By Barry Reszel In the midst of a season where everyone is doing their level best to feel the feels, Music Theater Works gives Chicagoland audiences a boy in emotional turmoil, figuring out his talents along with his identity with the backdrop of a downtrodden mining town on strike. In the prelude to Billy Elliot’s
Theo Ubique’s ‘8-Track’ jukebox show is a solid ‘Brick House’ of talent
By Barry Reszel This reviewer has a grown-up Christmas wish for the talented cast of the infectious 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s, now playing Evanston’s Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre: May you be treated to at least one partying audience during your run that cumulatively forgets it’s watching a stage show, gets up and does
Drury Lane’s ‘Holiday Inn’ has a winner in leading man Adrian Aguilar
By Barry Reszel Adrian Aguilar, performance is in your blood, in your voice, in your feet. You belong on Chicagoland’s stages. Aguilar graces the gorgeous Oakbrook Terrace theatre this holiday season, courtesy of some coaxing from director/choreographer Matthew Crowle, who convinced him to break a nearly four-year performing hiatus. Audiences are certainly grateful Aguilar could
Smart direction and magnificent cast put not-oft-staged ‘Kiss Me Kate’ on aficionados’ must-see lists
By Barry Reszel There’s a conundrum built into contemplating an evening with Kiss Me Kate, the 1948 Broadway musical comedy that won the first-ever Tony Award for best musical and ultimately ran more than 1,000 performances. The original’s argument for wife-slapping amid its gaggle of misogynistic stereotypes is tempered by the slapstick buffoonery that, believe
Chicagoland is sure to have a ball at Paramount’s opulent, nuanced ‘Cinderella’ through the holidays
By Barry Reszel With an emotionally accessible Prince Charming, a Mother Earth-type Fairy Godmother and a 21st century, petite-but-confident leading lady who goes after what she wants and deserves (just a chance to get to know him), Paramount Theatre’s Cinderella, is the musical that’ll delight all ages this holiday season. This Cinderella is actually the
