Articles
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 […]
Chicago Shakespeare “Measures” Up By Wes & Anna Hessel
Chicago Shakespeare “Measures” Up By Wes & Anna Hessel Another stellar production, as we have come to expect from Chicago Shakespeare. A classic with a twist, “Measure for Measure” is set in Cuba in the 50’s. The costumes are fabulous, the lighting extraordinary, and the sets realistic, with incredible use of subdued backdrops of […]
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. […]
Ghostbusters Live Wows Audience By Anna Hessel
Ghostbusters Live Wows Audience By Anna Hessel When you want great entertainment and an ectoplasmic good time, “who ya’ gonna’ call?” For Chitown audiences, the fabulous Chicago Philharmonic sure got the job done with “Ghostbusters Live in Concert”, a one-night theatrical extravaganza at the beautiful Auditorium Theatre. A pre-show reception with in-costume Ghostbusters […]
Writers Theater Has “Style” By Anna Hessel
Writers Theater Has “Style” By Anna Hess “Tiger Style”, at Writers Theater in Glencoe, is a hilarious comedy with very serious overtones. The cast is extraordinary and likeable, the comic timing absolutely impeccable, as are the charming and realistic sets. Clear messages about the danger of stereotyping are abundantly clear, well communicated, with […]
“Red Summer” Debut Illuminates A Black Mark On History By Sydney Milligan with Wes Hessel
“Red Summer” Debut Illuminates A Black Mark On History By Sydney Milligan with Wes Hessel “Red Summer”, playing through September 25th at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts, is a world premiere musical bringing to light another buried racial relations debacle of the past, the 1919 race riots in Chicago. Occurring not just […]
“The Garbologists” Haul Humor By Anna Hessel
“The Garbologists” Haul Humor By Anna Hessel Northlight Theatre’s production of the serious drama “The Garbologists”, with its very many comedic moments, is highly entertaining and very touching. Once again Northlight gives us an excellent theatrical experience – this one act with its two-person cast of Tiffany Renee Johnson and Luigi Sottile chronicles […]
“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 […]
Kane Repertory Rocks the River By Anna Hessel
Kane Repertory Rocks the River By Anna Hessel Kane Repertory Theater’s production of “Twelfth Night”, along the beautiful Fox River in St. Charles, is exceptional. It has always been one of my favorite Shakespearean masterpieces, and this unique production was very well executed. After a bevy of Twelfth Nights over the years, I welcome […]
Northlight’s Production Is A “Dear” One By: Anna Hessel
Northlight’s Production Is A “Dear” One By: Anna Hessel Northlight Theatre’s refreshing production of Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” tells his parent’s poignant love story; it is the charming courtship by correspondence of would-be actress/dancer/showgirl Louise Rabiner and Captain Dr. Jacob S. Ludwig. What lonely soldier wouldn’t want a letter from a Broadway-bound beauty? […]
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