The Theater Loop

'Banana Shpeel': Cirque du Soleil slides into world of legitimate theater

leisureblogs — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

“Banana Shpeel” grew out of a desire of Cirque founder Guy Laliberte’s to create a vaudeville show. It comes to the Chicago Theatre on Dec. 2. (Scott Strazzante/Tribune photo) • Cirque du Soleil, now showing in Las Vegas From “Ka”...

'Christmas Schooner' cruises to Indiana, where the dock is anything but dry

leisureblogs — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:13:39 -0600

THEATER REVIEW: "The Christmas Schooner" ★★★ Through Dec. 20 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster; Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes; Tickets: : $36-$40 at 219-836-3255 and www.theatreatthecenter.com In Northwest Indiana, they claim bragging rights to “A...

'South Pacific' was sublime in New York. But how will it travel to the Rosemont Theatre?

leisureblogs — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:14:13 -0600

The revival of “South Pacific,” above, seemed perfectly suited to Lincoln Center. Read Chris Jones' review from April 2008. At the top of Bartlett Sher’s jaw-dropping 2008 Lincoln Center revival of “South Pacific,” the orchestra pit is covered by a...

Holiday Guide 2009: Laughter, heart, little feuds

leisureblogs — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:43 -0600

With dueling radio-style productions of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and the Goodman’s Theatre’s long-lived production of “A Christmas Carol” now fighting with a star-encrusted newcomer slated for the Civic Opera House, you might wonder why they call this the season...

'Billy Elliot' Chicago tickets go on sale

leisureblogs — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:50:12 -0600

The three young actors who will play Billy in Chicago are Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales. Tickets to the Chicago production of "Billy Elliot the Musical" go on public sale Friday (you can buy them now if you...

Baayork Lee to direct 'Flower Drum Song' in Chicago next summer

leisureblogs — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:57:43 -0600

According to a notice posted by the Center for Asian Arts and Media at Columbia College, plans are afoot for the noted Broadway director/choreographer Baayork Lee to helm a major new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Flower Drum...

Dueling ‘Wonderful Life’ productions need some help from Clarence

leisureblogs — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:53:46 -0600

Ashley Bishop, left, Gwendolyn Whiteside and Kevin R. Kelly in American Blues Theater’s radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” being staged not far from American Theater Company’s production. On Dec. 6, Chicago Public Radio will broadcast the American Theater...

Collaboraction and the G.I.F.T. that keeps on taking

leisureblogs — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:37:39 -0600

THEATER REVIEW: "G.I.F.T." ★ There is much computer-aided mumbling about present-giving in "G.I.F.T.," Collaboraction's typically ambitious seasonal offering performed, both indoors and outdoors, in a 7,000-square-foot warehouse space at Firehouse Square on Chicago's West Side. But the greatest gift of...

Chicago playwright wins Wasserstein prize

leisureblogs — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:22:49 -0600

Marisa Wegrzyn, a Chicago playwright attached to both Theatre Seven of Chicago and Chicago Dramatists, has won the Wendy Wasserstein Prize. Wegrzyn will collect the prize, which comes with a $25,000 check, on Dec. 1 in New York. The play...

‘All the Fame of Lofty Deeds’ at House Theatre: the music of Jon Langford and the struggles of the last living cowboy

leisureblogs — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:50:32 -0600

THEATER REVIEW: "All the Fame of Lofty Deeds" ★★★ Through Dec. 20 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; Running time: 2 hours; Tickets: $25-$29 at 773-251-2195 or www.thehousetheatre.com. Patrick Martin (left, Lefty Deeds) and Nathan Allen (Lofty Deeds). At...