By Barry Reszel Court Theatre’s late spring production ought to be the worst kept secret in Chicagoland musical theatre. Director Charles Newell delivers a riveting, haunting, stunningly emotional rendition of Marsha Norman (book and lyrics) and Lucy Simon‘s (music) The Secret Garden that simply should not be missed. Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson
Archives for May 2015
Compelling ‘Shining Lives’ honors the broken whistleblowers
By Colin Douglas The War’s finally over and once again the economy’s booming. It’s the 1920’s and women are thrilled to join the workforce, often earning enough money to care for an ailing parent or to adding a respectable second income to help support their families. At places of business, like the Radium Dial Factory,
InFusion’s ‘Love’ child is a funny, electric, insightful punk
By Erin Fleming InFusion Theatre’s Another Kind of Love is an unapologetic, electrified, darkly funny look at a family of rock musicians that takes on some timeless questions: What control do parents have over the legacy they leave their children? Why does it seem that despite parents’ best efforts, children are destined to imitate their
Run like a fan for tickets to see these smooth, talented ‘Jersey Boys’
By Barry Reszel Smoother than a New Jersey Squirrel (see the recipe here), Broadway in Chicago’s current staging of 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys, is a refreshing blend of storytelling and harmonizing that whips up a concoction of nearly perfect documentary-style musical theatre. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, eat your heart out. Because long before
TATC’s ‘Fish’ tale swims strongly in Munster’s receptive waters
By Patrick O’Brien Two years after its pre-Broadway tryout, Big Fish has found its way back to the lands of Lake Michigan, specifically to Theatre at the Center, where – if opening night was any indication – it will meet a much less salty reception than the one it found in that big pond. And
