By Colin Douglas Spinning an irresistible, spellbinding tale of revenge and romance, nestled inside a world of surprise and spectacle, co-directors Aaron Posner and Teller (of the famed magic duo of Penn & Teller) have created a Shakespearean production of The Tempest unlike any other. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre opens its new season, not just with
Archives for September 2015
More than OK, ‘Oklahoma!’ is Paramount’s next Jeff-worthy stunner
By Betsy Wolfe There’s a good reason the Paramount Theatre in Aurora recently garnered the highest number of Jeff nominations – 16 total in just their first year of eligibility. In accessible downtown Aurora, next to a picturesque riverfront and well-maintained downtown, the historic 1,888 seat venue is beautiful and inviting. Patrons gain a sense
Idle puns make Python’s ‘Spamalot’ a Munster of a hit
By Jori Waldron Just over the border in Indiana (literally exit 1) sits Theater at the Center, a lovely facility which includes a beautiful banquet hall in addition to the 200-plus seat theater with a thrust stage. TATC’s current production of Spamalot is worth whatever extra time it may take to get there. Spamalot first
Porchlight’s dynamic ‘Side Show’ terrific enough to see twice
By Erika Brown Thomas The tragedy of isolation, being on the outside, or being shunned is one that most everyone fears. Whether as a young teenager, mid-aged widower or elderly senior citizen, we all experience the worry of living a life alone and unloved. Somehow, Porchlight Theatre’s production of Side Show taps into this fear,
NightBlue’s ‘Victor’ drags in comparison to its rep companion
By Colin Douglas The old adage goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” One could also add that if it doesn’t improve upon the original, why adapt a movie or book for the stage? However, in 1995 Blake Edwards decided to adapt his 1982 film, Victor/Victoria,which starred his wife, the legendary theatre and film
