Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s new production, “Henry VIII,” is both well-staged and stylish. It might not be Shakespeare’s best play, but CST makes it makes it interesting, intriguing, and very entertaining. I give “Henry VIII” 4 Spotlights.

I think I’m one of the luckiest people in Chicago. Monday night (May 6th) I was in the audience at Stage 773 for a live concert reading of the Who’s “Tommy.” It was awesome!

What happens when you throw three talented people with history into a rehearsal room, giving them orders to create a new movie? Throw in a talented newcomer, a lot of hard work, some jealousy, intrigue and rancor, and you might end up with “What a Glorious Feeling,” Theatre at the Center’s production of the backstage story about the creation of “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Today, we call women who date younger men cougars. My Mom would have called that woman a ‘babe.’ The guy? She’d have labeled him a gigolo. On the other hand, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” was one of her favorite songs, so I think she would have approved of Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of “Pal Joey.”

Run, don’t walk … I know, that’s a ridiculous thing to say in the age of the Internet, but you know what I mean … and get your tickets for “Anything Goes.” Call me old-fashioned – I love catchy tunes – the kind where the lyrics are clever, and you can actually hear them, the kind Cole Porter writes – and guess what? Cole Porter wrote both the music and the lyrics for “Anything Goes.”

I think that “The Pianist of Willesden Lane” is one of the most moving performances I’ve ever seen. It’s also a virtuoso piano concert. OMG, it’s one of my top five shows of the year! I give it 4 Spotlights! I highly recommend this amazing story – and it’s all true! Just a warning, take extra tissues along, it’s a real tearjerker.

As the Lookingglass Theatre production of “Still Alice” ended, my friend Nancy turned to me and said, “They nailed it.” I wouldn’t ordinarily quote my guests, but in this case, she knows whereof she speaks – Nancy’s father had Alzheimer’s. It’s actually a rather amazing play – in the span of 90 minutes or so, playwright Christine Mary Dunford has chronicled one woman’s journey into dementia. I highly recommend “Still Alice.” I give it 4 Spotlights.

“Big Fish” is the real deal – a big, old fashioned, feel-good Broadway musical about an American family. It was emotional, imaginative, gorgeous, colorful, funny and an all- around good time. I do think the Fish (naming rights, remember?) should be bigger than the elephants, however.