**** Highly Recommended An evening at "The Enigmatist" is nothing short of an Experience! From the pre-show ‘puzzle-rama’ in Chicago Shakespeare’s Skyline Room, (with the best view in Chicago), to David Kwong’s awesome combination of wordsmanship, code-breaking, mentalism and sleight of hand in CST’s Theater Upstairs, the entire evening was a blast! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended I’ve been involved with ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for many years, but I’ve never looked at – or even thought about – English as a Foreign Language (EFL), although I know several people who arrived in America already fluent in English. That said, the Goodman Theatre’s production of "English" is a sensitive and moving insight into that process for four adult students in Iran. I found the play both enlightening and engrossing. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended "POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical" is a mashup of all those whiny musicals about orphans, crazy people, hookers with a heart of gold and, of course, poor people with the curious edition of a wealthy, self-righteous Republican woman. It’s funny and very creative but way too long. When you’re finding your seats in Chopin’s Studio Theatre, be sure you can see the whole stage because there are spots where the action is blocked by a post. 3 ½ Spotlights
60 Years of RSMT took place May 17 and 18 at Reinhart Auditorium in Merrillville, Indiana. RSMT (Ross Summer Music Theatre) known for six decades of quality theatre did not disappoint!
**** Highly Recommended This is your chance, Chicago! Broadway-bound "Death Becomes Her" is absolutely fabulous! It’s a gorgeous, outrageously funny, larger than life, almost old-fashioned musical. The music is glorious, the lyrics are fast-paced and snarky, the costumes sparkly and the frenemies just bitchy enough. With standing ovations from the opening night audience the stars have aligned and this show is a hit! Best of all – Chicagoans have bragging rights – we saw it before Broadway! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Paramount Theatre’s production of "Beautiful – The Carole King Musical" is dazzling audiences. Beautiful is without a doubt my favorite jukebox ever. The music is timeless, the choreography spectacular, the costumes glitter and I can’t say enough good things about star, Tiffany Topol. Hurry and get your tickets, they’ll be going fast for this must-see musical. I give “Beautiful” 4 BIG Spotlights.
**** Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s new production, "The Thanksgiving Play," is a biting satire about political correctness. In this story about an elementary school Thanksgiving play, political correctness has totally run amok. The characters are such earnest, self-righteous and self-congratulatory people that I absolutely hated them, yet I laughed at their antics. 3 ½ Spotlights
4 Spotlights! Towle Theater’s production, The Spider or the Fly?, a psychological thriller by Sam Bobrick, explores the relationship between Maura (played by Mary Margaret McCormack) and Scott (played by Martin Downs) who are serving on a jury for a murder trial. They become romantically involved, but soon discover they are at odds on what they believe should be the verdict of the trial.
**** Recommended Picture the ultimate sleaze-ball of all time, put him up against his own mortality, and you’ll get "Judgment Day," the world premiere comedy playing in the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. It’s not a new idea but it stars Jason Alexander – who can deliver a devastatingly funny one-liner better than anyone – and it’s hilarious. I laughed so hard my face hurt! 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Goodman Theatre’s lyrical production of "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" is a masterpiece – and a history lesson. In this play, the second in August Wilson’s Century Cycle, set in the 1910s, echoes of the Civil War overlay the ordinary difficulties of everyday life. As in most of Wilson’s Pittsburgh cycle, the characters are dealing with life the best they can – but because it’s Wilson, there’s a bit of mysticism too. Kudos to the cast, the acting is absolutely superb! 4 Spotlights
