Open Forum
ABT On Point By: Anna with Wes Hessel
The world-renowned New York-based ballet corps was in Chicago for three performances this past weekend, and it was, as one would expect, exceptional. The first number was both classic and innovative, athletic with beauty and grace – an amazing piece of covorting and exuberance, with pretty costumes, understated and elegant. The second act contained two […]
The Joffrey Lavishly, Passionately Dances “Anna Karenina”
By D’Arcy Mies with Wes Hessel Chicago’s own world-class dance troupe presents another magnificent production, this time an adaptation of the Tolstoy novel “Anna Karenina” by Yuri Possokhov. Debuted in 2019 to significant critical acclaim, Mr. Possokhov’s work is given the full passion and grandeur as only The Joffrey can. And the location of the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
Well Written World Premiere “The Notebook” Exhilarates Audiences By Anna Hessel
Well Written World Premiere “The Notebook” Exhilarates Audiences By Anna Hessel “The Notebook” at Chicago Shakespeare’s Yard Theater is both spellbinding and magnificent. This brand-new musical, a first-rate production with stellar acting, marvelous vocals, and a charming set, is synonymous with the perfection that we have come to expect from Chicago Shakespeare. […]
“Old Lace” Has New Twist By Anna Hessel
“Old Lace” Has New Twist By Anna Hessel Court Theatre’s stellar production of the classic madcap work “Arsenic and Old Lace” is the by far best production I have seen of this play. Audiences will recall the classic film starring Cary Grant. The murderously amusing tale is of two spinster sisters whom have secrets […]
“All’s Well” Indeed Is By Wes Hessel
“All’s Well” Indeed Is By Wes Hessel ”All’s Well That Ends Well” by Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is another great example of their excellent adaptations of the Bard’s work. Chicago Shakes opted in this production for a minimalist stage, which gives emphasis to the intense acting going on out front. A few […]
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