Spotlight on Reviews

**** Highly Recommended  When I first saw "The Choir of Man" back in 2019, I really enjoyed it, but always felt there was something missing.  Turns out it needed to be in a different kind of venue -  a more intimate one – Chicago’s Apollo Theater to be exact.  The Apollo’s stage is surrounded by the audience rather than set apart as in a more traditional theater.  Before "The Choir of Man" even begins, the audience is invited into the pub to enjoy a beverage or two. After a bit, everyone grabs a seat, the guys start singing "Welcome to the Jungle", and you know you’re in for something special!  "The Choir of Man" is one of the best shows I’ve seen in ages!  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended   Often when I see a play about families, I think about a Dickens quote about the best of times, and the worst of times.  Family can be the best, but it can also be the absolute worst.  So, family angst is at the center of "Purpose", a must-see world premiere at Steppenwolf.  Sometimes a family occasion – mom’s birthday, Thanksgiving, Sunday brunch – becomes a command performance.  "Purpose" is all about a command performance for a brother’s homecoming – from prison!  It’s an amazingly good play – funny, fraught, fiery – and there’s a food fight!  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended   It’s cold outside, but who cares?  Warm up at Aurora’s Copley Theatre with the smoldering heat generated by the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire!  Although this Tennessee Williams classic premiered in 1947, its themes are very relevant today.  This production is absolutely sizzling – and – of course, there’s always that famous yell!  4 BIG Spotlights

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED   It has been a decade since Lyric Opera of Chicago has presented Verdi’s 1871 opera “Aida.” After such a long absence, this extremely popular grand opera is once again majestically sweeping the stage at Lyric in a bold and contemporary production directed by Francesca Zambello. Lyric Opera’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducts his first fully staged performance of the work, which has now become the 100th opera title in his repertoire. Add in a quartet of massively talented singers in the principal roles and you have great cause for celebration.