British choreographer Cathy Marston’s enthralling production of “Jane Eyre,” is now being performed with stellar artistry and deep emotional insight by the Joffrey Ballet even though not a single word is spoken throughout the performance.
Stories by Hedy Weiss
Stardom and Mortality Battle It Out in ‘Sunset Boulevard’
A musical-opera hybrid, “Sunset Boulevard” captures the dual face of Hollywood as a dream factory and a dream destroyer. And it spins the haunting tale of Norma Desmond, an aging, once fabled star.
Art Is Love in Endearing ‘Man of No Importance’
“A Man of No Importance,” now receiving an altogether beautiful, heartrending production by Pride Films and Plays, features exceptionally fluid, comedy-meets-tragedy direction by Donterrio Johnson and an ideal cast.
A Smashing Debut by Pianist Sunwook Kim at Thrilling CSO Concert
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was at its rip-roaring best Friday as award-winning pianist Sunwook Kim made a simply smashing debut with the orchestra.
It’s Time to Declare a ‘Year of Chicago Dance’
The City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theaters declared 2019 “The Year of Chicago Theatre.” But anyone who has been following dance in Chicago in recent years will attest to the fact that it is now time to declare a “Year of Chicago Dance.”
‘A Man of Good Hope’ Captures Immigrant’s Plight with Stunning Artistry
Based on the book by Jonny Steinberg, “A Good Man of Hope,” is a heart-wrenching, fiercely honest, staggeringly beautiful production by South Africa’s extraordinary Isango Ensemble now on stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
‘Oslo’ An Enthralling Exploration of How Personal Diplomacy (Almost) Worked
J.T. Rogers’ superbly crafted, whip-smart, at times fancifully (and farcically) imagined 2017 Tony Award-winning play captures the efforts of a Norwegian husband-and-wife team to forge a peace process between the Israeli government and the PLO.
In ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ A List Becomes a Reminder of Why Life is Worth Living
Ingeniously conceived and cleverly directed, this immersive show features a not-to-be-missed solo turn by Rebecca Spence, a captivating actress of extraordinary skill, charm and improvisational brilliance.
CSO’s Opening Salvo in Beethoven 250th Birthday Celebration Proves Composer Forever Young
When thinking about Beethoven, the emphasis should not be on the fact that he was born two and a half centuries ago. Rather, it should be on the fact that his music remains uncannily timeless – vividly alive and fully connected to the moment.
Two Early 20th Century British Classics Adapted for the Stage
Two groundbreaking novels – E.M. Forster’s “Howards End” and D. H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” – are currently receiving world premiere productions on Chicago stages. And despite their creation more than a century ago, they remain exceptionally timely.
CSO Opens Season with Glorious Grieg, Stunning Shostakovich and More
Magnificent. That is the most fitting description of Thursday evening’s program at Symphony Center that marked the start of Maestro Riccardo Muti’s 10th season as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
An Advice Columnist Taps into the Pain, Poetry and ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ of Life
In 2010, Cheryl Strayed rather reluctantly agreed to write an unpaid online advice column under the name of “Dear Sugar.” Those columns come to life in this beauty of a show, artfully adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”).
Basketball Diplomacy Takes a Great Theatrical Leap Forward at Steppenwolf
Playwright Lauren Yee possesses a special gift for animating and personalizing history, and for penning exceptionally dynamic dialogue. And although not a single basketball is dropped into a hoop during “The Great Leap,” the sport comes to life.
‘Be Here Now’ a Tragicomic Gem About Seizing the Day
Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer, whose play “Be Here Now” is receiving its Chicago premiere in a bravura production by Shattered Globe Theatre, has an exceptional gift for being at once sharp-witted and compassionate.
Lyric Opera Names Its Next Music Director: Enrique Mazzola
The Italian conductor has been named as “music director designate” at Lyric Opera Chicago, where Sir Andrew Davis will retire as music director at the end of the 2020-2021 season.
3D Ghost of Maria Callas Gives a Remarkable Performance at Lyric Opera
At once eerie, astonishing and altogether fascinating, “Maria Callas in Concert” recently brought the legendary diva back to life for what was a singular and wholly uncanny performance.
‘The Band’s Visit’ Captures the Special Magic of an Unexpected Encounter
Expect no flashy spectacle, lavish dance numbers or any of the other standard ingredients of Broadway musicals. But be assured that “The Band’s Visit” – now making a brief stop at the Cadillac Palace Theatre as part of its national tour – comes with its very own unique magic.
Chicago Dance Crash’s Wonderfully Fresh ‘Lil Pine Nut’ Deserves a Remount
As highly animated as the show might be, “Lil Pine Nut: The Learning Curve of Pinocchio” is no Disney-style version of a universally popular story.
Jeff Award Nominations a Reminder of the Season Spotlighted as ‘Year of Chicago Theater’
Porchlight Music Theatre tops this year’s list with 17 nominations while the Paramount Theatre earns 16 and Court Theatre garners 15. Here are the 2019 Jeff nominees in the major categories.
Ravinia’s Production of ‘Candide’ Brings Bernstein Celebration to a Glittering Close
This was an exceedingly elaborate production for what was a one-night-only event, and it brought together performers fully at ease with the show’s demonically difficult score and wildly witty lyrics.
Sting: The Englishman Who Can Still Rock a Crowd With Meditations on Love
An impeccable set of iconic songs by the 17-time Grammy Award winner before a crowd of 16,000 at the Ravinia Festival suggested why he has remained such an enduring musical artist for more than four decades.
‘Into the Woods’ a Musical Reminder to Be Careful What You Wish For
One of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular works is now on stage at Writers Theatre in a sophisticated, powerfully sung, environmentally enveloping production directed by longtime Sondheim aficionado Gary Griffin.
A Joyful Meeting of East and West as Shanghai Symphony Makes Ravinia Debut
In addition to the beauty of the music, there was the enduring thought that the very best way to ease the current East-West tensions would be to send the politicians on both sides packing and let the musicians take over the job.
‘Dance for Life’ Celebrates Multifaceted Brilliance of Chicago’s Dance Scene
This year’s gala concert was in many ways the sharpest production to date, with bravura performances by Giordano Dance Chicago, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Chicago Dance Crash and a slew of others.
Mark Larson’s ‘Ensemble’ Captures Chicago Theater History in Creators’ Own Words
Mark Larson’s encyclopedic new book chronicles the development of a unique artistic movement in Chicago through the voices of more than 300 actors, directors, designers, writers, choreographers and producers.
