Reviews by Carol Moore

"My Brother Langston" - Review by Carol Moore

*** 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

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Sword Fights and Flamenco in "Zorro: The Musical" - Review by Carol Moore

*** 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

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Campaigns, Inc." - One of my Top Ten Plays of 2022 - Review by Carol Moore

**** 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

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"The Devil Wears Prada" has Pzazz! -Review by Carol Moore

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

Reviews by Carol Moore

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The Second City e.t.c.’s 46th Revue, "Great Altercations" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** The Second City e.t.c.’s 46th Revue, "Great Altercations" is downright hilarious. Everywhere I looked, the folks in the audience were laughing – not polite little titters, either – I’m talking guffaws! And this revue is family friendly! We all know that family situations and altercations can be hilarious – afterwards. This revue is all about pointing out the humor in things we’ve all experienced. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"A Matter of Red Herrings" A Mystery Spoof - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** A Matter of Red Herrings. a mystery spoof produced by A Theater in the Dark, is a terrific new option for theater lovers. You don’t have to go to a theater to enjoy it! You listen to it! Just like an audio book or a podcast, you can listen wherever you are – at home, in your car, even while you’re working out! You’ll be laughing in no time listening to all the bad puns and detective story clichés. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Murder, Mayhem and a Lot of Laughs in "A Fine Feathered Murder" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** Hell in a Handbag is one of my favorite Chicago theater companies. Their unauthorized parodies of old black and white films and TV shows from the fifties are always packed with double entendres, puns, running sight gags and bad wigs. Since I love Agatha Christie’s mysteries featuring Miss Marple, I was thrilled to see their latest effort, "A Fine Feathered Murder" featuring the always delightful Ed Jones as Miss Jane Marbled. Playwright – and incredibly stylish Lady Violetta Fowler – David Cerda has written another hilarious tongue-in-cheek farce. Be prepared for murder, mayhem and a lot of laughs. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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Mercury Theatre's "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" - Reveiw by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Mercury Theatre’s production of "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" is all about disco music and ‘dancing queens’ in sequined costumes. It’s totally over-the-top and a fabulously fun time! Unless you’re a Grinch, you go home laughing and happy. The whole premise, the adventures of three drag queens driving across the Australian Outback, is insane, but don’t let that get in the way. No one else does! People were whooping it up from the first note. I love "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and I think you will too! 4 Spotlights.

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Dear Jack, Dear Louise" One of the Best Plays This Year - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** Northlight Theatre’s production of "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" is one of the best plays I’ve seen this year! Advance reading about the play intrigued me, but I wasn’t sure how the concept would translate to the stage. I didn’t want to see a clone of Love Letters - two people dispassionately reading side by side. I’m happy to say that Ken Ludwig’s tribute to his parents is a fully realized play which is nostalgic, deeply personal yet historically resonant. 4 BIG Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

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"Reefer Madness" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** "Reefer Madness" is a tongue-in-cheek musical satire about the evils of marijuana, based on a 1930’s government-produced film strip. Don't be put off by the title, this is right up there in my funniest musicals top ten. Marijuana is mostly legal now, so I can’t figure out why it’s so rarely staged. Jeff Casey and Kevin Bellamy have embraced the hilarity. After the show, Reefer Madness got the loudest applause I’ve ever heard at the Towle. 4 Spotlights

Reviews by Carol Moore

Read more about "Reefer Madness" - Review by Carol Moore

"My Brother Langston" - Review by Carol Moore

Sword Fights and Flamenco in "Zorro: The Musical" - Review by Carol Moore

"Campaigns, Inc." - One of my Top Ten Plays of 2022 - Review by Carol Moore

"The Devil Wears Prada" has Pzazz! -Review by Carol Moore

The Second City e.t.c.’s 46th Revue, "Great Altercations" - Review by Carol Moore

"A Matter of Red Herrings" A Mystery Spoof - Review by Carol Moore

Murder, Mayhem and a Lot of Laughs in "A Fine Feathered Murder" - Review by Carol Moore

Mercury Theatre's "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" - Reveiw by Carol Moore

"Dear Jack, Dear Louise" One of the Best Plays This Year - Review by Carol Moore

"Reefer Madness" - Review by Carol Moore

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