The Buddy Holly Concert starring Zachary Stephenson took the stage at Theatre at the Center on June 21st. This was definitely one of the best concerts I’ve seen in a long time. Everyone was rockin’!
Midsommer Flight is currently entertaining audiences with its production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It." The production is taking place outdoors in local parks and runs through Aug. 2.
**** Recommended Canterbury Summer Theatre’s third production of the season, Calvin Berger, is about four high school students at the beginning of their senior year – all hormones and angst. The very first song of the show, Security Meltdown, expresses a lot of that angst. Playwright John Berst has cleverly merged high school crushes/dating into the Cyrano de Bergerac story. I really enjoyed it. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended "Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune" is a quiet story about two lonely people who happened to hook up one night at her studio walk-up in New York City. The interaction between these two people kept my attention. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended "Suffs," playing at the CIBC Theatre, is an terrific musical and an important history lesson for young women who take the right to vote for granted. We only have the right to vote today because women – suffragists – devoted their lives to getting the vote, facing male indifference, condescension, mockery, even cruelty – and the struggle continues! I was thrilled to see so many mothers and daughters in the audience on opening night. "Suffs" gets 4 BIG Spotllights from me.
'The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical' will make its Chicago premiere this holiday season || Following the Sold-Out World Premiere in Toronto, The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical will play Broadway In Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place December 8th — 13th || Tickets on sale now
**** Highly Recommended Audiences for Goodman Theatre’s summer hit, "Iceboy!" an old-fashioned screwball comedy, never stopped laughing. The world premiere is actually titled "Iceboy! or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh" which is an insane title, but does explain why Eugene O’Neill appears in the show. This one is a must-see! 4 BIG Spotlights
*** Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of "Catch As Catch Can" features brilliant acting, a gorgeous set, some very funny dialogue, and unfortunately, a very confusing story line. I kept trying and trying to figure out who was who and what was going on but eventually, I just gave up. 3 Spotlights
A riveting production of a classic is starring at TUTA Theatre in Chicago. "Crime and Punishment," which has been adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus, continues at TUTA Theatre. The play has been extended to Aug. 23.
**** Highly Recommended The circus is in town! Water for Elephants is one of the most imaginative, exciting new shows I’ve seen in a long time. I was glad to see that Rick Elice’s adaptation really brought Sara Gruen’s complicated tale to life. That doesn’t always happen. Don’t miss this one! 4 BIG Spotlights
