Spotlight on Reviews

***RECOMMENDED***  For long-standing subscribers of Lyric Opera of Chicago, many may have been surprised to see that Mozart's "Don Giovanni" was slated to launch their 2026/2027 season. After all, it wasn't that long ago (early 2020) when Lyric had presented this very same production -- albeit with a completely different cast -- under the direction of Robert Falls, former Artistic Director of the Goodman Theatre. But, as they say, timing is everything. While this current production of "Don Giovanni" has allowed Falls to tinker once again with the machinations of this scandalously sordid seducer of women, it also features a bevy of talented artists in supporting roles and an absolutely ferocious portrayal of the title character by the indomitable Christian Van Horn. 3 SPOTLIGHTS

*** Highly Recommended  If you can only see one play this fall in Chicago, "Kowalski" should be the one. This play is definitely in my list of top five plays of the year. The casting was spot on, the set perfect, and Greg Ostrin’s story drew me right in! 4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended  Your toes will be tapping, your fingers will be snapping, as the marvelous music of Duke Ellington takes over the Yard, in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of "Play On!" It’s remarkable how well Ellington’s music fits into the plot of Twelfth Night. My friend Crista and I really enjoyed this one. Great cast, incredible choreography, colorful costumes and set, and of course, Ellington’s music. 4 BIG Spotlights

here's a party going on at Black Ensemble Theater. And you won't want to miss it. "You Can't Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music" is lighting up the stage at BET. The production continues through Oct. 25.