BROADWAY IN CHICAGO (312) 902-1400
At the Cadillac Palace, The 101 Dalmatians Musical 2/16-28 is a wonderful classic tale, filled with wagging ‘tails’, with a finish starring professional and recued Dalmatians, that should be a real bark. Enjoy An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Pantinkin 3/2-3/7, two incredible Broadway stars will sing and entertain in an evening to remember. Beauty and The Beast will open 3/23; this heartwarming tale has teapots and spoons singing and dancing, all the while telling the story of a love found deep in the soul.
At The Ford Center/Oriental Theatre the much anticipated, Elton John’s, Billy Elliot the Musical, the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical of 2009, also called, “the best musical of the decade” by Time magazine opens 3/18. The gritty story, based on the film by the same name, is about a young boy’s struggle out of poverty, the boxing ring and finally finding his dream, a passion for dance.
At The Goodman Theatre (312) 443-3800 Eugene O’Neill’s Hughie and Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape stars actor Brian Dennehy in this double bill of high drama. The production is Broadway bound, and Dennehy’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, searing and so personal that you feel as though you know these men intimately. Both plays have been extended until 2/28. The Long Red Road, is a world premiere that is a raw and edgy story about Sam, in South Dakota, who is trying to drink his way out of the misery of the life that he created.
At Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier (312) 595-5600 Noel Coward’s Private Lives is one of Coward’s greatest comedic war of words and seduction. Also, Short Shakespeare Comedy of Errors, is a 75 minute abridged version for the whole family, has twin brothers and their twin servants creating havoc with mistaken identities; and A World Stage production from Russia, Uncle Vanya 3/17-21, celebrates the 150th birthday of Anton Chekhov, it is performed in Russian, with English projected translation.
At The Steppenwolf Theatre (312) 335-1650 The Brother/Sister Plays authored by Tarell Alvin McCraney are actually three separate plays presented on two evenings all interconnected but none dependent on the other. Tempered with an extraordinarily talented cast and director, humor, song and music makes the story about the struggles and coming of age in an African-American community, theater at its best. For Young Adults A Separate Peace 2/23-3/14 is based on the American classic novel of the same name. The story takes place at an all-boys boarding school in New England during WWII. The unique bonds of friendship between a shy bookworm and an athletic daredevil set the stage for a classic struggle between trust and betrayal.
Victory Gardens (773) 871 -3000 presents a Chicago premiere of Blue Door gives us a look at slavery at its worse and drama at its best. A math professor is haunted one night by four generations of his family. Then, The Lost Boys of Sudan 3/19-4/25 is a Chicago premiere about three boys who team up while trying to make their way to a refugee camp.
Timeline Theatre Company (773) 281-8463 has partnered with Remy Bumppo and Court Theatre to present an Athol Fugard Festival. Master Harold…and the Boys is set during 1950’s apartheid Africa. His stories focus on the universal theme of the dreams of freedom so important to all human beings.
At The Greenhouse Theatre Centre (773) 404-7336 Remy Bumppo Theatre co. presents, The Island until 3/7.
Lookingglass Theatre Company (312) 337-0665, presents a world premiere, Trust, 3/3-4/25,co-written by David Schwimmer and Andy Bellin and co-directed by David Schwimmer and Heidi Stillman, that ask the questions: ‘In an increasingly digital age, how can we maintain the human touch ? Will true intimate communication be forever lost? What about the dangers of the internet?’ As this drama unfolds, an American family copes with these questions and more.
At The Black Ensemble Theater (773) 769-4451, Jackie Taylor presents another world premiere, My Brother’s Keeper the story of the Nicholas Brothers opening 3/13, enjoy the story of one of the greatest dance teams of the twentieth century.
Theatre Building Chicago (773) 327-5252 presents A Love Lost Life- The Unauthorized Story of Marlon Brando until 3/14. The title is drawn from Brando’s last years. Love Taps 3/19-28, presents its first ever tap story-show. Focusing on lonely singles hoping to connect on the internet, every performance will be different as each night the audience decides who gets paired with whom. For the kids, The Magic Paintbrush 2/24-3/11, a young shepherd in ancient China is given a magic paintbrush that will transform the lives of his poor village, by bring the dreams of the villagers to life. Also many other shows and performances.
At Profiles Theatre (773) 549-1815 Tracy Lett’s Killer Joe until 2/28, brace yourself as you’re in for sex, nudity, blood and violence. This tale, written by award winning author, Tracy Letts, takes you on a non-stop roller-coaster ride while he explores a greedy out of control Texas family and their plot to do away with the matriarch of the family. This is a raw, hard-hitting and sometimes humorous slice of life.
At Court Theatre (773) 753 4472 The Illusion 3/11-4/11, adapted by Tony Kushner, and based on one of French Baroque’s most beautiful romances, is the tale of an estranged father and son. In his search to find his son, the father is taken to a whole new world filled with humor, magic and true love.
On the comedy scene The Second City presents its 97th Mainstage Revue: Taming of the Flu – are you sick of the flu, sick of hearing about health reform and sick of being watched while running red lights? Well so are they, it won’t stop all of the above but it will help you laugh through it all. Another world premiere, Rush Limbaugh! The Musical at The Second City e.t.c., is a funny satirical look at Rush and his fanatical followers. Also, Zanies continues to be the home of stand- up comedy.
Last but not Least: Northlight Theatre’s (847) 673-6300 Awake and Sing! until 2/28, a wonderful funny classic American play; followed by A Life 3/18-4/25 starring John Mahoney.
American Theatre Co.’s (773) 409-4125 Distracted. Gift Theatre’s (773)283-7071 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Lifeline Theatre’s (773) 761-4477 Mrs. Caliban until 3/28, for the kids: Last of the Dragons until 2/21. Redmoon Theatre’s (312) 850-8440 The Cabinet until 3/7.
The Apollo Theatre’s (773) 935-6100 The Million Dollar Quartet, soon open on Broadway.
Drury Lane Oak Brook’s (630) 530-0111 Funny Girl, followed by Ragtime opening on 3/18. Redtwist Theatre ‘s (773)728-7529 Pillowman. Raven Theatre’s (773) 338-2177 Twelve Angry Men until 4/17.
The Artistic Home Theater’s (866) 811-4111 The Skin of Our Teeth. Red Orchid’s (312) 943-8722 Abigail’s Party until 3/28.
Pegasus Players’ (773) 878-9761The Gimmick .
Until next time, we invite you to call us at (312) 661-1976 with opinions, suggestions, or for other recommendations.