August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean just wrapped up at Chicago’s Goodman theater and counts among the most impressive examples of theater excellence seen in years. Under the direction of Chuck Smith with Mac Gay Anderson-Cooper serving as associate director, Wilson spins a fascinating tale of inconceivable strength and vision. Carrying strong whiffs of the …
Gem of the Ocean’s Genius Returns to the Goodman Read More »
According to writer and director Bill Barclay, he was consciously trying to right a wrong when he conceived and created, The Chevalier. The wrong was the near universal ignorance of an exceptional person who failed to receive the historical prominence he deserves due, in large part, to the color of his skin. The Chevalier, Barclay’s …
Adult children venting to their parents about how they were mistreated growing up seems to have become a thing on stage as well as on film. If the outcome of spilling all that angst is as beautiful as the relationship between Tyler and his dad Stephen in Queen of the Night, now playing on Victory …
Windy City Playhouse’s look back on the life and career of Ramon Novarro, a mega star of 1920’s Hollywood who’s best remembered today for the way he died, has its struggles. It can be slow and feel vaguely forced, but the underlying truths it reminds us of hold inescapable resonance and power. Tragedy has that …
The world is full of superheroes. People who either save lives or make lives more bearable and better by following their calling. Artists stand in the front of that line. They save lives by showing the importance of all life and by re-balancing the scales to show how value is a subjective measure. They can …
Artistic Truth Sayer, Robert Colescott at the Cultural Center Read More »
One man shows always seem to be such acts of daring. How can one person not just keep the attention of an audience for an hour and a half or more; but captivate it with the unspooling of a story? Ultimately, it’s the story that ignites the audience’s imagination. The actor’s job is to breathe …
There seem to be as many ways to revel in the holiday spirit as there are stars in the cosmos. Millions of people stoke their Christmas cheer by re-watching classics like The Grinch, It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. But Chicago’s performance stages also have plenty of options to help us connect …
Outstanding entertainment has been Cirque du Soliel’s trademark since they went big time in the late 1980’s with their We Reinvent the Circus tour in the United States. Los Angeles, and soon the rest of the world, was stunned by their dynamic new approach to circus arts. Nearly forty years later and Cirque has become …
Cirque’s Wholesome and Hip Twas the Night Before…. Read More »
Being beautiful is not the goal of conceptual art. Its purpose is to make a point and engage your mind as well as your eye. Few artist do this as successfully as Barbara Kruger. Because her current Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You exhibition at the Art Institute showcases the exceptionalism of her work …
The New York Post’s Elisabeth Vincentelli summed it up perfectly when she said, “Big glitzy numbers are the toast of Broadway musicals. The only thing better? Big, glitzy numbers…with nuns!” Mercury Theatre’s brand new presentation of Sister Act proves how right she is. It’s hard to imagine that a theatrical performance of any kind could …