The Long Red Road Critical Evaluation: * out of **** The Goodman's small Owen Studio Theatre is giving audiences the world premier of Brett C. Leonard's "The Long Red Road".  If you like to see plays about dysfunctional families in a time when we need uplifting productions then I suggest this depressing show will be your meat and potatoes in its short run.  The director is Hollywood's Phillip Seymour Hoffman and English actor Tom Hardy heads the cast. Many will see the show for those two reasons. The show has an excellent cast with Greta Honold as Annie who is a school teacher of Native American students. Then we have Fiona Robert as Tasha, Chris McGarry as Bob, Katy Sullivan as Sandra, Marcos Akiaten as Clifton. These actors are all that make the slow-paced two hours and fifteen minutes move along but I found it to be a yawner. Sam is an alcoholic and his naked girlfriend make love during the opening scene. His excuse for drinking is caused by the loss of one daughter, the accident of his wife and the absence in his life of another daughter. The constant drinking and his hangovers make you sick to your stomach. The accident has left his wife Sandra an amputee and it would be hard to cope with one daughter dead and another a troubled teenager. Sam might tell Annie that he loves her but does she believe him or is he a big loser?  It if wasn?t for the acting I might have left at intermission and I never leave before the end whether I like the play or not.  "The Long Red Road" runs through March 21. For show times and reservations call 312/443-3800. Tickets are $40-$45.   Twelve Angry Men Critical Evaluation: *** out of **** The Raven Theatre on Clark Street is doing its second show of the season which is the courtroom drama from 1954 "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose. Raven is a non-equity storefront theatre that does some tough productions with high caliber actors.  "Twelve Angry Men" runs one hour and forty-five minutes but it is fast moving with engrossing acting in this all male cast. The show is under the direction of Aaron Todd Douglas of the Congo Square Theatre. Since turning 21 and being a voter, I've been on jury duty eight times. I loved being on jury duty and listening to the testimony of the witnesses. I've been on cases where after two or three days they were settled out of court, one where we came to a verdict, some where I wasn?t picked to be on the panel and another where we had a hung jury due to one jury member who lied when he said he wasn?t prejudiced. Fortunately I've never had to serve in criminal court.  The strong cast for the show are Fernando Albiar, Steve Herson, Christopher Brown, Reginald Vaughn, C.L. Brown, Ron Quade, Leonard Kraft, Dwight Soro and Eddie Diaz. The story deals with a 16-year old ethnic young man who is accused of killing his abusive father with the charge of first degree murder. In a criminal murder case where a verdict of guilty hangs over the accused, the district attorney must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before a death penalty can be issued.  Eleven of the jurors find the plaintiff guilty but the exception is the twelfth juror who by day is an architect. C.L. Brown stands his ground and refuses to find him guilty. Dan Loftus who has been around Chicago theater for a long time is one who could come to blows with his arguments - he is a man who has father and son issues.  The show packs a wallop and gives audiences something to remember and think about. If you're about to go on jury duty make it a point not to miss this show.  "Twelve Angry Men" runs through April 17. For show times and reservations call 773/338-2177. Tickets are $25-$30.   Fiddler On The Roof Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is opening its 2010 season with the classic "Fiddler on the Roof."  Some critics call the show an old war horse having been done so often in regional theatre since it premiered in New York in 1964 and not counting revivals played 3,242 performances. Directing the Marriott production is the fantastic David H. Bell with musical direction by Doug Peck.  Mr. Bell for many years was associated with the Marriott before departing for several years in Washington but he is now back in Chicago and a professor of musical theatre at Northwestern University.  Mr. Bell is also the show's choreographer and all I can say is that he has assembled a strong cast that audiences should love.  Ross Lehman plays Tevye.  Paula Scrofano is his wife Golde and their five daughters are Dara Cameron as Hodel, Jessie Mueller as Tzeitel, Laura Scheinbaum as Chava and the two younger ones are Arielle Leigh Dayan and Talia Rawitz. Other excellent men in the cast are Justin Berkobien as Perchik, Andrew Keltz as Motel, David Girolmo as Lazar Wolf, James Harms as the Rabbi, Craig Spidle as the Constable, Patrick Sarb as Fyedka and Gregory Hirte as the fiddler.  I shouldn't forget Rebecca Finnegan as Yente and Heidi Kettenring - all first-class actresses and singers.  One wonders why there are troubled times in the world and we can't live in a peaceful one.  My favorite songs are "If I Were a Rich Man," "Now I Have Everything," and "Do You Love Me" which is a standout when Paula Scrofano sings it. I've seen Zero Mostel, Topol, Luther Adler, Hershel Bernardi but Ross Lehman is well cast in the lead role.  Jessie Mueller and Laura Scheinbaum as two of the five daughters give strong performances.  You don't have to be Jewish  -- it's a play every ethnic group should see and love.  "Fiddler on the Roof" runs through April 25th.  Running time is two hours and thirty five minutes.  For show days and show times and reservations call 847-634-0200.  Tickets are $45.   Noises Off Critical Evaluation: *** out of **** "Noises Off", the Michael Frayn Farce, is opening the 2010 theatre season at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana.  Frayn is one of England's top playwrights and this show deals with a theatre comedy in England.  William Pullinsi is the show's director and he is one whose talent lies in directing farces.  "Noises Off" is a three act play that runs two hours and thirty minutes with two fifteen minute intermissions.  The show has a cast of nine that is lead by veteran actors Marilynn Bogetich as Dotty Otley and Dale Bensen as Selsdon Mowbray. Mr. Bensen is a master craftsman at farces having done hundreds over the years at the now defunct Shady Lane Playhouse in Marengo, Illinois.  Others in the cast are Will Clinger, formerly of PBS' Wild Chicago as Lloyd Dallas, Jeff Cummings as Gary LeJeune, Laura E. Taylor as Brooke Ashton, Anna Hammonds as Poppy Norton-Taylor, Clay Sanderson as Frederick Fellows, Laura Leonardo-Ownby as Belinda Blair, and Jason R. Wroblewski as Tim Allgood. Act One is the last run-through of the play they are performing called "Nothing On."  The Second Act takes place backstage and the Third Act is an evening performance of the play.  As with most farces we have slamming doors and an actress running around in her bra and panties but there is nothing vulgar about the escapade.  Dallas is the director and his cast have all worked together.  The troupe is made up of has-beens, never was, and wanna-be actors.  Some love each other, some hate and you see a share of jealousy and they all drive the director to lunacy. While I found it to be somewhat outdated I did find it had its share of laughter.  Every actor in the show headed by the zany performance of Dale Benson and Marilynn Bogetich make the evening shear fun and get the audience to laugh.  "Noises Off" runs through March 21st.  For performance days, show times and reservations call 219-836-3255.  Tickets range from $20 to $40.   The 101 Dalmatians Musical Critical Evaluation: * out of **** Purina Pet Supplies is sponsoring Magic Arts and Entertainment production of "The 101 Dalmatians Musical " that has a book by B. T. Mitchell with music and lyrics by Dennis De Young of the Styx rock group and B. T. McNicholl.  While this is a family show and on opening night the audience was loaded with children and I being a big dog lover having eight over the years looked forward to seeing the show.  That doesn't mean everyone will be. For me the best part of the show were the fifteen dogs on stage.  The cast could sing, dance and act but it was the book that fell flat for me in the two hours and a half.  I know there is one critic who hates animals and will be gloating over the negative reviews.  When the dogs walked the red carpet he departed for his seat.  The dogs are adorable and I wish I could say that about the book.  I have a fear of heights and most of the cast are on stilts and I was getting dizzy watching them and hoping they wouldn't get injured. All the dogs have their biography in the program along with the live cast.  All are strays who have been trained.  Some of the dogs' names are Rascal, Bella, Envy, RV and so on.  I had no problem with the songs as the cast indulge in sixteen numbers.  Some of my favorites were "Man is a Dog's Best Friend," "Be a Little Bit Braver," "Having the Crime of our Lives"' and "101 Dalmatians".  The story takes place in London, England in 1957 and features a cast of thirty.  Sara Gettelfinger is Cruella De Vil the villainess of the story and she can sing and act and is perfect in her role if only the material was better.  If I were a dog I'd bite her in the butt for the way she treats animals.  Jerry Zaks is the show's director and he does his best with the campy material. Dalmatians is based on a book by an English writer Dodie Smith that follows the Dalmatian spouses Pongo played by James Ludwig and Missus played by Catia Ojeda who are bright young singers and actors.  Pongo and Missis are living the good life in London with their pets Charles and Catherine Dearly played by Mike Masters and Erin Mosher when their ten puppies are suddenly "dognapped" by the nasty villain Cruella who sets up to have the dogs destroyed.  Our heroes rescue them and we have a happy ending through the mild laughter, mayhem and music.  Read the notation "About the Dalmatians".  I have a female boxer "Noel" and she is my best friend better than some humans I know.  "101 Dalmatians" runs through February 28th.  For show days, times and reservations call 800-775-2000.  Tickets are $18 to $85.   Over the Tavern Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** I first saw "Over the Tavern" at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie that was directed by William Pullinsi.  It was so successful after its run there it was transferred to the Mercury Theatre in Chicago for a long run of several months.  To enjoy this funny and yet touching family comedy it isn't necessary to be Catholic as that was proven when it first opened in Skokie.  John Gawlik, the artistic director of Noble Fools Theatrical, has assembled a terrific cast and has done an incredible job in directing this show.  It is a show that should and could have a much longer run.  It is a "Don't Miss It" production.  The show requires a cast of seven and runs a fast two hours with intermission.  It might even run a little longer by ten or fifteen minutes.  It is based on the playwright Tom Dudzick, growing up in 1959 Buffalo, New York, when Elvis, drive-ins, Ed Sullivan, and The Honeymooners were a part of most households.  That made life fun and simple with exceptions. Chet and Ellen Pazinski are a Polish-Catholic family who live above the tavern they own with their four teenage children - Eddie, played by Alex Adams; Rudy played by Gabriel Harder; Annie played by Katrina Syrris; and Georgie played by Dan Velisek.  Their mother Ellen is played by Stacy Stoltz.  The show has two equity actors who are veterans and they are Renee Matthews as Sister, the nun who is tutoring Rudy and Scott Cummins and Chet, the father of the family.  The young actors playing the teenage children all have great futures ahead of them if they follow through in their current profession.  Gabriel Harder and Alex Adams should go far and Katrina Syrris is not far behind.  Daniel Velisek is also excellent but we hear he wants to become a professional chef. The story deals with the son Rudy who plays a wise-cracking 12-year-old.  Rudy questions the Roman Catholic Church to the ruler-cracking Sister Clarissa, before his confirmation.  One of his funny lines is when he tells Sister, "I read where there are over thirteen hundred religions in the world and I'd like to shop around!" -- to the frustration of Sister.  Eddie, the older brother, enjoys taking adult magazines in the bathroom to look at the pictures.  Annie is a typical teenage girl and Georgie is a handicapped teenager who sucks his finger and loves watching Rudy impersonate Ed Sullivan.  It's great to see Ms. Matthews back on the stage.  She is a top draw actress whether its musical, comedies or dramas.  She fits the role perfectly as an actress.  "Over the Tavern" has been extended through April 3.  For show dates, show times and reservations call 630-584-6342.  Tickets are $29 and $39.   The Analytical Engine Critical Evaluation: *** out of **** The Circle Theatre is a blackbox storefront non-equity theatre that does first rate shows.  They do dramas, comedies, musicals and revive some of the classics.  This will be (2010) their last season at their current home and one only hopes a new one has been located for the 2011 season.  After the current show they have the musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"; in July  "The Philadelphia Story"; in September they bring a musical that has never been on tour or at any regional theatre in Chicago but had a run in New York called "The Wedding Singer", and rounding out their season will be a holiday show. Their current production by actor, director and playwright Jon Steinhagen is the romantic comedy "The Analytical Engine".  People who have cable may have seen the old Red Skelton movie, "Excuse My Dust".  While that was about a car this one is about the first computer that finds the perfect match for people and is set in 1850 in the Powell Family home in Chester, Connecticut.  The play has a cast of six excellent actors and runs two hours with a ten-minute intermission.  Steinhagen won the 2009 Julie Harris Playwright Award for this show.  This romantic comedy is under the astute direction of Bob Knuth, the theatre's gifted producing director. Patricia Austin has the role of Hippolyta and Catherine Ferraro is Marigold Powell her sister.  Playing the two suitors are Eric Lindahl as Nathaniel Swade and Jon Steinhagen as Eppa Morton.  The tall Denita Linnertz is Ada Lovelace who is a worldly woman who is the daughter of the romantic poet Lord Byron.  Rounding out this first-rate cast is Mary Redmon, the dotty mother of the two girls who is a first-rate actress one should be hearing a lot of.  One gets the impression she is not a first-rate cook but underneath it all she is a shrewd woman.  While the machine doesn't solve mathematical equations it is supposed to be the perfect matchmaker.  The machine matches the wrong suitors and in the end, well go see it to see how the mess unscrambles itself.  "The Analytical Engine" runs through March 28th.  For show dates, show times and reservations call 708-771-0700.  Tickets are $20.   The Old Settler Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The Writers Theatre in Glencoe, Illinois, is honoring Black History Month with their production of John Henry Redwood's play "The Old Settler".  I know I've seen the show once before but I don't remember if it was at "The Goodman Theatre", "Court Theatre", "Steppenwolf Theatre" or "Northlight Theatre".  While it takes two and a half hours to tell this warm, heart-breaking story with intermission it is an engrossing evening of theatre and it does have some funny scenes. Ron OJ Parson has done a wonderful job in his direction and casting with Cheryl Lynn Bruce as Elizabeth Borny, Wanda Christine as Quilly McGarth, Kevin Rosten, Jr. as Husband and Alexis J. Rogers as Lou Bessie Preston.  The play is set in Harlem in the spring of 1943.  Elizabeth and Quilly are sisters who share their quiet lives together.  When Elizabeth encounters Husband who is from the country she invites him to rent a room since he is having a difficult time adjusting to the Big City. Every actor in this production that is poetic, lyrical, melancholy, has its humor gives a powerful performance.  Quilly is a spunky sister and at times at odds with Elizabeth who has a good heart but goes through her share of pain and suffering when she falls for the handsome Husband.  Husband comes to Harlem chasing after the sexy Lou Bessie Preston who provides the comedy element in the show.  Husband thinks he is in love with Elizabeth in this poignant play but in the end Elizabeth realizes that the age difference between the two that their relationship won't work.  The two sisters find strength and forgiveness that families should have.  I'm glad I saw this show as it gives audiences a lot to think about.  "The Old Settler" runs until March 28th and could get extended.  For show schedule, times and reservations call 847-242-6000.  Tickets are $50 - $65.   Master Harold...and the Boys Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** For the third production of the season TimeLine Theatre is doing a three-person play by Anthol Fugard - Tony award winning play "Master Harold...and the Boys".  The play runs one hour and forty minutes and the time flies by.  Fugard is also being showcased at the Remy Bumpo Theatre in the Greenhouse with their production of "The Island".  And then Court Theatre will do a production of Fugard's "Sizwe Banzi is Dead."  The 2010 theatre season is presenting some excellent dramas, comedies and musicals and yet some theatre critics look to find minor flaws such as the age of an actor to have negative things to say because they feel that makes them a critic. Jonathan Wilson has put together a strong cast for this show and those three actors are Daniel Bryant as Willie, Alfred H. Wilson as Sam and Nate Burger as Hally.  Fugard was born in South Africa in 1932 so his subject matter is universal in themes, humanity and unforgettable dialog.  The play takes place during the 1950's era of apartheid.  The story deals with a white seventeen year old and two black workers he has known all his life and their story connects in the restaurant the boy and his parents own on a rainy day.  We see from their wide-ranging discussions what unites us and what still divides us. The play is considered to be a personal play in his attempt perhaps, to forgive his past behaviors and reconcile with his family and friends since it draws heavily from his childhood.  The play takes place in the St. George's Park Tea Room.  Hally not only has problems with his parents but the two workers he has in his control.  The show is engrossing and well acted by the cast of three.  "Master Harold...and the Boys" runs through March 21st.  For performance dates, show times and reservations call 773-281-8463.  Tickets are a mere $25 - $35.   Private Lives Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's main objective is to give audiences Shakespeare's plays with top quality productions, directions, and cast.  On occasion they will give Chicago audiences a classic by a playwright other than Shakespeare and this season is one of those that they are giving audiences Noel Coward's "Private Lives."  I know of only one subscriber who resents a theatre that doesn't stick to what their goal is.  She complains when Court Theatre doesn't stick to classics, as they are known for and this year besides this production she is complaining because Lyric Opera is giving audiences "The Merry Widow", which is an operetta and not an opera.  Audiences who overlook this seem to enjoy and are not complaining. "Private Lives," is a battle of the sexes that make this show a romantic comedy that is one classic play well worth seeing.  The show requires a cast of five and the show's director has assembled a stellar cast with Chaon Cross as Sybil Chase, Robert Sella as Elyot Chase, Tim Campbell as Victor Prynne, Tracy Michelle Arnold as Amanda Prynne and Wendy Robie as Louise.  As with Lyric Opera's "The Merry Widow", Griffen's direction is powerful and one can see why he is in demand. I saw a production of this show at Writers' Theatre in Glencoe and possibly one staged at Court Theatre.  I also remember seeing Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in a touring production at the Shubert Theatre in Chicago.  This production however is a standout one.  The story deals with Elyot and Amanda who decide after three years of a stormy marriage, to end it.  They run into each other five years later when they discover they have adjoining terrace apartments while they are on their current honeymoon in the same French hotel.  Then the fun begins.  I suggest if you're not familiar with the outcome you rush to purchase tickets to see it as it will be a sellout.  The male and female actors are strong in their roles on the slow revolving in the round stage setting.  "Private Lives" runs until March 7, 2010.  For performance dates, show times and reservations call 312-595-5600.  Tickets range from $55 to $75.   Funny Girl Critical Evaluation: *** out of **** Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre is now presenting "Funny Girl", the life of Fanny Brice.  One thing about this production that I don't understand is why it took three directors to stage it?  The show has been conceived by Gary Griffin and William Osetek.  Osetek is a talented director who could have handled the production by himself being the theatre's artistic director.  Griffin is tops at what he does but when you have so many fires on the stove it can hurt a show.  Besides being a co-director of "Funny Girl" he has directed "Private Lives" for Chicago Shakespeare and "The Merry Widow" for Lyric Opera and he is an Associate Producer of Drury Lane Oakbrook.  Also listed as Associate Director is David New, a talented actor in his own right. The show offers three newcomers to Chicago and they are Sara Sheperd, Paul Antony Stewart and Jameson Cooper, along with a stellar cast of Chicago actors.  For me the show didn't come up to the high standards I've been seeing at the Oakbrook venue.  And that is no fault of the cast.  I blame that on the three directors and in the capable hands of Osetek the show might have come up to higher expectations. Standouts were Sheperd, Cooper, Iris Lieberman, Catherine Smitko, Marc Grapey, Adam Pelty, David New and the dancing feet that Matt Raftery has staged for his ensemble that include Tammy Mader, Ariane Dolan, Nicole Hren, Michael Accardo, Holly Stauder to make up the twenty six in the cast. I would rate it two and a half stars but to be honest the acting, singing and dancing of those mentioned it gets a slim but higher rating.  New as Mr. Renaldi, has a small role and I found no chemistry with Paul Anthony Stewart as Nick Arnstein.  I didn't feel his singing was strong but his acting I didn't have much of a problem with.  The show has music by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill with a book by Isobel Lennart. The show offers some strong songs with "Don't Rain on My Parade," "People," "If a Girl Isn't Pretty" and "I'm the Greatest Star."  Jameson Cooper as Eddie Ryan is a bright new talent to the Chicago Theatre scene.  Marc Grapey is a perfect Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., as is Iris Lieberman as Mrs. Strakosh, Adam Pelty as Tom Keeney and Catherine Smitko as Mrs. Brice.  If you remember Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks of radio fame and want to know more about her start on the stage and her personal life you'll come away enjoying this show.  "Funny Girl" runs through March 7th.  For show times and performance days as well as reservations call 630-530-0111.  Tickets range from $29 to $38.  There is free parking and the Martinique Restaurant offers excellent dinners.  I know as I've eaten there many times.   Oh Coward! Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The current show at Writer's Theatre in Glencoe is a cabaret revue called "Oh Coward" and hopefully they have another major hit on their hands in the small theatre in the back of Books on Vernon.  Noel Coward was a brilliant playwright and performer and his shows were witty and sophisticated.  Director Jim Corti has done a superb job with the direction of this show.  Jim is an actor who has Broadway credits but makes his home in Chicago.  New York audiences will remember him as Harry Houdini in "Ragtime" Doug Peck, one of Chicago's top musical directors, directs music for the show and is an outstanding pianist as well. The shows offers a cast of three very talented singers Kate Fry, Rob Lindley and John Sanders.  The show features 34 songs by Coward and most notable are "Zigeuner" from the operetta "Bittersweet", "Sail Away" from the show of the same name, "Mrs. Worthington", "I Went to a Marvelous Party", "Someday I'll Find You", "London Pride" and I'll Follow My Secret Heart".  Each performer has a solo number as well as singing in duets and trios.  The book has been devised by Roderick Cook and he has kept the dialogue witty, humorous and sophisticated.  This delightful show is 90 minutes long including one intermission.  "Oh Coward" runs until May 16, 2010.  For show times and reservations call 847/242-6000. Tickets are $40-$60.   The Pillowman Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** The Redtwist Theatre is a tiny black box theatre that is known for white-hot drama that they say has a little red twist.  "The Pillowman" is by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh and his claim to being a top Irish writer is to write strong meat and potatoes dramas and this is no exception.  Kimberly Senior is the director and the show features three Redtwist ensemble members - Andrew Jessop as Katurian, Johnny Garcia as Ariel and Peter Oyloe as Michal. The show runs two hours and a half and is a spellbinding drama with dark humor about a writer Katurian who is accused of perpetrating the very acts depicted in his murderous stories.  The show offers audience its share of violence and blood.  Tom Hickey is Topolski, one of the interrogators and Ariel is the policeman who loves to torture his prisoners.  Both give strong hard-hitting performances.  The show is performed in three acts and five scenes.  Katurian and Michal are brothers and their roles played by Jessop and Oyloe are done to perfection as both show it isn't always necessary to be equity actors to give audiences something to impress them. Oyloe won a Jeff citation a few years ago for the Redtwist production of Peter Shaffer's "Equus," which he will reprise for Redtwist in the Spring of 2010.  The only other time I saw this show was at Steppenwolf Theatre and Michael Shannon had the role Oyloe has and Tracey Letts played Topolski.  If you love serious drama I urge you to not only see this show but also support Redtwist Theatre with their other productions.  The space is perfect for non-equity professional theatre.  Others in the cast are Casey Cunningham, Joey Lesiak, Jimmy Wilson-Schutter and Marissa Meo.  "Pillowman" runs through April 18, 2010.  For performance days, show times and reservations, call 773-728-7529.  Tickets are priced at $22-$27 & $30.  Seniors and students get a $5 discount.   Million Dollar Quartet Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** As Jerry Lee Lewis would say "Great Balls of Fire" we have a major hit on our hands and not only with that hit song of his but with "Million Dollar Quartet" which celebrated its first anniversary November 5 at the Apollo Theatre.  I've seen the show three times.  It opened first at the Goodman Theatre in the Owen Theatre and then after its run there it opened at the Apollo.  The show will open off-Broadway in the spring of 2010 but will become an international hit in the future.  The show has a cast of eight who are talented singers as well as musicians.  From first viewing there has been a couple of cast changes but each time I've seen it the show's cast has gotten stronger.  Rob Lyons plays Carl Perkins, Lance Guest is Johnny Cash, Eddie Clandening plays Elvis Presley, the incredible Levi Kreis is Jerry Lee Lewis, Tim Decker is Sam Philips who runs Sun Records, Billy Shaffer and Chuck Zayas as Fluke and Jay Perkins accompany the cast as drummer and bass player in the band.  The only female in the cast is the beautiful Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, who for the story is Elvis' girlfriend.  Her rendition of "Fever" a song made famous by Peggy Lee is done in a sexy, sultry style and you don't want her to stop.  She also has one other solo "I Hear You Knocking" and does one with the group. Most of the songs you'll be familiar with and many you can come out singing.  Songs from the show are "Riders in the Sky" that also was a major hit for Vaughn Monroe, "See You Later Alligator", "Peace in the Valley," "I Walk the Line' and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On."  The show runs 100 minutes and features 21 songs.  The show has a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux and is under the direction of Floyd Mutrux and Eric Schaeffer.  Produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions and Northern Light Inc. Gigi Pritzker is one of the co-producers.  The show premiered in Florida and Washington before coming to Chicago. The story deals with how on December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Cash, Lewis, Perkins and Presley together.  The setting is in Sun Records, a storefront studio in Memphis where their careers began.  The man that made it all happen was Sam (the father of rock n' roll) Phillips who discovered them all.  These four legends-to-be are reunited for an impromptu recording and audiences get the jam session all the time.  Governor Quinn of Illinois proclaimed November 6 "Million Dollar Quartet Day", for a free lunchtime concert in the Thompson Center.  "Million Dollar Quartet" is here for an open run however tickets are currently now on sale through May 30, 2010.  For performance schedule and reservations call 773-935-6100.  Ticket prices are $25-$70.  It's worth it.   Richard & Friends Richard Eisenhardt pictured with several of his celebrity friends: (above Left) Dennis Hull of The Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team; (Center) Movie Superstar Jane Russell; (Right) John Marks of the Chicago Blackhawks.  (below Left) Broadway and Cabaret singer Julie Wilson; (Center) Zsa Zsa Gabor; (Right) World Champion figure skater Terry Kubicka.   About Richard Eisenhardt (Right) Richard Eisenhardt visits with Chicago theatre legends John Reeger and Paula Scrofano. Richard Eisenhardt is a lifelong Chicago theatre fan whose theatregoing experience traces over half a century.  Richard fell in love with live performances at the age of five when his parents took him to the Ice Follies, Ringing Brothers Circus and a revue featuring Olsen and Johnson.  His first major Broadway musical was at the age of fifteen when his parents took him to see "South Pacific" with Janet Blair and Richard Eastham at the old Shubert (now Bank of America) Theatre.  When the Chicago Theatre, State Lake Theatre, United Artist and Oriental Theatre ran movies and stage shows, he went on a regular basis.  He also purchased season tickets for shows at the Blackstone, Shubert, Harris, Selwyn, Great Northern and Erlanger, where the Theatre Guild and later Nederlander organization booked major Broadway tours prior to Broadway in Chicago taking over the market. Before regional theatre, Chicago had its share of summer stock and dinner theatres and Richard had season tickets for all of them, including Drury Lane South at 95th and Western.  In 1976 he attended a production of "Dillinger" at Victory Gardens Theatre when they staged shows at Club Metro.  The play was written by William J. Norris and starred William Petersen.  The show got decent reviews, but on a Friday night that Richard purchased a ticket, there were no more than 20 people in the audience.  Richard felt it was necessary to make people aware of regional theatre in Chicago and decided to put together a homemade publication called "Theatre 76."  Every year the date changed and it gave free publicity to theatres throughout Chicago and the suburbs from 1976 through 1995.  Richard's reviews have appeared in Streetwise for fourteen years and also Our Village Publications.  Richard says "There is nothing like live theatre - long may it live."