Category: Theater

Upcoming: Two spectacular free events at Millennium Park in September

On Sept. 9, “Stars of Lyric Opera at Milllennium Park” showcases arias from Carmen, Eugene Onegin, The Magic Flute and Lucia di Lammermoor for a taste of the Lyric Opera’s 2016-17 season plus other operatic numbers by Mozart, Verdi, Gounod, Tchaikovsky and Wagner.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Photo by Jodie Jacobs
Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Photo by Jodie Jacobs

Five days later, on Sept. 14, the “Third Annual Fifth Star Awards” honors blues musician Buddy Guy, The Second City improv theater, actress/Black Ensemble Theater founder Jackie Taylor, photographer Victor Skrebneski and National Museum of Mexican Art founder Carlos Tortolero.

Continue reading “Upcoming: Two spectacular free events at Millennium Park in September”

Upcoming: Musical theatre takes on community vibes

For a feel-good night about community-centered groups see Stories and Songs of Chicago at the Harris Theater Sept. 24, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Three Chicago Voices groups to perform at Harris Theatre
Three Chicago Voices groups to perform at Harris Theater

A free program arranged by Lyric Unlimited, Lyric Opera’s education and community outreach arm, the event showcases musical theater productions by “Harmony, Hope & Healing,” “The Kirin-Gornick Band” and “Tellin’ Tales Theatre.”

Continue reading “Upcoming: Musical theatre takes on community vibes”

Theater: Thoughts about ‘Hamilton’

Assuming you are one of thousands of theater goers who plan to see Hamilton – the hit musical by multi-award-winning lyricist, composer, performer Lin-Manuel Miranda – when it is in Chicago because tickets are easier to come by and cheaper than in New York, think about why you want to see the show.

Continue reading “Theater: Thoughts about ‘Hamilton’”

Review: “Disney’s Newsies”

"Newsies at Cadillac Palace Theatre thru Aug. 7
“Newsies” at Cadillac Palace Theatre thru Aug. 7

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

“Newsies” fight publishing tycoons with sling-shot headlines

The touring company of “Newsies” is as exciting as the headlines that sell papers. The lead actors who battle Joseph Pulitzer on his unfair practices are terrific, but it is the high energy of the company’s talented dancers and singers who will likely have you recommending this Tony Award winning musical.

Continue reading “Review: “Disney’s Newsies””

Review: “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy”

Brad ZimmermanRECOMMENDED

Waiting tables becomes a comedy source in “My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy”

Brad Zimmerman, a stand-up comedian who has opened for Joan Rivers and George Carlin, regales audiences with tales of waiter-customer encounters (“Lady, is anything all right?”) in his one-man show, “My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy.” He also throws in a lot of Jewish-mother imposed guilt and his own lack of ambition.

Continue reading “Review: “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy””