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The Long Christmas Dinner Theater Review & Comments

The Long Christmas Dinner Theater Review & Comments

Holidays have a unique way of punctuating our lives. Through this activity we assess alliances, trade information, and mark the passage of time. In The Long Christmas Dinner written by Thorton Wilder, presented by TUTA Theatre in Chicago we join an affluent Midwestern family, sometime 

Hey! Djou See Royko?

Hey! Djou See Royko?

Mike Royko was an outspoken Chicago journalist, who in the 1960s through 1990s railed against the political machine and championed the cause of the underdog with the same zeal he displayed toward his beloved Chicago Cubbies. Mitchell Bisschop’s roughly two-hour performance as Royko serves as 

Time Passages a Documentary Film Review

Time Passages a Documentary Film Review

Reno Lovison, Executive Producer comments on the documentary Time Passages by Chicago filmmaker Kyle Henry who tenderly reviews his relationship between himself and his mother, whose memory is slowly slipping away due to dementia.

Looking at other people’s lives is always interesting. We can’t help but to compare our experiences to theirs perhaps in a quest to see if we ourselves are “normal.” – –  Are they the outliers, or are we? 

The 86-minute documentary Time Passages was screened as part of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival in October 2024. For festival information visit ChicagoFilmFestival.com For film information including other screenings visit timepassagesfilm.com

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark – Theater Review

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark – Theater Review

An aspiring African American actress, Vera Stark (Ashayla Calvin) works as a personal maid to fading 1930s movie star Gloria Mitchell (Caitlin Jemison), once known as “America’s Little Sweetie-Pie.” The two have a close relationship and have a shared struggle to find success. However, due 

Film Review of Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells

Film Review of Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells

This is a film review of “The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells following the Chicago artist’s creation of a monument to the civil right champion and woman’s suffrage leader. The film premiered at the 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival 

Dear Elizabeth – Theater Review

Dear Elizabeth – Theater Review

Letter writing is more akin to internal dialogue and can have a kind of naked intimacy that is difficult to achieve in the flesh.

This is a smart biographical drama providing us a glimpse into the lives and thoughts of two interesting, actual people, who through their own words demonstrate to us the value of friendship and human connectedness.

Dear Elizabeth by Remy Bumppo Productions is at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago through November 17, 2024. Runtime is about 100 minutes with one 10 minute intermission. For information visit RemyBumppo.org.
Reviewer: Reno Lovison

Elizabeth Bishop – Leah Karpel
Robert Lowell – Christopher Sheard 

Director – Christina Casano 
Assistant Director – Eduardo Xavier 
Scenic Designer: Catalina Niño 
Lighting Designer: Max Grano De Oro 
Costume Designer: Kotryna Hilko 
Sound Designer: Chris Kriz 
Projections Designer: John Boesche 

Noises Off at Steppenwolf -Theater Review

Noises Off at Steppenwolf -Theater Review

Kicking off this popular Chicago ensemble theater company’s 49th season a rather incompetent troupe of actors are expertly portrayed by a considerably expert cast, in Steppenwolf’s revival of Michael Frayn’s classic comedy “Noises Off,” directed by Anna D. Shapiro. A co-production with Geffen Playhouse. Featuring ensemble 

Overview of 007 James Bond Exhibit at Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

Overview of 007 James Bond Exhibit at Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

I had an opportunity to “bond” with spy movie expert Tom Pizzato at the press opening for the new 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond beginning March 7, 2024 and running through October 2024. The museum has partnered with Eon Productions who own 

“Inherit the Wind” revives fundamental conflicts at Goodman Theatre | Review

“Inherit the Wind” revives fundamental conflicts at Goodman Theatre | Review

The Goodman Theatre reminds us that the more things change the more they remain the same in this production of the classic courtroom drama, “Inherit the Wind.”

Small town school teacher Bertram Cates is on trial for breaking a state law that prohibits the teaching of evolution.

The prosecution is aided by the bombastic self-important fundamentalist bible thumping Matthew Harrison Brady while Cates is represented by famed Chicago lawyer Henry Drummond, a clever defense attorney known for taking on difficult and controversial cases.

The premise is a fictionalized version of the infamous 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial where three-time presidential candidate and former secretary of state William Jennings Bryan argued for the prosecution, while Clarence Darrow served as defense attorney for science teacher John T. Scopes.

Harry Lennix (Henry Drummond),  Alexander Gemignani  (Matthew Harrison Brady),  Charín Álvarez (Mrs. Brady)Terry Bell (Sillers), Hamid Dehghani (Storekeeper)William Dick (Mayor), Meighan Gerachis (Elijah), Lawrence Grimm (Dunlap), Kevin Gudahl (Judge), Presley Rose Jones (Melinda), Christopher Kale Jones (Tom Davenport), Mi Kang (E.K. Hornbeck), Ryan Kitley (Reverend Jeremiah Brown), Tyler Meredith (Rachel Brown), Thomas Murphy Molony (Howard), Christopher Llewyn Ramirez (Bertram Cates), Robert Schleifer (Meeker), Eric Slater (Mr. Bannister) and Penelope Walker (Mrs. Krebs).

Beethoven’s love story of Fidelio speaks to a modern audience.

Beethoven’s love story of Fidelio speaks to a modern audience.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Beethoven’s message of freedom of expression in this captivating, new to Chicago, contemporary production of Fidelio.  It’s interesting to see how easily this 18th Century music transforms to modern times. It’s and story of good triumphing over evil but most 

Historical Glimpse Into Chicago’s Cultural Center

Historical Glimpse Into Chicago’s Cultural Center

Across from Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Randolph Streets on land donated by Civil War Veterans in 1893 stands what used to be Chicago’s Main Public Library. Re-imagined in 1977 as the Chicago Cultural Center it is host to more than 1,000 

South Pacific at Skokie Theatre | Podcast Review

South Pacific at Skokie Theatre | Podcast Review

This timeless classic amounts to an enchanting evening that deserves to be seen and heard. Whether you are experiencing it the first time or you are coming from a place of nostalgia, the musical South Pacific includes some of the best and most recognizable tunes by the composing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Based on a novel by James Michener and adapted by Hammerstein and Josh Logan, the 1949 play boldly addressed the notion of learned prejudices, and confronted changing post-war attitudes about interracial marriage and mixed raced children.

Directed by Pat Henderson
Musical Direction by Jeremy Ramey
Costume Design by Patty Halajian
Conductor/Keyboard ………………………………… Jeremy Ramey
2nd Keyboard ……………………………………….Andrew Milliken
CAST:

Ngana………………………………………………….. Molly Hamada
Jerome ………………………………………………Connor Saavedra
Nellie Forbush ……………………………………..Willow Schneider
Emile De Becque …………………………………….Tony Calzaretta
Luther Billis ………………………………………………Andrew Buel
Stewpot, Henri …………………………………………Luis Del Valle
Professor……………………………………………..Erol Ibrahimović
McCaffrey…………………………………………..Liam K. Schlosser
Lt. Joseph Cable…………………………………………. Max Perkel
Bloody Mary ………………………………………… Mariel Saavedra
Liat, Nurse………………………………………Megan Mariko Boggs
Nurse MacRae ………………………….. Carolyn Sundlof Boudreau
Nurse MacGregor ……………………………………….Kristin Weed
Nurse Murphy …………………………………. Catherine Athenson
Capt. Brackett ………………………………………….. Jacob Cohen
Cmdr. Harbison …………………………………………….Tyler Lord
Set Design by Brian Wasserman
Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener
Choreography by Brenda Good
Sound Design by Brian Bedoya