“Dada Gert” captures the essence of World War I artist Valeska Gert
“Dada Gert,” the Striding Lion Performance Group’s intriguing, richly atmospheric multimedia dance-theater piece exacts the pioneering artistry of Valeska Gert.
Theaters test fresh recipes for French classics
Shakespeare has been absorbing the slings and arrows of “modernizing” directors and adapters for years. So have the ancient Greeks. And the truth is, the resulting productions often emerge in ways that not only bring these plays into synch with 21st century audiences, but reveal …
ETC. for May 24, 2013
Here’s a look at theater, dancing and painting — all with a spiritual undertow.
THE NEXT STEP
Can the mass appeal of television dance shows transfer to the stage? The three enterprising co-founders of Shaping Sound, a new company created last year for just that purpose, believe the answer is a resounding “Yes.” The 14-member troupe, which combines elements of jazz, modern …
Sitcom writer’s theatrical baby, ‘Smudge’ bows here
Rachel Axler has a split personality when it comes to her writing life. As a comedy writer, she’s made a name for herself in the land of fake news (“The Daily Show”) and sitcoms (“Bored to Death,” “New Girl,” “Parks and Recreation,” “How I Met …
‘The Liar’ a study in untruth and consequences
Moving to Paris gives Dorante the opportunity to reinvent himself.
And he does it with a vengeance in David Ives adaptation of “The Liar,” Corneille’s classic 1643 farce. You see, once Dorante starts lying, he can’t stop so his tales become more and more complex. …
Richard Pryor Jr. goes drag for his stage show ‘Lipstick Goes on Last’
Richard Pryor Jr. looks like his famous father. But he’s pursuing a much different path as a performer. “When my mother died and when my father died, I felt a release,” says Pryor Jr., who opens Saturday in “Lipstick Goes on Last,” in which he performs in drag. “I can breathe. It triggered something. If my mother was still alive, I know I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing. I would want to be around her. Things are devastating to you, but they are also a blessing.”
ACT II: A second look at area stages — ‘The Knowledge’ and ‘Rabbit’
While the British class system of the early 20th century is still alive and well courtesy of TV’s “Downton Abbey,” two very different manifestations of English class-consciousness in our own time can be found in a couple of strongly acted and directed plays now on …
‘Company of Men’ hauntingly disturbing, yet irresistible
HEDY WEISS: Neil LaBute’s revision of his 1997 movie stars an ideal cast at Profiles Theatre.
Court’s ‘Misanthrope’ mocks eternal quirks of human behavior
HEDY WEISS: A skilled and stylish group of actors delivers a scintillating translation of the Moliere comedy.
‘Ganesh’ a chilling theatrical experience
At one point in “Ganesh Versus the Third Reich” — the wholly astonishing and deeply provocative work by Australia’s Back to Back Theatre, at the MCA through Sunday only — Luke Ryan, who plays the role of a tyrannical theater director, shatters the fourth wall. …
ACT II: A second look at area stages — ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’
Neil Simon might not be the darling of the avant-garde theater crowd. But anyone who doubts the enduring power of his plays to generate a surefire mix of tears and laughter should pay a visit to Raven Theatre’s revival of his 1983 drama “Brighton Beach …
Eifman Ballet finds inspiration in Rodin’s figures
The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia has visited Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre on a regular basis since 2000. With its astonishing company of more than 50 dancers backed by lavish, almost cinematic design, it is a grand showcase for the unique vision of its founder …
Out of the shadows: How ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ dancer picks a partner
On this night, the woman plucked from the audience for a “Loving You” slow dance is a 70-year-old from Munster, who says the songs take her back to high school homecoming.
Harris Theater to celebrate 10th anniversary in grand style
This fall will mark the 10th anniversary of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, that 1,500-seat venue adjacent to Millennium Park that has made its mark by presenting an audacious array of performances by world class artists from both Chicago and around the globe. …
