Recent Articles
“Bonnie’s Last Flight” Is Fraught With Hilarity
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Get your boarding passes to enter a magnificent airplane for “Bonnie’s Last Flight” – Regina Garcia’s mockup of a Boeing 737 with “Smelta Airlines” transformers the small Rivendell space admirably; the turbulence sounds by designer Satya Chávez, and blackouts as a part of Garrett Bell’s lighting design add well […]
Zerillo Realty Welcomes Three New Brokers To Firm
By Wes Hessel The realty firm of Norridge has now added a second location in Schaumburg, as well as a trio of new real estate specialists to assist you in buying or selling your home or business property. First is John Foley, who has built an exceptional local market knowledge, including Park Ridge, Norridge, Harwood […]
Northlight’s Latest Production is “Front Page” News
By Wes Hessel Debuting their lovely new home in downtown Evanston, returning to their original stomping grounds, Northlight Theatre has picked right up where they left off, with another excellent, entertaining theatrical work. The lead here is “Front Page”, a lively look at the Windy City in the 1930’s earning the true meaning of its […]
“Ride The Cyclone” Asks What Should We Choose
By Wes Hessel with Fran Besyk “Ride the Cyclone” is inspired by the tragic loss of the playwright Jacob Richmond‘s sister, who lost her life in a Vancouver incident protecting a teenager. Based on that information, one would think the musical would be dark and sad, but it is not. The production at Metropolis Performing […]
Ride The Lovely Merry-Go-Round With “Liliom”
By Wes Hessel with D’Arcy Mies Based on the same story as “Carousel”, the first half of The Joffrey’s entrancing “Liliom” is set at an amusement park called Playland, the dancing woven through it, while Act Two is much more ethereal. The Balloon Man, a mime-like clown with a large bunch of balloons, is a […]
At Chicago Shakes, It’s “Play On!”
By Wes Hessel with D’Arcy Mies Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier’s production of “Play On!” is “Twelfth Night” set in the Harlem Renaissance. It starts with great outfits, including a costume design display in the lobby. The plot definitely stays true to and close with Shakespeare’s original, but I was delighted that this modern […]
Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Redtwist Theater opens its 22nd season with the world premiere of Erik Gernand’s dark comedy “Prayer Circle”. Upon entering the narrow space I was awed by the illuminated kaleidoscope stained glass cross – felt like I was entering an actual church; kudos to scenic designer Jeff Brain. The show […]
“Kowalski” Fires Up The Stage (Extended to November 8th!)
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel The absolutely stellar production of “Kowalski” at Lookingglass Theater is riveting, masterful, and mesmerizing. The entire cast is superb with Johnny Galecki and Jacob Moskovitz in the lead roles – these two actors are a tour de force on stage. Audiences will recognize Mr. Moskovitz from the Amazon hit […]
In “The Humanities”, The Emphasis Is On “Human”
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Flo Mano The world premiere of “The Humanities” by Zayad Ayers Dohrn, directed by Edward Torres, is the feature at the newly reopened Victory Gardens Theater. The minimalist stage is well done, with racks of clothes, a couch, chair, and bookcases, complete with interesting and attractive decor which interchanges between scenes. […]
The Doctor Is In At Black Ensemble Theater
By Cate Rees-Hessel Just when you think Black Ensemble Theater can’t top their last fabulous production, they do just that – “You Can’t Fake The Funk” is absolutely spectacular. This remake of the 2019 show is brilliantly written and directed by BET artistic director Darryl Brooks, whose creative genius continues to show in this high […]
Follow Us!