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Friday, April 26, 2024

Stages

When it comes to live theater and dance, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a look at what’s playing at Chicago-area theaters.

Grif (Cage Sebastian Pierre, from left), Isa (Kai A. Ealy), Tiny (Trent Davis) and Daz (Charles Andrew Gardner) have been torn from the world they know without warning in TimeLine Theatre’s Chicago premiere of  “Kill Move Paradise.”
Theater
Curtain Call — ‘Kill Move Paradise,’ ‘The Donna Summer Musical’ and more openings, previews Feb. 6-13
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
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Entertainment and Culture
The Mix: Auto Show and other things to do in Chicago Feb. 6-12
Grace Potter at the Riviera, the Joffrey Ballet’s winter program and the Festival of Films from Iran also are on tap this week.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Ensemble members Namir Smallwood portrays Peter Evans and Carrie Coon portrays Agnes White in Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of “Bug.”
Theater
Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood triumph in Steppenwolf’s definitive staging of ‘Bug’
Tracy Letts’ disturbing drama is delivered in a staging for the ages.
By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times
 
Brandon Rivera (left) and Arash Fakhrabadi star in “The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys.”
Stages
Playwright Isaac Gomez blends memories, fiction in ‘The Leopard Play’
“I feel my subconscious has been sort of carrying the intention of this story since childhood,” says Gomez
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Harrigan Tighe plays the dual role of Brantley Foster/Carlton Whitfeld in Paramount Theatre’s world premiere of “The Secret of My Success,” a musical about corporate culture, mistaken identity and making your own way in life, based on the 1987 hit film starring Michael J. Fox. Photo by Thomas J. King
Stages
‘The Secret of my Success’ transfers to stage in world premiere musical at Paramount
While much has changed in the world since the 1987 movie on which the musical is based, the underlying and heartfelt message of the film remains as important as ever.
By Tricia Despres | For the Sun-Times
 
Robel Arega (clockwise back row, from left), Leila Gorstein, Bill Letz, Jillian Ebanks, Colette Gregory and Max Thomas are the cast of Second City’s Black History Month Show.
Stages
Second City Black History Month Show has come a long way, has much to say
“As a teacher and a director, self-expression and helping my cast and students tell their stories and share their points of view has been a big inspiration for why I find this work so satisfying,” says director Ali Barthwell.
By Irene Hsiao - For the Sun-Times
 
Ensemble member Namir Smallwood (Peter Evans) and ensemble member Carrie Coon (Agnes White) in Steppenwolf’s production of Bug by ensemble member Tracy Letts
Stages
Steppenwolf’s Carrie Coon: ‘Bug’ is ‘the hardest play I’ve ever done’
“Bug” is a short play at 90 minutes, but it’s tightly packed with both emotional and physical challenges.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
JJoffrey Ballet artists Dara Holmes and Edson Barbosa in “The Times Are Racing.”
Stages
Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre ‘kick up their heels’ for winter programs
Dancers sometimes like to escape the confines of a narrative and just show off the sheer fun and physicality of movement. And that’s exactly what two of this country’s most respected ballet companies plan to do in Chicago in the next two months.
By Kyle MacMillan - For the Sun-Times
 
Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna), Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) and the company of “Summer” perform a scene from the stage musical. © Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
Stages
Chicago’s winter theater scene — your guide to what’s playing around town
From “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” to “What the Constitution Means to Me,” Chicago’s stages are filled with an eclectic array of shows this winter.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Amira Danan and Gage Wallace star in Raven Theatre’s Chicago premiere adaptation of “A Doll’s House.”
Stages
Raven’s new take on ‘A Doll’s House’ strives for contemporary feel
A progressive new adaptation making its Chicago premiere at the Raven Theatre is feeling more relevant than ever, more than 140 years after its debut.
By Tricia Despres | For the Sun-Times
 
Orlagh Cassidy stars as Nancy Pelosi in “The Adult in the Room.”
Theater
Nancy Pelosi reduced to a caricature in biographical ‘Adult in the Room’
Less a history lesson than a document of the male gaze, Bill McMahon’s play enacts a form of juvenile misogyny that is disappointing, particularly in a moment of genuine national distress.
By Irene Hsiao - For the Sun-Times
 
“Goshen” will play the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in May.
Theater
‘Goshen’ to play the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
The world-premiere production features Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and the music of Grammy-winner Donald Lawrence.
By Miriam Di Nunzio
 
Cassidy Slaughter-Mason stars in “How a Boy Falls” at Northlight Theatre.
Theater
Curtain Call: ‘Bug,’ ‘Emma,’ and more theater previews, openings Jan. 23-29
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Paula Ramirez (from left), Daniella Pereira and Collin Quinn Rice in a scene from Rivendell Theatre’s world premiere production of “The Tasters.”
Theater
Political resistance, hope served up amid horrors in engrossing ‘The Tasters’
At its best, Meghan Brown’s drama confronts audiences with the kind of questions we all hope we never have to answer.
By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times
 
Kyle Ramar Freeman as ‘Asaka’ and Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ in the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019.jpg
Theater
Curtain Call — ‘Once on this Island,’ ‘Grease” and more theater openings, previews Jan. 16-22
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Mikaela Sullivan and Leo Spiegel are among the cast of Black Button Eyes Productions’ “Whisper House.” 
Theater
Curtain Call— Rhinoceros Festival, Fillet of Solo Fest and more theater openings, previews Jan. 9-15, 2020
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Actor Miguel Cervantes addresses the sold-out audience at the final performance of “Hamilton” Sunday at the CIBC Theatre.
On Instagram
‘Hamilton’ ends three-year run in Chicago
The musical closed out its 171-week run on Sunday afternoon at the CIBC Theatre. At the curtain call, Mayor Lightfoot officially declared it “Hamilton Day” in the city.
By Miriam Di Nunzio and Jake Wittich
 
Playwrights Angelina Davila, Henry Williams and Reba Brennan will have their work featured at the annual Young Playwrights Festival.
Entertainment and Culture
The Mix — The Young Playwrights Festival and more cool things to do Jan. 2-8
Also on tap this week: Fans of “Doctor Who” can gather to celebrate the popular show at a screening of the season’s premiere episode, a sneak peak of the season’s second episode, plus a video Q&A with the show’s actors on Jan. 5 at local movie theaters.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
In this April 20, 2012, production photo provided by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, actors Brian Dennehy, left, portraying one-time syndicalist-anarchist Larry Slade and Nathan Lane as Theodore “Hickey” Hickman perform in a scene in Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh” directed by Robert Falls. The epic drama runs through June 17. (AP Photo/Courtesy of The Goodman Theatre, Liz Lauren)
Theater
Some highlights in Chicago theater from the 2010s
From ingenious new works to profound revivals of classics, theatergoers were presented with thousands of works over the course of the decade.
By Sun-Times
 
Lifeline Theatre makes its home in a converted ComEd substation in Rogers Park. The theater company has been awarded a Rick Bayless Family Foundation Grant.
Theater
Jackalope, Lifeline theater companies awarded Rick Bayless Family Foundation grants
The foundation was started in 2017 by the Chicago celebrity chef and his wife, and to date has awarded more than $500,000 in support of more than 25 Chicago-area theater companies.
By Miriam Di Nunzio
 
“Merry, Merry Chicago!” at Symphony Center.
Entertainment and Culture
The Mix: ‘Merry, Merry Chicago!’ and more cool things to do Dec. 12-18
Night at the Museum, and the annual “White Christmas”/“Wonderful Life” sing-along at the Music Box Theatre, are also among the fun in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater will present Gary Abbott’s “Parallel Lives” as part of its three-night series at the Logan Center for the Arts.
Theater
Curtain Call — Deeply Rooted Dance, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and more Chicago theater Dec. 12-18
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Shelby Plummer (front row, from left), Henrik Blix, George Elrod, and (back row) Jess DeBacco and Rob Grabowski in “Deck the Hallmark: A Greeting Card Channel Original” at Second City.
Stages
Chicago ‘Stages’ Theater Directory for December
Your go-to guide for theater in our city.
By Sun-Times Marketing
 
hamilton.jpg
Theater
‘Hamilton’ leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in Chicago’s theater scene
With a month left until the final curtain comes down on the three-year run of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical, we take a look at the musical phenomenon.
By Miriam Di Nunzio
 
“The Tall Boy” starring Tandy Cronyn.
Theater
In ‘The Tall Boy,’ Tandy Cronyn gives voice to the children of WWII displacement camps
“As history has moved on, the show has unfortunately become more and more relevant,” the veteran actress says.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
The cast of “A Xmas Cuento Remix features Isabel Quintero as Dolores (center, front).
Theater
Curtain Call — ‘A Xmas Cuento Remix,’ ‘Q Brothers Christmas Carol’ and more theater openings Nov. 28-Dec. 4
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Kareem Bandealy (left, as Jacob Marley) and Larry Yando (as Ebenezer Scrooge) star in “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Henry Wishcamper at the Goodman Theatre.
Theater
‘A Christmas Carol’ a warm and fuzzy chestnut that shines merry and bright at the Goodman
But here’s the thing about chestnuts. Dress them properly, and they’re fabulous. So it goes at the Goodman Theatre where the first-rate cast and marvelous staging make you feel like you’re seeing “A Christmas Carol” for the first time.
By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times
 
The Paramount Theatre’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” features Beth Stafford Laird as Belle and Paul-Jordan Jansen as the Beast.”
Theater
Paramount Theatre’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ oozes enchantment in dazzling production
The Paramount Theatre pulls out all the stops in a show filled with glorious vocals, razzle-dazzle dance numbers and plenty of Disney magic.
By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times
 
Patrick Agada (from left), Melanie Loren and David Alan Anderson are a family in turmoil in the Victory Gardens production of “The First Deep Breath.”
Theater
‘The First Deep Breath’ an extraordinary portrait of a shattered family
Passionately performed by a powerhouse ensemble in Victory Gardens’ bracing premiere, “Breath” feels like the kind of theatrical event you’ll want to be able to say you saw first.
By Kris Vire - For the Sun-Times
 
Australia’s Bangarra Dance Ensemble in “Nyapanyapa,” choreographed by artistic director Stephen Page.
Theater
Curtain Call: Bangarra Dance Theatre Australia and more theater previews, openings Nov. 21-27
From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
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