Spotlight on Reviews

*** Recommended *** I always look forward to openings at Black Ensemble Theatre because I know I’m going to hear great music, and “Mahalia Jackson: Moving through the Light”, is chock full of the best gospel music you’ll hear anywhere. The story is weak, trite and contrived, and omits huge chunks of Jackson’s life, but the music is so good, I just didn’t care. 3 Spotlights

★★★★★ Very often, I am asked about the smaller theaters that are difficult to find. It has been a while since I have been to a play on Broadway ( yes, Virginia, we do have a Broadway in Chicago) but tonight I journeyed over to Pride Films & Plays Center’s Broadway Theater, located in yet another Chicago “storefront” at 4139 N. Broadway. They are doing the Chicago premiere of “Southern Comfort”, a musical based on a film documentary that tells the story of a transgender self-made community living life on their own terms in rural Georgia. With a book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, this musical is filled with Blue Grass music, and while you will not be humming as you leave the theater, you will have a good feeling as the characters find some happiness.

*** Recommended *** I’m still not sure how I feel about “Act(s) of God”, playing at Lookingglass Theatre through April 7th. It’s a very strange play – sort of futuristic, sort of dystopian, sort of religious cultish, sort of family angst-y, sort of funny, with a whole lot of ‘woo-woo’ thrown in the mix. Somehow, it just didn’t feel finished, but since it is Kareem Bandealy’s first play, I’ll cut him some slack. 3 Spotlights

**** Recommended **** Drury Lane’s production of “Mamma Mia” is 2 ½ hours of pure joy! As jukebox musicals go, this is one of the best. It’s got toe-tapping, seat-dancing great music and a plot that’s just a little bit squee! You’ll be singing along to ABBA favorites like “Honey, Honey”, “Dancing Queen”, “Money, Money, Money”, “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”, “Knowing You, Knowing Me” and more. I loved it! 4 Spotlights