Recent Articles
Seven Decades Later, “West Side Story” Still Resonates
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano The Jets and the Sharks, Tony and Maria – Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s megaclassic “West Side Story”, presented by Music Theater Works, and seamlessly directed by Sasha Gerritson, is not to be missed. Conducted nuancedly by Justin Kono with a 24-piece orchestra, and superbly choreographed by Clayton Cross […]
“Hail Mary/Maria” – A Filipino Coming of Age
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Nova Entertainment’s “Hail Mary/Maria” is a hilarious and touching play penned by RJ Silva, with the sensitivity of young, yearning, blooming love in uncharted waters of cultural customs and the like. Directed by Adam Reed, it is a biographic story of a young shy Filipino student Kid, short actually […]
We Love Oil Lamp Because…It Is A Wonderful Theater
By Cate Rees-Hessel Oil Lamp’s production of “I Love You Because…” is a delightful musical that explores the complexities of various relationships: dating, brotherhood, best friends, and co-workers are all chronicled in this high energy musical. Acting is strong, all six roles unique and well crafted by the talented cast, their comic timing excellent and […]
“Marble” At The Dream
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Could a vivid dream become reality? Irish playwright Marina Carr’s existential play “Marble” had it’s Chicago premiere at The Gift Theater. Kay Martinovich’s direction balances the psychological depth and dark humor of two affluent couples lives disrupted by subconscious, surreal obsession, unraveling their mundane existence and moral compass. The […]
“yo ho” And Off They Go…
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Babes with Blades’ production of the unique “yo ho” makes for an interesting tale, based on a true story of Anne Bonny (Rachel Sleek-Banuelos) and Mary Read (Sierra Buffman), two famous female pirates disguised as men named Mark and Andy, respectively, in the 18th century, who served under Calico […]
It’s All About “Good People”
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano 4 Chairs Theatre’s production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People” at Theater Wit, directed by Lauren Berman and dedicated to her mother, is a poignant story based in South Boston about Margie (Jodi Kingsley in a strong performance), a single mom with a special needs daughter that juggles to make […]
“New Yorker” Cartoonist and Former “Late Night” Writer Featured At July 24th’s “Hitch*Cocktails”
By Wes Hessel Between drawing for “The New Yorker” magazine and recording his comedy podcast “But Also” with fellow former writer for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, Michael Cruz Kayne, while preparing for his upcoming appearance Friday, July 24th, at the fully improvised Hitchcock-inspired thriller known as “Hitch*Cocktails”, Asher Perlman spent some time talking […]
Hop On Up To Share “A Year with Frog and Toad”
By Wes Hessel with Beth Tomas Marriott Theatre for Young Audience’s production of “A Year with Frog and Toad” is enjoyable, fun musical bringing the books of Arnold Lobel to the stage. It starts with a simple yet beautifully appointed set in this great theater in the round – very fairy story-like and child friendly. […]
“If Ever A Wiz There Was…”
By Wes Hessel with Fran Besyk There is nothing like the classics, and certainly the stage version of “The Wizard of Oz” is one of them. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre gives us their marvelous production, which brings back so many childhood memories for the grownups, and starts new memories for the kids who go to […]
Things Can Happen Out Where It’s “Deserted”
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano “Deserted”, by Melanie Coffey, had its world premiere at Redtwist Theater, directed by Laura Strum. Entering the long narrow theater, I was struck by the old wooden house on planks, with an unhinged screen door and windows on each side, part of Eric Luchen’s interesting set design. Meandering by […]
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