Spotlight on Reviews

**** Highly Recommended **** From the cinematic opening to the final conclusion, Drury Lane’s "Murder on the Orient Express" is not to be missed!  Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s iconic mystery is suitably dramatic, with just enough humor, and above all, true to the original.  You don’t have to love mysteries to enjoy this show!  I loved it!  4 BIG Spotlights

*** Recommended *** Black Ensemble Theatre’s latest production, "My Brother Langston" is a play with music, a tribute to poet and civil rights leader, Langston Hughes, written and directed by Rueben Echoles.  Based on the title, I thought this would be a bio play about Hughes, but it’s much more autobiographical, with Hughes (brilliantly portrayed by actor Chris Taylor) telling his own story.  The production struggles –his life story jumps willy-nilly from personal relationships to the Harlem Renaissance and back again, but the moments of his poetry shine brightly.  3 Spotlights  

★★★★★For those of you that listen to me on the radio (WCPT820 every Sunday 2-3 p.m.), you have heard me say that seeing a play is unique each time you see it. Unlike a film that is cut and spliced and then stays the same, a play enjoys a new life each time it is done. A different director sees things differently. A different venue changes the blocking. Each set causes a different concept and of course the actors and their interpretations of the roles they are playing is unique. I say this all because tonight, Jane and I attended our third incarnation of “Fun Home” with music by Jeanine Tesori and the book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, as staged by Jim Corti and Landree Fleming as part of the BOLD SERIES at Paramount Theatre’s Copley Theatre in Aurora. What a production!

4 Spotlights**** Highly Recommended **** Another Broadway-bound musical premieres in Chicago!  On Sunday evening, I was in the audience for the long awaited world premiere of The Devil Wears Prada.  I really enjoyed it.  It’s not sparkly but it is stylish.  Elton John’s frothy pop music and James Alsop’s brilliant choreography added just the right amount of pzazz.  4 Spotlights