Open Forum
Chicago Shakespeare Excels with “Richard III”By Cate Rees-Hessel
Just when you think that Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier couldn’t produce an even better show, they do just that, with an exemplary production of “Richard III”. The deeply emotional show is theater at its finest; this amazing institution takes Shakespearean classics and infuses them with innovative new life – “Richard” is certainly no […]
“Selling Kabul” Excels
By Cate Rees-Hessel Northlight Theatre’s production of “Selling Kabul” is a gripping theatrical masterpiece – Hamid Dehghani’s direction is magnificent. This Pulitzer finalist play by Sylvia Khoury tells the sad and frightening story of an Afghan, a former interpreter for the departed American forces, who must remain in hiding for the safety of his loved […]
Chicago Shakespeare Invites Audiences to “Illinoise”
By Cate Rees-Hessel Chicago Shakespeare at Navy Pier’s production of the edgy, energetic musical “Illinoise”, based on the Sufjan Stevens’ heralded album “Illinois”, has something for everyone. A wonderful set, complete with a changing, realistic billboard, and lots of footage and fun costumes help give this play its dramatic flair. The amazing live band, whose […]
“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 […]
Paramount Rocks
By Anna Hessel Paramount Theater invites audiences to stick it to the man and live hardcore with their tremendous production, “School of Rock”. Audiences will remember the hit film starring Jack Black; the movie was great but I actually prefer the stage version – it’s fun and uplifting. Exquisitely directed by the incredible Trent Stork, […]
ABT On Point By: Anna with Wes Hessel
The world-renowned New York-based ballet corps was in Chicago for three performances this past weekend, and it was, as one would expect, exceptional. The first number was both classic and innovative, athletic with beauty and grace – an amazing piece of covorting and exuberance, with pretty costumes, understated and elegant. The second act contained two […]
World Premiere of Ballet 5:8’s Latest Work Coming By: Wes Hessel
Ballet 5:8, the women-led Chicago area troupe and school, will be performing for the first time their new original ballet, “BareFace”, adapted from the work of acclaimed author C.S. Lewis, at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance in Chicago’s iconic Millenium Park. Done by their up-and-coming movement company, the production is a futuristic, female-oriented […]
Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” Is Virtually And Visually Stunning
By D’Arcy Mies With Wes Hessel Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” Is Virtually And Visually Stunning Manual Cinema’s first live version of “A Christmas Carol”, now playing at Writers Theatre, is an intriguing, fascinating interpretation of the Dickens’ classic. Originally conceived in 2020 as a virtual production, it was then a play within a Zoom over […]
“Wonderful Life” – Twenty-One Years And Still Glowing…
By Wes Hessel “Wonderful Life” – Twenty-One Years And Still Glowing… For the past two decades plus one year, American Blues Theater has presented a holiday classic in a format true to its vintage roots: Frank Capra’s timeless masterpiece, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, as a radio play produced in 1944. Staged in the studio of […]
Chicago Shakespeare “Measures” Up By Wes & Anna Hessel
Chicago Shakespeare “Measures” Up By Wes & Anna Hessel Another stellar production, as we have come to expect from Chicago Shakespeare. A classic with a twist, “Measure for Measure” is set in Cuba in the 50’s. The costumes are fabulous, the lighting extraordinary, and the sets realistic, with incredible use of subdued backdrops of […]
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