Spotlight on Reviews

*** Recommended *** Robert Falls has assembled a stellar cast for the Goodman Theatre’s production of "The Cherry Orchard".  Although the story is about the Russian aristocracy in denial, Chekhov said it was a comedy (although I’ve always thought the story was tragic), so this cast played it for laughs and they got them.  I thought everything – costumes, set, et al – was just about perfect, but I’m still not a Chekhov fan.  By the way, is the term ‘Russian comedy’ actually an oxymoron?  3 ½ Spotlights

**** Recommended **** It’s official, "The Book of Mormon" is just as funny the second time around!  The show has lots of off-color jokes, one liners, pop culture references, and pratfalls.  In fact, the show hadn’t even opened when some ministers were objecting to the off-color and/or offensive content.  Bawdy content aside, The Book of Mormon, written by Trey Parker and Robin Lopez, the duo responsible for TV hit South Park, is a Tony-winning Broadway blockbuster musical, complete with a talented cast, sparkly costumes, snappy choreography, even a tap-dancing chorus line!  I give The Book of Mormon 4 BIG Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Lookingglass Theatre’s production of "Villette", Sara Gmitter’s new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s 1853 novel, is a small, rather intimate story about a young woman without a family or means (money) must find a way to support herself when few opportunities were available to women.  The enigmatic and self-contained Lucy Snowe (Mi Kang), a keen observer of human foibles, rarely revealed anything about herself.   I remember saying that Mi Kang gave a tour de force performance in TimeLine’s production of
"The Chinese Lady" last year.  It’s great to see her shine in a completely different kind of role.  3 ½ Spotlights

*** Recommended *** I’m still not sure how I feel about Goodman Theatre’s production of "Layalina".  On the one hand, the cast was superb and I loved the set!  On the other hand, although I could figure out how the first act led into second, there were just too many unanswered questions.  Layal is a complete mystery.  What was she doing during the missing 17 years?  Did she resent being forced to raise her siblings?  How/why was she also raising Amin.  Was he her cousin or her husband’s brother?  3 Spotlights