Chicago Theater Beat

10/11/2018

Right now, we could all use some big witch energy. Fortunately, there’s no better place to find it than Writers Theatre's terrific production of "Witch". Just in time for Halloween, playwright imagines the devil in the form of a handsome young man, trying to work his dark magic on the small town of Edmonton. Where most period pieces get bogged down in elaborate costumes and language, Silverman takes a contemporary approach to an old tale, and it mostly works. "Witch"is well worth the trip to Glencoe, Illinois. Recommended. (review by Lauren Emily)

10/10/2018

Zürich’s five vignettes are all set in separate rooms of a Zurich hotel. In one room, a man sings with his p***s out. In another, two children left alone make a horrifying discovery in their father’s suitcase. The first three vignettes of Zürich are darkly funny and fascinating, the fourth passable, the fifth and final so utterly ridiculous that the final blackout was a blessing. When Amelia Roper’s writing and Brad DeFabo Akin’s direction are good, they’re very, very good. When they’re bad they’re cliché and uninteresting. Recommended. (review by Lauren Emily) Steep Theatre Company

Zürich        Written by Amelia Roper Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn (map)    thru Nov 10  |  tix: $27-$38  |  more info         Check for half-price tickets         

10/04/2018

With trifecta of talented Santino Fontana as , a truly laugh-out-loud book by Robert Horn, and David Yazbek's smart/funny music, you end up with the best pre-Broadway Chicago production since !
(Review by Lauren Emily Writes)
Broadway In Chicago Tootsie The Musical Margie Korshak Anthony Wayne Paula Leggett Chase Britney Coleman Lilli Cooper

06/30/2018

Circle Theatre's "The View UpStairs" is essential for anyone who wants to understand q***r history or, really, humanity in general. Circle Theatre is a worthy company for the musical’s Chicago premiere, giving it every ounce of the care it deserves. Plays at Pride Arts Center thru July 22nd. (review by Lauren Emily Writes)
The View UpStairs Kevin Webb Derek Van Barham Robert Quintanilla

The View UpStairs, a musical about the last night of the UpStairs Lounge that, before an arsonist set the gay bar ablaze (killing 32 people in the process), premiered off-Broadway in February 2017 after several years of development. Its Chicago premiere, courtesy of Circle Theatre, is lovely and lif...

06/27/2018

The Laramie Project is one of Aston Rep's strongest productions to date, and well-placed during Pride Month: a sober reminder of a defining moment in q***r history, a sad reminder of what might have been for Shepard, and a celebration of the lives that do go on. Tectonic Theater Project (review by Lauren Emily Writes)

The Laramie Project is one of AstonRep's strongest productions to date, and well-placed during Pride Month: a sober reminder of a defining moment in q***r history, a sad reminder of what might have been for Shepard, and a celebration of the lives that do go on. Highly Recommended! (review by Lauren....

06/25/2018

Lifeline Theatre's "Neverwhere" runs through July 15th - a can't miss epic fantasy! (review by Lauren Emily Writes)

Neil Gaiman is a phenomenon for a reason - his stories contain a flawless blend of the fantastical and the deeply human. His book Neverwhere, adapted for the stage by Rebert Kauzlaric, is no different, with its sky-high stakes, compelling characters of all shapes and sizes, and intriguing philosophy...

04/26/2018

Porchlight Music Theatre's "Memphis" is not to be missed - 4 stars! Playing at Ruth Page Center for the Arts thru June 10th.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(review by Lauren Emily Writes)

Memphis is inspired by the life of Dewey Phillips, the first radio DJ to play Elvis Presley's music (and rock 'n roll music in general). While Memphis is not a direct biography of Phillips, his spirit lives on in the Tony Award-winner, and its deft and dazzling Porchlight production. Highly Recommen...

04/16/2018

Firebrand Theatre's "9 to 5: The Musical" - Strong performances and Dolly Parton's catchy score make for a fun evening at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park. Recommended!.
(review by Lauren Emily Writes)

Based on the 1980 movie, the musical 9 to 5 opened on Broadway in 2009, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Sadly, the musical has an uneven score and an inconsistent, shallow book, and doesn't really capture the comedy magic that made the film so memorable. But thanksfully, the nascent Firebrand...

03/30/2018

Akvavit Theatre's US Premiere of "Bad Girls: The Stylists" is absurdly funny, oddly empowering. Highly Recommended! Runs through Apr 14 at Strawdog Theatre Company.. (Review by Lauren Emily Writes)

David Rosenberg Public Relations

With its US premiere, Akvavit Theatre's Bad Girls-The Stylists is absurdly funny and strangely empowering. Michael Evans' translation of Astrid Saalbach's script is delightfully weird, reveling in its own oddities and making the audience laugh uncomfortably in the best possible way. Like most Akvavi...

03/17/2018

A wonderful Chicago tradition!

“See you tomorrow. 🍀 Dyeing starts at 9 a.m. Find your setup along the river between Columbus and State early! 📷: wherenowwherelater on IG”

01/24/2018

TimeLine Theatre Company's "Boy" by is powerful and timely - Highly Recommended! (review by Lauren Emily Writes)

Playwright Anna Ziegler began Boy as a direct homage to David Reimer, who in1967 at 18-month-old, was left with damaged ge****ls due to a circumcision accident. Desperate, his parents turned to Dr. John Money, who spearheaded the John Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic, who suggested that David's parent...

12/06/2017

Fun and entertaining boy-band parody! "May just be the most fun I've ever had at No Exit Cafe". Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's runs through January 14th at No Exit Cafe. (review by Lauren Emily Writes)
John Olson / Jeremy Ramey / Fred Anzevino

One of off-Broadway's longest-running shows, the boy band parody Altar Boyz is a real-time concert of a Christian boy band who love singing and dancing - but