Spotlight on Reviews

So many theaters do the same old same old productions. Nothing against these but they just keep reappearing. I guess they prefer to go the safe classic route with tried and trues but a repeat every 5-10 years would be sufficient.  So…my hats off to neighborhood theater Skokie Theatre for having the courage to try something out of the box.

**** Highly Recommended  Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of "Titanique" is a campy comedy gem!  No need to worry, "Titanique" only makes fun of the schmaltzy movie, not the actual wreck.  This is Celine Dion’s own wacky spin on Titanic and it’s over-the-top, raunchy, laugh-out-loud comedy, with plenty of one-liners, improv, puns and pratfalls, lots of sparkly costumes, and of course, Dion’s music.  Ladies, get your BFFs and see this show.  You’ll love it!  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended  I was kind of surprised when I read that the Copley Theatre was doing "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".  It’s a sweet, silly, ultimately happy musical about a group of snarky fifth grade misfits competing for a trophy and the chance to go to the national Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.  Although it’s one of my favorites, it’s also a favorite show for community/high school theater groups – which means it’s been a tad overdone.  That said, the Copley’s high-energy production was terrific – definitely out-spelling the competition!  4 Spotlights

**** Recommended  The uber-talented Leslie Goddard has returned to Theatre at the Center for another of her one-woman shows, "Violet Jessup – Titanic Survivor".  In our celebrity-obsessed society, it seems most of the stories are about the wealthy and/or famous people who survived or didn’t survive the sinking.  This story is different and fascinating, since it’s from the perspective of a crew member. Hurry and grab a ticket, you only have a couple of days to catch Violet Jessup!  4 Spotlights