Spotlight on Reviews by Carol Moore

The Joffrey Ballet's "Across the Pond" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** When I was a child, I was positive I’d be a prima ballerina one day. The fact that I never had a ballet lesson was irrelevant. Alas, I grew up, and pursued another dream, becoming a writer. I still love ballet, and feel very privileged to be able to write about the Joffrey Ballet. Their spring engagement, “Across the Pond”, three contemporary pieces by three of the United Kingdom’s best choreographers, is absolutely brilliant. Again, the incredibly talented Joffrey dancers execute the most complicated choreography with flawless technique and timing. 4 Spotlights

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“Djembe!” - Review by Carol Moore

**** Highly Recommended **** “Djembe!” (pronounced jem-bay) is an exuberant, joyful experience and I really enjoyed it! Who knew that by the end of the show, everyone in the building would actually be drumming? Even me? Amazing! I have absolutely no musical talent whatsoever but I was drumming by the end! I had so much fun! 4 BIG Spotlights

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“Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour” - Review by Carol Moore

**** “Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour” blew into Chicago on Tuesday, but don’t blink, it’ll be gone by Sunday. The boy-meets-girl plot is almost non-existent, but the music really rocks! Seriously, the score includes 28 hits from artists like Bon Jovi, Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar, Poison, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Europe, REO Speedwagon and more. I hesitate to use the term ‘cult icon’, but this jukebox musical is something special. You’ll be dancing in your seat! 4 Spotlights

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"Footloose" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Let the dancing begin! For their re-mount of an all-time audience favorite, Marriott Theater has pulled together an ensemble of terrific dancers and turned them “Footloose”! If you’ve never seen this musical, don’t expect to see the movie on stage. The story has been changed significantly – and not for the better, in my opinion. Several songs have been added, but a lot of the ‘learn-to-dance scenes have disappeared. Nevertheless, it’s a fun show, and audiences are having a toe-tapping good time. 4 Spotlights

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"The Firestorm" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Remember when you were growing up and your mother told you to always think before you did something or other because in some vague, unspecified way it could/would ruin the rest of your life? In “The Firestorm”, one character did something stupid when he was young – and dumb – and it really does come back to haunt him. How well would you handle something from your past? As I watched his life unravel, I was really glad I’d listened to my mom. “The Firestorm” presents an interesting and intriguing dilemma. 4 Spotlights

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"The Ridiculous Darkness" - Review by Carol Moore

Not Recommended * As my friend and I walked out of the theater after “The Ridiculous Darkness”, she commented that that was two hours she’d never get back. Sadly, that’s exactly how I felt. In the publicity blurbs, “The Ridiculous Darkness” is described as a German-written dark comedy. It was certainly dark, but I didn’t see any comedy. This production had no idea where it was going and it definitely didn’t have a clue where it had been. Don’t waste your time. 1/2 Spotlight

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"A Number" - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** “A Number”, playing through June 9th in the Gillian Theatre (Writers Theatre’s smaller space) is one of the most interesting plays I’ve seen in a long time. Caryl Churchill has taken a provocative concept which might just become reality and turned it into an on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense-filled drama. 4 Spotlights

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“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf” - Review by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Court Theatre’s production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf” is an amazing piece of theater, a superb blending of stories, color and music. All in all, it was a transcendent experience. 4 Spotlights

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"Sweat" - Review by Carol Moore

**** 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

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"She the People: The Resistance Continues" - Review by Carol Moore

**** 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

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