Reviews – Page 17 – Chicago Theater and Arts

Dancing near the river

Riverdance cast at Cadillac P:alace Theatre in Chicago (Jack Hartin Photo) — Riverdance cast at Cadillac P:alace Theatre in Chicago
(Jack Hartin Photo)

4 stars

“Riverdance” has played for a quarter of a century. Now appearing in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, the company is celebrating its 25^th anniversary.

Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, Riverdance’s folk-driven exciting sounds and steps have been loved by people of all ages.

In 1995, the show’s premiere was in Dublin with Irish and international music and dance. Then it went to London followed by a hugely successful tour begn in New York in 1996.

During the next two decades, “Riverdance” toured North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South Africa, and South America. It has been a favorite Grammy Award-winning show all over the world!

Trading taps at the Riverdance show in Chicago. (Jack Hartin Photo)

The Riverdance Irish troupe was 24 dancers, with the six principals being Will Bryant, Maggie Darlington, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, Patrick O’Mahony, Jason O’Neill, and Gianna Petracic.

The Riverdance tappers were Lamont Brown and Tyler Knowlin. And there were also additional dancers in the Russian folk dance troupe.

Not only was the audience thrilled with the dancing, but the singers, drums, saxophone, fiddles and whistles made the music fabulous. And the background showed many places, beginning with the river and continuing through many areas with spectacular lighting and beautiful costume designs.

DETAILS: “Riverdance” is at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre at 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago through Feb. 9 2020/. Running time: 2 hours with one intermission. For tickets and other information, call Broadway In Chicago at (800) 775-2000, or go visit Broadway in Chicago.

Francine Pappadis Friedman

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

Three ways to spend Valentine’s Day

Orchids fill the greenhouses and overflow the corridors at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (J Jacobs photo)

After Hours CBG Orchid Show

Instead of worrying about getting to a grocery store to find roses, consider an immersion in orchids. The Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show stays open late on Thursdays for its After Hours event when drinks and food are available. However, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, After Hours will also happen on Feb. 14, 2000. For cost and hours visit Chicago Botanic/Orchid.

In addition, a heart-shaped cake and glass of Champagne will be available at the Garden View Café and during Orchids After Hours. The Chicago botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe. For more information call (847) 835-6801 or Main: (847) 835-5440 or visit Chicago Botanic Garden.

Ocean Prime's special Valentine's Day dish. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Prime) — Ocean Prime’s special Valentine’s Day dish. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Prime)

Ocean Prime brings back popular seafood dish

Try a special dish in an upscale downtown Chicago restaurant with a view of the Chicago River. Created last year, Cameron Mitchell’s Ocean Prime will have its roasted sea bass over Alaskan King Crab gnocchi with Champagne cream on its valentine’s Day menu. Accompanied by a baby carrot salad, the dish will be $62 at the Chicago location.

For reservations and more information call (312) 428-4344 or visit Ocean Prime Chicago. The restaurant is next to the London House Hotel, 87 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago.

Families decorate cookies and cupcakes at Max and Benny's. (Photo courtesy of Max and Benny's) — Families decorate cookies and cupcakes at Max and Benny’s. (Photo courtesy of Max and Benny’s)

Kids and grandparents decorate cookies at Max and Benny’s

To give parents a night out or include them, Max and Benny’s, a Northshore deli, is holding a special cupcake/cookie decorating event on Feb. 14, 2020. Families will do dinner at the deli, then go into the event room to decorate a cupcake or cookie to eat there or take home. Registration is suggested but not required. For more information visit Max and Benny’s events.

Max and benny’s is in the strip mall at 461 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook.

Jodie Jacobs

‘Sophisticated Ladies’ sparkles like New Year’s Eve for the Duke

(L to R) Chuckie Benson, Terri K. Woodall, Joey Stone, Madison Piner and Tristan Bruns in Rockin’ in Rhythm in Sophisticated Ladies at Porchlight Music Theatre. (Photo courtesy of PMT)

4 stars

A “Salute to the Duke” with concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, “Sophisticated Ladies” celebrates Porchlight’s 25^th Anniversary Mainstage season by taking the big jazz band era of the Duke to new heights.

Featuring music by jazz composer, pianist and band leader Duke Ellington who composed thousands of songs during his 50-year career, the Duke is recognized as one of the most important composers in American musical history.

The show, a Porchlight Theatre production, takes the audience through Duke’s legendary career with a treasure trove of hits, that include “Mood Indigo,” “Take the “A” Train,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “In a Sentimental Mood” and “Satin Doll.”

Continue reading “‘Sophisticated Ladies’ sparkles like New Year’s Eve for the Duke”

Ronnie Marmo brings Lenny Bruce to life

I'm not a comedian, I'm Lenny Bruce is at the Royal George Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Marmo and Royal George Theatre) — I’m not a comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce is at the Royal George Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Marmo and Royal George Theatre)

4 stars

Prepare to be dazzled by Ronnie Marmo who plays the tragic Lenny Bruce in “I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce,” now extended at the Royal George Theater.

Written by and starring Marmo, the playwright/actor plays Bruce and other characters as he takes audiences through the highs and lows of Bruce’s life, including his relationships with his mother, wife Honey Harlow and daughter Kitty.

Thanks to the success of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, interest has been reinvigorated in Lenny Bruce who plays Midge Maisel’s mentor and friend. Time will tell how the award-winning series treats Bruce’s drug overdose. Continue reading “Ronnie Marmo brings Lenny Bruce to life”

A passion to make music

Verboten

4 stars

Back in 1982, a group of talented Evanston tweens who shared a close friendship and a mutual love for creating music, formed their own punk rock band.

For the most part, the four youngsters just enjoyed writing songs and playing them in their basement for each other. But then things changed. Suddenly, they were performing at a bar.

Continue reading “A passion to make music”

Outstanding ‘Roe’ production rivets audiences at Goodman Theatre

Meg Warner (Judy/ Linda Coffee/Ensemble), Christina Hall (Sarah Weddington), Ryan Kitley (Flip/Ensemble), Raymond Fox (McCluskey/Ensemble) and Kate Middleton (Norma). (Liz Loren photo)

4 stars

Director Vanessa Stalling’s innovative staging of “Roe,” the story behind the landmark Roe v. Wade case, keeps Goodman Theatre audiences captivated its entire two hours.

There was also a 15 minute intermission but it hardly interrupted the flow because the play, written by Lisa Loomer, was about to change direction.

Continue reading “Outstanding ‘Roe’ production rivets audiences at Goodman Theatre”

Orchid Show remedies for winter

Orchids in Chicago Botanic Garden show, 2019. (J Jacobs photo)

Warmth and glorious color geared to shake off winter’s blues will greet visitors when Brilliance: The Orchid Show opens at the Chicago Botanic Garden Feb. 8.

Continuing through March 22, 2020, CBG’s popular annual orchid event will show off the colors and attributes of this multi-faceted flora this year, using reflection, light and translucent panels that take advantage of the sun’s changing positions.

“We are excited to capture the brilliance of orchids in a whole new way this year,” said Jodi Zombolo, Visitor Events and Programs Associate Vice President.

“Outside may be monochromatic and dull, but inside our galleries and greenhouses will feature blooms in unexpected ways as we play with color and light,”said Zombolo.

Guests should look for chrome spheres, black bamboo and floor-to-ceiling installations that range from a towering canopy of color, a floating orchid carpet, and a dramatic chandelier filled with glistening blooms.

However, Thursday evenings, Orchids After Hours provides another dimension of illumination. Cocktails and Asian street food will be available to purchase. In addition, is an After Hours Valentine’s Day event Feb. 14, when special desserts, Prosecco, Champagne splits and a photo booth will be available.

General hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. After Hours, the show will stay open until 8 p.m. For tickets, parking and more information call visit Chicago Botanic/Orchid

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, just east of Edens Expressway.

Jodie Jacobs

A cautionary island tale

Cassondra James as 'Erzulie' Tamyra Gray as 'Papa Ge' (Photo by Joan Marcus — Cassondra James as ‘Erzulie’ Tamyra Gray as ‘Papa Ge’ (Photo by Joan Marcus)

‘Once on This Island’

4 Stars

Walking in from the chilly lobby of the Cadillac Palace Theatre and getting my first glimpse of the stage on opening night made me immediately think that they were woefully behind getting the stage ready for the performance.

Strewn with an odd piece of corrugated metal, a shipping container, bits of lumber, a fifty gallon petroleum drum, some milk crates and what appeared to be a downed telephone pole all being adjusted and repositioned by people in a colorful array of mismatched clothing, I soon to realize that we were entering into a world created by set designer Dane Laffrey and costume designer Clint Ramos. They were depicting the everyday life of a small, remote village on an island in the French Antilles.

Continue reading “A cautionary island tale”

Around Town finds a few lesser known Chinese Lunar celebrations

Year of the Rat begins with the eve Jan. 24. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Cultural Alliance) — Chinese New Year festive vector card design with rat, zodiac symbol of year 2020

Restaurants and neighborhoods are celebrating Chinese Lunar Year of the Rat for 15 days. Lunar New Year’s Eve is Jan. 24 and the first day is Jan. 25, 2020. Here are some celebrations that may not have made your radar.

Asian-based Peninsula Chicago Hotel celebration

Go to the Peninsula Chicago, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. for a colorful lion dance, complete with noises to scare away evil spirits. Then follow the dance inside to the lobby where you see lanterns, red flowers and tangerine trees. The outside of the hotel will be illuminated in red for the season. Peninsula Chicago is at 108 E. Superior St. at North Michigan Avenue.

South-East Asia Center celebration

Make a reservation for a family-style lunch Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m. at Eurama Restaurant. Hosted by the South-East Asia Center in Uptown the event includes cross-cultural entertainment. Cost is $25. Eurama is at 4936 N Broadway. For reservations and more information visit seasiacenter.

Chinese American Museum celebration

Reserve attendance ahead for the annual Chinese American Museum of Chicago Lunar Celebration Feb. 9 from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be music, food, arts, crafts and the Chinese Lion Dance. Cost ahead is $10-$15. Same day walk-in is not guaranteed but will cost an extra $5. The museum is at 238 W. 23^rd St. For more tickets and more information visit Eventbrite or Chicago Cultural Alliance event.

For other Chinese New Year celebrations visit Chicago Theater and Arts/Parades to Performances. For more restaurants visit Dining Out-Eating In.

Jodie Jacobs

‘Grease’ returns to the not so golden high school days

The Burger Palace Boys and car in 'Grease' at Marriott Theatre. (Liz Loren photo) — The Burger Palace Boys and car in ‘Grease’ at Marriott Theatre. (Liz Loren photo)

3 1/2 stars

Director Scott Weinstein has chosen a cast that works together beautifully in Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s hit musical, “Grease,” a two-hour snapshot of late 1950’s Chicago-area (William Howard Taft High School) teenagers dealing with peer pressure, physical attraction and values.

Named after youth who called themselves greasers, the musical looks in on the lives of two groups at fictional Rydell High School, the Burger Palace Boys who sport leather jackets and their girl friends, the Pink Ladies. Nerds, cheerleaders and teachers also put in appearances.

Continue reading “‘Grease’ returns to the not so golden high school days”