The cast of Court Theatre’s “The Dead.” Photo by Michael Brosilow. Life is stepping in, so Chicago Theatre Addict will be taking a back seat for a short spell. I promise to get my act together soon and back to commenting on all the fantastic theatre goings on happening in this beautiful city, including all… Read More Chicago Theatre Addict taking mini hiatus, plus my short-term wishlist
So, I woke up from a restless sleep early this morning, checked my phone and noticed that the 2012 Equity Jeff Awards had been announced. And my first impression was: wow. No Nathan Lane. Yes, the Jeff committee overlooked Lane’s unconventional but widely praised performance as Hickey the hardware salesman in Goodman’s The Iceman Cometh,… Read More 2012 Equity Jeff nominations: A Chicago Theatre Addict’s reactions
The cliffhanger that concludes the first half of Tony Kushner’s epic Angels in America is designed to stun. It’s the moment when the angel — an earth-shattering vision or a violent fever dream, or both — crashes through Prior Walter’s bedroom ceiling to deliver a prophetic message. However, in Court Theatre’s glorious yet frustratingly uneven… Read More HuffPo review: Court’s ‘Angels in America’ Soars Despite Clipped Wings
Charles Newell and Doug Peck. When you get the combination of these two artists working together, something awesome is bound to happen. Such is the case with Court’s powerfully focused production of George and Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Newell, as director, has re-imagined this classic folk opera as an intimate ensemble piece, and music… Read More Court’s revelatory ‘Porgy and Bess’ features a break-out performance in Thomas
I’m totally stoked about the recent 2010-2011 season announcements. There’s some really amazing stuff in store across the board — and so much to cover! For our collective sanity, I’ll scope it down to the single most exciting planned productions from the top four fanciest Chicago theatres. Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?… Read More Stoked for the 2010-11 Chicago theatre season
There’s something to be said for actors who can maintain madcap energy for two-plus hours when they are given little in return for their efforts. It’s like a superpower. Erik Hellman and Chris Sullivan, who built the action into a frenzy of mystery and mayhem despite playing to a sleepy Sunday matinee crowd that seemed… Read More New EDGE Review: The Mystery of Irma Vep @ Court Theatre
The 41st Annual Jeff Equity Awards were presented last night, and among the winners (see the list here), Court Theatre’s Caroline, or Change took home the following major awards: Actress in a Principal Role, Musical (E. Faye Butler) Production of a Musical — Large Director of a Musical (Charles Newell) Music Direction (Doug Peck) I… Read More Time to revive Court’s “Caroline, or Change”
In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, August Wilson establishes a deeply authentic environment through humor, anecdotes and tension that builds to a gut-punching conclusion. And in Court Theatre’s bold, confident production under the direction of Ron OJ Parson, you easily become invested in the action. Interestingly, Ma Rainey herself has surprisingly little stage time, with most of… Read More Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom @ Court Theatre
Time Out Chicago lists the best and worst theatrical productions this year. And guess what? The Court Theatre’s production of Caroline, or Change was ranked the #1 theatrical event of the year. Big props to them! I know I was absolutely floored when I saw it. As I’ve said repeatedly before – PLEASE BRING IT… Read More “Caroline, or Change” tops the list
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