Spotlight on Reviews

**** Highly Recommended **** Sometimes a play comes around that just resonates!  "Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski" is one of those plays.  On a dark stage, one man, using his clothing, a desk and two straight chairs, recounts a harrowing journey through the horrors of war-torn Poland.  Here’s the thing that really resonated for me – Jan Karski (David Strathairn), was a real person – but the world forgot.  4 Spotlights

**** Recommended **** I didn’t know what to expect from "What the Constitution Means to Me."  I didn’t have the opportunity to see its abbreviated run just before the pandemic began, as I was having knee surgery.  As it turned out, the play really was about the Constitution, and playwright Heidi Schreck’s interpretation of that document.  Cassie Beck, who plays Schreck, has a warm and humorous touch.  I learned a few things – and had a good time too.  4 Spotlights   

** Somewhat Recommended ** The Frankenstein legend continues on in Joseph Zettelmaier’s newest gothic horror story, "The Jigsaw Bride" at First Folio Theatre through November 14th.  Although First Folio’s set is suitably gothic, the story itself is really kind of boring.  I’ve seen several of Zettelmaier’s plays, and enjoyed all of them – but not this one.  2 ½ Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** As You Like It might be my favorite of Shakespeare’s comedies.  All of the elements are here – young love, not-so-young love, good vs evil siblings, people wandering about in the forest, and … wrestling?  So, idea-guy (actually he’s the director) Daryl Cloran and Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival (Vancouver, BC) took those ingredients, moved the whole thing into the 60s, added Beatles songs and came up with a winner!  I loved everything about Chicago Shakespeare’s delightful production – the cast, the set, the musicians rocking on stage, the way the words in the songs seemed to fit right into Shakespeare’s dialog.  4 BIG Spotlights