Spotlight on Reviews by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** I’m having a hard time finding the right words to describe the Joffrey Ballet’s most recent engagement, “The Times Are Racing”.  Combining two elegant pieces, “Commedia” and “Bliss”, set to the music of Igor Stravinsky, with a staccato pas de deux, “Mono Lisa”, a comedic slice of life, “The Sofa” and the title piece, which I’ve seen described as a ballet in sneakers, made for an evening of brilliant, artistic, intense, athletic, physical, comedic, minimalist, contemporary and cutting edge ballet.  As always, the Joffrey dancers execute the most complicated choreography with flawless technique while a live orchestra adds depth to the experience.   “The Times Are Racing” is quite literally a celebration of the human body. 4 BIG Spotlights

*** Recommended ***  Here’s my dilemma, I saw a play that totally creeped me out – and yet, it was incredibly well-acted.  Who knew that Tracy Letts’ 1996 tragi-comedy; “Bug”, which literally made my skin crawl, is a cult classic.  Although it played a couple of Chicago’s small stages back in the day, I’d never seen it.  Unfortunately, I could see the unfortunate end coming almost from the beginning.  So, if you want to scare yourself silly, then this is the play for you.  3 Spotlights   

**** Recommended **** Northlight Theatre’s production of “How a Boy Falls” is a wonderfully dark and twisted little mystery by Steven Dietz.  It’s so tightly knit that just when you think you’ve figured it out, everything changes.  With everyone having secrets, just who’s guilty?  If you like mysteries or suspense novels for that matter, you’ll love this play.  3 ½ Spotlights   

**** Recommended **** The Goodman Theatre’s new production, “Roe”, should be on everyone’s must-see list.  Going in, I wasn’t looking forward to seeing this play because I thought it would be all strident and heavy, and yes, politically correct, but it wasn’t.  I never cared about the people involved in “Roe v Wade, but this play about two very different women, brought those very real people behind the Supreme Court ruling to life.  It was human and poignant and even-handed, even though parts were both strident and political (causing some in the audience to lose their minds).  My friend Helen liked it so much she recommended it to some of her friends!  4 Spotlights