Spotlight on Reviews

"The Niceties" - Review by Carol Moore

*** Recommended *** Usually, liking a play or not liking a play is pretty spontaneous – happening while I’m watching. In rare cases, however, it’ll grow on me. “The Niceties”, the new production at Writers Theatre is one of those plays. Although it’s interesting and very well-acted, I didn’t think I liked it. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t like it. The situation is fraught and neither character is at all sympathetic. I’m recommending “The Niceties” because audiences should judge for themselves. 3 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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House Theatre's Ballet-free Version of "The Nutcracker" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** If you mention "The Nutcracker" to anyone they will more than likely have visions of sugar plum fairies dancing through their head or at least the iconic music of Tchaikovsky's famous "Suite" ringing in their ears. But for those of you who may want a slightly different interpretation than what the Joffrey Ballet is offering (or any other dance company, for that matter), you should head to the Chopin Theater -- and quickly. For the tenth consecutive year, the House Theatre of Chicago is offering their ballet-free version of this family-friendly holiday classic. If you've never seen it before, you will be surprised by how emotionally raw this work can be at times. If you have been fortunate to have seen it over the recent years that have turned this into an annual holiday gem for the House Theatre, a repeat visit is in order as this adaptation has been gently refined with some key changes in casting and technical execution. With a show that is this unique and special, here's hoping that it may run for at least another ten years or more. 4 Holiday SPOTLIGHTS

Other Professional Theater Reviews

Read more about House Theatre's Ballet-free Version of "The Nutcracker" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

Lyric's "Don Giovanni" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** The political and social landscape in America has changed dramatically over the course of the past five years. So, some eyebrows may have been raised when Lyric Opera of Chicago announced that they would present Mozart's "Don Giovanni." After all, director Robert Falls' production of this work, which premiered at Lyric during the 2014/2015 season, deals very frankly with themes of privilege, rape, murder, the corrupting ability and misuse of power as well as the disturbing repeated sexual abuse of women, particularly some very young girls. In this present #MeToo moment, do we really need to have this pompous parade of treachery and immoral display of humanity thrust in our face? Based upon the merits of this stellar production, the answer is a resounding "yes." 4 SPOTLIGHTS

Opera and Dance Reviews

Read more about Lyric's "Don Giovanni" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

"The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is Holiday Magic - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** After seeing Lookingglass Theatre’s production of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” for the second time, I can say this holiday pantomime is special every time you see it. If you’re looking for a holiday outing for your family, this should be the show. Featuring five uber-talented artists, amazing puppets, talented musicians, fantastical costumes and more, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” is completely charming. Mary Zimmerman’s interpretation of the Hans Christian Anderson story is done entirely in pantomime. I loved it! 4 BIG Holiday Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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A Young and Fresh "Romeo and Juliet" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Turnabout, as they say, is fair play. Leonard Bernstein used the plot of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” for his musical, “West Side Story”. In setting their new production on an urban basketball court, Chicago Shakespeare borrowed the “West Side Story” feel for “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare’s drama about teen angst, murder and mayhem. This production is young, fresh and interesting. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Fast-Moving "Do You Believe in Madness?" will keep You Laughing - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** The Second City continues to do what they do best, making people laugh, and laugh, and laugh some more, with their 108th Mainstage Revue, “Do You Believe in Madness?” The Second City formula – a revue filled with snarky commentary on the news of the day, silly sketches, music, improv, audience participation, even a little slapstick comedy – has been very successful over the years. In honor of a milestone birthday – The Second City turns sixty (60) on December 16th – they’ve put together the funniest revue I’ve seen in several years! 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about Fast-Moving "Do You Believe in Madness?" will keep You Laughing - Review by Carol Moore

"Hoodoo Love" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

***RECOMMENDED*** "I lost my soul because I didn't know its worth" laments the male protagonist in Raven Theatre's production of "Hoodoo Love." Written by Katori Hall and an off-Broadway hit from 2007, this drama with music tells the tale of an aspiring blues singer living in Depression-era Memphis and the great lengths that she will go to in order to achieve success as a performer but, more importantly, to ensnare the man that she loves and guarantee that he will settle down with her to raise a family. 3 AND 1/2 SPOTLIGHTS

Other Professional Theater Reviews

Read more about "Hoodoo Love" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

The Kids steal the show in Marriott's "Oliver!" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** “Oliver!” is another of my favorite musicals. I’ve seen the show so many times I can almost recite the dialogue, not to mention the lyrics of most of the songs, but so what! The score is one great song after another starting with “Food, Glorious Food”. Some other favorites - “I'd Do Anything (for your)”, “Where is Love?”, “Consider Yourself (one of the family)”, “Who Will Buy”, and “As Long As He Needs Me”. The Marriott production is just plain terrific! Take your family, your kids/grandkids, they’ll love it! 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about The Kids steal the show in Marriott's "Oliver!" - Review by Carol Moore

Funky Fairy Tale - "The Other Cinderella" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** You’ve been invited to a ball in the kingdom of Other, you and all the single girls. The prince is going to pick a bride! Is this another Cinderella story, you might ask? The answer would be no. This is “The Other Cinderella”, Jackie Taylor’s magical musical version of the fairy tale. Black Ensemble Theatre has staged “The Other Cinderella” many times, but I’d never seen it. It’s hard to believe it was written 43 years ago, it’s so fresh and funny. It had me laughing and/or dancing in my seat the whole show! 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about Funky Fairy Tale - "The Other Cinderella" - Review by Carol Moore

Marian Theatre Guild presents "9 to 5, The Musical" - Review by Carol Moore

Whiting audiences are loving Marian Theatre Guild’s production of “9 to 5: The Musical”. The story is hilarious while Dolly Parton’s cheerful score is guaranteed to lift your spirits. If you’ve ever dreamed about vengeance against a hellacious boss, and you’re looking for an enjoyable evening, you can’t miss with “9 to 5.” 2 Spotlights

Community Reviews

Read more about Marian Theatre Guild presents "9 to 5, The Musical" - Review by Carol Moore

"The Niceties" - Review by Carol Moore

House Theatre's Ballet-free Version of "The Nutcracker" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

Lyric's "Don Giovanni" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

"The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is Holiday Magic - Review by Carol Moore

A Young and Fresh "Romeo and Juliet" - Review by Carol Moore

Fast-Moving "Do You Believe in Madness?" will keep You Laughing - Review by Carol Moore

"Hoodoo Love" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham

The Kids steal the show in Marriott's "Oliver!" - Review by Carol Moore

Funky Fairy Tale - "The Other Cinderella" - Review by Carol Moore

Marian Theatre Guild presents "9 to 5, The Musical" - Review by Carol Moore

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