When Mart Crowley’s The Boys in the Band emerged on the scene in 1968, it was a ground-breaking— even earth-shattering— portrayal of gay life. Well before the Stonewall Riots, and well well before this was a mainstream conversation, it brought an honest, raw, and deeply moving look at the lives, loves, and struggles of a young, gay, friend group. The star-studded 2018 Broadway revival was a heralded, glossy affair, well-deserving of its many accolades. That said, Windy City Playhouse, who {Read More}
‘Once On This Island’ offers up hope for the future
January 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Once On This Island… If the freezing temps have you daydreaming about balmier temps and sunnier skies, then perhaps an island jaunt is just the ticket. Lucky you! Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty’s Once On This Island is in town for a short trip, and the Broadway sensation- it won the 2018 Tony for Best Revival- envelops the audience in the kind of Caribbean vibes and infectious beats that’ll have you dancing in your seat. Based on Trinidad-born American writer Rosa {Read More}
‘The Lightning Thief’ flashes into Chicago for a wild- and quick- run
January 10, 2019 By 1 Comment
The Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical So, there’s this middle grade adventure series loosely based on the antics (and pairings and ensuing offspring) of some Greek gods, and it was turned into a Broadway show. Oh, and it’s also a rock musical. Still with me? Good. Because The Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical– is absolutely fantastic and deserves a packed house for every night of its short Chicago stay at the Oriental Theatre. Adapted from Rick Riordan’s wildly {Read More}
Everything’s right with ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
December 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
File this one under “Things I won’t have to work very hard to convince you to see:” The Play That Goes Wrong, now playing at the Oriental Theatre, is an incredibly fun, incredibly madcap play-within-a-play that’ll have you gasping with laughter. Okie doke. Need more? 8 reasons to see The Play That Goes Wrong, stat: (I almost listed them out of order, a la A Review That Goes Wrong…but decided to give your brain a little rest today. You’re welcome.) 8 {Read More}
Nothing ‘Curious’ about this tale’s appeal
December 9, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Imagine you stumble upon a murdered dog; everybody, including the neighbors and the police (whom you may or may not have accidentally struck), thinks you’re the killer. Now imagine- same scenario- except you’re a 15 year-old boy with extreme sensory issues, a brilliant mind for mathematics, an absolute inability to be touched (explaining that whole “striking a police officer” thing), and a crystal clear mission: to bring poor, murdered Wellington to justice. This is the premise of Mark Haddon’s explosively {Read More}
‘Fun Home’ sifts memory from myth
November 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
“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}
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}
“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}
