Flimsy PHANTOM’s Makeover Not yet Complete

Flimsy PHANTOM’s Makeover Not yet Complete

The bright spot in this production is Derrick Davis’ portrayal of The Phantom. Though the direction left much to be desired, Davis had a twitchy, nervousness about him that was compelling to watch.

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Smart and Innovative, THE HUNTER AND THE BEAR Is Everything Theater Should Be

Smart and Innovative, THE HUNTER AND THE BEAR Is Everything Theater Should Be

This collaboration proved quite simply to be the reason I love going to the theater. This entire team of creators from direction to performance to design consists of the smartest and most innovative talent the theater world has to offer.

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Praise Be to Steppenwolf’s THE CHRISTIANS

Praise Be to Steppenwolf’s THE CHRISTIANS

Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Chicago premiere of Lucas Hnath’s THE CHRISTIANS is stunningly conceived and highly stylized.

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Sour Script Keeps HONKY TONK ANGELS Grounded

Sour Script Keeps HONKY TONK ANGELS Grounded

In 1988, Ted Swindley created his jukebox musical ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE which eventually pleased audiences worldwide. You might recall Chicago’s popular sit-down performance. Unfortunately, his follow-up show HONKY TONK ANGELS leaves me wondering if he’s a one-hit wonder.

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Design Shines in Joffrey’s NUTCRACKER

Design Shines in Joffrey’s NUTCRACKER

This is a reimagined (and what I love most is) Chicago-centric design that preserves all the elements of The Nutcracker’s much-loved tradition but breaks away from past Robert Joffrey productions.

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CURIOUS INCIDENT Is One Interpretation of the Spectrum

CURIOUS INCIDENT Is One Interpretation of the Spectrum

Review: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF A DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME on tour at the Oriental Theatre By Erin Shea Brady There’s no denying the skill that goes into a production like THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF A DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME. As Christopher, Adam Langdon is physically engaged in every muscle,...

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WINTERSET Leaves You Cold

WINTERSET Leaves You Cold

As Chicago buckles down for another cold stretch, WINTERSET by Griffin Theatre seems like a well-partnered choice.

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ELECTRODIDE Struggles To Find Theatrical Harmony

ELECTRODIDE Struggles To Find Theatrical Harmony

There is much that needs to be considered when expanding a current medium of performance into another.

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Remy’s PYGMALION Offers a Fresh Take On The Shaw Classic

Remy’s PYGMALION Offers a Fresh Take On The Shaw Classic

As a patchouli splashed undergrad, I studied PYGMALION and cooed about its societal statements while snubbing the subtitle of romance. The political themes? Yes. The indictment on the classes? Absolutely. A manifesto on the importance of education for self-determination? Damn straight. But an amorous antidote? Not so much.

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