By Colin Douglas For those of us who grew up during the Eisenhower years, the songs from Richard Adler and Jerry Ross‘ The Pajama Game score provide a blast from our past. Haunting ballads like “Hey There,” as well as sexy, catchy novelty tunes such as “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway” were all familiar standards
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.
Paramount’s ‘Newsies’ is a sparkling production of an ironic Broadway blockbuster
That the production values are spectacular goes without saying. Ever since Paramount started producing professional theatre in-house a few years ago, their sets, costumes, and lighting have been of the highest caliber and this production is no different.
The holy grail of musical slapstick now appears at ‘Mercury’ in all its spamy splendor
To Chicagoland musical theatre aficionados who didn’t already know (and plan accordingly), Meghan Murphy is this production’s Lady of the Lake. Don’t make me repeat that…proceed to the link at the bottom of this review and buy your tickets.
Greenhouse’s Midsummer is a darkly humorous, poignant night at the theatre
Rather than the traditional musical form, Midsummer bills itself as a “play with music,” which seems an apt description. Gordon McIntyre’s indie folk score serves more as thematic highlight and scenic transition than any kind of showstopper.
Broadway in Chicago’s magnificently understated touring production of ‘The Band’s Visit’ plays no wasted notes
It’s a musical that finds more music in its silences than most others can find in their whole songbooks. Also, like a mirage, it will vanish from Chicago in time, so get in line.
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