Sharriese Hamilton

Review: FALSETTOS presented by Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company

FALSETTOS, originally written as two-one act musicals set in 1979 and 1981, respectively, feels simultaneously dated and prescient. In this co-production from Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company, director Nick Bowling leads a first-rate ensemble that preserves the musical as a period piece but also makes it feel utterly alive. Lauren Nichols’s set design evokes a 1970s retro roller rink and Theresa Ham’s costume designs also use extremely ‘70s colors (and each character wears a signature color). But many of the show’s central themes hit now as ahead of their time and eerily relevant. In particular, the musical’s reverence for Jewish culture and tradition and its unabashed embrace of queer love are especially moving at a time when anti-Semitism and homophobia seem tragically on the rise in America.

Cast Set For FALSETTOS at Court Theatre

Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company will present William Finn and James Lapine’s Falsettos, a tribute to family and its many forms; a playful interrogation of faith and identity; and a celebration of the beauty, complexity, and necessity of love.

FALSETTOS to be Presented by Court Theatre & TimeLine Theatre This November

Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre announced their collaboration on FALSETTOS, set to run this November. The production will bring the Tony Award-winning musical to Chicago audiences.

Paul Williams And Henson Puppeteers Post-Show Talkback This Friday Following EMMET OTTER'S JUG BAND Performance

Join legendary composer Paul Williams and the puppeteers of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas for a post-show talkback on Friday, December 8 at Chicago's Studebaker Theater.

Review: EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS IS A GIFT at Studebaker Theater

What did our critic think of EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS IS A GIFT at Studebaker Theater?

Photos: JIM HENSON'S EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS At Studebaker Theater 

The live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas” opens in Chicago on November 20, 2023 and plays through December 31, 2023, at the Studebaker Theater at the historic Fine Arts Building. See photos from the production below!

VIDEO: First Look at THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at Goodman Theatre

Get a first look at Goodman Theatre's production of The Nacirema Society, now on stage through October 15th.

Review: THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at Goodman Theatre

It seems fitting that Goodman Theatre opens new Artistic Director Susan V. Booth’s inaugural season with THE NACIREMA SOCIETY, a play that’s about coming out to society. This Chicago premiere marks a continuation of Booth’s long-standing relationship with celebrated Black playwright Pearl Cleage. THE NACIREMA SOCIETY takes the form of an extended farce, following the incredibly wealthy Dunbar family in 1964 Montgomery, Alabama. In this light-hearted (if not always legitimately laugh-out-loud) comedic play, Cleage draws heavily from classic farce conventions. As the centennial event of matriarch Grace Dubose Dunbar’s beloved Nacirema Society, Montgomery’s organization for Black young women, dawns — and she awaits her own granddaughter Grace’s coming out — the antics become more and more heightened as family secrets come to light.

Andy Mientus and Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone Will Lead the Chicago Premiere of JIM HENSON'S EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS

Casting for the live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas” is now set for the Chicago premiere production, November 14-December 31, 2023, at the Studebaker Theater. Learn more about the production here!

Cast Set For THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at the Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre’s 2023/2024 Season—Susan V. Booth’s first to curate as new Artistic Director—begins with works by Pearl Cleage, Atlanta’s first Poet Laureate and Booth’s longtime creative collaborator and friend. Learn more about the cast here!

Review: IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

What did our critic think of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater? Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE is campy musical theater fun that pays homage to the 1953 “B-movie” from which it’s adapted. In the vein of musicals like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Blair and Kinosian lean into the source material’s ability to delight and amuse with a take-home message that’s clear as day—but the earnestness of the material is what allows it all to be delivered with a wink.

Photos: Porchlight's Staged Reading Of Paul Oakley Stovall's CLEAR Celebrates Opening Night

Porchlight Music Theatre’s 27th season continues with a staged reading of Clear, book, music and lyrics by Paul Oakley Stovall, and directed by Reneisha J. Jenkins and music directed by Austin Deadman, Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn.

Jaye Ladymore Joins the World Premiere of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced that Jaye Ladymore has joined the company for the world premiere production of It Came From Outer Space, a new musical comedy based on the ‘50s cult classic sci-fi film from Universal Pictures.

Paul Oakley Stovall Will Lead Porchlight Music Theatre's Staged Reading Of Stovall's CLEAR This Month

Porchlight Music Theatre's 27th season continues with a staged reading of Clear, book, music and lyrics by Paul Oakley Stovall.

Christopher Kale Jones & More to Lead World Premiere of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of It Came From Outer Space, a new musical comedy based on the ‘50s cult classic sci-fi film from Universal Pictures.

VIDEO: Nick Duckart Talks Bringing COME FROM AWAY To Chicago

Come From Away is now in Chicago through March 6th, 2022. Watch as Nick Duckart who plays Kevin J and others talks about bringing a bit of Gander to the Windy City.

COME FROM AWAY Plays The Ohio Theatre in February

CAPA and PNC Broadway in Columbus are thrilled to present the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, at the Ohio Theatre February 8-13 for its Columbus debut. Tickets are on sale now.

BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY at Times Union Center For The Performing Arts

When everyone was experiencing devastation on 9/11/2001, the town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada was accepting passengers from 38 planes full of people who had been detoured from their various destinations. Come From Away tells this true story. The musical follows the five days the “Come From Aways” stayed in Gander as they try and contact their loved ones and deal with the heartbreaking news that was happening in the states.

BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY at Van Wezel all that you can want and so much more

It is such an exciting time with Broadway reopened. I spent a day recently in New York City and the hustle and bustle of the theatre district reminded me of why I love the city and Broadway in particular. I have seen a measly 73 shows on Broadway or ones that are part of a Broadway tour and I have ranked them all in the order that I love/like them. One of those shows that has remained in the top 10 since I first witnessed its magical artistry is “Come From Away.” So, I jumped at the chance to see it again at the Van Wezel.

Review Roundup: COME FROM AWAY National Tour Returns to the Stage; What Did the Critics Think?

The National Tour of Come From Away has returned to the stage! The production returned at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN earlier this month.