While it’s always a pleasure to attend a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the 2021 Fall Series, RE/TURN, the first in more than eighteen months, was an absolute pleasure. My friend Karen and I were enthralled by the grace and strength of the dancers. We both loved it! 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** Don’t tell anyone, but I was just as excited to see Disney’s "Frozen" as any of the little girls in the audience. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen the movie, and then there was "Disney’s Frozen on Ice" – hey, I have granddaughters! "Frozen" had all the glitter I expected – with fabulous voices, great choreography, gorgeous costumes and phenomenal sets and special effects. Wow! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** I was in awe as I watched "Paradise Square" the other night! It’s a show that has the potential to become a classic. It has an interesting story, incredible talent, amazing voices, brilliant choreography and huge production numbers. There was even a standing ovation for Joaquina Kalukango’s rendition of Let It Burn, a song that sent shivers up my spine, it was so great! "Paradise Square" needs a little more work before it’s ready to open on Broadway, however. 4 Spotlights
** Somewhat Recommended ** "Hundred Days" is another casualty of the pandemic, forced to close on opening night. Kokandy Productions has chosen to bring it back in a new venue, the Chopin Theatre in Wicker Park. I’m not quite sure what to say about "Hundred Days." On one hand, I saw incredible talent, on the other, I really didn’t like the show. I think this show is one that people will either love it or hate. 2 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** Lookingglass Theatre’s production of "Her Honor Jane Byrne" had just opened – I think they had four or five previews and opening night – and then the pandemic hit. I never got a chance to see this gripping political drama, so I was happy to see that Lookingglass was reopening with Her Honor Jane Byrne. It was worth the wait! 4 Spotlights
*** Recommended *** Here’s my dilemma, I saw a play that totally creeped me out – and yet, it was incredibly well-acted. Who knew that Tracy Letts’ 1996 tragi-comedy; "Bug," which literally made my skin crawl, is a cult classic. Although it played a couple of Chicago’s small stages back in the day, I’d never seen it. Unfortunately, I could see the tragic end coming almost from the beginning. If you want to scare yourself silly, then this is the play for you. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** A new opera at Chicago’s storied and beloved Lyric Opera is always a welcome event, especially this season, which marks a joyous return for Midwest opera-lovers after a closed house last year due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Lyric premiere of a new production of “Florencia en el Amazones,” a 1996 opera by famed late Mexican composer Daniel Catan, is cause for celebration. It debuted at Civic Opera House Saturday night, Nov. 13. 4 Spotlights
***** Highly Recommended ***** "Sister Act" is one of my favorite musicals so I had very high expectations when I went to see Mercury Theater’ new production. I’m happy to say this production not only met my expectations, it exceeded them. This show is absolutely fabulous. An outstanding cast with amazing voices, dance-in-your-seat music with choreography to match, gorgeous costumes – what more could you ask for? Kudos to Director Reneisha Jenkins, Sister Act is just about perfect. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** I’m not a fan of country music, but Porchlight Music Theatre’s new production of "Pump Boys and Dinettes" is a toe-tappin’ good time. "Pump Boys and Dinettes," one of my favorite feel-good musicals, is a guaranteed audience pleaser and perfect for a smaller venue. If you’re looking for a good time, you’ll want to head over to the Ruth Page Center for a performance. I give "Pump Boys and Dinettes" 4 Spotlights.
**** Highly Recommended **** Sometimes a play comes around that just resonates! "Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski" is one of those plays. On a dark stage, one man, using his clothing, a desk and two straight chairs, recounts a harrowing journey through the horrors of war-torn Poland. Here’s the thing that really resonated for me – Jan Karski (David Strathairn), was a real person – but the world forgot. 4 Spotlights
