Reviews by Carol Moore

*** Recommended ***  The Goodman Theatre production of "the ripple, the wave that carried me home" is a beautifully layered story about a family’s struggle against injustice.  Told from an estranged daughter’s perspective, the narrative seems to make huge leaps through time – present to past to earlier past and back again – without warning, which made it difficult to follow.  Another thing to consider, the ripple, the wave runs an hour and 50 minutes without an intermission, which is just too long for me (the seats in the Owen are not the most comfortable).  3 ½ Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** Fans of the beloved TV show "The Golden Girls" will love "The Golden Gals Live!"  While we were chatting at intermission, a friend – who’s a GG aficionado – told me that all the lines in Act I were taken directly from the show, but weren’t always in the same order.  From a personal perspective, since I was only an occasional viewer, I can’t dispute that.  I must say, however, that this cast has the characterizations down pat.  This is a comedy that anyone – TV viewer or not – will enjoy.  The cast is terrific and the laughs are real!  4 Spotlights

*** Recommended *** If you’ve read Louisa May Alcott’s "Little Women", you know that the March sisters, particularly Jo, spent their free time in the attic, so I loved that director Melanie Keller chose to set First Folio’s production of Heather Chrisler’s new adaptation of "Little Women" in the attic.  On the whole I enjoyed the production, but sitting in the last row I had some difficulty hearing the cast at certain times.  3 Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** "A Magical Cirque Christmas" isn’t just magical, it’s enchanting, a perfect blend of holiday music, magical sleight of hand, awesome circus acts, amazing projections and dramatic lighting.  The show is full of OMG moments – stunts that will have you on the edge of your seat!  I have to say my favorite segment was the awesome light show – the entire theater was flooded with moving white lights – accompanying Audri Bartholomew’s rendition of classic carol, Silent Night.  Truly marvelous!  Hurry and get your tickets, "A Magical Cirque Christmas" is only in Chicago for a few more days.  4 BIG Spotlights