Theater Reviews

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story'

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:04:33 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com theater critic Alissa Norby wrote in her 3.5 out of 5.0 review of the new Chicago musical “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”:

Alissa Norby wrote:Producer Kyle DeSantis has ingeniously transferred this joyous and colorful piece to an intimate Chicago theatre where (judging by the audience response on opening night) it clearly has plans to bop to the top. If your heart isn’t racing after every number, you might want to check your pulse.

Read Alissa Norby’s full “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” review in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'On an Average Day' with Stef Tovar, Johnny Clark

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:16:11 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com theater critic Alissa Norby wrote in her highly recommended 4.5 out of 5.0 review of the new Chicago play “On an Average Day” at the Victory Gardens Theater:

Alissa Norby wrote:The performances by both Stef Tovar and Johnny Clark are arguably two of the best Chicago has witnessed all year. These are performers who view and treat acting as a true craft. Being able to watch their work up close is as hypnotizing and surreal as experiencing a glass blower create his sculptures from mere sand.

Read Alissa Norby’s full “On an Average Day” review in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Relatively Close' at Chicago's Victory Gardens

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:06:52 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Alissa Norby wrote in her 2.0 out of 5.0 review of the new play “Relatively Close” at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre:

Alissa Norby wrote:Now comes “Relatively Close,” which is a new work by Chicago playwright James Sherman that has great aspirations yet is too convoluted to achieve any of them.

Read Alissa Norby’s full review of “Relatively Close” in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' at Chicago's Raven Theatre

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:04:27 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Dustin Levell wrote in his 3.5 out of 5.0 review of the new play “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at Chicago’s Raven Theatre:

Dustin Levell wrote:Chosen by Chicago’s Raven Theatre to close out its 25th year, director Michael Menendian and his cast of quick wits do the Neil Simon masterpiece great justice.

Read Dustin Levell’s full review of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Avenue Q' at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:58:39 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Patrick McDonald wrote in his 2.5 out of 5.0 review of the new musical “Avenue Q” at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre:

Patrick McDonald wrote:There is an old show-business saying that a “cheap laugh is better than no laugh”. “Avenue Q” practically bases its whole show on that adage. Still, the audience had a rollicking good time with the premise.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Avenue Q” in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'The Mark of Zorro' at Chicago's Lifeline Theatre

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:33:43 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Adam Fendelman wrote in his 2.5 out of 5.0 review of the new play “The Mark of Zorro” at Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre:

Adam Fendelman wrote:Sometimes less, of course, is more. Live theater often knows that better than anyone. That’s exactly the shrill reminder Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre needed in Katie McLean’s adaptation of the beloved Zorro book by Johnston McCulley.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “The Mark of Zorro” in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Shout! The Mod Musical' is infectiously groovilicious

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:51:24 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Adam Fendelman wrote in his review of the new musical “Shout! The Mod Musical”:

Adam Fendelman wrote:The musical is the story of five fab women in London being liberated as children of the swinging 60s with the hair, heart and soul of the twist-and-shout generation.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Shout! The Mod Musical” in our news section.

HollywoodChicago.com theater review: 'Old Town' on Chicago's political machine

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:56:58 -0700

HollywoodChicago.com critic Adam Fendelman wrote in his review of the new play “Old Town” about Chicago’s political machine:

Adam Fendelman wrote:As a testament to its set design, it wasn’t immediately clear if certain structures were naturally part of the Strawdog Theatre space or if they were fabricated specifically for the “Old Town” production. It turned out to be the latter as this story of Chicago’s political machine unfolded with song, dance, wit, a relatively large cast and a 10-piece live band.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Old Town” in our news section.