Recent Articles
A Conflict Between Two Women Looms Large
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Flo Mano and Wes Hessel Promethean Theatre Ensemble has the Chicago premiere of “Blood of the Lamb” by Arlene Hutton. Director Anna S. Bahow chose to double cast this dark, intimate story of a two-woman thriller in alternate performances of Heather Dennis as Nessa/Kristen D’Aurelio as Val, and Meghann Tabor as […]
Are “Sisters” What You Make Of Them?
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Flo Mano and Wes Hessel Being an only child can be very lonely – single children often want a sister or brother. “Sisters”, written by Matthew Libby and under the able direction of Jessica Thebus, opens the 35th season of Writers Theatre. This play showcases mixed reality in a digital world, […]
“Mean Girls” Means Business…
By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel Paramount Theatre’s production of “Mean Girls” is a high energy pink explosion of female empowerment. This delightful production has an extremely charming set, colorful and pretty with wonderful projections, sensational silhouettes, and very cute props, including bed and living rooms that are inviting and cozy. The costumes are appropriate, […]
“Come From Away” And Nearby To Experience Marriott’s Fabulous Production (extended to October 25th!)
By Cate Rees-Hessel Chicago Marriott Theater’s well-directed, stellar production of “Come From Away” is a tribute to the human spirit and those ordinary yet extraordinary heroes of 9/11. As we remember with sadness the 25th anniversary of the horrific attacks on our nation, let us also recall the unity of mankind. “Be anxious for nothing” […]
“…Buddy Holly Story” Rocks the Drury Lane Stage
By Cate Rees-Hessel Drury Lane’s stellar production of “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” is full of energy and fabulous music. Both vocals and instrumentals are spot-on, the acting excellent; costumes are period appropriate and fun. I especially liked the lighting – in the scene depicting Buddy’s last concert, for example, Holly’s wedding ring is […]
Seven Decades Later, “West Side Story” Still Resonates
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano The Jets and the Sharks, Tony and Maria – Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s megaclassic “West Side Story”, presented by Music Theater Works, and seamlessly directed by Sasha Gerritson, is not to be missed. Conducted nuancedly by Justin Kono with a 24-piece orchestra, and superbly choreographed by Clayton Cross […]
“Hail Mary/Maria” – A Filipino Coming of Age
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Nova Entertainment’s “Hail Mary/Maria” is a hilarious and touching play penned by RJ Silva, with the sensitivity of young, yearning, blooming love in uncharted waters of cultural customs and the like. Directed by Adam Reed, it is a biographic story of a young shy Filipino student Kid, short actually […]
We Love Oil Lamp Because…It Is A Wonderful Theater
By Cate Rees-Hessel Oil Lamp’s production of “I Love You Because…” is a delightful musical that explores the complexities of various relationships: dating, brotherhood, best friends, and co-workers are all chronicled in this high energy musical. Acting is strong, all six roles unique and well crafted by the talented cast, their comic timing excellent and […]
“Marble” At The Dream
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Could a vivid dream become reality? Irish playwright Marina Carr’s existential play “Marble” had it’s Chicago premiere at The Gift Theater. Kay Martinovich’s direction balances the psychological depth and dark humor of two affluent couples lives disrupted by subconscious, surreal obsession, unraveling their mundane existence and moral compass. The […]
“yo ho” And Off They Go…
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Babes with Blades’ production of the unique “yo ho” makes for an interesting tale, based on a true story of Anne Bonny (Rachel Sleek-Banuelos) and Mary Read (Sierra Buffman), two famous female pirates disguised as men named Mark and Andy, respectively, in the 18th century, who served under Calico […]
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