**** Recommended **** “Sweat”, the latest production at the Goodman Theatre has been a difficult play for me to review. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Lynn Nottage has written a gripping drama about ordinary people whose livelihood is dependent on one factory. When management decides to make changes, things get ugly. Judging by my experiences, I think the language used and the emotions expressed are remarkably true to life. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** The Second City continues to do what they do best, make people laugh, and laugh, and laugh some more, with a new edition of last year’s hit – and all-female – revue, “She the People”. This version is titled “She the People: The Resistance Continues” and I think it might just be funnier than last year’s revue. From the first snicker to the last guffaw, this revue scored a ten on my hilarity scale. Get tickets soon, you’ll love it! 4 BIG Spotlights
*** Recommended *** As people walked out of the Nederlander Theatre the other night, I listened. Most people said that “A Bronx Tale” was good, which is exactly what I thought. Not great, but good. It has catchy, jazzy ‘60s music written by Alan Menken (who also wrote “Little Shop of Horrors”, “The Little Mermaid”, Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin”). The story revolves around a bad-guy-with-a-heart, the hero is likeable, and there’s a great kid! This is the perfect show to bring men into the theater. It’s just not for me. 3 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** When I walked into Broadway Playhouse and saw all the people gathered around an onstage bar, it was like déjà vu, flashing me back to the opening of “Once”. The cute guy taking selfies of the himself and the audience, not to mention the other eight good-looking guys roaming the stage, quickly dispelled that illusion. When the stage cleared and the guys started singing in nine-part harmony, I knew we were in for something special! “The Choir of Man” is one of the best shows I’ve seen in ages! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** It seems like there’s a production of “Little Shop of Horrors” every year. This year, ‘Audrey II” is wowing audiences at Mercury Theater. Seymour is still nerdy, Audrey is still vulnerable, and “Little Shop” is still charming. Although the opening night audience was a bit over-enthusiastic, “Little Shop of Horrors” is still one of my favorites, so I give it 4 Spotlights.
*** Recommended *** I always look forward to openings at Black Ensemble Theatre because I know I’m going to hear great music, and “Mahalia Jackson: Moving through the Light”, is chock full of the best gospel music you’ll hear anywhere. The story is weak, trite and contrived, and omits huge chunks of Jackson’s life, but the music is so good, I just didn’t care. 3 Spotlights
*** Recommended *** I’m still not sure how I feel about “Act(s) of God”, playing at Lookingglass Theatre through April 7th. It’s a very strange play – sort of futuristic, sort of dystopian, sort of religious cultish, sort of family angst-y, sort of funny, with a whole lot of ‘woo-woo’ thrown in the mix. Somehow, it just didn’t feel finished, but since it is Kareem Bandealy’s first play, I’ll cut him some slack. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** Drury Lane’s production of “Mamma Mia” is 2 ½ hours of pure joy! As jukebox musicals go, this is one of the best. It’s got toe-tapping, seat-dancing great music and a plot that’s just a little bit squee! You’ll be singing along to ABBA favorites like “Honey, Honey”, “Dancing Queen”, “Money, Money, Money”, “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”, “Knowing You, Knowing Me” and more. I loved it! 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** As an aficionado of suspense stories, both written and staged, I have to say that The National Theatre of Great Britain’s production of “An Inspector Calls” is one of the best. It kept my attention riveted on the stage for the entire hour and 45 minutes! Everything from the fog swirling about the stage to the boys playing in the road to the Birling’s glass house (perhaps as in the old adage about people in glass houses) combined to set the mood. The suspense will hold your attention, but the subtexts will keep you thinking long after you’ve gone home. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** Theatre at the Center’s “Million Dollar Quartet” will have you dancing in your seat! On December 4, 1956, Johnny Cash (Tommy Malouf), Jerry Lee Lewis (Michael Kurowski), Carl Perkins (Zachary Stevenson) and Elvis Presley (Zach Sorrow) did a little jammin’ at Sun Records Studio in Memphis on December 4, 1956. “Million Dollar Quartet” is based on the events of that night. Rock and roll lovers, get your tickets now! This show might be the best I’ve seen. 4 BIG Spotlights
