Review: THE OUTSIDERS at The Home Creative Co.September 25, 2024Despite some moving performances from the supporting cast, seasoned fans of and newcomers to THE OUTSIDERS may be underwhelmed by a production whose various elements leave it struggling to “stay golden.”
Review: LIGHT SWITCH at Open Space ArtsSeptember 18, 2024Open Space Arts's production of LIGHT SWITCH shines a much-needed spotlight (no pun intended) on the struggles of neurodiverse members of queer communities, thanks in large part to its captivating leading man.
Review: HENRY V at Chicago Shakespeare TheaterSeptember 17, 2024Featuring a strikingly charismatic yet grounded performance from its leading actor, HENRY V presents a compelling study of the excitement and danger inherent in even the best-intended feelings of nationalism.
Review: THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK at Northlight TheatreSeptember 15, 2024Now receiving its Chicagoland premiere, Northlight Theatre’s THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK features brilliant performances and moments of exquisite stagecraft, though the play’s lean script occasionally saps the production of necessary tension and greater thematic depth.
Review: THE HOUSE OF IDEAS at City Lit TheaterSeptember 4, 2024THE HOUSE OF IDEAS provides an entertaining history of Marvel’s precipitous rise to pop cultural supremacy that nicely captures the collaborative spirit of Kirby and Lee’s frequently tumultuous partnership. But more casual fans of the brand may find themselves lost in the play’s more intricate plot points and initially dizzying pace.
Review: THE NORMAL HEART at Redtwist TheatreAugust 29, 2024Redtwist’s THE NORMAL HEART is frequently an emotionally affecting piece, thanks to the powerfully palpable talents of its principal cast. However, some uneven performances and an occasionally murky directorial vision prevent the production’s themes and message from beating forth as forcefully as one might hope.
Review: THE HOT WING KING at Writers TheatreJuly 2, 2024Writers Theatre’s latest production is an impressive commitment to craft and community that invites audiences to reflect on questions of masculinity, race, and responsibility that stimulate the brain while tickling the funny bone.
Review: THE KITE RUNNER Presented By Broadway In ChicagoJune 14, 2024Fans of the novel may be enthralled at seeing the characters and events of THE KITE RUNNER brought to life before their eyes, largely through moving performances and clever stagecraft. But this dramatization feels unsatisfying, an adaptation that ultimately fails to convince audiences that it is necessary much less an improvement on the original.
Review: ON THE 20TH CENTURY at Blank TheatreMay 16, 2024Blank Theatre’s ON THE 20TH CENTURY makes for a delightful ride through a farcical facsimile of Broadway’s Silver Age, if one can accommodate a few bumps along the way.
Review: JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE at Goodman TheatreApril 25, 2024Under the meticulous direction of Chuck Smith, the Goodman’s newest revival of JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE emphasizes the play’s continued relevance through masterful performances that find cause for celebration and laughter even in the face of oppression. The production has already been extended through May 19 due to popular demand.
Review: BROOKLYN LAUNDRY at Northlight TheatreApril 22, 2024Under the direction of BJ Jones, John Patrick Shanley's newest play boasts a talented cast gifted with good humor and heartfelt emotion, but the uneven script feels as though it shrank in a dryer fed by clichés rather than coins.
Review: ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at Court TheatreApril 9, 2024Charles Newell's final project as Court Theatre's artistic director offers audiences a hilarious exploration of what makes us human as well as a stunning reminder of his keen dramaturgical instincts. The production has already been extended through April 28 due to critical acclaim and popular demand.
Review: PETER PAN National Tour Presented by Broadway In ChicagoMarch 29, 2024This newest adaptation of PETER PAN unquestionably corrects injustices that never should have been committed in the first place. But by flying Peter so enthusiastically into 2024, the creative team has stripped him and his story of some of their magic, making the boy who wouldn't grow up more out of touch than out of time.
Review: SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE at Theo UbiqueMarch 21, 2024No matter your preference, your favorite Sondheim shows will be represented in Theo Ubique's latest cabaret revue, which is as much an informative crash course in the composer's oeuvre as it is a heartfelt memorial to his rich life and lasting legacy. The production runs through April 28 at Theo's performance space in Evanston.
Review: WIPEOUT at Rivendell TheatreMarch 12, 2024Premiering at Rivendell Theatre under the inventive direction of Tara Mallen, WIPEOUT gifts audiences a hilarious exploration of aging, friendship, and womanhood that's as fun as a day at the beach and as bittersweet as a setting sun.
Review: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Invictus Theatre CompanyFebruary 20, 2024Invictus Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winner TOPDOG/UNDERDOG has moments of comedic entertainment and dramatic import, but it struggles to live up to the play's substantial reputation. It runs through March 31.
Review: THE BAND'S VISIT at Writers TheatreFebruary 18, 2024Director Zi Alikhan has gifted Chicago audiences with a production of THE BAND'S VISIT whose talent and creative execution equal---and may even exceed---those of the Broadway and touring productions. It runs through March 17 at Writers Theatre in Glencoe.
Review: ALEX EDELMAN'S JUST FOR US at Steppenwolf TheatreFebruary 17, 2024Alex Edelman's newest solo show JUST FOR US is a riotously hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt meditation on internet culture, Jewish identity, and the limits of radical empathy. It runs through February 25 at Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater. Critic's recommendation: get your tickets immediately.
Review: BROTHER SISTER CYBORG SPACE at Raven TheatreFebruary 13, 2024Paul Michael Thomson's newest dramedy BROTHER SISTER CYBORG SPACE, now receiving its world premiere at Raven Theatre, occasionally loses itself in a flood of introspection. But it's buoyed along by a cast of thoughtful and charismatic performers.