What makes Massenet’s opera impressive is not its plot. It’s that, of all the many iterations of this story, Massenet’s may be among the most mature.
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.
Why doesn’t Theo Ubique’s ‘The Full Monty’ include a song called ‘The Bitch of Moving?’
By Barry Reszel It was a highly-anticipated trek to Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s swanky new digs on the Evanston-Chicago border. That’s where Theo’s resident theatrical geniuses (Artistic Director Fred Anzevino; Assistant Director Courtney Crouse; and Music Director Jeremy Ramey) were joining choreographer extraordinaire Sawyer Smith to welcome patrons to the company’s new home and give
Strawdog’s musical ‘Hanukkah Goblins’ celebrates the festival of lights by getting the best of the bogeymen
This clever trickster, seemingly a middle European version of Anansi the Spider or the witty Hebrew cousin of the American Br’er Rabbit, is portrayed with contagious glee by ensemble member Anderson Lawfer.
Flying Elephant’s ‘Book of Merman’ is a triumphant parody with the message of truth to oneself
Schwartz has expertly tweaked the lyrics and melodies of the original tunes just enough to make his new songs feel familiar but, to those who know these Broadway standards, sound as if they’re being played in a slightly different key.
Midsommer Flight presents an extraordinarily polished and unapologetically queer ‘Twelfth Night’
By Bryson David Hoff Shakespeare’s poetry, at its best, has a dreamlike quality that has been praised ad nauseam for its beauty and escapist qualities. Because of this lushness, it seems only natural that Midsommer Flight’s annual production of Twelfth Night, presented in the Lincoln Park Conservatory, is shaping up to be something of an
