Chicago Theatre Reviews by Richard Eisenhardt
The Boys from Syracuse
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Kyle
DeSantis, Drew DeSantis and William Osetek are presenting a new
adaptation of "The Boys from Syracuse," based on
Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" at Drury Lane
Oakbrook. For this production Director and Choreographer David
H. Bell has written his own version of the book by Broadway legend
George Abbott. Bell has assembled a strong cast of 27
performers who sing, act and dance up a storm. If you like
slapstick farce, you'll find the evening well worth viewing.
The show revolves around the escapades and romantic mix-ups of long seperated identical twins and their two servants who are also identical. In the roles of twins Antipholus of Syracuse and Ephesus are Ryan Reilly, who is replacing Tim Gregory who injured his ankle during the show's rehearsal, and Rod Thomas, who is returning to the Chicago stage after touring with "The Lion King". Thomas' stellar performance makes for a great welcome home with this show. In the roles of the servants Dromio are Devin DeSantis and Andrew Keltz.
Complications arise when Adriana, played by Susan Moniz, and Luciana, played by Tiffany Topol, mistake the two strangers as their husbands. Other memorable performances are by Melody Betts, George Keating, Michael Ehlers, Laura Scheinbaum and Bernie Yvon. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart composed songs you'll be able to come out singing, including "Falling in Love With Love," "This Can't Be Love," and "Sing for Your Supper". Two of three songs penned by Rodgers and Hart but not in the original production are "Everything I Got" and "Bottom Up".
The Keystone Cops romp is one you'll be rolling with laughter at. It's hard to believe that five of Shakespeare's plays have been adapted as musicals, however this is the first. You'll have to see the show to find out if the twins discover each other, find their father and who is married to whom. "The Boys from Syracuse" plays through September 28, 2008. Tickets are $28 to $33. Call (630) 530-0111.
On an Average Day
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
The
Route 66 Theatre Company is making its debuting with the first
Chicago production of "On an Average Day". The show
premiered in London in 2002 and opened in Los Angeles in March
2008. Stef Tovar, a company member of the American Theatre
Company who recently played "Knute Rockne" at Theatre at
the Center, returns to Chicago from California, where he appeared in
this show. Tovar is an outstanding actor and we hope he is home
to stay. Tovar is the Artistic Director of Route 66 and his
ensemble includes Ashley Bishop, Gloria Coco, Jaclyn Holsey, Heather
Meyers, John Mohrlein, Jacquey Rosati, Jennifer Weigel and Gwendolyn Whitside.
"Average Day" is a searing, often hilarious history of family disintegration, under the direction of Ron Klier, who also directed the John Kolvenbach play in California. It is a black comedy and also a psychological drama that shows the emotional fog surrounding the relationship between two estranged brothers. Robert (played by Johnny Clark) is clearly in desperate trouble and unraveling, just as his neat and controlled brother Jack (Stef Tovar) arrives after a long absence. The show evokes the tension of a mystery thriller through the lens of brutal family dysfunction.
The action takes place in the kitchen of their boyhood home. Both actors are very impressive and Clark offers a tour de force as the chaotic, paranoid soul who is victimized by shards of memory. Robert was arrested for attempting to murder the man who was offering him employment, but is now out on bail. To pay for his bail he puts the house up but is allowed to live there. Jack comes to the house carrying only a paper bag and the story then follows how they became what they are as the tension between them mounts. It takes one hour and forty minutes (with a 15 minute intermission) to unravel, but it is a strong evening of theatre that's well worth supporting. "Average Day" runs through September 6, 2008 at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theatre. Tickets are $25. Call (773) 871-3000.
Bleacher Bums
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
"Bleacher
Bums" has returned to the Chicago area where audiences are
getting a first-rate performance at the Metropolis Performing Arts
Centre in downtown Arlington Heights. I first saw a
professional performance of the play at the Organic Theatre and then
at the late Candlelight Forum, which invited Jack Brickhouse, the
voice of the Cubs. Another unique thing about that production
was before the show they served the audience hot dogs, hamburgers and
popcorn, all the things you can purchase at the friendly
confines. I live only five blocks from the Cubs ball park and
Chicago fans are getting an exciting season.
The show goes back to the 1970's and the fans who sat on a regular basis in the bleachers of Wrigley Field. "Bums" was written by the original cast and conceived by Joe Mantegna, a Chicagoan who is now located in Los Angeles. The show has a variety of characters that include Craig Dingle as Greg, who is blind but seems to sense what is happening on the field. Michael Gonring plays Richie, a gambler who bets on the game along with Decker (David Tibble). One of the fans is Marvin (Stephan Scalabrino), a high-roller who will bet on anything he feels he can win on.
Andy Gwyn plays Zig and Michelle Weissgerber is Melody, a sun goddess who loves the bleachers to bask in the sun. Jim Kozyra is the cheerleader for the cubs, Joe Messina is not only a security guard but also the field announcer, and Michael Etzkorn alternates with Kevin M. Gallagher as the young boy who loves his Cubbies. And yes, there is a seventh inning stretch where the audience is invited to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". The bleacher language is rough at times, and Director Joe Mohamed has assembled an excellent cast. Will the Cubs win the game to get into the World Series? See this show and find out. "Bleacher Bums" runs through September 6, 2008. Tickets are $27. Call (847) 577-2121.
The Full Monty
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
After
a touring version and one regional production on a proscenium stage,
"The Full Monty" is finally being staged in-the-round at
the Marriott Theatre. The musical is being directed and
choreographed by the brilliant Marc Robin and he, Terry James and
Aaron Thielen have asssembled one of their best casts for the
show. "The Full Monty" deals with a group of
out-of-work steel workers who decide to raise money by becoming
strippers when they see their wives and girlfriends go wild over
Keno, a Chippendale stripper (played by Scott Alan Jones).
K.C. Lupp returns to the Chicago stage as Jerry, the leader of the group who needs to raise money to maintain custody of his son Nathan (played by Matthew Levy). Jerry enlists fellow workers Dave (Joe Coots), Harold (Michael Gerhart), Horse (Milton Craig Nealy), Ethan (Jason Shuffler) and Malcolm (Stephen Schellhardt). One of the female standout performances is that of Alene Robertson as Jeanette Burmeister, the boys' accompanist. She is an absolute hoot with her wisecracking zingers, her acid tongue, her liquor flask and cigarette smoking. She also has one show-stopping number in the show.
Other first-rate performances are given by Zach Ford as Teddy, Summer Smart as Pam, Abby Mueller as Georgie, Kimberly Mellen as Vicki, and Tempe Thomas as Estelle. Others in the cast are Jeff Dumas, Holly Stauder, Karl Hamilton, James Earl Jones II and Robin Long. Some audience members will love the show, while it will be interesting to see the reaction of some suburban theatregoers. It's not a great show, but this is a first-rate production and well worth seeing for a fun evening of theatre. "The Full Monty" runs through September 21, 2008. Call (847) 634-0200.
Plaza Suite
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Eclipse
Theatre Company is reviving Neil Simon's trio of one-act plays known
as "Plaza Suite," in which all three plays take place at
the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The one-acts are prime, early
Simon, that are filled with the playwright's typical one-liners and
verbal zingers without losing the human touch. The first is the
longest of the three and portrays a marriage in painful decline.
Karen Nash books the suite to celebrate her 23rd or possibly 24th
wedding anniversary to her husband Sam. Gradually we observe
how Karen's marriage has lost its fizz in middle-age as Sam is going
through a mid-life crisis and the two no longer connect. Karen
has most of the funny lines but the wisecracks mask her pain and
confusion on how to rescue a marriage that is spiraling downward.
The second act is pure comedy. A visiting Hollywood producer has invited his high school sweetheart to the Plaza for an afternoon of nostalgia and hopefully seduction. The sweetheart, now a married woman who is living in New Jersey, puts up token resistance to the producer's lines of romantic hokum. The closing one-act is classic Simon. It's the wedding day for Mimsey Hurley, but she has unaccountably locked herself in the bathroom of the suite refusing to come out to join the wedding party. It's a rollercoaster of exasperation and humiliation as her father rants and pleads with his daughter while the mother is wringing her hands.
The playlet has a beautiful payoff, but not before Simon has provided thirty minutes of magnificent farcical hilarity. Director Steve Scott has assembled a first-rate cast that includes Cheri Chenoweth, CeCe Klinger, Eclipse's Artistic Director Nathaniel Swift, Frances Wilkerson, Nora Fiffer, Ted Hoerl, J.P. Pierson and Jon Steinhagen. "Plaza Suite" runs through August 31, 2008 at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theatre. Call (773) 871-3000.
Lookingglass Alice
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
"Lookingglass
Alice" is an original by the Lookingglass Theatre Company and
is returning for the third time. It's perfect summer fare and
it's third reincarnation won't disappoint its audience. The
show has had productions now from coast to coast.
"Alice" is directed and adapted by David Catlin, a member
of the Lookingglass ensemble in association with the Actors
Gymnasium. The show runs one hour and 40 minutes and the five
person cast all play multiple roles that are based on Lewis Carroll stories.
Lauren Hirte reprises her role of Alice and is the only actor who doesn't have multiple roles. Alice is the child who goes through the Lookingglass. Her acrobatics on the trapeze are absolutely breathtaking. When she arrives in Wonderland she is greeted by all manners of marvelous creatures. Lawrence E. Distassi plays the White Knight and the White Queen. The Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, Red Queen and others are played by Anthony Fleming III, Jesse J. Perez and Kevin Douglas.
The actors were all trained by the Actors Gymnasium and have appeared in previous versions. So it comes as no surprise that the extremely difficult stunt work like riding a unicycle, freefalling into open pits, juggling, tumbling, and metal stilt walking are executed to absolute perfection. The dark undertones of this extraordinary production should pose no problems for children who will find fun in the pratfalls of the Mad Hatter. It's a show for the whole family to see. "Alice" runs through August 31. Call (312) 337-0665.
Cirque Shanghai Gold
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
I
was introduced to the circus by my parents when I was five years
old. I saw it first at the old amphitheatre, which was next
door to the famous Chicago Stockyards and the Stockyard Inn.
Then it moved to the Stadium on Madison Street. For years I
never missed a circus. It now appears yearly at the Allstate
Arena and the United Center. For two years, "Cirque
Shanghai" has been appearing in the Skyline Stage on Navy
Pier. Now with the Olympics coming to China in August, a brand
new edition titled "Gold" is being staged for the summer in
Chicago. I missed the first two years, but I'm glad I caught
this year's presentation, which is a brand new show.
The only difference with this show is there are no animal acts, only acrobats. The show is directed by Sylvia Hase, a veteran of Ringling Brothers Circus, and Brenda Didier has staged the dances. Ms. Didier just won a Jeff citation for "The Life" at the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. You'll see the performers with plate spinning, hoop diving, juggling and an assortment of contortions. The show has 17 numbers and runs only 90 engrossing minutes. It boasts a cast of 30 performers. The cast invites up to four from the audience with the hula hoops.
Chen Yu is a little boy who piles cans and boards to make a tall structure that pitches under him while he executes handstands and other feats. The costumes are beautiful and colorful and I was in awe over several of the numbers. "The Wheel of Destiny" is spellbinding and brings the evening to an end. Tickets are $14.50 to $29.50. The show runs through September 1, 2008. There are 12 shows a week, and if you can take public transportation I suggest it. Call (312) 902-1500 for tickets.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
Dennis
DeYoung, who for many years was a member of the rock group
"Styx," has adapted the Victor Hugo epic book "The
Hunchback of Notre Dame" and turned it into a musical. Mr.
DeYoung has written the book, music and lyrics and David Zak has
scored a coup in getting the rights to stage the show at Bailiwick
Repertory. "Hunchback" is one of the first Equity
productions in Bailiwick's history. The show has 24 songs,
features 22 actors and runs 2 hours 30 minutes.
While "Hunchback" is a major classic book, it also was a major motion picture with Charles Laughton as Quasimodo and Maureen O'Hara as Esmerelda. DeYoung solidly translates Hugo's tale of the evil priest, a beautiful gypsy and a ridiculed hunchback into an exciting musical. Among the first-rate, aria-laden musical numbers you will hear are "Who Will Love This Child," "Esmerelda," "With Every Heart Beat," "Paradise," "Ave Maria," "Come Behold" and "When I Dance With You". The pit orchestra is made up of four musicians.
A show like this is very expensive and is in the vein of "Les Miserables". After seeing the show I can only hope it gets the funding to be done on Broadway, that the public supports the show. DeYoung sat in on every rehearsal, he and Zak have assembled some top performers for the production, and both can be proud of the cast. The ensemble of Parisian gypsies, soldiers and peasants sing, dance and sizzle in the square of the Notre Dame cathedral. The choreography is in the hands of Brenda Didier and Andrew Waters.
George Andrew Wolff gives a soul-piercing performance as the reviled bell ringer Quasimodo, and he has a strong tenor singing voice that conveys the inner purity of his character. Jeremy Rill is an up and coming musical performer who gives a powerful performance as Father Frollo. Esmerelda is played by Dana Tretta, who resembles Patti Lupone, small in size but a strong singer and actress. Michael Harnichar is perfect as the nasty, evil Gudule. James Rank is Phoebus, one of the soldiers, and veteran actress/singer Liz Pazik is the gypsy woman Mahlette. With the adjustment of a few problematic scenes that lead into the songs, this show is destined to be a major hit. Opening night the show received a standing ovation and I am sure this extravaganza will continue to do so. You won't regret seeing this show. "Hunchback" has been extended through August 31, 2008. Tickets are $25 to $45. Call (773) 883-1090.
I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass)
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
The
Black Ensemble Theatre, under the direction and leadership of Ms.
Jackie Taylor, rarely disappoints her audience and her new show
"I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass)" is no
exception. Besides Pendergrass' hits, you'll hear three new
songs that he has written with Bill Jolly for the show. The
biography musical tells how Teddy Pendergrass gained recognition with
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1972. Thanks to
Pendergrass' exceptional singing, the group skyrocketed to fame and
received national attention with such hits as "I Miss You,"
"Bad Luck" and "Wake Up Everybody". Like
many artists, he made the decision to go solo in 1977 and his raw,
soulful style turned the music industry upside down.
The show offers such Pendergrass hits as "Close the Door," "Turn off the Lights," "Joy," "The Love I Lost," "Power of Love," "When Somebody Loves You Back" and "You are My Greatest Inspiration". Ms. Taylor has once again hired a powerful group of 13 professionals who can sing, dance and make the story work. The title role of Teddy Pendergrass is being played by two actors, Kevin McIlvaine and Rashawn Thompson. Others in various roles and the ensemble are Carrie, Tony Dawson, Atikin D'Hayes, Rueben Echoles, Kristy Johnson, Melanie McCullough, Dawn Mitchell, Dwight Neal, Rhonda Preston, Billy Simmons and Andre Wood. The show features seven musicians in the orchestra.
It's unfortunate that in 1982 this talent suffered a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, making him a quadriplegic. But through the strength of God and his friends, it didn't deter his ambitions as an artist, winning five Grammy awards in 36 years of performing. The three new songs written for the show are "I Am Who I Am," "A Mother's Love" and "Thus Far By Faith". The story shows that with faith and determination, nothing is impossible. It runs a little over 2 hours with intermission. The show has an open run with no closing date set. Tickets are $45. Call (773) 769-4451.
A Steady Rain
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
After
a successful six week run at the Chicago Dramatists Theatre, New
York producers Jono Gero, Frank Gero and Ray Gaspard are bringing
Keith Huff's "A Steady Rain" to the Royal George
Theatre. The show deals with two Chicago policemen, Denny
(played by Randy Steinmeyer) and Joey (played by Peter DeFaria) as
they explore love and rage on the streets of Chicago. A routine
domestic disturbance call sends them on a harrowing journey that
tests their loyalties and their lives forever. It is a raw,
gritty and gripping story of a good cop and bad cop that deals with
alcohol and racism issues. The two-character play runs a
powerful 95 minutes.
Keith Huff's play has a great future in the small Off Broadway and regional theatres, and Russ Tutterow's direction is right on target as it hits the bullseye. The story builds as the two characters must deal with personal issues and a major mistake finds them making decisions that cause problems with each other. We find Joey has a problem with drinking and Denny does his best to keep him away from alcohol. On the other hand, Denny takes bribes and can't see why he keeps getting passed over for promotions. The show opens with two separate monologues that set the pace for the show. "A Steady Rain" has been extended through October 5, 2008. Tickets range from $35 to $45, with discounts for students, seniors, Police, firefighters and uniformed personnel. Call (312) 988-9000 or (312) 902-1500.
About Richard Eisenhardt
(Right)
Richard Eisenhardt co-hosts the Chicago Stage Talk radio show with
Chicago theatre legends John Reeger and Paula Scrofano.
Richard Eisenhardt is a lifelong Chicago theatre fan whose theatregoing experience traces over half a century. Richard fell in love with live performances at the age of five when his parents took him to the Ice Follies, Ringing Brothers Circus and a revue featuring Olsen and Johnson. His first major Broadway musical was at the age of fifteen when his parents took him to see "South Pacific" with Janet Blair and Richard Eastham at the old Shubert (now LaSalle Bank) Theatre. When the Chicago Theatre, State Lake Theatre, United Artist and Oriental Theatre ran movies and stage shows, he went on a regular basis. He also purchased season tickets for shows at the Blackstone, Shubert, Harris, Selwyn, Great Northern and Erlanger, where the Theatre Guild and later Nederlander organization booked major Broadway tours prior to Broadway in Chicago taking over the market.
Before regional theatre, Chicago had its share of summer stock and dinner theatres and Richard had season tickets for all of them, including Drury Lane South at 95th and Western. In 1976 he attended a production of "Dillinger" at Victory Gardens Theatre when they staged shows at Club Metro. The play was written by William J. Norris and starred William Peterson. The show got decent reviews, but on a Friday night that Richard purchased a ticket, there were no more than 20 people in the audience. Richard felt it was necessary to make people aware of regional theatre in Chicago and decided to put together a homemade publication called "Theatre 76." Every year the date changed and it gave free publicity to theatres throughout Chicago and the suburbs from 1976 through 1995. Richard's reviews have appeared in Streetwise for fourteen years and also Our Village Publications. Richard says "There is nothing like live theatre - long may it live."