Tag: Theatre

Bailiwick’s entertaining ‘Mahal’ explores the struggle of redefining family post-tragedy

F Karmann Bajuyo, Kate Garassino and Kevin Matthew Reyes in Bailiwick Chicago Theater’s world premiere of production of “Mahal” “Mahal” is Tagalog for “love.” It also means “expensive.” While it might seem odd that such an important word serves two meanings, when you think about it, it makes sense. Love is precious. It’s something that… Read More Bailiwick’s entertaining ‘Mahal’ explores the struggle of redefining family post-tragedy

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A perplexing and pretentious ‘Lives of the Pigeons’

Vincent L. Lonergan and Don Bender in The Side Project’s “Lives of the Pigeons” Sometimes after seeing a show, I leave the theatre feeling more than a little disoriented. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — good theatre should challenge. So, following the world premiere of Sherod Santos’ perplexing Lives of the Pigeons, I went… Read More A perplexing and pretentious ‘Lives of the Pigeons’

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Don’t cry for him: Ben Rimalower is taking his hit one-man show on a rainbow tour

Writer, director and performer Ben Rimalower knows a thing or two about high belting. No, he’s not a singer per say, but he does appreciate the finer belts in life — including those of Broadway icon Patti LuPone. As the writer and performer of his acclaimed and award-winning one-man show, Patti Issues, Rimalower has turned… Read More Don’t cry for him: Ben Rimalower is taking his hit one-man show on a rainbow tour

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Strawdog’s raucous ‘Improbable Frequency’ could use a bit more probability

While the rest of Europe was suffering through WWII, Ireland stood fast in its neutrality, even referring to the war as “The Emergency” in an attempt to mitigate the impact of the war, and the news surrounding it, with their people. Improbable Frequency, an unapologetically zany musical comedy by Arthur Riordan (book and lyrics) and… Read More Strawdog’s raucous ‘Improbable Frequency’ could use a bit more probability

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Music Theatre Company’s sweetly sincere ‘The Baker’s Wife’ charms

Sometimes all you need is a committed, eager, talented cast, a piano and a director with vision to deliver a delightful evening of musical theatre. And Music Theatre Company in Highland Park, under the direction of Dominic Missimi, is serving up a scrappy, sincere and streamlined production of that legendary flop musical, The Baker’s Wife… Read More Music Theatre Company’s sweetly sincere ‘The Baker’s Wife’ charms

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HuffPo Review: Mercury Theater’s ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ is ‘Something Wonderful’

It’s a very rare thing to come across a show that embraces its simplicity with virtually zero pretense. A Grand Night for Singing at Mercury Theater is such a show. This perfectly enjoyable musical revue celebrating the classic scores of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein isn’t afraid to make the songs the star by featuring… Read More HuffPo Review: Mercury Theater’s ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ is ‘Something Wonderful’

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HuffPo Review: A Flat Yet Fascinating ‘Other Desert Cities’ at Goodman

It’s not hard to understand why Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities is such an effective play. This award-winning compact family drama addresses the notions of deception, trust, loyalty, privacy and integrity using a deliciously straightforward setup: a strong-willed novelist daughter returns home to declare to her well-bred and respected republican family that her next… Read More HuffPo Review: A Flat Yet Fascinating ‘Other Desert Cities’ at Goodman

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An Interview with Jamie Prahl, Director of Saint Sebastian Players’ ‘Lefties’

In Lefties, a play by Chicago-area playwright Leigh Johnson, a Russian-born father (who’s also, by the way, an avowed Communist who loves baseball), clashes with his son, a gifted semi-professional pitcher who has become entranced by capitalism and its prospects. Set in McCarthy-era America, this play covers some big ground, including themes regarding family pride,… Read More An Interview with Jamie Prahl, Director of Saint Sebastian Players’ ‘Lefties’

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HuffPo Review: Rivendell’s ‘American Wee-Pie’ Finds Sweet Victory in Second Chances

I remember my quarter-life crisis. Here I was, working long hours in a job I didn’t have any real passion for, broke, gaining weight, listless. I was going through the motions and letting self doubt rule my world. Seven years later, I’m in a completely different place. I’m in a rewarding career, I’ve found a… Read More HuffPo Review: Rivendell’s ‘American Wee-Pie’ Finds Sweet Victory in Second Chances

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Chatting With Tracy Michelle Arnold, Star of Goodman’s ‘Other Desert Cities’

When Jon Robin Baitz’s searing family drama Other Desert Cities premiered at Lincoln Center in January 2011, it took the town by storm. Not since August: Osage County can I recall an American play that’s had such buzz, with the New York Times calling it “the best new play on Broadway.” And, like most good… Read More Chatting With Tracy Michelle Arnold, Star of Goodman’s ‘Other Desert Cities’

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HuffPo review: ‘Failure: A Love Story’ Finds Heartwarming Hope in the Unavoidable

Ah, the impending threat of death. What a warm and cozy feeling it is to know that each day presents new opportunities to face our own uncertain demise. Happy Holidays! In the fantastically macabre Failure: A Love Story, playwright Philip Dawkins manages to find the quirky, heartwarming delight in the unavoidable. The three Failure sisters,… Read More HuffPo review: ‘Failure: A Love Story’ Finds Heartwarming Hope in the Unavoidable

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