Elle Woods, played by Kayla Shipman is the icing on the cake. She knocks it out of the park. Mandy Modic, director of “Legally Blonde” pulls all the production pieces together to make one entertaining evening. Add to that the amazing Music Theater Works Orchestra and this reviewer has to give this a “Highly Recommended” rating.
***** Highly Recommended ***** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Chicago-centric” version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, is quite simply magnificent. By setting The Nutcracker amidst Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Wheeldon gave the city a unique gift. It’s become a holiday tradition at my house! No matter how many times I see The Nutcracker, I never get tired of the feeling of anticipation and excitement before a performance, waiting for that first chord of Tchaikovsky’s glorious music! The Nutcracker is absolutely perfect in every way. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended It was an absolute pleasure to see Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performing their Season 47: Fall Series in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre. As a venue, Steppenwolf provided a more intimate feel than does the cavernous Harris Theatre, the usual Hubbard Street venue. I was excited because Hubbard Street was chosen to add Fosse to their repertoire, thanks to the Verden Fosse Legacy. By the way, Nicole Fosse was in the audience opening night. The performance was truly amazing and I am in awe of the strength and grace of the entire ensemble. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended The "Dickens’ Christmas Carol Dinner Show" is a somewhat abridged, totally schmaltzy, retelling of the Dickens classic. Originally adapted into a radio-style script by Philip Potempa it was CVPA’s first post-Covid show, transferred to the stage in 2022 and restaged in 2024. New this year – an abridged children’s version. 3 1/2 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** For the last several years (try 15 or more), one of my favorite holiday treats has been the Towle Theater’s "A Fabulous 50’s Christmas." The show, conceived by retiring Towle Artistic Director, Jeff Casey, is modeled on the old Perry Como/Andy Williams Christmas specials our parents/grandparents watched in the 50s. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** If you’re looking for some adults-only holiday cheer and a raucous good time, head for Theater Wit and the fourth year of their smash hit "Who’s Holiday!" a one-woman show, starring Veronica Garza as 40-something Cindy Lou Who. You might remember a certain cartoon, and a cute little tot who caught a green guy stealing her Christmas tree. That was then, this is now! This version of Cindy Lou Who has a story to tell – and everything she says is in rhyme! Garza has incredible comic chops, so "Who’s Holiday!" is raucous, raunchy and absolutely hilarious. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended I missed seeing the Goodman Theatre’s annual intro to the holiday season, "A Christmas Carol," the last couple of years, so it was a definite joy to be back in that audience. Although the overall production remains the same, there are some changes – I loved Christopher Donahue in his first year as Scrooge and Kate Fry who stepped in as the Narrator. A note: Austin Tichenor steps in as Scrooge at ten performances. A Christmas Carol remains a holiday tradition for many families. The Goodman lobby, festive with decorations and a sparkling holiday shopping area, adds zing to the holiday spirit. Now in its 47th year, "A Christmas Carol" will put you in the holiday spirit with a fabulous cast, lavish sets and colorful period costumes. 4 Holiday Spotlights.
*** Recommended "Yippee Ki Yay: The Parody Celebration of Die Hard" is the perfect show for someone who thinks that Die Hard is the best Christmas movie ever made. Unfortunately, that is not me. I didn’t like the movie and don’t understand why people think it’s about Christmas. That said, Richard Marsh’s one-man re-telling of the film – all in rhyme – is quite clever. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended "Falsettos," produced in Partnership with Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company, and directed by TimeLine co-founder and Associate Artistic Director, Nick Bowling, is an unusual musical in that it defies classification. It’s about the angst-ridden lives of six New Yorkers, but it’s not annoying – at least most of the time. It has funny bits, but it’s not a comedy. It has really sad bits, but it’s not a tragedy. The entire script is sung, but it’s not an opera or even an operetta, it’s a musical soap opera. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane Theater’s enchanting production of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" might just be the best musical they’ve ever done – if not the best, then it’s in the top five! The sets and costumes are gorgeous, the puppets are incredible and then there’s Ursula! Everyone cheered when favorite characters entered or favorite songs began. Adults became kids again – everyone was enthralled. 4 BIG Spotlights
