FOOTLIGHT’S COMEDY IS REDHOT - I was invited to see the final dress rehearsal of Footlight Players current production of Neil Simon’s wonderful play, THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS. This was the late great playwright’s favorite of all his works, and I don’t remember having a more enjoyable evening,
*** Recommended *** “Kentucky” is a quirky little play about a very dysfunctional family. “Kentucky” is an odd, eccentric play. It’s funny until it’s not. It has music, but it’s not a musical. It’s a poignant story about going home, with a moral (if there is a moral) – no matter what you think you know, you can’t know – or decide - what’s best for someone else. 3 Spotlights
I had the marvelous opportunity recently to go to Symphony Center to see/hear the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) conducted by Benjamin Northey. Although I a receive a lot more invitations to plays than to concerts, I always try to accept the ones I do get. MSO commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, with “The Galaxy’s Greatest Hits”. In addition to glorious music, pictures from space were projected on a giant screen suspended above the orchestra. It was an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience! 4 BIG Spotlights
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has launched its 42nd season with an evening of three bold and exciting works, collectively titled "Forge Forward." The title is appropriate. These edgy and slightly risky works prove once again that Hubbard Street is clearly Chicago's best modern dance company and they have consistently established a reputation for constantly looking toward the future. Two of the pieces presented here are world premieres -- one by New York-based choreographer Kyle Abraham and the other by Hubbard Street Choreographic Fellow Rena Butler. 4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS
***RECOMMENDED*** When life seems to be a constant struggle and every turn is met with heartache, finding a true friend to talk with to make yourself feel better can be a mighty big challenge. At those times, you are forced to examine nearly every detail of your situation and identify a singular passion which will successfully reconnect you to the land of the living and keep your unhappiness at bay. For the main character in the musical "A Man of No Importance" that joy can only be found while engaged in the theatrical arts -- specifically as a director presenting the works of his favorite playwright, Oscar Wilde, to entertain the Irish urbanites via the scrappy community theatre troupe known as the St. Imelda Players of which he's a long-standing member. 3 AND 1/2 SPOTLIGHTS
**SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED** For the past 36 years, Raven Theatre has built a solid reputation by presenting season after season of well-balanced programming. Known primarily for producing classic works written by many of the legendary American playwrights, Raven has also mixed in amongst those heavy hitters' work some wonderful contemporary writer's plays to expose Chicago audiences to exciting new voices in the theatre world. However, recently-appointed Artistic Director Cody Estle, only in his second full season in command, has taken a slight misstep with "Sundown, Yellow Moon" by Rachel Bonds. 2 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended **** I really enjoyed “An Evening with C.S. Lewis”, more than I thought I would. A few years back I saw “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert” starring Max Mason, and was bored stiff. Oh, no, another C.S. Lewis I thought. I’m happy to say David Payne’s C.S. Lewis was entirely different, more personal. His anecdotes were funny and quite delightful, his poems – or as he called them, little ditties – displayed a wry sense of humor. 3 ½ Spotlights
*** Recommended *** John Leguizamo’s “Latin History for Morons” is really, really funny, until it’s not, because, guess what? We’re the morons! When Leguizamo learned that his son’s history books completely ignored the contributions of Latins, he decided to do something about it. I actually did learn a few things over the course of the evening. 3 Spotlights
***RECOMMENDED*** The Early Verdi Series at Lyric Opera of Chicago is certainly off to a fantastic start. Over the course of the next several years, Lyric will be featuring a single Verdi opera each season which was composed either early or in the middle of his very long and prolific career. First up is "Luisa Miller" from 1849. Lyric Opera has only performed this work once before in its 65-year history, and that was over 35 years ago. Thanks to some innovative programming on Lyric's part and the addition of conductor Enrique Mazzola (who is Lyric's music director designate), opera lovers now have a rare chance in a brief limited run to see how this pivotal and transitional work ultimately affected Verdi's later masterpieces, both in terms of its musical score and dramatic structure. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Recommended **** I’ve never been a fan of the whole Sherlock Holmes thing, so I wasn’t all that excited about seeing “Sherlock’s Last Case”. I think I’ve always been a bit turned off by all that arrogant know-it-all behavior, so needless to say, a play called “Sherlock’s Last Case” wasn’t on my bucket list. Describe me as surprised, “Sherlock’s Last Case” is a quirky little mystery with a serious cliff hanger at intermission. Sherlock is just as arrogant as always, but Watson brings him back to earth – at least for a little while. 4 Spotlights
