Recent Articles
American Blues Opens New Theater With an Old Favorite
By Anna Hessel American Blues Theater opens their brand new facility with the annual classic of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!”; this 1940’s era radio broadcast simulation has become an area holiday tradition. In fact, at twenty years-plus, it’s the the second longest-running holiday play in the Windy City. The permanent location is […]
“The Nutcracker” by Joffrey – Magical, Iconic, Breathtaking
By D’Arcy Mies With Wes Hessel Their version is set in Chicago in December 1892, five months before the opening of the Columbian Exposition of 1893. The music and basic story remain the familiar classics, but with a creative local historical twist. Projected images of the Exposition, newspaper headlines of the day, and so on, […]
“Daughter” is a Regimented Revelry
By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel It’s been half a century since Donizetti’s opéra comiques “The Daughter of the Regiment (La fille du régiment)” trooped onto the Lyric Opera stage – this production, befitting of the military company in question, is triumphant and robust. On the surface Donizetti’s little light lilt, about a Marquise’s foundling […]
“Twelfth Night” in the Island Life…
By Anna Hessel Once again, Chicago Shakespeare brings us the very finest theatrical experience – their Caribbean-themed “Twelfth Night” is absolutely fabulous. The set is exquisite, as sand, wooden fencing, and palm trees transport the audience to the islands. The wicker sofa, chairs, chandeliers, as well as the beautifully lit arch upstage, are wonderful, too. […]
“Reflections: Voices of the Underrepresented” Represents
By Wes Hessel In an office building at 11 E. Adams St., on the east edge of the Loop is a hidden gem – a cozy, intimate concert venue likely unheard of by many. In its fifth year, Guarneri Hall seats 60 at most, and yet speaks volumes in the performances held within. The recital […]
Tank and the Bangas Hitting on All Cylinders
By Sydney Milligan with Wes Hessel In their recent show at the Auditorium Theatre, two-time Grammy nominees Tank and The Bangas were in rare form – they put on an incredible live concert, of which the set list included many of their biggest hits, such as “Black Folk” and “Stolen Fruit”, and songs from their […]
“Soldier Songs” Speaks Strongly
By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel Chicago Opera Theater opened its 50th season with the dynamic “Soldier Songs”, performed at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. This strident work, composed by David T. Little while still in his 20’s, pulled together the experiences of family and friends who were veterans of five separate conflicts, building […]
“The Flying Dutchman” – Stark, Stormy, Spellbinding…
By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel Lyric Opera opens the 2023-24 season with Wagner’s most haunting opera, “The Flying Dutchman”. One of his early great works, it is the story of a man looking for love, until he finds one woman who is willing to die for him. In nautical folklore, the Dutchman is condemned […]
Couple Gets “Welcome to Matteson!”
By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel Congo Square Theatre Company is part of a rolling world premiere of a dark comedy, “Welcome to Matteson!”, which the ensemble is presenting at Abbott Hall on Northwestern University’s Chicago Campus. A longtime resident couple, hosts another pair, recently relocated, for a dinner party – what’s really on the […]
Look for Something “Next to Normal” By Anna Hessel
Copley Theatre’s production of the musical “Next to Normal” is a stellar opening to what promises to be another amazing season of thought provoking and edgy theater. This show handles the subject of mental illness and loss beautifully. It’s very intense, but the excellent vocals and music lighten the mood at times, as does the […]
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