Spotlight on Reviews

"Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended Goodman Theatre’s lyrical production of "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" is a masterpiece – and a history lesson. In this play, the second in August Wilson’s Century Cycle, set in the 1910s, echoes of the Civil War overlay the ordinary difficulties of everyday life. As in most of Wilson’s Pittsburgh cycle, the characters are dealing with life the best they can – but because it’s Wilson, there’s a bit of mysticism too. Kudos to the cast, the acting is absolutely superb! 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Jump" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended "Jump," Shattered Globe’s final production of the season, is a gripping and poignant drama about grief, loss and the fallout from suicide with a couple of surprising twists to keep it interesting. It’s beautifully done, but kind of heavy going. In fact, I found myself tearing up several times. A warning - some characters vape and/or smoke. 3 ½ Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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BABY, THE MUSICAL - Review by Bob Rubin for TSP News

**** Highly Recommended Shire and Maltby, the musical creators, originally wanted to call their show “Baby Baby Baby” because this is the story of three different couples surprised by unexpected babies in their futures. This delightful musical ended up being called, “Baby, The Musical” and its production is being put on by Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre.

Other Professional Theater Reviews

Read more about BABY, THE MUSICAL - Review by Bob Rubin for TSP News

Joffrey Ballet's “Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is magnificent. If you’re a ballet traditionalist, it might not be the ballet for you. It’s abstract, avant-garde and maybe a bit confusing, but it fascinated me from start to finish. 4 Spotlights

Opera and Dance Reviews

Read more about Joffrey Ballet's “Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Review by Carol Moore

"How I Learned What I Learned" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended Congo Square Theatre’s stellar production of "How I Learned What I Learned" wasn’t what I expected, it was much better! I guess I thought this autobiographical one-man show would have more of the conflict and sense of place, not to mention the woo-woo factor, found in August Wilson’s plays. Instead, it’s filled with anecdotes about growing up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and other hard-learned life lessons. Don’t miss this tour de force performance by Harry Lennix. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Guys and Dolls" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended Drury Lane Theatre’s revival of "Guys and Dolls" is a throwback to the ‘50s. The score is pure nostalgia, filled with songs I remember my mom singing – songs like "Luck Be a Lady," "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat." The characters are over-the-top – especially Miss Adelaide (Alanna Lovely) who totally steals the show! The gamblers – sinners all – are a hoot. Can these sinners be saved? Probably not, but that’s half the fun! 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Marian Theatre Guild's "Birthday Candles" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended The Marian Theatre Guild production of "Birthday Candles" is a definite must-see. Kudos to Susan Bobos on her tour de force performance. I don’t mind telling you that this beautiful play made me laugh and moved me to tears. It’s a shame that MTG only does four performances of their plays. This one deserves more! 4 BIG Spotlights

Community Reviews

Read more about Marian Theatre Guild's "Birthday Candles" - Review by Carol Moore

"The Music Man" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended "The Music Man" is back in town! You don’t want to miss Marriott’s fresh new production of this musical classic, it’s a gem! Kudos to Director/Choreographer Katie Spelman, the cast is terrific and the choreography is not to be missed. The turn-of-the-century story might seem a bit dated but the music is timeless. 4 Big Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Hersey Felder’s "Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music!" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended Don’t miss Hersey Felder’s "Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music!" As we’ve come to expect from the longtime Chicago favorite, Felder gives a tour de force performance. In developing his biographical scripts, Felder does extensive research. The resulting performances show meticulous attention to detail. Combining acting with concert-level piano performance, Hersey Felder literally became Fryderyk Chopin. It was a cozy and intimate picture of a very talented, complicated man. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about Hersey Felder’s "Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music!" - Review by Carol Moore

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended Although the Court Theatre has mounted an outstanding production, some of you – like my guest, Helen – might find "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" heavy going. Indeed, I felt like I was watching Waiting for Godot, one of the most boring plays ever written! The questions of the day - who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and why should we care? Tom Stoppard’s absurdist play, a riff on a line from the final scene in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, tries to answer those questions. 3 ½ Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" - Review by Carol Moore

"Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" - Review by Carol Moore

"Jump" - Review by Carol Moore

BABY, THE MUSICAL - Review by Bob Rubin for TSP News

Joffrey Ballet's “Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Review by Carol Moore

"How I Learned What I Learned" - Review by Carol Moore

"Guys and Dolls" - Review by Carol Moore

Marian Theatre Guild's "Birthday Candles" - Review by Carol Moore

"The Music Man" - Review by Carol Moore

Hersey Felder’s "Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music!" - Review by Carol Moore

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" - Review by Carol Moore

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