In Case You Missed It
One Singular Sensation! By Anna Hessel
Drury Lane’s fabulous production of the Broadway classic, “A Chorus Line”, the story of hopefuls at an audition in 1975, has an absolutely outstanding cast, and is brilliantly directed by Jane Lanier. Of course, this magnificent theater puts their own innovative spin on the show, making it even more interesting. “A Chorus Line” is usually […]
“Andy Warhol in Iran” Takes Us Back – And Forward…By Anna Hessel and Wes Hessel
Northlight Theatre delivers an intense production of “Andy Warhol in Iran”. Based on an actual trip by the cultural icon in 1976 to take pictures of the Empress, the wife of the Shah of Iran, for a portrait to be painted, this absorbing theatrical one-act work is imagining of what could have happened in an […]
See The Falls From “Wuthering Heights”By Wes Hessel
The UK troupe Wise Children is in town at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, producing their joint interpretation of the Emily Brontë classic “Wuthering Heights”. This strident, edgy production points up the far-reaching consequences of bad choices and the proverbial sins of the fathers, but does so with a final conclusion of love conquering […]
Joffrey’s “Nutcracker”: Distinctly Chicago And World-Class
By Sydney Milligan With Wes Hessel The Joffrey’s new classic version of Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet continues to enthrall audiences young and old. Setting the time-honored tale amidst the 1893 World’s Fair is a bold and clever choice, so distinctly Chicagoan, and it works well in breathing new life into a production so many companies have […]
“Christmas at Pemberley” Glows With Good Cheer
By Anna Hessel Northlight Theater’s production of “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” is simply fabulous. The third in the series, this play is a perfect addition to anyone’s holiday season. The sets are completely charming, complete with a pinecone and bow bedecked Christmas tree (a brand-new tradition in England at the time), and a […]
Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” Is Virtually And Visually Stunning
By D’Arcy Mies With Wes Hessel Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” Is Virtually And Visually Stunning Manual Cinema’s first live version of “A Christmas Carol”, now playing at Writers Theatre, is an intriguing, fascinating interpretation of the Dickens’ classic. Originally conceived in 2020 as a virtual production, it was then a play within a Zoom over […]
Prince Nikolaos Photo Exhibit “Resilience” at Hellenic Museum
By Wes Hessel Prince Nikolaos Photo Exhibit “Resilience” at Hellenic Museum The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago is hosting the North American debut of the photography exposition by Greece’s HRH Prince Nikolaos. A well-established taker of images, his work having been displayed since 2015 internationally, has chosen this set of pictures, collectively called “Resilience”, to […]
“Wonderful Life” – Twenty-One Years And Still Glowing…
By Wes Hessel “Wonderful Life” – Twenty-One Years And Still Glowing… For the past two decades plus one year, American Blues Theater has presented a holiday classic in a format true to its vintage roots: Frank Capra’s timeless masterpiece, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, as a radio play produced in 1944. Staged in the studio of […]
“Tin Soldier” Rides Again With Admirable Aplomb
By Sydney Milligan with Wes Hessel “Tin Soldier” Rides Again With Admirable Aplomb Lookingglass Theatre brings back their holiday classic, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” – this approximately hour long play with music is a glorious family seasonal tradition, and a faithful retelling of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story. First, you will want to arrive […]
Black Ensemble Theater’s “Blue” is Pure “Heaven”
Black Ensemble Theater’s “Blue” is Pure “Heaven” By Anna Hessel Black Ensemble’s production of “Blue Heaven” is a wonderful ninety minutes of musical theater, another great work brilliantly penned and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl Brooks. Blues legends make a stop at “Pearly’s”, en-route to entering the gates of Heaven. Forgiveness of others and […]
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