Review: MOULIN ROUGE THE MUSICAL at The Hippodrome
I remember trying to watch Moulin Rouge when the movie came out in 2001 and only getting about halfway through it. I have to confess I found the story rather trite and entirely predictable, only elevated by the inclusion of lots of catchy pop songs. So I was delightfully surprised when I saw the current iteration of this piece as a Broadway musical. Here I was all set to cast my weary, cynical eye on one more story of the ‘ho with a deadly disease (they do seem to be disproportionately prone to tuberculosis), but I was thoroughly entertained by this dazzling, dizzying, diamond of a show.
Review: Hale Centre Theatre's LUCKY STIFF is Groovy Fun
LUCKY STIFF on Hale Centre Theatre’s Jewel Box Stage opens with an ode to classic 1970s game shows, and the musical that follows is like a ride back in time via the Game Show Channel. A captivating competition for a cash prize with lots of twists and turns, it’s just a smidge naughty but ultimately wholesome…and always groovy.
Saint Sebastian Players to Present World Premiere of THE SHADY LADY
The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) conclude the company’s 40th anniversary season with the world premiere of the corporate satire The Shady Lady by Kara Poe Atnip and SSP company member Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend. Performances take place May 5–22, 2022 in the lower level of St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago (enter on Marshfield).
SSP Celebrates 40 Years With Four-Show Season
The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) announce the company is resuming live, in-person production with an expanded 40th Anniversary Season. The four-play lineup celebrates genres that have been popular with SSP audiences throughout its history—a classic comedy, a mystery and a musical—and looks to the future with a world premiere comedy co-authored by a company member.
BWW Review: Hale Centre Theatre's GUYS AND DOLLS is a Bold Technicolor Marvel
One of the hallmarks of the Golden Age Technicolor musical films was the extended dream or song sequence, full of bold primary colors, stylized sets, and big movement. GUYS AND DOLLS, playing on the Hale Centre Theatre Centre Stage is an uncanny reproduction of that look and feeling, from the costumes to the scenic design to the performances.
BWW Review: Hale Centre Theatre's LES MISERABLES is a Stained Glass Spectacle
The only production of LES MISERABLES currently playing anywhere in the world is the one on Hale Centre Theatre’s Centre Stage--an all-out spectacle with burnished visuals and vocals. Scene after scene amazes the audience with its artistry, lush lighting reminiscent of stained glass, and immense scale. This is quite possibly one of the most spectacular productions of LES MISERABLES ever staged.
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for FARM TO TV
FARM to TV is the first comedy special from up-and-coming comedian Preston Taylor as he shares stories about his upbringing in a small country farm town in Texas to his wild days in Los Angeles.