Spotlight on Reviews

*** Recommended *** “Grease is the word…” at least through June 4th in Oakbrook Terrace.  The kids at Rydell High are back in a colorful, exuberant and energetic production complete with plenty of teen angst and rock and roll!  Overall, I liked the show but – and this is a big but – they never actually did the Hand Jive!  They danced all over the stage, but those hand motions were only in evidence for about 10 beats.  What’s that about?  If you’re going to include the song, you’d better do the dance!  I guess that makes me a Grease purist (lol).  3 Spotlights

*** Recommended *** A jukebox musical is a story written to feature hit songs of a popular music group or genre.  More often than not, these musicals turn out to be light, frothy musical romps.  "Jagged Little Pill", which features the music of Alanis Morissette’s album of the same name, definitely breaks that mold.  It’s dark, depressing and sad, but it did have a real impact.   I thought Act I was somewhat over-choreographed and the music was so loud I had a hard time understanding the words in many of the songs.  3 Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Unlike my husband, I’ve never been interested in books, movies or plays about the military.  Honestly, I’ve always steered clear of them, so when I got the invitation to A Soldier’s Play, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go.  Obviously, I did go, and I’m so glad I did.  A Soldier’s Play is one terrific play!  It caught my attention immediately, and kept it!  4 Spotlights

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED****   If you are hesitant to explore contemporary operas because you fear that the music will be too atonal or discordant, then you need to hear the soaring and oft-times ethereal score of "Proximity." If you shy away from modern operatic productions because you feel that they have nothing of any importance to state or that they are out-of-touch with reality and are completely irrelevant, then you need to let the profound importance of "Proximity" wash over you. And if all of that isn't enough to engage you, the visually stunning stagecraft of "Proximity" alone is well worth the price of admission to this bold, daring and highly inventive new work.  4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS