Spotlight on Reviews by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** I was delighted when I read that Teatro Vista was restaging “La Havana Madrid”, this time at the Den Theatre.  Sandra Delgado’s well-researched play about La Havana Madrid, a nightclub which was located on the second floor of a building on the corner of Belmont and Sheffield, melds the sounds of mambo and salsa with some of the stories of the people of all ages who frequented the club.  “La Havana Madrid” is in my top ten favorite shows of all time!  4 BIG Spotlights 

**** Recommended **** I enjoyed everything about the Goodman Theatre’s production of “The Winter’s Tale”, which is so rarely produced I’d only seen it once before.  “The Winter’s Tale” is not one of Shakespeare’s comedies, although it has some rather hilarious comedic elements.  On the other hand, it’s not a tragedy, either.  This tale of lost children, star-crossed lovers, murder and mayhem might just qualify as a rom-com.  4 Spotlights

** Somewhat Recommended ** I was really disappointed in “August Rush: The Musical”, the new production at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Although the music was gorgeous, the story was curiously unfinished and confusing. It wasn’t a big, showy, ‘ready-for-Broadway’ premiere, it was more like the first workshop of a new musical. The cast made the most of what they had, so I give “August Rush: The Musical” 2 ½ Spotlights.

**** Recommended **** When I saw “Matilda The Musical” the first time, I didn’t understand what all the buzz had been about. Child abuse as comedy just didn’t work for me. Since I really didn’t like touring “Matilda”, I couldn’t imagine a way I’d like Drury Lane’s production, but they proved me wrong. While it was still really, really mean, Mitch Sebastian’s vision was surprisingly funny and even kind of endearing – in an off-the-wall way! His choreography was spectacular, too. 3 ½ Spotlights