By Patrick O’Brien I wasn’t quite sure what to make of TAKING UP SERPENTS, Chicago Opera Theater’s latest streaming offering, a potent creation where the barrier separating religious ecstasy and deadly poison is so fluid. Literal, even, considering it’s about the fallout of a Pentecostal snake handler’s ministry. So I did something I hadn’t really
Reviews
The musical theatre reviews featured here are written by reviewers, not critics. These impressions and opinions are from individuals passionate about musical theatre and represent, in most cases, one observation of one performance. The primary purpose in publishing reviews is to help patrons decide whether a production is a good use of their time and entertainment budget. Our reviewers are also encouraged to creatively shine a light on particularly good work done onstage and backstage, understanding that successful productions happen because of the work of many. Finally, ChicagolandMusicalTheatre's reviewers are asked to walk into a show expecting enjoyable entertainment—because that's the mindset of patrons who buy tickets to professional theatre.
Strawdog’s streaming Hershel makes the best of a bad situation
By Bryson David Hoff There’s no way around it: Zoom theatre is not a substitute for the real thing. It is an art form of necessity, allowing companies to put out something to keep its audience engaged during this challenging period of time where live theatre is forced to take a break. It is hard
Streaming through the snow, local theatres offer some pandemic holiday cheer
Here is a list of streaming shows through the holiday season and links to viewing information and to reviews published on our site. Please check back; we will update this page as new offerings are announced. Burning Bluebeard: Porchlight Musical Theatre Our review from 2019’s live production Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish: DMT Entertainment and
Hell in a Handbag tries to make the home-bound holidays special with ‘Rip Nelson Quarantine’ stream – extended through Jan. 17
By Patrick O’Brien …Are we back? Sweet Jesus and Elaine Stritch, I think we might be back. On to business, then. Now, no slight against Hell in a Handbag’s work, or even David Cerda‘s rousingly frank curtain speech. But, while waiting in the “lobby” for the stream of the Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special to
Black Ensemble’s ambitious musical battle cry ‘Legends’ balances negativity with hope
By Colin Douglas Jackie Taylor, the amiable creative heart and soul of Chicago’s beloved Black Ensemble Theater, has declared 2020 as the company’s Season of Change. She opens with Legends the Musical: A Civil Rights Movement Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, an original, ambitious musical battle cry, a movement against the injustice and bigotry that’s overtaking our
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