The Theater Loop

William Petersen fans beware, 'Blackbird' is a long way from 'CSI'

leisureblogs — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0500

"Blackbird" previews through July 12, regular run through Aug. 9 at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; Tickets: $30-$58; 773-871-3000 and www.victorygardens.org. Starring William Petersen and Mattie Hawkinson. Most open rehearsals attract a smattering of theater fans and...

Let’s hope sci-fi flop that is 'Earth: TTFN' departs forever

leisureblogs — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0500

THEATER REVIEW: "Earth: TTFN" ½ star Through Aug. 9 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes; Tickets: $24-$30 at 773-404-7336. Any time you find yourself at a show where the script is written...

An 'L' of a good place to put a real Chicago theater

leisureblogs — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:56:49 -0500

(A CTA train passes westbound over Lake Street in this Tribune file photo.) In the new movie “Public Enemies,” John Dillinger’s girlfriend Billie Frechette hangs out in an apartment just a few feet from the “L” tracks. Of course she...

'Hollow Lands' packs the American experience into tiny Steep Theatre

leisureblogs — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:11:33 -0500

THEATER REVIEW: "The Hollow Lands" ★★½ Through Aug. 1 at Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave.; Running time: 2 hours, 55 minutes; Tickets: $18 at 312-458-0722 and www.steeptheatre.com. With Jeremy Fisher (from left), Jonathan Edwards, Boyd Harris and Peter Moore....

Up next at Second City e.t.c.: 'Studs Terkel's Not Working'

leisureblogs — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:31:15 -0500

The Second City has set both the typically edgy title and the date for its forthcoming revue in the e.t.c. theater. "Studs Terkel's Not Working," which the troupe says is intended as an homage to the late, great Chicago author,...

Goodman cancellation infuriates head of Austrian festival

leisureblogs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:55:12 -0500

The Goodman Theatre's decision to cancel its planned fall production of "Joan D'Arc" has sparked an international flap. Cutting the show from the Goodman's schedule has provoked a furious response from Airan Berg, the artistic director of the performing arts...

‘Boleros for the Disenchanted’ at the Goodman is Rivera’s tribute to mothers everywhere

leisureblogs — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:00:00 -0500

THEATER REVIEW: "Boleros for the Disenchanted" ★★★ Through July 26 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes; Tickets: $25-$70 at 312-443-3800 or www.goodmantheatre.org. With Joe Minoso (Younger Eusebio) and Elizabeth Ledo (Younger Flora)....

Former Steppenwolf executive to run Pasadena Playhouse

leisureblogs — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:22:00 -0500

Stephen Eich, the managing director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company from 1979 to 1995, is the new executive director of the Pasadena Playhouse, the California theater has announced. From 2000-2008, Eich ran the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles. He will...

'Up' at Steppenwolf: Struggling souls take dreamy flight

leisureblogs — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:55:38 -0500

THEATER REVIEW: "Up" ★★★ Through Aug. 23 by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St.; Running Time: 2 hours; Tickets: $20-70 at 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.org. Ian Barford stars as a man who once found fame by attaching balloons to a...

'Mary Poppins' breaks down in Chicago; Nanny stuck in no-fly zone

leisureblogs — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:49:46 -0500

Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee on the rooftop in "Mary Poppins" at the Cadillac Palace. A computer central to the new touring production of Disney's "Mary Poppins" malfunctioned about 15 minutes into Saturday night's Chicago performance at the Cadillac Palace...