**** Recommended Drury Lane Theatre’s production, "Ain’t Misbehavin’", is a guaranteed good time. An incredibly talented cast, with the music of the onstage orchestra, makes for a toe-tapping revue celebrating the music of Fats Waller. "Ain’t Misbehavin’" is smooth, sexy and polished. I give it 4 Spotlights.
**** Highly Recommended You don’t have to be a fan of "Dancing with the Stars" to appreciate the dazzling spectacle that is "Savor after Hours". It is quite simply breathtaking! This high-energy production features some of the world’s best ballroom dancers flawlessly executing the brilliant choreography of KC Monnie. Helen and I both loved this show! 4 BIG Spotlights
“Grease” is the word at the Skokie Theatre || Reviewed by Keith Laggos, PHD. For TSP News
10-9-8-7…… BLAST OFF, TO THE PAST! || MARRIOTT THEATRE PRESENTS “BEEHIVE” A sixties’ MUSICAL REVIEW BY Bob Rubin, For TSP News
**** Highly Recommended I was a teen in the 60’s – graduated from high school in 1963, from Indiana University in 1967 – so Every Single Song in Marriott’s production of "Beehive: The 60’s Musical" brought memories. Director/Choreographer Deidre Goodwin called the show “a love letter to the music of the 60’s,” but it’s really a love letter to the female singers of the sixties – the early girl groups, Leslie Gore, Marianne Faithful, the Supremes, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin and more – who often didn’t get the headlines, but were just as good as the guys! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s latest production, "Little Bear Ridge Road", is an intimate family drama fraught with angst. Samuel D. Hunter’s exploration of the relationship – or lack thereof – of the last two members of the Fernsby family is both funny and poignant in large part due to the brilliant give-and-take between Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock. My comment to my friend Nancy at the end - “Wow!” 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Chicago Shakespeare’s summer show, "Corduroy", directed by Amber Mak, is the perfect show to introduce the small set to live theater. It’s as cute as it can be. It’s colorful, funny, physical, interactive – and it has Corduroy! My six-year-old grandniece, Maeve, loved it. 4 BIG Spotlights
** Somewhat Recommended I was disappointed in Black Ensemble’s new show, "The Salon", a show that never found its focus. The powerful musical numbers, although very well done, really need a better story. There’s a germ of a good play there but it’s lost in all the extra story lines which appear and disappear without explanation or exploration. Unfortunately I found myself zoning out a couple of time. 2 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended The new mainstage revue at The Second City, "The Devil Is In the Detours", is probably their funniest revue in a long time. In fact, it’s downright hilarious. Everywhere I looked, the folks in the audience were laughing – not polite little titters, either – I’m talking guffaws! The talented cast pokes fun at everything from corporate shirts to zombies while steering clear of politics. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended I really enjoyed Canterbury Summer Theatre’s second production of the season, "Love is a Many Splintered Thing", a musical montage of memories. Instead of dialogue, it’s all snippets of songs from the last forty years. explain and illustrate the characters’ feelings. It was fun to hear the music and quickly ‘name that tune’! 3 ½ Spotlights
