"Once Upon a Farm: A Story, a Family, a Tradition" was truly a one-man band, multi-media, production. Phillip Potempa wrote and directed the play, designed the set, and was the performer. This production seemed to come straight from the heart as Potempa shared his family stories and traditions though conversation and multi-media means.
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2022/2023 season is off to a blazing start, thanks in large part to a cast that includes a quartet of world-class performers each delivering a knock-out performance. Music Director Enrique Mazzola, a driving force behind Lyric's Early Verdi Series, also conducts this stellar production of Verdi's 1844 work "Ernani." 4 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended **** Paramount’s production of Dreamgirls was exactly what I expected to see – a big, spectacular, sparkly, sequined extravaganza. Set in the 60s, Dreamgirls is loosely modeled on the experiences and successes of the Supremes, minus Motown. Fans of 60s music will love this show. People were chair dancing all over the auditorium. Unfortunately, it was also loud, so loud that I couldn’t understand what the actors were saying. 3 1.2 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** From the cinematic opening to the final conclusion, Drury Lane’s "Murder on the Orient Express" is not to be missed! Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s iconic mystery is suitably dramatic, with just enough humor, and above all, true to the original. You don’t have to love mysteries to enjoy this show! I loved it! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** My 4-year-old son, Mikey, and I attended "Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster" on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:30am. Leonardo, despite his best efforts, could not scare anyone. Although he looked for children that typically get scared easily, he couldn’t even scare them. Leonardo, was a monster, but he was cute and friendly instead of scary.
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster" was a good show and put together very nicely. 3 ½ Spotlights
*** Recommended *** Black Ensemble Theatre’s latest production, "My Brother Langston" is a play with music, a tribute to poet and civil rights leader, Langston Hughes, written and directed by Rueben Echoles. Based on the title, I thought this would be a bio play about Hughes, but it’s much more autobiographical, with Hughes (brilliantly portrayed by actor Chris Taylor) telling his own story. The production struggles –his life story jumps willy-nilly from personal relationships to the Harlem Renaissance and back again, but the moments of his poetry shine brightly. 3 Spotlights
*** Recommended *** I used to love watching Disney’s Zorro on TV. I’ve enjoyed several movies about the swashbuckling hero, but Guy Williams is in retirement. There’s a new Zorro in town, "Zorro: The Musical"! A little darker than the Disney series, this Zorro is filled with drama, treachery, sword fights, flamenco-flavored music and choreography. I enjoyed the production but the dialogue is kind of weak and the scenic transitions were agonizingly slow. 3 Spotlights
★★★★★For those of you that listen to me on the radio (WCPT820 every Sunday 2-3 p.m.), you have heard me say that seeing a play is unique each time you see it. Unlike a film that is cut and spliced and then stays the same, a play enjoys a new life each time it is done. A different director sees things differently. A different venue changes the blocking. Each set causes a different concept and of course the actors and their interpretations of the roles they are playing is unique. I say this all because tonight, Jane and I attended our third incarnation of “Fun Home” with music by Jeanine Tesori and the book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, as staged by Jim Corti and Landree Fleming as part of the BOLD SERIES at Paramount Theatre’s Copley Theatre in Aurora. What a production!
**** Highly Recommended **** TimeLine Theatre is known for their thoughtful, well-researched, intelligent plays based on real people, real history. In addition to meeting those criteria, "Campaigns, Inc.", a story about the very first political consulting firm – and its female founder – is poignant and surprisingly funny and so very relevant today! Guess what? Dirty tricks in politics have been around for a long time! Kudos to Director Nick Bowling, "Campaigns, Inc." is one of my top ten plays of 2022. 4 BIG Spotlights
4 Spotlights**** Highly Recommended **** Another Broadway-bound musical premieres in Chicago! On Sunday evening, I was in the audience for the long awaited world premiere of The Devil Wears Prada. I really enjoyed it. It’s not sparkly but it is stylish. Elton John’s frothy pop music and James Alsop’s brilliant choreography added just the right amount of pzazz. 4 Spotlights
