PICKSINSIX Review: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

"Porchlight ‘Merrily’ Turns Back the Clock"

Reeling in the years... let’s turn back the clock and find out exactly how we got here from there. That’s the premise of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, Porchlight Music Theatre’s brilliant new offering at Ruth Page Center for the Arts. There is a lot to unravel and it’s all done with surgical skill by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber and a cast that sings the daylights out of this score.

What it’s about... let’s begin at the ending, shall we? Franklin Shepard (Jim DeSelm) has all the trappings of success, but no one really likes him much, including his old friend, bestselling author, admirer and alcoholic Mary Flynn (Neala Barron), his wife, Gussie (Keely Vasquez) to whom he has been unfaithful and just about everyone else at his Los Angeles pool party. Tick. Tock. Turn back the clock and Frank and Mary’s partner, Charley Kringas (Matt Crowle), frustrated and hurt by Frank’s actions, implodes on national television. Drilling down, we find that Frank’s world is fraught with temptations that ultimately ruin his marriage to his first wife Beth (Aja Wiltshire) and other twists and turns that lead, to where we all truly start out at one time or another – young, reckless and hopeful.

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The story of our lives... this is one of the iconic musicals that Sondheim fans savor. It is the story of our lives. In the more than four decades that have passed since its inauspicious Broadway debut, this show continues to technically evolve with every passing year, something Weber has tapped into in an ingenious way, this being 2018 after all. It’s a clever use of media, staging and that all makes for great storytelling, or is it 'un-telling'?

Who stands out... Of the three amigos in the middle — Jim DeSelm, Neala Barron and Matt Crowle — DeSelm gets the difficult assignment of being the heartless, success-at-all-costs riser you need to like and you will. Barron is a powerhouse - charming and vulnerable, with a depth of feeling that is up to everything the versatile Crowle, one of Chicago's most gifted talents, dishes out. Keely Vasquez sizzles as Gussie. And, I’ll wager we will be seeing alot more from the terrific, multi-talented Wiltshire. 

What to watch and wait for... Crowle’s show-stopping ‘Franklin Shepard, Inc.’ and 'Good Thing Going'…’Old Friends’…Wiltshire’s touching ‘Not A Day Goes By”…’It’s A Hit’

What life is all about... Friends like us. Damn few.

PHOTOS|MICHAEL COURIER

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Stephen Sondheim|George Furth
Directed by Michael Weber
through March 11th
RUTH PAGE CENTER
FOR THE ARTS
1016 N Dearborn St.
773-777-9884

WEBSITE
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PICKSINSIX Review: BLIND DATE

'BLIND DATE' "REAL PEOPLE ... WORLDLY VISION"

A turning point... As the clandestine meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev is about to begin at the Geneva Summit, then Secretary of State George Shultz and his counterpart, Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Shevardnadze, share a reflective moment. While looking out at the lakefront, Shultz notices Shevardnadze’s granddaughter scurrying about. It is significant, Shultz remarks, that he brought his granddaughter to such a turning point in international relations. Shevardnadze tells Shultz he is merely babysitting.  Conversations like this one, between real people with a worldly vision, run deep through the Goodman Theatre’s sophisticated and smart world premiere production of Blind Date.

Reagan/Gorbachev legacy... the sweeping epic storyline, written by the award-winning playwright, Rogelio Martinez under the direction of Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls, brings East and West together in a fascinating historic reimagining of the first face-to-face meeting of Ronald Reagan and Mikahal Gorbachev. It is an insider’s view of the Reagan/Gorbachev era of hard-nosed diplomacy and line-in-the-sand Cold War rhetoric. And, there is the intrigue - and a fair amount of humor served up diplomatically - surrounding the closed-door meeting of two leaders who clearly understood the impact they would have on their two countries and the world.

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A Four-Picture Deal... years after an assassination attempt and with direct involvement from Nancy Reagan, George Shultz and everyone else close to him, Reagan’s cinematic instincts remain keen. A Reagan soundcheck has international implications and there were spiritual forces at work at the time, as we now know. As if on cue, Reagan adeptly turned film references into policy points. Meanwhile, Gorbachev was redefining the Soviet Union’s place in the world order. Lots to ponder and the air crackles with the consequences of failure. “Well…”says Reagan, “The American people gave me a four-picture deal!” So, that means there is plenty of time and lots of stories to tell.

Public jousting... Shultz and Shevardnadze meet to broker a meeting between the two superpowers. Reagan offers up Washington, DC for the first site. Gorbachev refuses. Formal correspondence is exchanged and more public jousting, until the Geneva Summit is approved and scheduled in November 1985 at a time when the stars would be precisely aligned. While Gorbachev is heavily briefed and apparently starts watching American movies, Shultz plants the seed for a private meeting to mix things up and the rest is, well… history, including another clandestine meeting - that between Nancy Reagan and Raisa Grobachev – a delightfully engaging hand of liars poker, tea time style.

Top-flight cast... Rob Riley (Ronald Reagan), William Dick(Gorbachev), Deann Dunagan(Nancy Reagan) and Mary Beth Fisher(Raisa) are all excellent and bring an authoritative air to the piece leading a top-flight cast. Jim Ortlieb (Shultz) and Steve Pickering(Shevardnadze) along with Thomas J. Cox (Reagan biographer, Edmund Morris) combine brilliantly to frame historical context, sharing thoughts and possible outcomes along the way. 

And, well, there’s much more... the massive, revolving conical set design by Riccardo Hernandez, lighting by Aaron Spivey and period perfect costumes by Amy Clark evoke a time of grand purpose and stately respect for two world leaders whose vastly opposing points of view might actually find some common ground in the future.

The takeaway… History happens while babysitting. Let someone take the kids for the night or bring a blind date of your own for this gem now playing at the Goodman Theatre. 

PHOTOS|Liz Lauren

GOODMAN THEATRE
Presents
BLIND DATE
by Rogelio Martinez
Directed by Robert Falls
through February 25, 2018
170 N Dearborn Street
(312)443-3800
WEBSITE
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PICKSINSIX Review: ALL MY SONS

“I ignore what I gotta ignore.”

Precisely imagined... The magnificent revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, now playing at the Court Theatre, is a gripping and compelling production precisely imagined and perfectly staged by Charles Newell, Court’s Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director.

Fact-based story... Following the public disgrace of a criminal conviction during World War II, for which he has been officially exonerated, Joe Keller is back on top, having rebuilt his family manufacturing business and unifying the family circle around him. There is a messy untold truth in Miller’s fact-based story that thrusts two families into a morass of moral responsibility, social justice and survival.

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Stellar performances... John Judd brings depth and power to tough guy Joe Keller, haunted by the prospect of losing his family legacy, and fearful of losing the love and respect of his son. His tormented wife Kate, an electrifying performance by Kate Collins, alternates between victim and protector. Timothy Edward Kane is terrific as Chris Keller, the troubled love struck son who lives in his brother’s shadow and longs for happiness with Ann Deever, played by the captivating Heidi Kettenring. Johanna McKenzie Miller(Sue Bayliss), Karl Hamilton(Dr. Jim Bayliss) and Dan Waller(George Deever) all stand out in an ensemble of stellar performances.

Striking scenic design.. John Culbert's striking scenic design with Keith Parham’s dynamic lighting and period costumes by Jacqueline Firkins, all combine to transform the intimate Abelson Auditorium into Joe Keller's multi-tiered back yard of the 1940's.   

A respectfully artful tribute... There was a remarkable sense of presence at the press opening on Saturday, the undeniable sense of loss that courses through All My Sons served as a shining and respectfully artful tribute to everyone connected with Court Theatre, The University of Chicago and the theatrical community out of respect for the family, friends and co-workers of Executive Director Stephen J. Albert who passed away recently. As noted in the program on behalf of the company “All My Sons was the work of art that inspired Steve to make theatre his life’s mission. In his absence, we continue to press onward, finding in our dedication to this play above all others an ideal way of celebrating Steve’s life and artistic vision.” 

The takeaway... An artist’s truth is laid bare when the art painfully intersects with reality. That infusion can only then spew out with equal parts of raw emotion and extraordinary technique. This brilliant combination is at the core of Court Theatre’s exceptional production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, a rendering of which the playwright – and Steve Albert – would overwhelmingly approve.

PHOTOS|Michael Brosilow

COURT THEATRE
ALL MY SONS
Written by Arthur Miller
Directed by Charles Newell
through February 11th
5535 S Ellis Avenue
773-753-4472
WEBSITE
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PICKSINSIX Review: Cal in Camo

"Nature knows what it is doing."

A powerful statement… There is a looming truth hovering over Cal, a new mother who is coping with her insecurities in Cal in Camo, the Chicago premiere of the William France Hoffman drama directed by Hallie Gordon now playing at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. This is a powerful statement about physical and emotional isolation, familial abandonment and, ultimately, restoring trust and hope.

What you will like… Mixed in with the genuinely heartfelt reality of the subject matter are some really touching moments and more than a few observations on life that will make you laugh out loud.

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Why we care… We care deeply for the characters because we are either related to them or we have known someone just like them. Every one of them. 

What it’s about… Cal, and her husband Tim, have moved away from the comfort of Tim’s Bridgeport neighborhood, and a lucrative sales territory, to their first home in Sterling, Illinois, built on shaky ground. Things between them seem to be unraveling right from the start, talking at each other and keeping secrets. Tim is stuck hawking fruit-flavored beer to bars. Cal struggles mightily with depression, alone, frustrated and frightened that she will never bond with her newborn. So, she decides to fly her backwoodsman brother Flynt to visit following the drowning of his wife - not the ideal makings of a happy family reunion, to be sure. But, as haunting as this setup sounds, the plain-talking Flynt’s arrival is a seismic shift. It does not take long before a storm starts to rage and Flynt’s powerfully gripping influence is felt by everyone. “Nature knows what it is doing,” he says, “Just like water finds a way.”

Top drawer work all around… Ashley Neal gives a gritty, raw and unfailingly honest performance as Cal. Eric Slater(Tim) expertly navigates the emotional space between Cal’s debilitating frustration and the imposing demeanor of Flynt, powerfully portrayed by Keith Kupferer, whose wide-ranging talent is on full display. Credit Director Gordon for digging deep to explore the underlying elements of these relationships and, in so doing, fully realize Hoffman’s moving and forceful imagery.  

The takeaway… It is not always easy to see what is coming next, and sometimes harder still to know exactly how we got into the situation in the first place. So, the only real option left is to be honest with ourselves and those around us, do the best we can when it is our turn, accept the consequences and, then, move on.

PHOTOS|Michael Brosilow

RIVENDELL THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Presents
Cal In Camo
Written by William Frances Hofman
Directed by Hallie Gordon
through February 17, 2018
5779 North Ridge Avenue
(773) 334-7728

WEBSITE

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PICKSINSIX Review: FIVE MILE LAKE

MIXED EMOTIONS ROIL 'FIVE MILE LAKE'

Familiar surroundings... Whether you grew up in a small town near a lake, or perhaps summered at one, the artful simplicity of the Chicago premiere of Shattered Globe’s Five Mile Lake, written by Rachel Bonds and directed by Cody Estle is captivating. Even before this one begins, Jeffrey Kmiec’s striking set design evokes the familiar surroundings of a place where everybody knows your name, even if you have been gone for a long time. 

(l to r) Aila Peck, Joseph Wiens, Daniela Colucci and Steve Peebles Photo|Evan Hanover

Strong feelings and fading dreams… It is easy to relate to the situation that presents itself along the shore of Five Mile Lake near Scranton, Pennsylvania. These young people are just starting to understand what life is all about, and living long enough to know that strong feelings and fading dreams chiseled into a heart, remain there. Other people's problems may be easier to understand than our own. But, no matter what, everyone needs help sorting things out from time to time.  

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Steve Peebles and Joseph Wiens Photo|Evan Hanover

What’s it about... Jamie and Mary work the local coffee shop together and both of them are wound up tight in their own way. With her passion for feeding stray cats, Mary is struggling to cope with her brother, an Afghanistan combat veteran, who is back home and looking for work. Jamie, a well-intentioned, somewhat neurotic hockey fan, is looking for an angle to win over his co-worker, while pouring his energy otherwise into home improvement projects in the family lake house to keep busy. Jamie’s brother Rufus, and his girlfriend Peta, arrive for an unannounced visit that continues late into the evening on the icy deck by the lake. It is there that we discover that not all is as it appears to be. Tempers flare and things go a bit off the rails for the two guys, so Rufus ends up back at the coffee shop in the morning to try to make amends. That’s when Mary’s brother, Danny, an old pal, joins in and what happens next is at the heart of this powerfully reflective tale about lasting relationships, loss and deep-seated passion.

Dynamic cast... The ensemble work here is first-rate. Steve Peebles(Jamie) and Daniela Colucci(Mary) capture the essence of two people who have grown up together but remain oddly distant in a small community, both trying to overcome a lack of purpose and fulfillment. Colucci’s tender relationship with her brother Drew Schad (Danny) is compelling to watch unfold. This is also another exceptional opportunity for the fine Chicago actor Joseph Wiens as Rufus, who is both confident and flawed, particularly in his relationship with Peta, a role in which Aila Peck shines.

Here and now... There is a feeling that Five Mile Lake is like a lot of small towns. Nothing much changes day-to-day, that is, until someone new walks in. At an age when there is more of your life ahead than behind, the folks in Five Mile Lake find out that emotions are still raw and true life experiences have devastating consequences.

The takeaway... If we can come home again - and, I think, for a few of us it’s possible – it is important to remember that with our absence, something within our makeup will have fundamentally changed. While those who return have impressions that exist in memory, that is not the case with those who stay. They will be seeing things as they were  and in the time that has passed since. So, to them, everything looks and feels strangely, and inalterably, the same. And, yes, that's a lot to think about over a pumpkin muffin in the morning. 

PHOTOS|EVAN HANOVER

Shattered Globe Theatre
Presents
FIVE MILE LAKE
Written by Rachel Bonds
Directed by Cody Estle
through February 24th
THEATER WIT
1229 West Belmont Avenue
(773) 975-8150

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PICKSINSIX Review: TRAITOR

"Scathing and honest are often interchangeable."

First things first... if you are reading this and have not reserved seats, or have a friendly neighborhood subscriber who has one for you, don't delay. Sold out previews and advance sales have created the perfect storm for the A Red Orchid Theatre world premiere of TRAITOR, written by Brett Neveu and directed by Michael Shannon. The reasons are pretty clear. This is a smart, cleverly conceived, social drama that is creatively staged and bubbling up, top to bottom, with an enormously talented cast, led by founding Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Guy Van Swearingen.

World Premiere... TRAITOR is the new era adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, now a contemporary reflection of individual social and moral responsibility and the wide-ranging impact of our decisions on the environment, the community and our families. Rest assured, as serious as all this sounds, there is more than a fair share of outrageously caustic humor to go around.

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What it's about... East Lake is a town reborn, but it is facing at least two major crisies. One of them is Dr. Tom Stock, a Ph.D. who returned to his hometown to teach high school science and lead the design and development of the community's new economic engine, a state-of-the-art charter school. As the story unfolds, the family is fractured as Stock discloses that the new school grounds are seriously contaminated. Stock is determined to expose the truth publicly, and receives an initial ground swell of support. But his passion is in direct conflict with the interests of others that sets off a series of showdowns with business leaders, the town council and the local press, all leading to the collapse of family trust.

Curiously brilliant... if all this sounds complicated, you need to know that the pure enjoyment of this curiously brilliant story is in the telling. Audience and cast are indistinguishable at one point along the way, and this becomes essential to the powerful reckoning.

Who stands out... the interwoven connections between Swearingen's perfectly manic Stock, his supportive but frustrated editor/wife Karla, an exceptional role for Dado, and the opposing forces in East Lake, are fascinating. Ensemble members, Kirsten Fitzgerald, commanding in the role of Patty Stock, Larry Grimm, a fine, multi-layered performance as Walter Hove and Natalie West's Jenn Sheffer, who stirs the pot devilishly in her every scene, all add to the emerging pathos. Frank Nall(Howard), Kirstin E. Ellis(Madison), Missi Davis(Molly) and the youthful Nation Hendrickson, making his Chicago debut as Randal, are all stand outs in the cast of 18. How that is accomplished will not be told here.

Noble calling... this all felt like the first step of a new adventure. Addressing our moral responsibilities through art is a noble calling. If you want to sit in on that conversation, it is happening right now in the intimate confines of A Red Orchid Theatre in one of the most compelling, imaginative and interesting experiences you will ever have in a theatre.

PHOTOS|Michael Brosilow

A Red Orchid Theatre
Presents
TRAITOR
Written by Brett Neveu
Directed by Michael Shannon
through February 25th
1531 N. Wells Street
312-943-8722

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PICKSINSIX Review: FLAMINGO & DECATUR

"What if we were completely honest?"

What’s the buzz... Long shots, beat stories, correlated parlays, proposition bets, letting your guard down, and yes, even dining al fresco, are all part of the Las Vegas lingo-laced Chicago debut of Block St. Theatre Company’s FLAMINGO & DECATUR now playing at Theater Wit.

World Premiere… The Arkansas-based company, dedicated to bringing original new work to the stage, present the world premiere of a new play by Todd Taylor and directed by Chicagoan Kevin Christopher Fox.

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The premise… Set in 2009, a wily gambler named Jackson (Jason M. Shipman) and his earnest wingman, Ben (Drew Johnson), an online poker addict, spend their days in the backyard of a residential property in the hills southwest of the Las Vegas strip plotting the next big score. Early on we meet Simon (Nathaniel Stahlke), the curious, wacky neighbor who quickly sizes up the players and does a little shaking down of his own. But once the guys hatch a new scheme, Ben brings the sweet and saavy poker-playing vegan Nicole (Stephanie Bignault) for a walk-through and things get interesting for Jackson. All bets are soon off when Jackson realizes that being completely honest has its consequences.

What stands out... the three sharks in these waters know the games they are playing. Playwright Taylor, whose sports writing and poker playing experience add essential depth to the dialogue, has created a terrific blend of likable dreamers. We're plugging for Jackson to become a better person than what is left after the next prop bet comes through. Johnson is the lovable loser who just wants 'not to be unlucky' and serves up delightfully offbeat commentary. This is a story that could be earthbound, but instead, there is a fine pace in the writing. Thanks to the skillful direction of Fox, the relationships grow on you. Bignault’s charm and understated vulnerability is refreshing and her performance throughout quite moving. Stahlke is perfect. Joe Schermoly's set and lighting by Alexander Ridgers fit right in here.

Lessons learned… Poker is an adventure, but we bet to win. We love because we want to, not because we expect to get anything in return. It is also true that “Pumas go through life alone” and “You can’t not get back on the horse, can you?”

Dinner out… show up early, park on the street and make a pre-show reservation at Falhstrom’s nearby. There you may have the good fortune to meet Alfredo who can make the most of your seafood experience. The clam chowder is especially good this time of year and be sure to ask about CONSERVAS, a terrifically unique gift!  

PHOTOS|Evan Hanover

Block St Theatre Co
Presents
FLAMINGO & DECATUR
THEATER WIT
1229 West Belmont
through February 18th

WEBSITE

THEATER WIT
FAHLSTROM'S

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PICKSINSIX Review: NEVERMORE

NEVERMORE
"Dreams No Mortal Ever Dared..."

What’s It About ... tracing the poet's macabre and troubled life, loves and premature death, Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe is framed on a steamer bound for New York, with Poe in and among the Elderado Players, a band of actors who we come to know as all of the characters in his life's story. The Chicago-premiere of this fascinating operatic/sung-through musical, directed by Ed Rutherford, is anchored by the terrific performance of Kevin Webb as Edgar and a marvelous supporting cast who cleverly share Poe's iconic narrator duties all night long.

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Why you should see it ... for most of us, Poe’s work is strangely familiar, but, the story behind the storyteller, well, not so much. Imaginary or not, 'Nevermore' includes subtle and not so subtle references of pits, pendulums, ravens, sorted deaths, one-eyed stepfathers and a multitude of other references that would be sorely missed if they were not there. In truth, this production could easily go to a much darker place if not for the artistic choice to allow the music and poetry to tell the tale. In the end, nothing is as it seems and dreams like 'those no mortal ever dared to dream' do come true. Have no fear. Despite whatever you think you know about Edgar Allan Poe, this ‘Nevermore’ will really keep you guessing.

The heart of the story ... abandoned by his actor/father, struggling with the untimely death of his singer/mother and coping with the resettlement of his siblings, young Edgar lands in the House of Allan, and has a brief but tumultuous relationship with his stepmother. Forced to school by his stepfather, he succumbs to melancholy when he is duped into believing that the love of his life has abandoned him. Returning home, he rebels against his stepfather’s authority, thrusts himself into writing and despite all odds, captures the imagination and attention of a celebrated publisher. Success is somewhat fleeting, however, and ultimately leads to loss and despair. How Edgar and the players face the dark edges of his life, with regular doses of delightfully macabre humor, is at the heart of this story and speaks to how Poe lived his own – often outcast and alone, always brilliant and to the brink of madness.

What to watch and wait for ... in a production about Poe called "Nevermore" underscored so artfully by musical director Nick Sula, one would expect that the title song – herein, “The Raven” – would be a standout. And you would be right. You will also like the Misses Duval and every member of the ensemble in a variety of roles - Megan DeLay(Elmira), Maiko Terazawa(Fanny), Jessica Lauren Fisher(Eliza), Ryan Lanning(Henry), Matt McNab(Jock) and Jeremy Trager(Rufus).

Songs in the key of Poe … among the memorable and melodious treasures within the rich Poe-liously dense score are Webb’s superb "The Death of Eliza" … "The Family Poe and Hush! Hush!" … "The Raven"

A few memorable moments … “The children of actors! Are you out of your mind!?!”... “When it comes to the French, beware!” … “There is beauty where there is hope.”

PHOTOS|Cole Simon

Black Button Eyes Productions
Presents
NEVERMORE
The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe
A Musical by Jonathan Christenson

The Edge Theater
5451 N Broadway
through January 28th

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PICKSINSIX Review: It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

Meet: Clarence Odbody, AS2 (Angel Second Class)

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What’s it about... a rollicking 1940s staged radio version of Frank Capra’s endearing film classic that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit, no matter how much like Mr. Potter you may be feeling.

Why You Should Go... 2017 marks the 16th year that American Blues Theater has produced It’s A Wonderful Life: Live on Stage, and the first in their new home at Stage 773’s Thrust Stage on Belmont. Directed by Wendy Whiteside, Bedford Falls comes alive in a delightful production with a free-spirited, seasoned cast, and live music and Foley sound effects, all framed in a classic live radio show. You can send an audiogram to someone special, sing a holiday favorite and, after the 90 minute show, enjoy cookies and milk served up by the cast. The entire theater is awash in the warm and colorful tidying’s of the season courtesy of Grant Sabin’s festive set design, lighting by Katy Peterson and costumes by Christopher J. Neville.

Old-Fashioned Storytelling... judging by an informal poll, about half of the audience on opening night had never seen a live radio broadcast, which emphasizes the characters and the story. There is a poignant moment that honors a veteran or service organization at every performance adding to the heartwarming, family-friendly experience.

A Chicago Holiday Tradition... while the Bailey Building and Loan, 320 Sycamore and Martini’s Bar only exist in our imagination, experiencing the performance of the brilliant John Mohrlein in the dual roles of Clarence and Mr. Potter - his 16th consecutive year - is a Chicago holiday tradition not to be missed. The superb cast includes Zach Kenney and Wendy Whiteside as George and Mary, with Dara Cameron, Ian Paul Custer, James Joseph and Michael Mahler in supporting roles. Shawn J. Goudie creates a wide array of Foley sound effects.

The Background... in keeping with their mission to explore the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves, American Blues Theater has published and made available on their website, a smart, thorough Backstage Guide that provides over two dozen pages of background, interviews, historical facts and the text of Philip Van Doreen Stern’s The Greatest Gift, the story on which the film is based. BACKSTAGE GUIDE

Good News and More Good News... in addition to directing, Wendy Whiteside returns to the role of Mary Bailey for a 7th time this year through December 17th when Camille Robinson steps back into the role to complete the run through January 6th. Husband and wife, Mike Maher and Dara Cameron, return for their 5th season together, and Maher’s 7th overall, with a surprise of their own. They will be parents to a little Bailey in March 2018. Hot Dog!

Listen to our 2016 PODCAST featuring a conversation with Wendy Whiteside, Foley Artist Shawn J. Goudie and audio clips from the 2016 production. Lots of fun. Check it out.

Happy Holidays!

Photos|Michael Brosilow

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER
through January 6th, 2018

Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont Ave,
Chicago, IL 60657
WEBSITE TICKETS
(773) 327-5252

PODCAST    ARCHIVE

 

PICKSINSIX Review: The Importance of Being Earnest

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"Ah! A life crowded with incident..."

What’s it about … Oscar Wilde’s hilarious unraveling of the double lives of two men who unsuspectingly propose to two women who will settle for none other than an ‘Earnest(ly)’ named gentleman.

How does the story unfold... With the aristocratic rogue Algernon Moncrieff(Steve Haggard) wondering where his next — and indeed, greatest — ‘Bunbury’ excursion will take him, his love-struck friend Ernest (Alex Goodrich) is forced to confide that he is in actuality ‘Jack’ Worthing in the country. There resides his lovely ward, Cecily Cardew(Rebecca Hurd), under the watchful eye of the matronly Miss Prism(Anita Chandwaney) and the well-intentioned Reverend Chasuble(Aaron Todd Douglas). After confessing his love and proposing marriage to Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen Fairfax(Jennifer Latimore), Jack is denied the privilege by her mother, the imposing Lady Bracknell(Shannon Cockran). Undaunted, he proceeds to hatch a plan to rid himself of his alter ego in the country, radify his lineage and thereby win Gwendolen’s hand. Things go quickly awry leading to an uproariously funny series of surprises with more than a few satisfying resolutions.

Who stands out... This is a superbly paced, colorful and visually stunning production with Wilde’s rich observations on society and stature streaming through Cockran’s blustering turn as Lady Bracknell who with Hurd and Latimore, are picture perfect. The contrast between Haggard’s dashing and clever Algernon and Goodrich’s staunch, be mused Jack, makes for a wildly entertaining evening. In the dual roles of Lane and Merriman, Ross Lehman performance is hilarious.

Brilliant design... The three compact acts have distinctly different textural and color patterns, lavish majestic columns and rich stone framework in a brilliant Collette Pollard design that with Mara Blumenfeld’s elegant costumes provides a fashionable turn-of-the-century backdrop in the Montcrieff study, the Worthing manor house garden and the morning-room at the Manor House.

A Wilde adventure... Writers Theatre has established an extensive audience engagement program initiative that provides discussion events with artists, educational outreach opportunities and many other activities for interested students and patrons.

What you may not know... Writers is also working with the Chicago Public Schools to conduct in-class student sessions and have made multiple performances available to students in support of their educational mission. A very worthy enterprise, indeed.

Photos|Michael Brosilow

WRITERS THEATRE
The Importance of Being Earnest
through December 23, 2017
325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

WEBSITE   TICKETS
847-242-6000
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PICKSINSIX Review: LIZZIE

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“Firebrand Rocks The House ... ‘LIZZIE’ SLAYS!”

What’s it about … even if all you knew was the infamous nursery rhyme, it would be enough to peak your curiosity about the debut production of Chicago’s newest Equity company, Firebrand Theatre. Residing in a place somewhere between rock musical and punk concert, a cast of four women and an on stage band tell the story of Lizzie, her sister Emma, girlfriend Alice and the housekeeper, Bridget, who all have a secret they have kept for a long time, 1892 to be exact.

Why you should go … Firebrand Theatre is the world’s first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women on and off the stage. It is the brainchild of co-founder and producer Harmony France, directed by Victoria Bussert and stars Camille Robinson, Liz Chidester, Jacquelyne Jones and Leah Davis at newly remodeled The Den Theatre's Bookspan Theatre at 1333 N. Milwaukee. 

Who did it and why ... the famous murder of Mr. Borden and his wife — not Lizzie’s mother, btw — made Fall River, Massachusetts infamous. And while it was never proved that Lizzie was behind it all, there is a lot of there there. To tell you more, might give it all away since there are some tantalizing surprises. 

Power-packed... Robinson, Chidester, Jones and Davis are non-stop terrific in a driving, pulsating performance. This is an ensemble effort, with an all-woman rock band.  

What to wait and watch for ... 'House of Borden' ... Chidester nails 'This Is Not Love' ... 'Sweet Little Sister' ... 'Somebody Will Do Something' ... 'The Dress' ... 'Questions, Questions' ... 'Will You Stay'

Plan ahead ... haze, strobe lights and "splash effect" warning in place, so don't wear white or sit up front. 

What’s next ... There’s a big buzz for Firebrand. After LIZZIE, the company presents Nine to Five opening April 7, 2018.

Photos|Marisa KM

FIREBRAND THEATRE
LIZZIE
through December 17, 2017
The Den Theatre's Booskspan Theatre
1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.
WEBSITE   TICKETS
773-697-3830

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PICKSINSIX Review: The Belle of Amherst

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“Words are my life.” E. Dickinson

What’s it about… the 1976 William Luce play is a conversation between the poet Emily Dickinson and the audience that comes to life in the extraordinary singular performance of Kate Fry, who asks, and answers, the questions: “I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too?”

Why you should go… Artfully directed by Sean Graney, Fry is delightfully engaging, embracing the beauty of nature, life’s complexity and our curiosity for and about Dickinson’s work.   

What stands out ... The scholarly interpretation of Emily Dickinson’s poetry and letters is the basis for what we know about her life and times. Fry’s thoughtful delivery, unfolding Dickinson’s inner thoughts on her destiny, “Words are my life.” … on the beauty of nature, “That must have been the sun” … her infinite ability to display childhood fascination, “I wish we were always children.” and hope, that is, “‘Hope’ is a thing with feathers - that perches in the soul.”

A poetic journey... there are four distinct movements within the full framework of the piece, tracing Dickinson’s early years and education, adolescence and family, love, and death. Dickinson’s world is a place where words matter and there is much clarity in the telling of this story, sprinkled with more than a bit of whimsy and wonder. Fry is as comfortable reciting the recipe for black cake as she is in absorbing editorial criticism or understanding the emotional complexities of love and loss. 

Engaging warmth... Much more scholarship has been created since Belle of Amherst first appeared on Broadway in the mid 70s. Scholars have debated whether or not the under-pinning of a relative lifetime of isolation and darkness is a fair representation of both Emily Dickinson’s lifestyle and her personality. There is a darker, more melancholy choice here that Fry skillfully avoids. This is an evening steeped  in engaging warmth, humor and verse. Arnel Sancianco's scenic design creates a picture within a picture of this isolation -- a crisp, bright sun room suspended within her aging home.   

The takeaway... There is but one image of a 17 year-old Dickinson. Fry’s remarkable portrait of the poet as artist and woman allows us another view of the many facets of her mysterious inner-beauty, elegance and intellect. 

Photos|Michael Brosilow

COURT THEATRE
THE BELLE OF AMHERST
through December 3, 2017
5535 S Ellis Ave.
WEBSITE   TICKETS
(773) 753-4472
 

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'THIS WONDERFUL LIFE' GIVING OUT WINGS!

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE

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What’s it about … The story of a man on a bridge, how he got there and how he found his way home.

Why you should go … If you are like me - and everyone else, except a young lady named Juliana in the opening audience last week - you have seen It’s A Wonderful Life before, perhaps many times before. Now comes the American Blues Theater Chicago premiere of This Wonderful Life, the terrific one-man show adaptation written by Steve Murray, directed by Carmen Roman and starring James Leaming playing for a limited run at The Edge Theater on North Broadway. Leaming, the original George Bailey in the American Blues long-running production of the 1940s radio play (which returns for its annual run on November 16th at their new home, Stage 773) has a coming home story all his own. After playing the role for 6 years, Leaming began a critically-acclaimed tour of this show in 2008, a production that has been seen on stages across the country. All points led to Chicago this fall, so Bedford Falls and over 30 of its lovable characters – and the not-so-lovable Mr. Potter – have now made a heartwarming return.

A one-man show … Leaming's brilliantly nuanced performance includes classic references and some truly inspired commentary on show elements that, judging from the audience reaction, are a bit of a revelation. Being an ardent fan of the film only helps to raise your appreciation for the ease in which Leaming creates multiple characters and shifts the ever-changing locales in a seamless tapestry of clever technical projections, lighting and sound effects that support his captivating performance.

The many faces and voices of Bedford Falls… this is a non-stop, steady, finely-tuned and superbly delivered gem. There is a blisteringly fast recap of the story at the top - a teaser of sorts - for the evening to come. Leaming’s George Bailey is warm and folksy, witty, shaken and scared. As Mr. Potter, he is strikingly diabolical, while the interactions in the characters of Mary, his mother and the other women’s roles are both tender and real.

What to wait for … No matter how many times I see it, it is hard to dismiss the well of emotions that bubble up in this story. On this intimate stage, with the exceptionally versatile Leaming leading the way, those endearing moments come alive. A truly moving performance. 

The takeaway … No man is a failure who has friends. So, take it to heart, gather everyone you know and make a date for This Wonderful Life, now playing in a limited engagement through November 26th.      

Photos|Michael Brosilow

AMERICAN BLUES THEATRE
THIS WONDERFUL LIFE
through November 26, 2017
The Edge Theater
5451 N. Broadway
WEBSITE   TICKETS
(773) 654-3103

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