Recent Articles
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol Returns
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel The performance theatre art group Manual Cinema already has achieved an honor most only dream about – in 2017 a video they made for the New York Times called “The Forger” won an Emmy. Once again their signature style is applied to one of the greatest Yuletide tales known. […]
“Legally Blonde” “Elle”-evates the Stage
By Cate-Rees Hessel I pride myself on being Legally Blonde’s biggest hardcore fan. I even have an Elle Woods-related license plate on my car, and was Vice President of my Delta Nu Sorority chapter. It’s my thing – I’ve read all the books that started the phenomenon, and after seeing the original iconic film, I […]
Chicago Tap All-Stars Step Out for “Winter Wonderland”
By Sydney Milligan with Wes Hessel December 14th saw the return of the Chicago Tap All-Stars (a collective of elite tap artists from every corner of the area assembled by M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre) “Winter Wonderland” holiday showcase for the 2nd year in a row. There was an exhibition in the lobby of […]
Holiday Audiences Find “Love Actually”
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel Auditorium Theatre one again was the great venue for the popular Auditorium Philms Concert Series, in this case for the holiday season with the 2003 ensemble movie “Love Actually”. I’ve never experienced the importance of an orchestra conductor to its fullest glory until that night’s performance of “‘Love Actually’ […]
Mr. Dickens “Begrudgingly” Tells It All Over Again…
By D’Arcy Mies with Wes Hessel The Den Theatre presents the holiday classic ghost story told by the man most capable – the author. “Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again” brings us the wonderful Blake Montgomery as the great writer back for a 171st straight year of sharing his masterpiece with Yuletide audiences. […]
“Little Women” is a Big Success
Northlight Theatre’s very delightful production of the Louisa May Alcott classic “Little Women” is a perfect play for the holiday season. This semi-autobiographical work, beautifully written by a woman clearly ahead of her time, is brought to life on the stage with poignant drama and moments of whimsical humor. The set is absolutely charming; an […]
“Pericles” at Chicago Shakes is Enthralling
By Cate Rees-Hessel The Royal Shakespeare Company, direct from London, is performing in the Windy City for the first time in thirty years and it is truly a theater experience not to be missed. Though it is a lesser-known work of the Bard, it is one which is extremely relevant to his artistic genius. Chicago Shakespeare’s […]
“Royko” Rocks at Chopin
By Cate-Rees Hessel “Royko: the Toughest Man in Chicago”, now playing in a return engagement at the eclectically charming Chopin Theatre, is absolutely magnificent. It is executive produced by Chicagoland native Lecy Goranson, who audiences will remember from Roseanne and The Connors as Becky, and is under the expert direction of Steve Scott. The legend […]
“Blue” at Lyric – Life, Loss, Lament
By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel The area premiere of the intense “Blue” at the Civic Opera House demonstrates the wide range of emotion that can happen in a life together as a couple and bringing your child up in the modern day. A man in his youth who then begins his career, meets a […]
Everything’s Better Under the Sea at Drury Lane
By Cate Rees-Hessel Drury Lane’s stellar production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is simply magnificent; the entire cast is completely superb. Chicago favorite and the master of artful inflection, Sawyer Smith, in the role of Ursula, is first rate, giving a flawless performance that alone is worth the price of admission. Sultry and fabulous, Sawyer […]
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