Sondheim gets his Shakes on, the most overrated play of 2011 and more …

Get ready for some random theatre-y thoughts: Sondheim gets his ChiShakes on: After receiving the Chicago Tribune Literary Prize for lifetime achievement on Sunday morning, the man himself visited Sunday’s matinée of Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (along with playwright David Henry Hwang and the great Sir Peter Hall). He then went backstage following the… Read More Sondheim gets his Shakes on, the most overrated play of 2011 and more …

A brutal and bold ‘Follies’ at Chicago Shakes

Susan Moniz as Sally Durant Plummer in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s “Follies” Something magical’s happening on Navy Pier, and it’s not the weekly fireworks spectacle, though there are enough explosive moments to drive any fan of honest-to-God good musical theatre to near hysterics. It’s Gary Griffin’s astounding production of Follies, packed with so many showstopping moments,… Read More A brutal and bold ‘Follies’ at Chicago Shakes

A New York state of mind: Anything Goes, Betty Buckley, Follies and more

Hello lovlies! I’m in NYC for a few days, and have a full theatre schedule lined up, featuring some of Broadway brightest divas: Sutton Foster, Betty Buckley and Bernadette Peters. Last night: Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Anything Goes. Overall, lots of fun and Sutton is swell — but, for me, the true star of… Read More A New York state of mind: Anything Goes, Betty Buckley, Follies and more

Announcing The Great ‘Follies’ Smack-down of 2011

Top: Ron Raines and Bernadette Peters (and their ghostly counterparts) in the Broadway production of “Follies.” (Photo © Joan Marcus) Bottom: Susan Moniz and Robert Petkoff in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Follies.” (Photo: Peter Bosy) The challenge: To see two productions of Follies within four days of each other and determine which production is the winner.… Read More Announcing The Great ‘Follies’ Smack-down of 2011

Chicago Shakes’ Follies casting (partly) announced — where are the Chicago actors?

After much speculation, Chi Shakes has released partial casting news for one of my all-time favorite musicals, and probably the most highly anticipated production (for me) this year: Follies, at Chicago Shakes, directed by Gary Griffin. Here’s what’s been announced so far for Follies casting (via Chris Jones), which begins performances Oct. 4: Hollis Resnik… Read More Chicago Shakes’ Follies casting (partly) announced — where are the Chicago actors?

‘Follies’ comes to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: my thoughts

Chris Jones reports that Gary Griffin will direct Stephen Sondheim’s Follies to kick off the 2011-12 season at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This is Big News for me. Some thoughts before I head out the door … I had two immediate reaction to this news: excitement and disappointment. Let’s get the disappointment out of the way… Read More ‘Follies’ comes to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: my thoughts

‘Hats off! Here they come, those beautiful girls’: ‘Follies’ casting announced (and no, not *that* production)

While most “Sondheads” are buzzing about recent casting news related to the Kennedy Center’s upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, this Chicago Theatre Addict is thinking about a Nov. 9 concert of the musical to support the Chicago Humanities Festival. Chicago musical theatre director Doug Peck hinted at this concert when I interviewed him a… Read More ‘Hats off! Here they come, those beautiful girls’: ‘Follies’ casting announced (and no, not *that* production)