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“…Tiler Peck & Friends” Loaded with Talent
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano The first weekend of March The Auditorium presented “Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends”, a program of fascinating dance by the New York City Ballet principal dancer, actress, and choreographer. The four sequences in the program wowed the involved audience. The first selection was a modern muscular […]
BET Theater Celebrates 50 Years Of Excellence With “The Jackie Wilson Story”
By Cate Rees-Hessel Jackie Taylor’s Black Ensemble Theater opened their 50th anniversary season with an exceedingly excellent production of “The Jackie Wilson Story”. Brilliantly written and directed by the legendary Ms. Taylor herself, this poignant story is intense and honest, depicting the often controversial man who loved to sing his music. The tale makes no […]
“Dress-Up…” Among Friends
By Wes Hessel with Beth Tomas Jackalope Theatre Company introduces their first production for the younger set, “The Dress-Up Play”, though it appeals to all ages, including us adults who can learn ideas that we should all play at. The set is designed to look like a child’s room, in this case Remi’s, and the […]
“Poor Poor Lear” Is Rich With Contrast
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Walkabout Theater Company is back in the Windy City at Chopin Theatre, with their inaugural production from the troupe’s founding 27 years ago. The show was penned by founder Nina Sallinen and original director Katja Krohn, directed by co-founder Kristen Schmidt, and starring Ms. Sallinen and a different each […]
Kayla Boye Shook It Up In “…The Ann Miller Story”
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano At the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Porchlight Music Theatre presented an absolutely marvelous one-night only performance of “Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story”, written and performed solely by Kayla Boye, directed by Michael Weber, with musical direction by Linda Madonia. A wonderful tribute to the famous […]
“…Wrong” Makes It Hysterically Right
By Wes Hessel & Fran Besyk Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a delightful production about a murder mystery set in the 1920’s at Haversham Manor, put on by the fictional Corley Drama Society, who can’t seem to get anything right. Every actor is very talented in both dramatics and acrobatics. […]
“Kubrickian” Is Totally Kubular…
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano One might describe The Factory Theater’s “Kubrickian” as 2001: A Waiting for Godot Odyssey; it starts with a minimalistic stage with a white curtain backdrop, the three actors engaging in stretching/prepping – a soft beginning of physicality to come… Chris, played by Taylor Mercado Owen, is a Kubrick mega […]
Broadway’s Finest Step Up For The Next Generation
By Wes Hessel The Illinois Conservatory for the Arts premiere annual event, “A Night Of Broadway” Gala & Concert, held February 21st at the Hotel Arista in Naperville, was once again a rousing success, raising funding for 20-plus students, with a evening of unforgettable entertainment. All having achieved excellence on the Great Bright Way, six […]
Seeing “Dear Evan Hansen” Is A Very Good Day…
By Cate Rees-Hessel Paramount Theater’s production of “Dear Evan Hansen” is both edgy and entertaining; this very modern staging is a beautiful reminder that no one should ever be forgotten. The acting is phenomenal, the music is fabulous, vocals are strong, and the costumes very appropriate. Tender moments are mixed in well with the teen […]
Sharp Remy Bumpo’s “Hedda Gabler” Cuts Like A Knife
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano What’s in a name? Remy Bumpo’s “Hedda Gabler”, directed by Marti Lyons, opens the door for us to observe and reflect. Yet it is fast paced – honed, precise, short, emphatic, no nonsense, to the point dialogue that cuts like a knife; I was hooked… Aurora Real de Asua, […]
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