Stories by hedy weiss

Talia Langman leads the cast as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in “When There are Nine” at Pride Arts Center. (Credit: Tom McGrath / TCMcG Photography)

In ‘When There are Nine,’ a New Play About Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the End Triggers Memories of All That Came Before

A new play about the life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Pride Arts Center imagines her final reflections on a remarkable life. 

Donica Lynn performs in the Porchlight Music Theatre’s “Blues in the Night,” which runs Feb. 9 - March 13 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts. (Credit: Anthony Robert La Penna)

‘Blues in the Night,’ a Talent-Filled Musical Revue, Chases the Blues Away

“Blues in the Night” at Porchlight Music Theatre is a talent-filled production that will leave you flying high. 

Conductor Marin Alsop leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Barber’s Symphony No. 1. (Credit: Todd Rosenberg)

A Rachmaninov Piano Concerto (and More) Rocks Orchestra Hall as Marin Alsop Conducts the CSO

Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor,” is a nerve-shatteringly difficult work. Backed by the full orchestra, which was in its usual sublime form, Lukas Vondracek rendered the extraordinary work with a superb mix of both titanic power and surprising lyricism.

Omar Nieves, Gary Cooper, Drew Redington (Credit: Liz Lauren)

Marriott’s Dance-Fueled ‘West Side Story’ Remains True to a Classic

The Marriott Theatre’s “West Side Story” opened Wednesday night in a production especially notable for its rip-roaring Latin and jazz-infused dance sequences choreographed by Alex Sanchez.

Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company returned to the Auditorium Theatre Feb. 5, 2022, for a dynamic and thunderous performance. (Courtesy of Chelsea Hoy)

Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company in High-Stepping Form at Auditorium Theatre

Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company returned to the stage of the Auditorium Theatre for the first time since the pandemic drove it away two years ago for a thunderous performance.

“Women of Soul” runs through March 6 at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport. (Courtesy of Brett Beiner)

A Rip-Roaring Homage to “Women of Soul” at Mercury Theater Chicago

“Women of Soul,” which runs through March 6 at Mercury Theater Chicago, is a powerhouse revue featuring a long list of decades-spanning singers. 

Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings) in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” at the Goodman Theatre. (Liz Lauren photo)

An Epic August Wilson Play Receives a Monumental Production at the Goodman Theatre

August Wilson, the playwright who so brilliantly chronicled African American life in each decade of the 20th century, waited until very late in his career before writing “Gem of the Ocean.” The play is given a riveting production at the Goodman Theatre. 

Annelle (Ayanna Bria Bakari, left) tries to tempt her sister Janet (Jaye Ladymore) into enjoying a night on the town in Tyla Abercrumbie’s new play “Relentless.” (Brett Beiner Photography)

Tyla Abercrumbie’s ‘Relentless’ Digs Deep Into Rarely Explored Aspects of a Black Family’s History

Tyla Abercrumbie's riveting drama “Relentless” is receiving its world premiere production by Timeline Theatre, running through Feb. 26. 

Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti leads Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Robert Chen, Associate Concertmaster Stephanie Jeong, Assistant Concertmaster David Taylor, and Assistant Concertmaster Yuan-Qing Yu in Vivaldi’s Concerto in B Minor for Four Violins and Cello. (Credit Todd Rosenberg Photography)

The CSO in a Resounding Homage to the Baroque

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra traveled back in time with a program of works by early 18th century Baroque masters Antonio Vivaldi and George Frideric Handel. 

Branford Marsalis performed at Orchestra Hall with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. (Courtesy of Eric Ryan Anderson)

Capturing the Intersection of Classical and Jazz with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Branford Marsalis

The goal behind the concert at Orchestra Hall, which featured the notably “conductorless” New York-based Orpheus Chamber Orchestra along with saxophone master Branford Marsalis, was to explore the intriguing early intersection of classical and jazz music. 

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform a program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Suite from “Swan Lake” on Jan. 20, 2022. (Credit: Todd Rosenberg Photography)

CSO Boldly Explores Tchaikovsky Scores Inextricably Linked to Ballet

What this glorious, superbly performed concert did prove was that listening to these works without the element of dance that ordinarily is a crucial partner of the music, you begin to hear them in a wonderfully fresh and exciting way. 

(Courtesy of Symphony Center)

Pianist Igor Levit’s Orchestra Hall Concert Heightened the Art of Listening

Pianist Igor Levit’s riveting concert at Orchestra Hall on Sunday afternoon not only displayed his technical brilliance but also raised the art of listening to a science.

Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in an all-Beethoven program on January 13, 2022. (Credit Todd Rosenberg Photography)

A Night of Sheer Brilliance, Maestro Muti & CSO’s Bravura Musicians Prove Beethoven is Forever New

Maestro Riccardo Muti was in stellar form during Thursday night’s concert in Orchestra Hall. He clearly is in love with the indomitable musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and they return that passion with a magnificent combination of sound and fury and absolute beauty.

Sasha Hutchings, Sean Grandillo and the company of the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “OKLAHOMA!” (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

National Touring Production of ‘Oklahoma!’ Wreaks Havoc on a Musical Theater Classic

The production is a sad introduction for new audiences and a spirit-crushing experience for those who’ve seen “Oklahoma!” many times throughout the years.

(Courtesy of Hershey Felder Presents)

Paying Homage to an Artistic Collaborator in Hershey Felder’s ‘Mozart and Figaro in Vienna’

The “musical film” is a fascinating look at the creation of “The Marriage of Figaro,” the first of the composer’s three major operas in Italian.

 Jake Siswick, the show’s 13-year-old star - and an actor-dancer of impressive skill and a remarkably natural stage presence - was able to grab the audience’s heart from start to finish. (Credit: Brett Beiner)

While Plagued by Sound Problems, Dance Became the Most Audible Element in Music Theater Works’ ‘Billy Elliot’

From almost the very first note it was apparent that something was very wrong with the sound system and miking, and much of the dialogue and singing, all along the way, was either inaudible or garbled. In fact, the only clear sound came from the orchestra, seated in the pit and led by Michael McBride.

Jasmine Lacy Young (front, left to right), Patrick O’Keefe, Wesly Anthony Clerge, Roy Samra (back, left to right) Chamaya Moody, Mia Nevarez, Alli Atkenson and Matt Patrick perform n “8-Track.” (Photo by Liz Lauren)

‘8-Track’ Brilliantly Taps Into the Emotional Heat and Exuberance of Songs From a Turbulent Era

While its score may be classic retro, the songs are performed with great authenticity by artists who came of age decades after the baby boomers and Generation Xers who grew up with them.

Justin Berkowitz (left to right), Matt Boehler, Martin Bakari, Leah Dexter and Amy Owens perform in “Becoming Santa Claus.” (Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Imagining Santa Claus’ Childhood in a Chicago Opera Theater Production

Have you ever wondered what Santa Claus’ childhood was like? Or why he’s so driven to take off from the North Pole for an arduous worldwide trip each Christmas Eve? The answers to those questions can be found in the 90-minute opera “Becoming Santa Claus.” 

CSO Artist-in-Residence Hilary Hahn performs Dvorak’s Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by guest conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. (Credit: Anne Ryan)

At the CSO, Bravura Turns by Violinists Ray Chen and Hilary Hahn, and Much More

Two different concerts by the ever-remarkable Chicago Symphony Orchestra arrived on the Orchestra Hall stage. Each came with a fascinating CSO-commissioned new work, a superb visiting conductor, and breathtaking performances by the phenomenal virtuoso violinists.

Cordelia Dewdney as Kit in “Mr. Dickens’ Hat.” (Photo by Michael Brosilow)

A Tip of the Hat to ‘Mr. Dickens’ Hat’ and Its Beguiling Twist on Charles Dickens’ Legacy

Every performer in this demanding show is multitalented and able to deftly shift from one character and mood to another in record time. 

The Joffrey Ballet ensemble in “The Nutcracker.” (Photo by Todd Rosenberg)

The Joffrey Ballet’s Lavish ‘Nutcracker’ Lights Up the Lyric Opera House Stage

Pure winter magic. The Joffrey Ballet’s altogether unique production of “The Nutcracker,” has never looked more glorious or been danced more ideally.

Gary Griffin (left), Stephen Sondheim and Chicago Shakespeare Theater Founder Barbara Gaines pose for a picture. (Courtesy of Michael Litchfield)

Unforgettable Moments in Chicago Productions of Sondheim Musicals

In the wake of Stephen Sondheim’s death, a look back at his impact on Chicago theater. 

Daniel Binelli performs Piazzolla’s Bandoneon Concerto (Aconcagua) with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. (Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg)

Celebrating the Centennial of Tango Master Astor Piazzolla in Grand Style

Two remarkable concerts took place recently in Chicago and were designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Astor Piazzolla – the composer who transformed the traditional tango into an irresistible classical music hybrid.

The cast of Marriott Theatre’s production of “Kiss Me, Kate.” (Provided)

At the Marriott, a Broadway-Worthy Rendering of Cole Porter’s ‘Kiss Me, Kate’

The infrequently revived 1948 musical gem boasts a brilliant score by Cole Porter of nearly 20 knockout songs, almost all of which are classics. It’s a wonderfully clever play-within-a-play book by Sam and Bella Spewack that owes a deep debt of gratitude to that guy by the name of William Shakespeare.

Hubbard Street Dancers Kevin J. Shannon, Alyssa Allen, Alysia Johnson, and Andrew Murdock performing “Jardi Tancat” by Nacho Duato. (Photo by Michelle Reid)

Hubbard Street Dancers Make a Remarkable ‘RE/TURN’

Hubbard Street’s phoenix-like rebirth was fully on display this weekend in an aptly titled program, “RE/TURN,” that featured three fascinating, superbly performed pieces.

Sidney DuPont as Washington Henry, A.J. Shively as Owen Duignan and Ensemble in “Paradise Square” (© Kevin Berne)

‘Paradise Square’ Does a Fierce and Timely Dance Into a Civil War Era Racial Uprising

What really blows this show out of the park is its knockout dancing, and the brilliant choreography by Bill T. Jones that in many ways is more potent than any spoken dialogue.