THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kathleen Chalfant effortlessly casts a spell in Joan Didion’s THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

This past weekend, I experienced Kathleen Chalfant take on the stage adaptation Joan Didion’s eloquent memoir The Year of Magical Thinking in a virtual benefit reading for Off-Broadway’s Keen Company. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Perusing the latest virtual Chicago theater offerings: Steppenwolf’s DUCHESS! DUCHESS! DUCHESS! and Court’s THEATRE FOR ONE

Having lived in Chicago for a good chunk of my early adult life, I’ve developed and continue to maintain a deep affection for the city and its top-notch theater companies. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Reflecting on 25 years of RENT: Remembering a white hot performance and its lasting impact

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rent changed my life 25 years ago, as it did for its legions of fans. I was a junior at a parochial high … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – BAD DATES & TYPICAL: Effervescent performances by Andréa Burns and Richard Blackwood elevate otherwise programmatic solo shows

This week, I streamed a pair of programmatic solo shows that benefited from effervescent turns. Here are my thoughts. BAD DATESGeorge Street PlayhouseOn-demand through March 14 First up was Bad … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: The artistry of Balanchine, Beckett, and Guettel bring much-needed texture to the austere latter days of this pandemic winter

This weekend, I streamed a diverse, truly exceptional trio of works by indisputable masters from the worlds of dance theater, dramatic theater, and music theater – George Balanchine, Samuel Beckett, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Barn Theatre’s THE SECRET SOCIETY OF LEADING LADIES: A rousing curate-your-own-concert powered by divas in the making

One of the benefits of in-person performance is how it demands complete engagement from attendees. Cabaret performances in particular can be intoxicatingly enticing experiences — both literally and figuratively — … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Engaging in Black History: Celebrating the 35th anniversaries of George C. Wolfe’s seminal THE COLORED MUSEUM & Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE

February marks Black History Month, which this year takes on extra resonance. This weekend, I streamed two shows that robustly explore the rich, complicated history and legacy of Black America. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Almeida live-streams HYMN, Lolita Chakrabarti’s loving ode to masculinity and male bonding

Last night, I tuned into the live-stream of Lolita Chakrabarti’s new play Hymn, courtesy of London’s Islington-based Almeida Theatre. As the work’s title cleverly and elegantly suggests, Ms. Chakrabarti’s two-hander … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Patrick Page suavely explores Shakespeare’s villains in ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE

Last night, I viewed All the Devils Are Here, Patrick Page’s one-man show exploring, as the work’s subtitle succinctly puts it, “How Shakespeare Invented the Villain”. Written and performed by … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Illusionist Jonathan Tai, a soothing presence, seamlessly weaves wonderment into MISSED CONNECTIONS

Last night, I attended – via live-stream, of course – Jonathan Tai’s Missed Connections, courtesy of Chicago’s A Red Orchid Theatre. If you’re a fan of the works of such … Continue Reading →