What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals
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”
For holiday shopping at its best – meaning taking out the hassle and stirring in fun, consider these two ideas. What: One of a Kind Show Every year the One a Kind Show’s more than 600 artisans takes up a floor at The Mart. Yes, it’s that huge building facing the Chicago … Continue reading “Best holiday shopping”
L-R: Huy Nguyen, Matt Miles, Charlie Irving, Wain Parham, Alexis Primus. (Photo by Josh Bernaski) Highly Recommended Holidays have a unique way of punctuating our lives causing us to come together on an annual basis. Through this activity we assess alliances, trade information, and mark the passage of time. In The Long Christmas Dinner by Thorton … Continue reading “An infinite and universal family story”
Mitchell Bisschop in Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago. (Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larsen) Recommended Mike Royko was an outspoken Chicago journalist, who in the 1960s through the ’90s railed against the political machine and championed the cause of the underdog with the same zeal he displayed toward his beloved Cubs. Playwright and monologist Mitchell … Continue reading “Did you see Royko”
Zach Wyatt, center, is Pericles holding his bride to be, the king’s daughter Thaisa, played by Leah Haile in “Pericles,” a Royal Shakespeare Company production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Photo by Johan Persson.) Somewhat recommended Maybe, I was in the mood for a solid Shakespearean play. In “Pericles,” supposedly half penned by William Shakespeare, … Continue reading “The Royal Shakespeare Company adds music and dance to Pericles”
Two stars Playing on stage at the Den Theatre, you meet an aspiring African American actress, Vera Stark (Ashayla Calvin). She is a personal maid to fading 1930s movie star Gloria Mitchell (Caitlin Jemison), once known as “America’s Little Sweetie-Pie.” It becomes clear that the two have a very close relationship and have a … Continue reading “‘By the Way Meet Vera Stark’”