What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals
Highly Recommended The founder of a plucky not-for-profit who has been on administrative leave returns threatening to revert to the status quo and up end planned changes taking place in his absence. This is a humorous take on a very real inflection point where an organization is moving beyond the skill set of the founder … Continue reading “Stingingly familiar peek at organizational leadership”
“Sunny Afternoon” brings The Kinks greatest hits to The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Photo credit: Carol Rosegg) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED The Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier seems an appropriate site for a retrospective British invasion of Chicago. This energetic jukebox musical, “Sunny Afternoon,” enjoying its North American premiere here in Chicago, is based on … Continue reading “A very Sunny Afternoon”
Jennifer Agather and Robert Hunter Bry in “The Winter’s Tale” at Invictus Theatre. Photo by Aaron Reese Boseman Photography. Highly Recommended A story of reproach, remorse and reconciliation, William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” presented by Invictus Theatre, has something for everyone. It is both tragedy and a romantic comedy with sorrow, absurdity, mirth and fantasy. … Continue reading “Tale mixes remorse and romance”
Highly Recommended Yes, this is the opera where the young lady with the bad cough dies at the end. Puccini’s classic has often been spoofed but it is also the inspiration for the popular rock musical, RENT. In this production of La Bohème directed by Chicago native Melanie Bacaling at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Maestro … Continue reading “La Boheme at Lyric Opera of Chicago”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Music Theater Works production of “Guys and Dolls” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is good old fashioned mid-century style, musical theater fun. The story lampoons the idea of middle class morality, lambasting both the good guys and bad guys for taking themselves so seriously. Nathan Detroit who … Continue reading “Guys and Dolls is no gamble”
Highly Recommended MadKap Productions at the Skokie Theatre have hit it out of the park with their hilarious presentation of the farcical operetta “Romeo and Bernadette” – a new musical with book and lyrics by seven-time Emmy winner Mark Saltzman. Romeo (Tyler Lord) has awakened from a 400-year slumber to find his beloved Juliette … Continue reading “Gilbert and Sullivan meet The Godfather in Romeo and Bernadette”
Brookelyn Hébert, John Mossman, (Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux). Recommended “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen is a story of morality, manipulation and despair. Presented by Artistic Home at The Den Theater, it is a well-crafted story by one of the most influential playwrights of all time. In “Hedda Gabler” Ibsen gives us a well-crafted story … Continue reading “Another look at Hedda Gabler”
Nick Gehlfuss and Caroline Neff in “Fool for Love” at Steppenwolf Theatre Somewhat Recommended Full of potential, the set design by Todd Rosenthal is the highlight of this drama by playwright Sam Sheppard at Steppenwolf. A sparsely furnished motel room dominates the stage. Along the perimeter an empty swimming pool, an imposing neon … Continue reading “Fool for Love questioned at Steppenwolf”
Recommended Is love like glass? Can you recognize and embrace love when you see it? This is a story about getting in touch with our better nature, rejecting a poor self-image, self-doubts, negative inner dialog and indeed the opinions of others based on their view of us. Also, what are you willing to sacrifice to … Continue reading “Love is fragile and often transparent”
Reno Lovison picks for 2024 #1 – “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” at Goodman Theatre was best all around and also best new musical. Great energy, scenery, music, dance and general performance. #2 -“Jersey Boys” at Mercury Theater is best revival. Well written story with awesome retro music well performed. #3 … Continue reading “Show review roundup from Chicago Theater and Arts”