Review: Should We Fear Disease or Demagogues in Trap Door’s The White Plague?
The White Plague or a new form of leprosy is what everyone fears in the new play at Trap Door Theatre. However, the disease described in Czech playwright Karel Čapek’s […]
Review: The Second City Asks Do You Believe in Madness?
The Second City’s 108th revue, Do You Believe in Madness?, is a bright look at dark times. Under the direction of Ryan Bernier, the cast well-represents the East Coast here […]
Review: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Deliciously Performed in a Garden by Midsommer Flight
When you go to see Twelfth Night at the Lincoln Park Conservatory (and you definitely should) be sure to get there early. By 7:15pm, a group of musician/actors will be […]
Review: Mercury Theater’s Nat King Cole Christmas Concert a Smooth Ride Down Memory Lane
An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas is the charming tribute concert playing through Sunday, December 15, at the Mercury’s Venus Cabaret Theater in Lakeview. It stars Evan Tyrone Martin as […]
Review: See A Q Brothers Christmas Carol to Avoid Holiday Treacle
I have a confession, I try to avoid theater this time of year because I don’t like the treacly sentimentality and predictability of most holiday plays. (It’s a good season […]
Creativity Examined: How Hubbard Street Dance Constructs a Dynamic Program
Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago’s world-renowned contemporary dance company, opened its 2019-20 season on November 7 at the Harris Theater. It was the first of three performances of a program, titled […]
Preview: Inspired by the Ballet Russe, A&A Ballet Stages The Art Deco Nutcracker
The Nutcracker season has officially begun. All over Chicagoland for the past several months, phalanxes of slipper-clad dancers have been working on battered marley floors, steaming up windows as they rehearse […]
Review: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before World Premiere Blends Classic and Modern
On opening night of ‘Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil last Friday, Macy’s windows on State Street were decorated with polar creatures enjoying some real winter hygge. People clutching […]
Review: Much the Same, Goodman’s A Christmas Carol Remains a Treat, If Ready for Change
Now in its 42nd year (a bit of a miracle, no?), Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol remains a steadfastly satisfying holiday tradition, even as this latest edition sees little change year […]
Review: 65,000 Years of Human Movement at the Harris with Bangarra Dance Theatre Australia
For those who fought through the crowds from the Millenium Park tree lighting, an invigorating evening awaited at the Harris Theater this weekend: Bangarra Dance Theater Australia made an all […]
Review: Ladysmith Black Mambazo Propels Lovely Lyrical Lindiwe
Chicago and Durban, South Africa, have been Sister Cities since 1997, and spiritual siblings for far longer, as explored in the joyful world premiere of Lindiwe, written by Eric Simonson, […]
Review: Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them Is Smart Nonsense by Eclipse Theatre
If you need a respite from the depressing politics of today, I recommend an evening of topsy-turvy politics and zaniness by Eclipse Theatre. They’re the company that specializes in one […]