Wonderlove: The Stevie Wonder Experience - By Carol Moore
I really enjoyed Wonderlove: The Stevie Wonder Experience, a recent concert at Theatre at the Center.
Marriage wars dominate "The Dance of Death" - By Carol Moore
**** Highly Recommended My first reaction after seeing Steppenwolf’s production of "The Dance of Death" was a heartfelt WOW! August Strindberg wrote an awesome play; Conor McPherson’s new adaptation and stellar acting brought the already dark humor into sharper focus – and more laughs. This play, which is like a “master class in marital warfare,” kept me on the edge of my seat. It might have been the inspiration for the 1989 film, "The War of the Roses." 4 BIG Spotlights
'The Outsiders' is musical theater at its best - By Eloise Marie Valadez
"The Outsiders," with a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, is one of the best musical theater productions to hit The Windy City in aw
Loved the humor and music in "The Irish … and How They Got That Way" - By Carol Moore
**** Highly Recommended As I watched Porchlight Music Theatre’s new production, "The Irish … and How They Got That Way," I felt like I was watching my family history. The narrative storytelling by the ensemble cast of four, interspersed with Irish music, was witty, interesting, historical, and sometimes downright sarcastic (especially when describing the English and how they got that way - food). "The Irish …" is charming and I give it 4 Spotlights
You'll be dancing in your seat at "On Your Feet!" - by Carol Moore
**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane’s production of On Your Feet! The Story of Emelio and Gloria Estefan is just spectacular! It’s a toe-tapping, dance-in-your seat musical based on the life stories of international superstars Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Unlike the usual jukebox musical, On Your Feet is intelligent, emotional and very well-acted. I give it 4 BIG Spotlights.
"Cosi fan tutte" is a masterwork - Review by Jeffrey Leibham
"Cosi fan tutte" is a masterwork of two very gifted artists: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music has the power to magically transport you to warmer climes and Lorenzo Da Ponte's hilarious libretto will tickle your funny bone and melt whatever frost may be accumulating in your polar vortex-hardened heart.
"Stereophonic" is a Drama with Music - By Carol Moore
**** Recommended "Stereophonic" is kind of a difficult play to review. First, it’s a drama with music, not a musical. I think a lot of people didn’t like it, since many of them left at intermission. Maybe they thought it was going to be a jukebox musical. Second, it has four acts, one intermission, and comes in at a whopping 3 hours long (give or take five minutes). Finally, it felt like a documentary, gritty and truthful. I’m recommending "Stereophonic," with a slight caveat – remember, creativity just doesn’t go in a straight line. 3 ½ Spotlights
The magic of puppetry shines in 'The Enormous Crocodile' - By Eloise Marie Valadez
"The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical" stars at The Studebaker Theater in Chicago.
"Salome" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham
***RECOMMENDED*** While all of the scandal that surrounded its 1905 premiere in Dresden, Germany has since vanished, Richard Strauss' opera "Salome" still enraptures audiences and may even shock a few today who are not familiar with its incredibly enigmatic music and the details of its corrupt and base cast of characters. In a stunning Lyric Opera of Chicago debut, soprano Jennifer Holloway brings a commanding confidence to her interpretation of the title role. Also, in another remarkable Lyric debut, conductor Tomas Netopil shines as he guides an expanded Lyric Opera orchestra through Strauss' challenging score. 3 SPOTLIGHTS