique, sometimes odd, but always interesting musicals. "Alice by Heart" definitely fits that criteria. "Alice by Heart" is definitely fantastical, but it’s also really confusing and difficult to follow. The long narrow set (down the middle of the room) doesn’t help. On the other hand, the cast, filled with talented newcomers, is terrific. The music is haunting and beautiful, so in spite of my confusion, I give it 4 Spotlights.
**** Highly Recommended The Copley Theatre’s production of "Peter and the Starcatcher", a tongue-in-cheek prequel to Peter Pan, is totally demented! Well, maybe I meant insane, or twisted, or hysterical. I might even call it a melo-dramedy! The entire cast totally embraced the essential zaniness of the play, and thanks to some very clever staging with ladders and planks, the campiness factor has gone off the charts. Peter and the Star Catcher is awesome! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has scored a hit with the U.S. premiere of "The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale" which is absolutely fabulous! The musical as a whole is amazing, but if you break it down, each and every element – casting, staging, costumes, scenery, lighting, special effects, choreography, music – is exactly right. It's also interactive - you'll see characters running through the audience, climbing up and down the stairs, even lowering from the upper gallery on a rope! Audience members arriving in costume are loving it! This is a MUST SEE!!! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Dunes Summer Theater’s production of "The Bridges of Madison County", is a beautiful show, a love story that will move you to tears. Don’t that worry you though, it’s not at all a cloyingly schmaltzy chick-flick kind of musical. I can’t quite figure out why it wasn’t more successful on Broadway (only 137 performances). The score is magnificent, with elements of the blues, folk, twangy bluegrass, country, pop and opera. The talented cast, particularly the leads, Kristianna Dilworth and Max DeTogne, does full justice to the amazing score. 4 Spotlights
