The Theater Loop - chicagotribune.com

'Misanthrope': Is this Moliere? Or is it Beyonce?

Chris Jones — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:31:00 GMT

Either way, Court production lacks truth, consistency ★ ★ THEATER REVIEW: There is so much going on inside Charles Newell's eye-popping production in "The Misanthrope" ¿ a wildly ambitious mish-mash of a show ¿ that it is not at all easy to know where to start.

Taking on Hitler, and our perceptions

Chris Jones — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:50:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: 'Ganesh Versus the Third Reich' by Back to Back Theatre at the MCA Stage ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: 'Ganesh Versus the Third Reich' by Back to Back Theatre at the MCA Stage ★★★★ ... Back to Back is a theater group comprising almost entirely actors perceived to be intellectually disabled. Such an endeavor can paralyze a critic ¿ this one, anyway.

When the sun, and mayor, pop up for the arts

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:51:00 GMT

Each and every year in Chicago, there is a moment when the problems of the city seem to fall away and everything seems doable and winnable again. It is a moment inextricably tied to the weather. Spring always comes later than even the worst-case scenario. But there's always one day — an hour, even — when it finally arrives with such blazing force you know winter is dead and buried for the year. That's when a smart politician knows to pop up outdoors.

What gives with the shorter theater seasons?

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:45:00 GMT

Traditionally, Chicago's nonprofit theaters view the first production of the autumn season, usually in late September or early October, as the tent pole of their artistic marquee. It's a chance to unveil something artistically challenging and substantial before the inevitable winter appearance of Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey.

In up-close 'Mother,' subtlety is beside the point

By Kerry Reid, Special to the Tribune — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:03:00 GMT

KERRY REID reviews 'The Mother' by Oracle Theatre ★★★½ and 'Orange Flower Water' by Interrobang Theatre Project at Raven Theatre ★★½ KERRY REID reviews 'The Mother' by Oracle Theatre ★★★½ and 'Orange Flower Water' by Interrobang Theatre Project at Raven Theatre ★★½

Chicago theater for the week of May 17-23

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:02:00 GMT

Picking the upcoming opening nights.

It's official: 'Book of Mormon' exits Chicago Oct. 6

Chris Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:06:00 GMT

"The Book of Mormon" will play its last Chicago performance Oct. 6, the show's producers officially announced on Thursday, confirming a fall departure that long had been evident.

Stage 773 snags big 'Just for Laughs' booking

Chris Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:17:00 GMT

TBS Just for Laughs Chicago said Thursday that it plans to stage most of its smaller shows for its June 11-16 comedy festival at one venue: Stage 773 at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. on the North Side.

Nora Dunn in 'Boeing-Boeing'; 'Les Miz' in Western 'burbs

Chris Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:37:00 GMT

The former "Saturday Night Live" star Nora Dunn is to star in the upcoming production of the Broadway farce "Boeing-Boeing" at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace.

Once on the bus, you don't have a chance

Chris Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: 'Roadkill,' presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: 'Roadkill,' presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★★ ... A plain-looking bus full of ticketed passengers pulled up to an ordinary Chicago street corner on Tuesday night and a couple of Nigerian women jumped on board. One was wary of the people on the bus and sat quietly, watching. The other, younger woman bounded around like a starry-eyed kid at...

For teens and grownups alike, a chance to let it all hang out

By Kerry Reid, Special to the Tribune — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:28:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: 'Speech & Debate' by American Theater Company ★★★ KERRY REID reviews 'Speech & Debate' by American Theater Company ★★★ ... In a post-"Glee" era, Stephen Karam's 2007 song-laced comedy about a trio of high school misfits forming a speech team could seem a bit over its time limit. But the triumph of Karam's "Speech & Debate" lies in the way he largely parries the predictable John Hughes-ian stereotypes about teenagers overcoming their social...

Steppenwolf starting construction on education center

Chris Jones — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:26:00 GMT

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company is about to post "pardon our dust" notices in its lobbies.

Amid the myths, searching for the real 'Bathhouse John'

Chris Jones — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:14:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: 'Ivywild' by the Hypocrites at the Chopin Theatre ★★ THEATER REVIEW: 'Ivywild' by the Hypocrites at the Chopin Theatre ★★ ... As historic types, Chicago aldermen do not lack for color.

'Comedy of Errors,' Theater on the Lake this summer

By Doug George — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:01:00 GMT

(BY DOUG GEORGE) This summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program will feature "The Comedy of Errors" in a series of free, outdoor performances July 25 to Aug. 25 in various Chicago parks.

Equity celebrates 100th birthday in Chicago

Chris Jones — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:46:00 GMT

Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, kicked off a series of 100th birthday parties with a bash Monday night at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

Piano lessons with Mona Golabek

Mark Caro — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:21:00 GMT

(BY MARK CARO) As Mona Golabek signs books immediately after each performance of her one-woman show, "The Pianist of Willesden Lane," at the Royal George Theatre, people ask her variations on a theme:

Wisdom, beer flow freely in Northlight's 'Stella and Lou'

Chris Jones — Sun, 12 May 2013 22:51:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: 'Stella and Lou' at Northlight Theatre ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: 'Stella and Lou' at Northlight Theatre ★★★

An impulsive act by ill-defined characters in 'Split a Second'

By Kerry Reid, Special to the Tribune — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:37:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: "If You Split a Second" at Pegasus Players ★★ KERRY REID reviews "If You Split a Second" at Pegasus Players ★★

Afghanistan arms take a twisting trail

Chris Jones — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:21:00 GMT

THEATER REVIEW: "Blood and Gifts" at TimeLine Theatre ★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Blood and Gifts" at TimeLine Theatre ★★½ ... Far from a great game, the British and American involvement in Afghanistan has been more of a case of sustained blowback.

Lyric's passion must extend to musical theater

Chris Jones — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:20:00 GMT

In 2008, New York's Lincoln Center revived a Broadway warhorse: "South Pacific." At the beginning of the overture in the Vivian Beaumont Theater, the lip of Michael Yeargan's setting, which had the outline of a tropical island, began to move backward, as waves ebb upon a shore. As it receded, hordes of musicians were revealed, all playing the glorious music of Richard Rodgers. You could see tears in people's eyes. As the Russian formalists used to put it, the familiar was made strange, and the...

Movie trailer is out for 'August: Osage County'

By Doug George — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:22:00 GMT

(BY DOUG GEORGE) She’s coming back … The first trailer for “August: Osage County,” the movie, has been released by the Weinstein Company via ABC. Follow the link.

Steppenwolf gala nets $1.1 million

Chris Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:54:00 GMT

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company said Thursday it raised $1.1 million at its annual gala last Saturday — for its artistic, educational and community programming.

A new theater festival set for Three Oaks, Michigan

Chris Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:40:00 GMT

A new summer enterprise, the Three Oaks Theatre Festival, aims to bring single-performance engagements of hit Chicago theater productions to to this small Michigan town, known for its artistic community and close connection to Chicago.

Chicago theater openings for the week of May 10-16

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Picking the upcoming opening nights Picking the upcoming opening nights.

Rhea Perlman on 'Cheers,' old friends and 'Stella & Lou'

By Doug George, Chicago Tribune reporter — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:29:00 GMT

(BY DOUG GEORGE) Oh, it's just the way you'd want it to be. Rhea Perlman is playing Stella in the soon-to-open "Stella & Lou" at Northlight Theatre — you likely know Perlman as Carla from television's iconic "Cheers."