**** Highly Recommended Marti Lyons, Remy Bumppo’s Artistic Director, had a vision – a new look at Shakespeare’s most chauvinistic play. Her new adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew," now on stage at the Court Theatre, brings a modern, tongue-in-cheek twist to an old story. In addition to the outstanding cast of ten, I loved the staging, the costumes, the set – and the six silent shrews! 4 BIG Spotlights
***RECOMMENDED*** Mention the name "Salieri" and most people will instantly think of his alleged rivalry with a much younger composer -- Mozart -- and his supposed all-consuming jealousy of the boy genius' prodigious output. But Italian composer Antonio Salieri (1750-1825) was already a highly-successful composer and mentor by the time that Mozart arrived at the royal court in Vienna. In fact, Salieri composed more than 35 operatic works during his lifetime. Thanks to the highly resourceful folks at Chicago Opera Theater, especially General Director Lawrence Edelson, local opera lovers should be thrilled to have the opportunity to separate the myth from the man and actually get to hear his glorious music firsthand. In its Chicago premiere, Salieri's "Falstaff" delights the curious nearly 227 years after it was created. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
For theater fans, the best way to usher in the holiday season is to attend The Goodman Theatre's annual production of "A Christmas Carol."
**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane Theatre’s new production of "Sister Act," one of my favorite musicals, is terrific. Drury Lane productions always include talented actors, beautiful costumes and sets, and really, really good, dancing-in-your-seat music; "Sister Act" fits that criteria perfectly. Kudos to Director E. Faye Butler for ‘hitting it out of the park’! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, "Amadeus," is just about perfect. Of course, I thought that about the 1984 movie starring F. Murray Abraham, too. No kidding, when I took my family to see that film, we all thought it was wonderful. In fact, my then seven-year-old son fell in love with Mozart’s music, which turned out to be a life-long love. Steppenwolf’s production of this masterpiece of clashing personalities and court intrigue is magnificent. Kudos to Director Robert Falls in his Steppenwolf debut. 4 BIG Spotlights
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** For avid classical music lovers, "Carmina Burana" tends to hold a special place in their hearts. They flock to venues worldwide to get the opportunity to hear this rarely performed 20th-century cantata composed by Carl Orff every chance that they can get. For others, this somewhat obscure piece holds numerous surprises for its first-time listeners who are curious to discover what all of the fuss is about. Both groups were equally represented in droves at the recent, extremely brief run at Lyric Opera of Chicago, which had the enthusiastic opening night audience -- which was largely made up of members a good 20 to 30 years younger than your average patron attending a traditional opera at Lyric -- clamoring for more. 4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended Marriott Theatre’s holiday offering, "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas," combines the toe-tapping rock music of the original MDQ with favorite holiday tunes. Apparently, Colin Escott, who co-wrote the original, decided to ‘reimagine’ that 1956 jam session with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley into a jukebox Christmas. If you love old-fashioned rock n’ roll, you’ll be dancing in your seat…and…humming along with your favorite carol. 3 ½ Spotlights
'Action At A Distance' || An innovative theatrical work recently starred on stage at Facility Theatre in Chicago.
**** Recommended A 17-year-old girl with an absent father rebelling against her controlling mother is not a new story. What makes "Hell’s Kitchen" different is the music and Alicia Keys! Not actually Alicia Keys, but you couldn’t prove it by the screaming fans in the audience. I would give an A++++ on the voices & music, the choreography too, but just a B- on the story but nobody cared because – Alicia Keys! 4 Spotlights
While all the productions Citadel Theatre puts on are terrific, I really hesitated to review this one. Another happy on-stage holiday story…ho hum! And it has nothing to do with the fact that I am Jewish! But…it is my job, so I reluctantly attended the preopening of “Miracle on South Division Street.” And… am I glad I did!
