**** Recommended "Fun Home" isn’t really a musical, rather it’s a bittersweet little play which happens to have music intrinsic to the story. "Fun Home," based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir of the same name, was a huge hit on Broadway. By the way, ‘fun home’ is an inside joke referring to the family funeral home, not an amusement park fun house! 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is wowing audiences at Chicago Shakespeare. I don’t know a lot about African hair braiding, but I’ve been in a lot of salons, and Jaja’s felt real! Clashing personalities, compelling stories, all the dish, yet a united front when real trouble comes knocking. "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is at times funny, poignant, snarky, and sad. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended Need some laughs to lift the post-holiday blues? I’ve got the show for you! "Shucked" is a laugh riot. Honest, I started laughing during the first song – coincidentally called "Corn" – and never stopped! The story is pure schmaltz but the one-liners never stop! Hurry and get your tickets, "Shucked" is only here to the end of the week. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended Kayla Shipman absolutely sparkles in the Music Theater Works production of "Legally Blonde." Her Elle Woods is fierce and very, very smart as well as drop-dead gorgeous. Harvard Law never saw her coming! "Legally Blonde" is well-written, has clever songs and is downright funny. 4 Spotlights
Elle Woods, played by Kayla Shipman is the icing on the cake. She knocks it out of the park. Mandy Modic, director of “Legally Blonde” pulls all the production pieces together to make one entertaining evening. Add to that the amazing Music Theater Works Orchestra and this reviewer has to give this a “Highly Recommended” rating.
***** Highly Recommended ***** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Chicago-centric” version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, is quite simply magnificent. By setting The Nutcracker amidst Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Wheeldon gave the city a unique gift. It’s become a holiday tradition at my house! No matter how many times I see The Nutcracker, I never get tired of the feeling of anticipation and excitement before a performance, waiting for that first chord of Tchaikovsky’s glorious music! The Nutcracker is absolutely perfect in every way. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended It was an absolute pleasure to see Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performing their Season 47: Fall Series in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre. As a venue, Steppenwolf provided a more intimate feel than does the cavernous Harris Theatre, the usual Hubbard Street venue. I was excited because Hubbard Street was chosen to add Fosse to their repertoire, thanks to the Verden Fosse Legacy. By the way, Nicole Fosse was in the audience opening night. The performance was truly amazing and I am in awe of the strength and grace of the entire ensemble. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended The "Dickens’ Christmas Carol Dinner Show" is a somewhat abridged, totally schmaltzy, retelling of the Dickens classic. Originally adapted into a radio-style script by Philip Potempa it was CVPA’s first post-Covid show, transferred to the stage in 2022 and restaged in 2024. New this year – an abridged children’s version. 3 1/2 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** For the last several years (try 15 or more), one of my favorite holiday treats has been the Towle Theater’s "A Fabulous 50’s Christmas." The show, conceived by retiring Towle Artistic Director, Jeff Casey, is modeled on the old Perry Como/Andy Williams Christmas specials our parents/grandparents watched in the 50s. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** If you’re looking for some adults-only holiday cheer and a raucous good time, head for Theater Wit and the fourth year of their smash hit "Who’s Holiday!" a one-woman show, starring Veronica Garza as 40-something Cindy Lou Who. You might remember a certain cartoon, and a cute little tot who caught a green guy stealing her Christmas tree. That was then, this is now! This version of Cindy Lou Who has a story to tell – and everything she says is in rhyme! Garza has incredible comic chops, so "Who’s Holiday!" is raucous, raunchy and absolutely hilarious. 4 Spotlights
