2,003 stories by "Scotty Zacher"
The idea of a play within a play has obviously been around for hundreds of years, and Playwright Brian McKnight's spin on it isn't unique enough to warrant rushing out to see it. We've seen …
Another year, another 12 months of great Chicago theater! Taking into account the 700+ productions that were produced in the Windy City over the last year, here are our reviewer's picks for …
2015 was a great year for theater in Chicago, making it a difficult task to whittle down all 500+ productions to our best and most memorable productions. That being said, here's a list (in …
Director Jerry Mitchell and company's energy is infectious - Gotta Dance radiates positivity and sweetness from beginning to end. The inspiring story of a group of determined seniors is perf…
With Light Opera Works' Guys and Dolls, director Rudy Hogenmiller, scenic designer Adam Veness and costume designer Brenda Winstead give us a colorful picture of the 1930s Times Square. Even…
My Way is a delight from beginning to end. Fans of Theo Ubique will adore the show's classic, intimate style, and newbies will enjoy an introduction to one of Chicago's best-kept theater sec…
True to this show's title, the divas it celebrates were truly dynamite, and so are the singer/actresses playing them. We're treated to some truly sensational performances of more predictable…
The Nutcracker is a Christmas classic for a reason. With a poignant score, magnificent production values and gorgeous dancing, The Nutcracker truly has something for everyone. Highly Recomme…
At its heart, Baritones Unbound is genuine. As a performance, it's superb. As a concept and a production, it's a little thin and a lot indulgent. Recommended. (read Lauren Whalen's entire re…
When it comes to sharp and biting social commentary, no one gets to the gut like Bruce Norris. Domesticated is a strong, horrifically funny script executed deliberately and beautifully by th…
Despite the faults with this loony Finnish script, director Brad Akin keeps his production interesting throughout. If you like oddball stories, The Orchestra should definitely will play to …
Mental Health Break On Nov.13 2010 unsuspecting shoppers got a big surprise while enjoying their lunch at the Welland Seaway Mall, Ontario, Canada. Over 100 p…
Adapted by David Ives into modern English, with rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter, the resultant The Heir Apparent is a wild and zany romp. This energetic Chicago Shakespeare production…
Even better than last year's premiere, Twist Your Dickens makes a comically compelling case for its annual renewal with this sophomore redux, offering audiences the great gift of laughter wh…
With Christmas Dearest, Hell in a Handbag Productions once again puts the *Mary* before Christmas, cooking up a great big ham with a side of gams worthy of any Dickens farce. When a cast is …
Potted Potter is a fast romp embedded with uproarious energy, and a testament to the power of creativity. With only a few props and in less than 80 minutes, Clarkson and Turner transport aud…
Sung in eight languages and featuring a diverse cast, Bel Canto is a stellar world premiere of an unusual but tragically lovely contemporary opera that explores the effects of mob rule, the …
Hubbard Street Dance is living, breathing proof of how athletic artists can be. Lithe and muscular, they perform daring feats with their own and each others' bodies. Exploring themes of iso…
While Abby Mueller does a fine job embodying Carole King in Beautiful, the show itself is flawed. There's little dramatic tension driving the Douglas McGrath's book. Framing King's story aro…
After almost 18 years on Broadway, Lion King at the Cadillac Palace Theatre is still in good shape and good hands. You will still get a thrill from the opening Circle of Life, as Director J…
Created by Michael Potsic and Allison Hendrix, A Kokandy Christmas is a winning mix of traditional Christmas carols, more contemporary hits, personal stories from performers and musicians an…
Exit may run a little long, but it grabs your attention from start to finish. This is an audacious and successful beginning for ICU Ensemble, and I look forward to watching them thrive in th…
Move over Polar Express, a soul train is barreling down the tracks for a funky holiday ride to hilarity. Returning to Shakespeare Theater after a smash debut in 2014, The Q Brothers and gang…
The physical humor of Remy Bumppo's Fallen Angels is extremely well-realized. Director Shannon Cochran's production rises to the occasion of helping us empathize with this timeless emotion b…
Think Norman Rockwell, minus the schmaltz, and you've got a sense of Northlight's You Can't Take it With You. If you're looking for a shot of holiday cheer minus the sugary sugarplums and re…
