Chicago is a fantastic destination for musical development; in fact, whenever I’m not reviewing theatre, you’re likely to catch me at work in musical theatre workshops providing dramaturgical assistance. There’s […]
Mere minutes into “Bright Star,” the audience is treated to the arrival home of a war veteran, the death of a beloved parent, and a journey to the big city […]
Writing for one’s time is a risk in our current theatre model. The playwright runs into the danger of being too radical to be produced for sedate audiences, or too […]
In general, there is not much to celebrate about the French Revolution. The Reign of Terror claimed innocent lives, and the massacre that spread from Paris to the countryside is […]
Gilda Radner was the sort of performer that inspired instant endearment. Playing fearless, obnoxious, breakable characters so specifically that she vaulted past type or genre — she was her own. […]
Several clues inform you that “The Madwoman of Chaillot” takes place in Paris. There is the Eiffel Tower painted on the set. There is the outdoor seating at the café […]
When we know old stories, does that give us the power to merely follow their course, or change them? This question sat at at the forefront of my mind while […]
We learn our first moral lessons from fairy tales. We learn not to talk to strangers. We learn not to lie. We learn that kindness is rewarded, and selfish actions […]
Show: “1984” Company: AstonRep Theatre Venue: The Raven Theatre In America’s current political climate, it’s not unusual to hear reference to doubletalk and newspeak and Big Brother, some people seem […]
Show: King Ubu Company: Organic Theater Company Venue: The Greenhouse Theatre Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) Organic Theater Company and adaptor/director Alexander Gelman have entered the arena of absurd farce with Alfred […]