Tag: American Theater Company

HuffPo review: ‘Rent’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom’ Rock Out Chicago (Well, Almost…)

It’s a Jonathan Larson summer in Chicago. Currently, the genre-defining musical theatre composer is receiving productions of his two major shows by a trio of distinguished local theatre companies. Tick, Tick… Boom!, which is essentially the precursor to Rent, is a largely autobiographical musical about the late composer’s artistic struggles as he begins to ease… Read More HuffPo review: ‘Rent’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom’ Rock Out Chicago (Well, Almost…)

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Chicago Like a Local: American Theater Company’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play’

The cast of American Theater Company’s “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play” I dare you to find a more “awww”-inducing moment on any Chicago stage currently then when beloved Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum as guardian-angel-in-training Clarence — all short and white-bearded and bespeckled – impishly looks up at Joseph (Philip Earl Johnson) and asks,… Read More Chicago Like a Local: American Theater Company’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play’

Bob Bullen1 Comment

‘The Original Grease’ extends through Aug. 21

It’s official: American Theater Company has a hit on their hands. The Original Grease — the rough-and-tumble, R-rated musical which later become the much more family friendly phenomenon — will play through the summer. In addition, they’ve apparently shaved about 30 minutes from the running time by tightening up the modern-day graduation scenes that framed the musical, which were, by far,… Read More ‘The Original Grease’ extends through Aug. 21

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With more than a few f-bombs, American Theater Company takes ‘Grease’ back to its original, working class roots

“We Go Together” — the cast of American Theater Company’s “The Original Grease” Who knew Danny Zuko hung out at gay-friendly Foster Beach? I always suspected he was hiding something behind that “machismo” exterior. I kid — but I couldn’t help but smirk listening to “Foster Beach,” the opening tune that predates karaoke favorite “Summer Nights” in… Read More With more than a few f-bombs, American Theater Company takes ‘Grease’ back to its original, working class roots

Bob Bullen2 Comments