By Cori Lang Having moved to Chicago nine short months ago, I was eager to immerse myself in the new works bubbling up around the city. Being able to view Underscore Theatre Company’s post-pandemic return to the stage, Notes & Letters, has rejuvenated this excitement in me. Through vibrant melodies and dynamic cast performances, Underscore
Archives for May 2022
Teatro Vista’s ‘Somewhere Over the Border’ finds very human specifics
By Quinn Rigg Something wonderful lies at the end of the yellow brick road leading to Teatro Vista this spring: Somewhere Over the Border by Brian Quijada, a new musical that crackles and pops with authenticity and personality. While one would expect a archly satirical riff on the musical’s Oz-ian namesake, Border distinguishes itself with
Even with strong talent on and off-stage, ‘Shout!’ is not much to shout about
By Barry Reszel It was called a “stale bag of candy” in a New York Times review of its 2006 off-Broadway run. And this research only came to light following an opening night at Metropolis that, despite some terrific talent, left this reviewer wondering why any artistic director today would choose to stage Shout! The
Monday round-up: ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Prada’ back on track, and a new musical for the Goodman
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced its 2022-23 season, its last with longstanding artistic director Barbara Gaines at the helm. Of particular interest is, at long last, the world premiere of The Notebook, based on the bestseller by Nicholas Sparks. With singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson penning the score, Michael Greif as co-director (sharing the chair with Schele Williams), and Kevin McCollum attached as producer, it’s
Patrick O’Brien succeeds Barry Reszel as ChicagolandMusicalTheatre.com leader
CHICAGOLAND—Leadership of ChicagolandMusicalTheatre.com, the online presence established by Libertyville’s Barry Reszel in 2014 and branded as “a dynamic community for passionate participants and patrons of musical theatre in Chicago and its suburbs,” is transferring May 1 to Chicago’s Patrick O’Brien, a longtime contributor to the site. O’Brien will be responsible for all site content as
