“Don’t let this be in the past,” cartoonist Alison Bechdel beseeches her own memory as she scrambles to put down something- anything- onto into a sketchbook in the incredibly powerful Fun Home, based on the artist’s graphic novel. The trouble, of course, is that it’s all past, and it’s Alison’s job to sort the mythology of her Dad with the real, live truths that become more apparent as she nears his age at the time of his death. Dropping truth bombs in {Read More}
No mystery as to the appeal of Lifeline’s ‘Miss Holmes’
October 23, 2016 By Leave a Comment
If recent cinematic and staged endeavors are any indication, our world has gone Sherlock crazy, and with two good reasons: One, our collective psyche craves the closure and satisfaction of something- anything- being solved and finished (especially in the latter half of 2016). And two, Sherlock lore is compelling and cool as heck. Whichever your driving reasons, Lifeline Theatre’s Miss Holmes will more than satisfy both of those criteria. Their new production crackles with brilliant one-liners and intriguing characters, and {Read More}
10 reasons you need to see ‘Hamilton’ in Chicago
October 20, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Unless you’ve been living under a very large, very heavy rock, you’re aware of the award-winning juggernaut that is Hamilton: An American Musical. No? Okay, here’s the quickie wiki: Hamilton was based on the extraordinarily detailed biography by Ron Chernow, turned into a mammoth hip hop- well, “musical” doesn’t seem big enough, powerful enough, but we’ll go with that for now- musical by lyricist, composer, writer, performer, and all-around personal Jesus to many, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The tale of the “young, {Read More}
Goodman’s “Wonderful Town;” Chicago’s nicest place to visit.
October 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Here’s the thing about Leonard Bernstein shows; they’re larger than life, classically “Broadway” and, if painted with a broad brushstroke, can feel more than a little dated. That is, unless they’re staged by the Goodman, and infused with such nuance that even the tiniest set piece feels like the wink of an inside joke. Wonderful Town is unlike anything else you’ll see all year. What started in the 1930s as a series of short stories by author Ruth McKenney, chronicling {Read More}
“Kinky Boots” steps up the comedy- and the feels.
September 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment
When something is deemed “feel good,” it’s almost an automatic eye-roll, isn’t it? Because “feel good” can’t be authentic, can’t be important, and can’t carry weight. Well, I’ve got good news for you guys. Kinky Boots– directed and choreographed by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, and playing a lightning-fast engagement at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre- skips right past “feel good” and soars to a new plane I like to call “heart-burstingly wonderful.” The premise is simple. Charlie (played by the adorable and ridiculously talented {Read More}
2 Tix for American Theater Company’s crazy-cool “Xanadu”
June 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Oh, I love it when this happens. Remember when I saw and reviewed American Theater Company’s Xanadu for Chicago Parent Mag (and loved the bejeebus out of it)? Well, because of aforementioned love, I now get to give away two tickets to you, my partners in all things 80s and shimmery and roller skater-y! This show is great. This show is great. It’s fun and it’s silly and it’s got a killer soundtrack and it’s got a cast that spins {Read More}
The Joffrey’s “Cinderella” is a fanciful must-see.
May 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Nora loves ballet. Nora loves to twirl around our house in front of an imaginary audience, choreograph moves to the “ballet” (classical) radio station, and- for that one session at the Chicago Park District- take an actual ballet class. But up until last week, the only “real” ballet she’d ever seen was The Joffrey’s Nutcracker (for three years in a row which, admittedly, is an unbelievably beautiful show). I was curious to see how she’d respond to a ballet she {Read More}
9 performances left of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker- ever!
December 20, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Certain Chicago holiday traditions are sacrosanct in this household: Buying a fluffy tree at Home Depot (don’t judge), collecting miniature glass animals at the Christkindlmarket, drinking out of boots at samesuch market during daylight hours (don’t judge), dashing between the gorgeous international Christmas trees at the MSI, and absolutely- absolutely– sighing our way through the Joffrey Ballet’s magical The Nutcracker. It’s also one of the few family traditions which is Gals Only. (For reasons that have nothing to do with gender, {Read More}
