Theater Review

CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.

CHICAGO – Just in time for Pride Month, Strawdog Theatre Co. presents an updated staging of the Oscar Wilde classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Strawdog policy … the tickets are FREE (donations encouraged), but you must put in a reservation by clicking EARNEST.

CHICAGO – One of the open secrets of Chicago is its horrible racist past, which remains like an echo. Playwright Joshua Allen has been exploring this theme in his Grand Boulevard Trilogy – the last chapter talking place during the infamous 1919 race riots – in Raven Theatre’s “The Prodigal Daughter.” For tickets and info, click TPD.

CHICAGO – When in the presence of a powerful acting force like Michael Shannon, the depth of performance is emotional and passionately essential. He co-leads with Travis A. Knight in Red Orchid Theatre’s World Premiere of Levi Holloway’s “Turret,” just extended to June 22nd at the Chopin Theatre.

CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).

CAMPBELL, CA – The PM Theater of New York City will bring a touring production of their Off-Broadway hit “A Star Without a Name” to the Starbright Theater in Campbell, California on April 13th and 14th, 2024 (click here for tickets/info) The following is a review from last weekend’s show (April 7th) in Chicago, Illinois.

CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

CHICAGO – As we’re well into the 21st Century, we seem to have more challenges than solutions. The latest stage play from Chicago’s Raven Theatre performs this in “brother sister cyborg space,” now playing through March 17th, 2024. Click SPACE for tickets/info.

CHICAGO – The internet has invented news ways to harass people, and the category of celebrity has taken the brunt force of it all. Dana Delany is one such A-lister, who began an online communication with a anonymous teen, and tells about it live in “Highway Patrol,” at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre through February 18th. For information and tickets, click HIGHWAY.

CHICAGO – Marriage is a complex dynamic, and the subtle but effective “In Quietness,” currently at Chicago’s Red Orchid Theatre through March 10th, jumps the nuptial institution through some unusual hoops in exploration of religion, fidelity and promises made/broken. For information and tickets, click IN QUIETNESS.