Posted: 5/18/23 at 7:59am
"If you like contemporary dance, I would recommend Hubbard Street Dance Chicago."
Friend of my daughters used to dance with that company, she was awesome dancer.
Posted: 5/18/23 at 9:24am
The major theaters are dark this weekend BUT-
Is God Is-A Red Orchid is sort of the best of the Chicago Storefronts. It's tiny and their work is intense. This show is a good representation of what they do and features Chicago legend Karen Aldridge.
London Road- Chicago premiere (and maybe US premiere) of a "verbatim, true-crime musical." An odd duck done really well here.
The Whistlerblower-A comedy by Itamar Moses. I haven't seen it but it's extremely well cast and Theater Wit does great, accesible work.
Gospel at Colonus- Previously mentioned up thread. Should be fantastic. Court Theater is a gem.
Posted: 5/18/23 at 12:19pm
I saw Gospel at Colonus over the weekend and it is indeed amazing. It retells the Oedipus story via African-American gospel music, an inspired approach because it takes a story that could seem dry, distant, and academic and turns it into overwhelmingly emotional, intensely moving experience.
The Court's take is vividly theatrical, with beautiful costumes and sets. The music, which includes a variety of gospel genres, is soul-stirring and exciting, and includes some of the best live singing I have ever heard in my life. Shari Addison is a particular standout--her big solo gave me chills.
All in all, it's one of the very best productions I've ever seen at the Court and one of the best musicals I've ever seen, period. I saw it with a half-price ticket via Hot Tix. Half-price tickets are also available at the box office before every show, starting at an hour before showtime.
Another interesting show I've seen in Hyde Park recently is Fairview, a production by a new storefront theatrical troop called Definition Theatre. The play, by Jackie Sibblies Drury, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 and this its Chicago debut. For the first act, it seems to be (albeit with a few exceptions) a pleasant but conventional comedy about a middle-class African-American family.
But the second act brings a wild twist, which I won't spoil here, and this is where things start to get really interesting. The play turns out to be an absurdist satire of white supremacy. Definition Theatre's production makes excellent use of the space and is well-acted, particularly by the young Jada Jackson in the play's most demanding role.
It's definitely worth a trip if you're open to experiencing something a little different. I bought a half-price ticket from Hot Tix for this play as well.
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Posted: 5/18/23 at 12:49pm
Some good resources for Chicago theatergoers are:
1. For basic information, https://www.theatreinchicago.com/ . Especially useful are the Now Playing, Review Round-Up, and Top-Rated Plays pages (links are on the upper left of the main page).
2. For discounted tickets, all these sources are good. It's worth checking out all of them because sometimes one will have tickets for shows that the other sites don't have:
Gold Star - https://www.goldstar.com/chicago/categories/theater-tickets?page=6
Hot Tix - https://hottix.org/shows/
Today Tix - https://www.todaytix.com/?location=chicago
Posted: 6/8/23 at 5:41pm
Bumping this for any last minute recommendations for mid-June. So far only booked Tommy and a CSO performance and leaning towards Another Marriage at Stephenwolf, but would love to get in one more show if recommended.
Posted: 6/8/23 at 7:19pm
West Side Story at the Lyric just opened and got great reviews. It's not my favorite show, but huge cast and huge orchestra, gorgeous theater.
Another Marriage looks great, and I love Judy Greer.
Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon at the Looking Glass.
Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical also just opened. Directed by Sheldon Epps.
I would also check out The Chicago Theater. They have a TON of comedians/musicians coming through if that's of any interest. As well as a ton of music festivals, Northerly Island is incredible.
Updated On: 6/8/23 at 07:19 PM
Posted: 6/8/23 at 8:08pm
Several of the preview performances of PERSONALITY have appeared as COMPS on Goldstar - plus a $6 service fee. I caught the second preview, and only give the show a lukewarm recommendation. The weak link is the onstage band - such dull percussion writing.
Lighting, costumes, ten thin video boards with subtle backdrops were strong.
But not really an interesting story. Hopefully, it tightens up during previews.
My recommendations would be whatever is playing at the Chicago Magic Lounge, Spongebob Square Pants at the Chopin Theatre, Passing Strange at Theo Ubique, West Side Story at the Lryric
ACCESS:
Chicago Magic Lounge: take the 22 Clark Street bus north from the Loop
Chopin Theatre: take the Blue Line subway from the Loop, northbound to Division Street
Theo Ubique: take the Red Line subway/el from the Loop, northbound to Howard
Lyric: located on the west side of the Loop, corner of Madison and Wacker
Posted: 6/9/23 at 9:33am
I’d love to see Passing Strange (and maybe SpongeBob) thanks!
Posted: 6/9/23 at 11:03am
Call_me_jorge said:
Also… on the topic of CST, does anyone have any updates on its next season? Could they be presenting the full production premiere of the Sufjan Steven’s “Illinois” musical?"
Yes, they are--in the Yard space, potentially the world's biggest black box.
You also have "Twelfth Night," Tony nominee Katy Sullivan as "Richard III," the Chicago premiere of "Islanders" in the Upstairs studio space and Jason Alexander in the new comedy "Judgment Day,"
And closer to now, they're restarting their summer tradition of a family musical with the short version of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Not open yet, but it'll be worth it alone for the wonderful Cassie Slater as Mrs. Potts.
Posted: 6/14/23 at 10:03pm
Saw West Side Story today at the Lyric Opera here in Chicago directed by the woman who directed Little Mermaid on Broadway. I’d say all in all it was “meh.” Some good voices, but I wanted everything to be more from an opera production. Felt like the volume needed to be amplified.
Posted: 6/16/23 at 2:57pm
RippedMan said: "Saw West Side Story today at the Lyric Opera here in Chicago directed by the woman who directed Little Mermaid on Broadway. I’d say all in all it was “meh.” Some good voices, but I wanted everything to be more from an opera production. Felt like the volume needed to be amplified."
I was suprised they did West Side Story because they did it not too long ago, I saw it with Corey Cott. It was great, classic dancing and of course a great performance by Cott. But I have no interest of paying top dollar to sit in the back of that huge theater to see the same show.
Posted: 1/28/24 at 12:22pm
Anyone seen Highway Patrol at the Goodman? Also, Illinoise starts tonight. The prices are pretty steep. Any discount codes or anything?
Posted: 1/28/24 at 12:39pm
RippedMan said: "Anyone seen Highway Patrol at the Goodman? Also, Illinoise starts tonight. The prices are pretty steep. Any discount codes or anything?"
Illinoise is one of the options for Chicago Theater Week. You can get $30 tickets for the Thursday, February 8th performance.
Posted: 1/28/24 at 1:04pm
Check hottix for discounts. Chicago Shakes has an under 35 program but those tix sell quick. Highway Patrol is also on theatre week and had a bunch of availability.
Posted: 2/11/24 at 7:18pm
Tickets are on sale for Little Bear Ridge Road at Steppenwolf with performances beginning June 13.
"In the outer limits of rural Idaho, the last two members of the Fernsby family tree, an estranged aunt and nephew, reunite to sort the mess left behind after a troubled father's passing. They now face an uncomfortable and universal question: how do we deal with other people? And is connection more trouble than it’s worth? As their relationship begins anew, the two reluctant Fernsby's—separated by age and experience—start to understand the joys and perils of letting someone else into your own story, even if only for a moment."
Featured Ensemble Members
Sarah - Laurie Metcalf
The Cast
James/Kenny - John Drea
Paulette/Vickie - Meighan Gerachis
Ethan - Micah Stock
Posted: 2/11/24 at 8:24pm
I saw Highway Patrol last week - really underwhelming. I kind of don't understand how it's getting such great WOM.
Posted: 3/22/24 at 10:39pm
Should I leave my conference early and see Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare this May?
Could be good. Could be terrible. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jason-Alexander-to-Star-in-JUDGMENT-DAY-at-Chicago-Shakespeare-Theater-20240222
Posted: 3/22/24 at 11:13pm
Personally, I’d see anything with Daniel Breaker in it.
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