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Award Time is Almost Here – The 2013 Eligible Shows

It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year — nominations will soon be out with the whole country buzzing about Broadway. You can check out our 2013 Broadway theater awards calendar to see when and who will be making the announcements and when all the pretty prizes will be handed out. As always, [...]

The Reviews for Jekyll & Hyde are in…

The critical reviews for the first revival of Jekyll & Hyde aren’t much nicer than those for the original mounting. Ripping most ferociously into the abismal lyrics, “pea-fog thick” smoke and confused direction by Jeff Calhoun, most critics were impressed by Costantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox, R&B artists who  manage to bring moments of nuance and amazing [...]

New artistic director at About Face

Chicago's About Face Theatre has hired Andrew Volkoff, who spend five years as associate artistic director of the Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts, as its new artistic director.

Chicago theater for the week of April 19-25

Picking the upcoming opening nights Picking the upcoming opening nights.

Bikers are perfect foils for the Bard in 'Richard III'

KERRY REID review "Richard III" by Wayward Productions ??? and "Augusta and Noble" by Adventure Stage Chicago ??½ KERRY REID review "Richard III" by Wayward Productions ??? and "Augusta and Noble" by Adventure Stage Chicago ??½

In Pulitzer, seeing American drama's Chicago footprint

On Monday, Ayad Akhtar, author of the terrific play "Disgraced," which began life at the American Theater Company in Chicago, won the Pulitzer Prize in drama. He beat out writer Amy Herzog, who was a finalist. Others regarded as likely candidates for the honor were Annie Baker (author, most recently, of "The Flick") and Samuel D. Show More Summary

Great staging, but where is soul of the pachyderm?

THEATER REVIEW: "The Elephant & The Whale" by Chicago Children's Theatre ?? THEATER REVIEW: "The Elephant & The Whale" by Chicago Children's Theatre ??... Elephants are fabulous beasts. The great day I saw a whale jump from the water lives with me still.

This 'Idiot' a little too mellowed out

Some things have happened to Johnny, Tunny and St. Jimmy since "American Idiot" was last in Chicago in February 2012. The Equity actors who were playing those roles in the first national tour of the Green Day musical were dismissed and...Show More Summary

Meet the Winners: Glossop and District Choral Society

Glossop and District Choral Society will be using their Community Music grant to increase the skills and confidence of the choir and will be aiming to attract new younger members. Their project will cumulate in a performance at a local festival in 2013. What’s their story so far?

'Superman' delays 'Simpatico'

The A Red Orchid Theatre production of Sam Shepard's "Simpatico," which is to star longtime collaborators Michael Shannon and Guy Van Swearingen, has been pushed back several weeks.  Instaed of beginning peformances on June 13, the show now will open on July 8 under the direction of Dado.

REVIEW: Dance Better At Parties | Wharf 2, Sydney

REVIEW: Don Quixote | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney

'Whale' a devastating play about a man too big to move through life

Charlie, the dying, pathetic, 600-pound man stuck on the couch in the middle of Samuel D. Hunter's beautifully devastating drama "The Whale," is familiar with blubber. An online writing teacher, he's a fan of Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick."...Show More Summary

At Remy Bumppo, barbed transactions of love and debt

THEATER REVIEW: "Creditors" by Remy Bumppo at Greenhouse Theater Center ??? The setup feels a tad reminiscent of Noel Coward's "Private Lives": A formerly married couple reconnects at a seaside resort, where recriminations and pointed epigrams about love are let loose like arrows from an anti-Cupid. Show More Summary

She has inner and outer lives — and our sympathies

THEATER REVIEW: "Woman in Mind" by Eclipse Theatre Company ??? KERRY REID reviews "Woman in Mind" by Eclipse Theatre Company ???... Gardens can be dangerous places for women. Consider Eve, tricked by a snake. And then there's Susan, undone by a rake.

Second City airs some arias this weekend

(BY DOUG GEORGE) Second City is headed back to the opera in June; a performance this weekend at the UP Comedy Club will preview what's to come. "Improv & Arias: A Sneak Peek," from Second City and Lyric Opera Chicago, will be and evening of informal evening of sketches, opera performance and improvisation. It's 7 p.m. April 21 in the Piper's Alley venue at 230 W. North Ave.

REVIEW: Cinderella | Playhouse, Brisbane

A shaky production for a play about an architect as artist

THEATER REVIEW: "In a Garden" at A Red Orchid Theatre ?? THEATER REVIEW: "In a Garden" at A Red Orchid Theatre ??... There are architects who make perfectly decent livings designing buildings that never get built.

Chicago-premiering 'Disgraced' wins drama Pulitzer

The play "Disgraced," penned by Ayad Akhtar, has won the Pulitzer Prize in drama.

The Reviews for Motown: The Musical are In…

Ouch!  To say the critics laid into Motown: The Musical, Broadway’s latest attempt to make another Jersey Boys-style jukebox  hit, is a huge understatement. Though the soundtrack of the show will have your toes tapping, you’ll leave the theatre still searching for a story. With book-writer Gordy telling his own tale, the musical’s plot lacks intrigue [...]