All stories by Chris Jones on BroadwayStars

Monday, July 23, 2012

New York dates for 'Outgoing Tide,' 'Working' by Chris Jones

The off-Broadway venue known as the 59E59 Theaters in New York has announced several shows this fall with origins in Chicago.

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Adult 'Soiree' blends risque, remarkable by Chris Jones

Beauty of erotically charged circus is far more than skin-deep New York has a spiegeltent , pitched in Times Square. Las Vegas has both "Absinthe" and "Zumanity," each Strip show offering a…

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Saturday, July 21, 2012

From Cirque du Soleil, a Michael Jackson memorial by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" THEATER REVIEW: "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" by Cirque du Soleil at the United Center in Chicago.

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Get real: Cultural Plan for city must lose loftiness, go for grit by Chris Jones

If half of the recommendations in the draft of the Chicago Cultural Plan — heck, even 5 percent of the recommendations — were implemented, Chicago would become an artistic nirvan…

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Friday, July 20, 2012

Art, music and wisdom, learned a nickel at a time by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Nickel History: The Nation of Heat" in the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Nickel History: The Nation of Heat" at Steppenwolf Garage Thea…

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Michael Jackson, the Cirque way by Chris Jones

How the 'Immortal World Tour' was created and inspired Beginning Friday at the United Center, the Cirque du Soleil lands in Chicago for two nights with its latest touring production, "Micha…

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Stratford Festival announces 2013 season, with Dennehy on board. by Chris Jones

The Stratford Festival of Canada has announced its 2013 season, its first under new artistic (and former executive) director Antonio Cimolino.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 05:11PM[SHARE]

ComedySportz Chicago hosts world championship by Chris Jones

ComedySportz, the popular entertainment franchise that stages improv games within a competitive framework, is holding its world championship in Chicago, beginning Wednesday. According to the…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:32PM[SHARE]
Monday, July 16, 2012

She's baa-ck! Audrey II escapes across the Indiana border by Chris Jones

Few shows at Northwest Indiana's Theatre at the Center — venerable Equity house though it may be — feature a member of the original New York cast, and certainly not a performer w…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:43PM[SHARE]

Artistic change at TUTA by Chris Jones

Zeljko Djukic, the artistic leader of TUTA Theatre Chicago, is hanging up his decade-long position as artistic director, effective September 1.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:35PM[SHARE]
Sunday, July 15, 2012

Irish drama meets its moment head-on In riveting new Irish drama, a moment to confront the past by Chris Jones

Chicago — for obvious reasons — long has welcomed and supported contemporary Irish drama. Most of the writers here embraced, through, have been men. But the gripping, authentic n…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 07:28PM[SHARE]
Friday, July 13, 2012

Gags take the spotlight in '39 Steps' by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "The 39 Steps" at the Drury Lane Theatre ★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "The 39 Steps" at the Drury Lane Theatre ★★½ ... David New's production of this sp…

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Can the arts help curtail the killing? by Chris Jones

The city's kids are dying, and something has to be done. The arts have a role. On Monday night, following a weekend that saw 17 people shot in Chicago and with the memories of the shooting…

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Goodman fills in missing Falls show by Chris Jones

Robert Falls will direct William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" as part of the Goodman Theatre's 2012-13 season, the Goodman announced on Wedndesday.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:02PM[SHARE]

'A Steady Rain,' back on patrol of Chicago's gritty streets by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "A Steady Rain" at Chicago Dramatists ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "A Steady Rain" at Chicago Dramatists ★★★ ... The first time Peter DeFaria and …

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Diane Lane to star in Goodman's 'Sweet Bird of Youth' by Chris Jones

Director David Cromer's production of Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird of Youth" at the Goodman Theatre next season has its star: Diane Lane.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:48PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Oedipus tragedy comes fully alive in South Central Los Angeles by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Oedipus el Rey" at the Victory Gardens Theater ★★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Oedipus el Rey" at the Victory Gardens Theater ★★★★ ...…

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Wearing it proudly: Regina Taylor's new production of "Crowns" has more of a story by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Crowns" at the Goodman Theatre ★★★ THEATER REVIEW: "Crowns" at the Goodman Theatre ★★★ ... Regina Taylor's "Crowns," a huge hit on the …

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Beautifully honest 'Beauty and the Beast' on Navy Pier by Chris Jones

THEATER REVIEW: "Beauty and the Beast" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★½ THEATER REVIEW: "Beauty and the Beast" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★Â…

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Sunday, July 8, 2012

Three sisters are connected only by gloom -- 2.5 stars for Steppenwolf's take on Chekhov by Chris Jones

A model facade of a lovely house — lights burning brightly in the little windows but located, alas, in a dull provincial town — now hangs high over the Steppenwolf Theatre stage.…

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Friday, July 6, 2012

Best arts venues aren't set in stone: It's the shows inside that count by Chris Jones

When it comes to show business — and all admission-charging cultural attractions are, whether they like to admit it or not, in the business of show — people don't keep coming bac…

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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Meandering 'Gacy Play' buries the big question by Chris Jones

Serial killers tend to be loners. Not so John Wayne Gacy, who murdered at least 33 boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy, who lived and killed in Norwood Park, was known as a sociab…

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Saturday, June 30, 2012

New faces with real acting chops at Second City e.t.c. by Chris Jones

Tawny Newsome, the most interesting new cast member at the Second City e.t.c., is a reminder that trained theater actors, as distinct from those who merely wish to be funny, are (and always …

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Friday, June 29, 2012

No Broadway production for 'Iceman Cometh' by Chris Jones

"The Iceman Cometh" is not going to Broadway, at least not during the upcoming season, the Goodman Theatre concluded Friday.

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Jessie Mueller joins 'Drood' cast by Chris Jones

Jessie Mueller is to be part of the cast of the fall  Roundabout Theatre revival of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," it was announced Thursday in New York.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:00PM[SHARE]

'Kinky Boots' announces full cast by Chris Jones

"Kinky Boots," the new Broadway musical written by Harvey Fierstein with music by Cyndi Lauper,  has announced its full cast. The show tries out this fall in Chicago.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:05PM[SHARE]

Well-sung 'Hero' offers fresh twist on comic book fable by Chris Jones

Superhuman score drives new musical whose kryptonite can be found in its story Michael Mahler, the composer and lyricist of the very promising new musical "Hero" at the Marriott Theatre in …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:02AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

An answer to a mystery: What happened to Theatre Building money? by Chris Jones

An answer to a long-standing mystery was forthcoming today: What would the organization known as Chicago Muse do with the remaining proceeds from the sale of the Theatre Building Chicago, lo…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:18PM[SHARE]

A new season at City Lit, including stage version of 'Peyton Place' by Chris Jones

City Lit, the long-standing company that specializies in literary adaptations, has announced its 2012-13 season.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:29AM[SHARE]

Cyndi Lauper to headline for Broadway in Chicago by Chris Jones

Broadway in Chicago's annual concert hyping its upcoming shows has a headliner this year of note: Cyndi Lauper.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:05AM[SHARE]

A new season at First Folio by Chris Jones

First Folio Thaetre, the Equity company based in Oak Brook, has announced its 2012-13 season.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:29AM[SHARE]

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