Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook TerraceApril 19, 2024The number of sinners at the mission impresses General Cartwright (Heidi Kettenring in another comedic gem), especially Big Jule (KC McNeil in his Drury debut). As Adelaide and Nathan are trying to leave to get married, the mission band arrives with its new leader Sky Masterson. He and Sarah were married at the mission by Sarah’s grandfather, Arvide (Gene Weygandt). In front of all the guys and dolls, Nathan and Adelaide are married to the delight of the assembled group of Runyon’s Broadway characters.
Review: THE MUSIC MAN at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire ILApril 22, 2024The newest production at Marriott Lincolnshire is Meredith Willson’s classic and beloved The Music Man. Director/choreographer Katie Spelman has stayed true to the script and has made the fictional town of River City – based on Willson’s hometown of Mason City, Iowa – come to life.
Review: DEATHTRAP at BrightSide TheatreMarch 11, 2024This is the description of Ira Levin’s comedic-thriller Deathrap. It is running through March 24 at BrightSide Theatre in Naperville. It ran on Broadway for 4 years and was made into a successful film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon.
Review: BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Aurora ILFebruary 19, 2024That was my feeling after seeing this new production of Billy Elliot at the Paramount Theatre. It runs through March 24. The book and lyrics were written by Lee Hall. The amazing score was written by Sir Elton John. The original 2005 stage musical was inspired by the 2000 film.
Review: IN THE HEIGHTS at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire ILFebruary 1, 2024The new production at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is In The Heights. The music and lyrics are by Lin-Manuel Miranda (pre-Hamilton) and the book is by Quiara Alegria Hudes. Washington Heights in New York City is the setting. This is a story about hope, love but mostly family.
Review: BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire ILNovember 16, 2023The current production at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is Beautiful, the Carole King Musical. This is more than a jukebox musical. It tells the amazing story of one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century and how her story evolved. It begins with Carole’s June 1971 concert at Carnegie Hall.
Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Metropolis Performing Arts CentreSeptember 20, 2023The Addams Family is the current production at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights and runs through October 8. The musical, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, is the first time the familiar characters created by Charles Addams appeared on stage.
Review: HAMILTON at James M. Nederlander TheatreSeptember 18, 2023What did our critic think of Hamilton, currently running at the James M. Nederlander Theatre until December 30? Experience the incredible performances and storytelling that have captivated audiences worldwide.
Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Copley Theatre, Aurora ILAugust 4, 2023What did our critic think of NEXT TO NORMAL at Copley Theatre, Aurora IL? The production runs through September 3. This is the story of any suburban family dealing with bi-polar disorder, the consequences, the treatments and the after effects.