Although the professional theater hasn’t reopened since Covid, there are small signs of life at Theatre at the Center. "Christmas from the Farm with Phil Potempa" is a laid-back, welcome to the holidays, filled with stories, music and laughter. Although it’s kind of corny, I had a lot of fun.
***RECOMMENDED*** No one does fairy tales (pun intended) as well as PrideArts.
And no one does adult adaptations of children's fairy tales better than Tom Whalley. After a very successful run of Whalley's "Jack Off the Beanstalk" in December of 2022, PrideArts is once again presenting a holiday version of one of Whalley's very British pantomime interpretations with the hilarious "Sleeping with Beauty." 3 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Highly Recommended Mel Brooks’ hilarious musical, "Young Frankenstein", has returned to Chicago. You can catch the kids from Transylvania cavorting on the stage at Mercury Theater Chicago through December 31st. If the 1974 movie starring Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle made you laugh, you’ll love the musical adaptation. You don’t want to miss this production, it’s hilarious, in large part because Sean Fortunato is brilliant as the young doc. 4 BIG Spotlights
***RECOMMENDED "Power is the only fact."
No, this is not some sound bite from a certain politician who is seeking re-election but rather one of the many rantings of a former king of England nearing the end of his reign. In James Goldman's "The Lion in Winter," currently at Court Theatre, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. Director Ron OJ Parson and his assured ensemble have clearly done a comprehensively thorough textual analysis of Goldman's witty yet sardonic script, which translates to a highly entertaining bit of fun. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
***RECOMMENDED "Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story" is a new comedy at The Factory Theater which is a bit difficult to categorize, which is one of its many charms. Playwright Chase Wheaton-Werle's script is equal parts history lesson and an examination of multiple religious beliefs plus an adventure tale combined with a regal quest for the divine. If you simply can't stomach the idea of seeing one more Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy or dread the spirits that will visit grumpy old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, then "Wise Guys" is just the holiday show for you. Definitely not a sugary-sweet confection a la "White Christmas" but this is, obviously, the quintessential origin story of why people celebrate Christmas in the first place. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended Being at my peak in the 60’s, and given this review assignment, Citadel Theatre's "She Loves Me," the first thing that popped into my head was the Beatles’ song, “She Loves You, Yeh, Yeh, Yeh”. This musical has nothing to do with that, exactly. Well, maybe a little. The Beatles’ song is about a gentleman lacking in self-confidence, being assured that the woman of his dreams does, in fact, love him.
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** You may just about have felt the earth move under your feet if you were in the audience at Marriott Theatre's opening night performance of The sustained ovation during the curtain call -- and subsequent audience sing-along -- was certainly justified as this is one of the best versions of this popular show that you may get to witness. Powerful voices and very strong acting lift this story of one particular artist's journey of self-discovery that leads to personal triumph and female empowerment. You may not know Carole King's story, but you will definitely recognize many --if not most -- of the songs that she composed. 4 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended When I first saw and heard “Jenufa” at Lyric Opera two decades ago, it was a revelation. Even for one enamored of dramatic tragedies, this one felt different: As heartbreaking as it was to experience, the denouement -- with its unexpected sense of peace, reconciliation and profound forgiveness on the part of thrice-wronged Jenufa -- made the musical journey feel worthwhile; I felt “emotionally purified,” in the words of this production’s conductor, Jakub Hrusa, the ending a richly satisfying though terribly sad outcome to “this terrible, cruel story.” 4 SPOTLIGHTS
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** It has been 50 years since Lyric Opera of Chicago has presented a production of "The Daughter of the Regiment." That's much too long a span of time to deprive local audiences the pure joy of witnessing Gaetano Donizetti's 1840 bel canto comedic opera. Under the faultless work of original director Laurent Pelly (revived here by Christian Rath) this charming, new-to-Chicago production simply shines with a stellar cast that delivers all of the laughs -- of which there are many -- hits all of the high notes plus delivers it all with pure heart to make for a splendid experience in the opera house. 4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS
***RECOMMENDED The title of The Second City e.t.c.'s 47th revue may be a bit misleading for some. "Oh, the Places You'll Glow!" is not an adaptation nor a parody of the final work of the late, great children's author Dr. Seuss. Aside from a clever, but seusical, rhyming voice-over delivered as the house lights are dimmed at the top of the show regarding the usual message to turn off all cell phones and unwrap candy, this show has more in common with Ken Kesey or Timothy Leary than with Dr. Seuss himself. What you will discover. as one of the places you'll go, is a prismatic and rainbow-hued trip through a variegated wonderland more commonly known as America in the year 2023. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
