Spotlight on Reviews

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  A sensation on Broadway before it was one of the first shows to close due to COVID, Moulin Rouge resumed performances last fall and shortly thereafter won the Tony Award. Chicago theatergoers are lucky to be the first to see the show outside of New York, as the National Tour opened to reviewers at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on April 21.  This touring production of the musical set in the famed Paris nightclub is every bit the quality of the Broadway company, which this reviewer was fortunate to see in 2019. It is, to quote the lyrics of one of its songs, “spectacular, spectacular.”

**** Highly Recommended **** "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" is truly spectacular!  Your experience begins before you’re even seated.  There’s a working windmill, outlined in white lights, on the left, a huge purple elephant on the right.  On the stage, all lush red also outlined with white lights, Moulin Rouge (also in white) is emblazoned across a graduated series of hearts (with more even white lights).  As you look closer, you’ll notice cast members, dancing, doing circus stunts, performing in slo-mo, even before curtain.  Totally unexpected and a great start for an amazing experience.  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Recommended **** A bouncy, feel-good musical, The Prom, will have you dancing in your seat while tugging on your heartstrings.  Since it stars four ‘Broadway stars’, The Prom features huge production numbers, catchy tunes, glittery costumes and lots of in-jokes about Broadway.  Add in a love story and a happy ending, makes it fun to watch, The Prom gets 3 ½ Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** "Six", a glitzy pop-rock concert musical starring the six wives of Henry VIII, has been on my personal list of top ten musicals since I saw it at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2019.  That cast has gone to Broadway, but there’s a new group of queens in town – and they’re fabulous!  I loved this new so much that I downloaded the soundtrack – and bought tickets to see it again!  How’s that for a recommendation?  I’m telling you, get your tickets today!  4 BIG Spotlights