Chicago Theatre Reviews by Richard Eisenhardt
Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Now
celebrating its 25th anniversary season, Raven Theatre is a
non-Equity storefront theatre that has received several Jeff
citations and nominations for its productions. In its early
days it discovered John "Buddy Holly" Mueller, who now
resides in California. The theatre normally performs highly
successful dramas, but it does offer some quality comedies as
well. Raven is coming off the explosive drama
"Columbinus," and is now giving its audience the Neil Simon
comedy "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," which opened on
Broadway in 1993.
Neil Simon is a three-time Tony Award winner who is one of America's greatest comic playwrights. "Laughter" is a fictionalized comedy about Simon's early days on the lunatic writing staff of "Your Show of Shows". Michael Menendian, the artistic head of Raven, is directing this production. "Laughter" introduces a room full of oddball writers, many based upon actual personalities. The Sid Caesar character is Max Prince, star of a 1953 variety show called "The Max Prince Show". Max is a booze-guzzling, pill-popping comic genius who goes to any length to protect his team in the face of network cutbacks.
The show deals with creeping McCarthyism, the star's financial need to fire one writer, the racist rift between Jewish Ira and Irish Brady. You'll find the writers sermonizing over Prince's nobility, or the sole female writer's out-of-the-blue feminist monologue. No one in the cast goes without killer punchlines. This hilarious play chronicles the writing team's outrageous antics and increasing stress levels to the television executives' resistanace to sophisticated humor. If you love to laugh then this is a play you should see. Featured in the cast are Greg Caldwell, Jeremy Glickstein, Dan Granata, Mackenzie Kyle, Greg Harkin, Dean LaPrairie, Elizabeth Lesinski, Eric Roach and Noah Simon. "Laughter" runs through June 28, 2008. Tickets are $25. Call (773) 338-2177.
Golda's Balcony
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
The Pegasus Players is the first regional theatre to obtain the rights to William Gibson's "Golda's Balcony," a powerful 90-minute show on the life of Golda Meir. If you want to see a strong performance by one of Chicago's top veteran actresses, you won't want to miss that of Janet Ulrich Brooks. Ms. Brooks is one of the top ensemble members of TimeLine Theatre Company. Director Alex Levy should be busting with pride over his direction, the show and his star. The show deals with the history of Israel as seen through the eyes of one the 20th Century's most remarkable leaders, Golda Meir.
Playwright William Gibson wasn't happy with the 1977 production of the show, so in 2002 at 88 years young he re-wrote this one-woman show that later featured Valerie Harper at the LaSalle Bank Theatre in 2006. From the pogroms of Russia to the halls of the Knesset, this tells audiences of the personal trials of Meir, exploring who she was and how she came to have such a profound connection to Israel. She became the first woman Prime Minister and "Golda's Balcony" deals with her public and private life. Meir grew up in the Ukraine, but fled with her family to Milwaukee.
The documentary story takes place during the 1973 Yom Kuppur war, but the range of the show goes far and wide in time and place. Some of the men we hear about are Moshe Dayan, Henry Kissinger, the Jordanian King and her husband Morris Meyerson. While we see that Palestinians also deserve the right to have their own state, the show is definitely pro-Israel. And something to remember as the play comes to an end, we say "Shalom," the Hebrew word for peace. It is something we should all pray for in the world and our violent society. Whether you are Jewish, Catholic or Protestant, it is a show we can all learn from and one not to be missed. "Golda's Balcony" runs through June 15, 2008 at Pegasus Players, in the O'Rourke Center for the Performing Arts, 1145 W. Wilson Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $17 to $25. Call (773) 878-9761.
Around the World in 80 Days
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
I
believe a professional critic never discusses a production he is
reviewing at the press opening. But leaving the theatre one
couldn't help but hearing the buzz on Lookingglass Theatre's
production of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80
Days". While I cannot help but hear comments, I never
allow that to influence what I think of a production. Well,
this is one show that should not be missed and would be ideal to take
children to see. I won't go into all the detail of the story
since the stage version, adapted and directed by Lookingglass
ensemble member Laura Eason, faithfully follows both the book and
movie, which is available on DVD.
Lookingglass is celebrating its 20th season and should be glowing with the success of "Hephaestus" and now "Around the World". One person felt this was the best production that Lookingglass has done in years. But then maybe they have grown old too soon and don't like circuses or Greek mythology. I believe that next to their production of "Hephaestus," it is one of their best. I only feel the former had a longer run. In fact, I would go back and pay to see it again. This show falls into that category.
Philip R. Smith plays the role of the wealthy Phileas Fogg. Smith is a strong actor and is perfectly cast by the playwright/director Laura Eason. Fogg bets with his poker playing friends that he can travel around the world in 80 days. Joe Dempsey does a first-rate job as Inspector Fax, who sets out to have Fogg and Passe Partoot (Kevin Douglas) arrested for robbing a bank, which they didn't do but which hinders their travels in 80 days. Ravi Batista is Mrs. Aouda, who marries Fogg at the end of the play.
Rom Barkhorder, Anish Jethmalani, Erica Ratcliff and Nick Sandys (who is also the fight choreographer) play a variety of characters on the journey. The effects of the elephant chase, the robbery of a moving train and the storm at sea will leave you in awe at the use of movement, dance, circus and expert storytelling. The show runs 2 hours 15 minutes but the times flies by. "Around the World" continues through June 1, 2008 at Lookingglass Theatre Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $25 to $55. Call (312) 337-0665.
Old Town
Critical Evaluation: * out of ****
Brett Neveu's World Premiere musical "Old Time," about Chicago's political machine, closes out Strawdog Theatre's 20th anniversary season. The show is an expensive one for an 80-seat non-Equity theatre and it offers a 10-piece live band. It is directed by Kyle Hamman, who has assembled a cast of seventeen. Unfortunately, the show didn't work for me. Neveu is a very talented playwright, but he should stick to writing the dramas for which he is acclaimed. The music us by Mikhail Fiksel and lyrics by Neveu, but none of the songs are memorable. One song titled "Politics and Funerals," the only title I can remember, reminds me of "Politics and Poker" from "Fiorello," but this is a far cry from that musical. None of the musical numbers are listed in the program, which should tell you something.
The show is set on election night at a fictional hotel. It tells the story of the Weltz family, who hail from a political dynasty, and how they plan to deal with the fickle Chicago voting public. Jerry, the patriarch of the family, has a long career that is beginning to slip at the polls after years of kissing babies and greasing palms, and all this spells the end for this politician. Daughter Cindy Weltz is a rising political star, but will she get the votes to continue the family legacy?
The cast features Kat McDonnell as Cindy Weltz, Christopher Hainsworth as Scotty Weltz and Ann Sheridan Smith as Liz Weltz, along with Shannon Hoag, Mike Coi, John Ferrick, Tom Hickey, Danny Taylor and Damian Vanore. Some of the performers are better actors than singers and need to seek a vocal coach if they plan to do more musicals. Choreographer Eilleen Mallary does what she can in staging the few dances, but the stage is too small to accomodate all seventeen who make up the ensemble. "Old Town" runs through May 31, 2008 at Strawdog Theatre, 3839 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are $20. Call (773) 528-9696.
Fiorello!
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
TimeLine
Theatre's award-winning "Fiorello!" is returning to
Chicago for the 2007-2008 season. Last year it proved so
successful that it couldn't accommodate everyone, so now it will be
running through June 15, 2008. The resurrection of last
season's critical hit won't disappoint audiences and many from last
season have returned. "Fiorello!" opened in New York
in November 1959 and ran for 795 performances. It tells the
story of one of New York's best loved mayors. Outside of
TimeLine no regional theatre has done a production of the show in Chicago.
When the show opened in New York, Tom Bosley of TV's "Happy Days" and "Murder She Wrote" played the role of Fiorello (Little Flower) LaGuardia. For the Chicago production TimeLine's Artistic Director PJ Powers returns to the stage in the role he played last season. Before becoming a successful mayor, LaGuardia was a lawyer who had a practice among the poor in Greenwich Village. He is interested in running for Congress, and Ben (played by Terry Hamilton) convinces him it is an impossibility. Ben is one of New York's local political bosses. Fiorello then helps the striking garment workers where he meets and falls in love with Thea (played by Andrea Prestinario), one of the strikers.
Helping the ethnic workers, he gets elected to office and during World War I he enlists in support of the draft act for calling up the troops. After the war he dedicates himself to fighting the corruption of the incumbant mayor of New York, James J. Walker. But life isn't always rosy as he survives a murder plot against him, he loses the election and his wife Thea dies. He also takes on the corruption of the political bosses of Tammany Hall and succeeds not only in that but gets elected as the mayor of New York. He finds more happiness when he marries his faithful secretary Marie (played by Rebecca Finnegan).
The show has a cast of 16 that includes Maris Hudson as Dora, Michael Kingston as Morris, Dan Loftus, Donica Lynn as Mitzi, Alan Schmuckler as Neil, Sara Sevigny as Mrs. Pomerantz, and Vance Smith as Floyd. The book is by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott with music and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. Some of the songs from the show are "Till Tomorrow," "Little Tin Box," "Politics and Poker" and "When Did I Fall in Love". It's well acted, sung and danced thanks to Director Nick Bowling, Choreographer Linda Fortunato and Musical Director Doug Peck and the cast. The show runs 2 and a half hours with intermission. "Fiorello!" continues through June 15, 2008. Tickets are $25 to $30. Call (773) 281-8463.
Better Late
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
"Better
Late" by Larry Gelbart and Craig Wright is having its World
Premiere at Northlight Theatre. After having to withdraw from
the show last season due to illness, John Mahoney is back on the
Chicago stage, along with another veteran actor Mike Nussbaum.
Artistic Director B.J. Jones is directing the cast of four that also
includes Linda Kimbrough as Nora, the former wife of Julian
(Nussbaum) who is currently married to Lee (Mahoney). The other
cast member is the bright young Shattered Globe ensemble member Steve
Key as Billy, Nora's son. The show runs a fast paced hour and a half.
One flaw on opening night was dropped lines, which I can excuse due to script rewrites up to opening night. The other problem is that Kimbrough is too young to have been originally married to Nussbaum. The playwrights should say something about her first husband being an older man and liking younger women or vice versa. Because of health issues Julian is forced to move in with his ex-wife and her new husband, which causes problems when situations quickly spiral out of control. The show offers humor but we wonder how long Julian will have to stay before it affects the marriage of Lee and Nora.
Larry Gelbart is 80 plus and co-wrote the show. In part it is a situation comedy that is autobiographical, but this is far from being one of the mindless comedies that ran for two weeks back in the late 40's, 50's and 60's featuring former stars of the stage, screen and television. You'll see how when two people are married, have a child and divorce the effects it causes Billy, the troubled offspring of the first marriage. The show is sold-out for its run, but that doesn't mean one can't get tickets with luck. "Better Late" runs through May 11, 2008 at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie. Tickets are $35 to $55. Call (847) 673-6300.
Knute Rockne All-American
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
I'm
sure some of you will remember the musical "Damn Yankees,"
the musical dealing with baseball. The movie, which is
available on DVD featured two of the original Broadway stars, Gwen
Verdon and Ray Walston, along with Tab Hunter. In my
observation, you don't have to be a lover of football to find Theatre
at the Center's world premiere of "Knute Rockne
All-American" entertaining. The book is by Buddy Farmer
and is based on the original play "Coaches Off the Bench,"
with Knute, Vince Lombardi and Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Outside of the "Notre Dame Fight Song" which opens and
closes the show, all of the music by Michael Mahler and lyrics by
Mahler and David H. Bell, are original. Bell also directs and
choreographs the show.
Stef Tovar is perfect in the role of Rockne as he is an excellent actor and an adequate singer. It's great to see Kate Fry back on the musical stage after appearing in "The Miser" opposite her husband at Northlight Theatre. The show features a cast of 25 professional actors, singers and dancers. Some of the first-rate performers are Dennis Kelly as Father Walsh and Knute's father Lars, Starr Busby as Thelma, Ron Rains as Jimmy the Goat, and Geoff Rice as Gus Dorais, Knute's roommate at Notre Dame. Brandon Dahlquist has the role of the Gipper, played by the late president Ronald Reagan in the movie. Other standouts in a variety of roles are Larry Adams, Ann Acker, Jackson Evans, Eric Lindahl, Phil Higgens, Jarrod Zimmerman, Caryn Ott, Kelli Morgan and many others.
You'll hear such songs as "Completing the Forward Pass," "I Never Saw it Coming," "If There Had Been Roses" and "Promises to Keep," along with thirteen others. Rockne was raised in Logan Square, born poor and a fighter. Rockne was not Catholic but did attend and graduate from Notre Dame. Dahlquist is perfect as the Gipper, who is famous for the school's rushing record. The Gipp dies but to this day his unexpected death goes unknown. Rockne led his team to five undefeated seasons and the 1925 Rose Bowl championship.
Matt Raftery leads the cast in some first rate dances, and you'll be hearing a lot in the future from him. Forget it if you're not a sports lover. While the book could use some adjustments, the 2 hours and 25 minutes fly by. It's a show that has great promise and for me it scored a touch down. It runs through May 11, 2008 at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. Tickets are $36 to $40. Call (219) 836-3255.
Four Places
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Victory
Gardens Theatre is presenting the world premiere of Joel Drake
Johnson's new play "Four Places". The theatre has an
ensemble of fourteen playwrights and each season they are premiered
in Chicago. That is five per season. Next season they are
presenting two playwrights not from their ensemble, Sarah Ruhl and
Adati Brennan Kapil. "Four Places" is under the
direction of Sandy Shiner and she has assembled a strong cast headed
by Mary Ann Thebus, Meg Thalken, Peter Burns and Jennifer Avery.
The show runs 90 minutes without intermission.
The title of the show takes place in four places. One is the car that takes the characters to the restaurant, the next is the lobby of the restaurant they are eating at, the restaurant and the women's restroom. All this moves on a sliding floor. It's a dark comedy as two adults, one a psychiatrist and the other a school teacher, must deal with their cantankerous mother Peggy (played by Thebus). Her two children are Ellen (Thalken) and Warren (Burns). Avery has the role of Barb, their friendly waitress. Peggy loves to drink and the waitress keeps bringing and refilling her glass. Peggy keeps running off to the bathroom followed by Ellen to check that she is all right.
A care-giver has advised Ellen and Warren that their aging mother might be a danger to each other, which sets them both in a state of panic. This is why they have lunch to try and straighten things out, but all does not go well. Peggy skillfully maneuvers throughout the meal to maintain control and not lose her power. We see that parents at any age have lives entirely independent of their children. Peggy feels emotionally cornered by her two children. One can learn a lot by watching the show as we are all in the aging process. Dealing with cantankerous, strong-willed people is not an easy task. I don't have that problem with a parent, but I have to deal with a friend who wants to rule the world and merely tolerate people. I'm glad that person is not my mother. "Four Places" has been extended through May 11, 2008 at Victory Gardens Theatre at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $20 to $45. Call (773) 871-3000.
Nine
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
"Nine,"
which is closing out Porchlight's season, is one of those rare
musicals that has never played in a downtown house and has only had
one regional viewing. That was at the Candlelight Dinner
Playhouse, which is no longer in existence. Back in 1982 the
show had 732 performances in New York, and a limited run in 1996 in
London. The book is by Arthur Kopit, with music and lyrics by
Maury Yeston. Porchlight's production has five musicians and
offers some beautiful numbers, including "My Husband Makes
Movies," "Follies Bergeres," "A Man Like You"
and "Be On Your Own".
Guido Contini (played by Jeff Parker) is a famous film director who at forty years young feels he is at the mid-life crisis point in his life. The cast is made up of eleven women, who are all part of his life. The only other male is Matthew Gold, who plays Guido at an early age. Heather Townsend plays Guido's wife Luisa, Maggie Portman is his mistress Carla, Marie Svejda-Groh is Claudia, an actress who was Guido's former protegee, and Kristine Freilich is Guido's mother. Other characters in Guido's life are his producer, a critic, a voluptuous whore, Our Lady of the Spa, and three admirers of Guido's.
"Nine" is based on Frederico Fellini's film "8 1/2" and is based in part on his life story. Gudio decides to do a musical on Casanova, while his private life remains in disarray. Carla and Claudia abandon him and he finally abandons the film. When he contemplates suicide, he has a vision of himself at an early age who tells him to stop being a womanizer by growing up and go after his real love, his wife Luisa. Jeff Parker has several major roles to his credit, and this production showcases his talents as a singer as well as actor. L. Walter Stearns has put together a show he can well be proud of. Brenda Didier is the choreographer and the musicians are under the direction of Eugene Dizon. The musical is strong and so is this production. It is only too bad it has taken so long for a regional theatre to mount a production of it. "Nine" runs through May 18, 2008 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont Avenue. Tickets are $34 and $35.
Dead Man's Cell Phone
Critical Evaluation: ** out of ****
Sarah
Ruhl is one of the theatre's hottest female playwrights at the
moment, with "The Clean House," "Eurydice" and
the 3 1/2 hour production of "The Passion Play". Now
comes her newest work, "Dead Man's Cell Phone," which
Jessica Thebus is directing for Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
The play has a cast of six actors and runs 1 hour 55 minutes.
Polly Noonan has the role of Jean and Molly Regan is Miss Gottlieb
through June 1, after which Marilyn Dodds Frank will assume the role
June 2-July 27. Other cast members are Coburn Goss as Dwight,
Marc Grapey as Gordon, Sarah Charipar as the Other Woman, and one of
Chicago's leading actresses Mary Beth Fisher as Hermia. Ms.
Fisher comes off leading roles in "What the Butler Saw" at
Court Theatre and About Face Theatre's production of "The Little
Dog Laughed".
What would you do if you found a dead man's cell phone? That is the premise of the show. Jean is sitting in a cafe and feels compelled to answer a cell phone belonging to Gordon. Jean works in a Holocaust museum. She knows nothing of Gordon's illegal line of work selling human organs. She becomes involved with the people who are associated with the dead man, including his mother Mrs. Gottlieb, his loser brother Dwight, his wife Hermia and his lover, the other woman. Jean is the type of person who will try her best to show the good side of Gordon's wrongs by inventing kind things he might have said about the people in his life before dying. The playwright tries to convey the importance of love while people are around. This may not be a play for everyone, but Thebus' direction and the performances of the cast are worth seeing to a point. "Dead Man's Cell Phone" runs through July 27, 2008 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted Street in Chicago. Tickets are $20 to $68. Call (312) 335-1650.
Sweet Charity
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
"Sweet
Charity," with a book by Neil Simon and songs by Dorothy Fields
and Cy Coleman, is now getting a first-rate production at Drury Lane
Oakbrook. While Neil Simon is known for his comedies, he has
also written the book for several musicals, including "Little
Me" and "The Goodbye Girl," recently seen at Drury
Lane. "Sweet Charity" is a knockout production and
one of the best ever seen in regional theatre.
"Charity" is a freewheeling adaptation of the Fellini film
"The Nights of Cabiria". It is a bittersweet
confection with the emphasis on the sweet. It also relies
heavily on the charismatic Bob Fosse dance numbers that Mitzi
Hamilton has re-staged for this revival.
Summer Smart has the role of Charity Hope Valentine, originated by the late Gwen Verdon in New York and also played by Juliet Prowse in London in the 1960's. Ms. Smart is superb as a dancer, singer and actress. As Charity, she embodies the naiveté, ebullience, good-heartedness and vulnerability of the heroine. Charity is a dance hall hooker with a heart of gold who learns to accept perpetual optimism in lieu of emotional fulfillment. Ericka Mac has the role of Helene, Vanessa Panerosa is Nickie, Jennifer Knox is Carmen, and Amanda Tanguay is Rosie, who all work at the Fan-Dango ballroom.
Making his first Equity performance is Nicholas Foster, who has three roles as Vittorio Vidal, Oscar Lindquist, who Charity hopes to marry, and Charlie. Darren Matthias turns in a first-rate performance as the head of the Rhythm of Life church. It is also great to see Michael Ehlers back on the stage as he is one of Chicago's leading dancers. Richard Strimer, Erin Thompson, Laura E. Taylor, and Summer Rich all stand out in the 21 person cast. A standing ovation should be given to Jim Corti on his knockout direction. "Sweet Charity" runs through May 18, 2008 at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Tickets range from $24 to $54. Call (630) 530-0111.
I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass)
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
The
Black Ensemble Theatre, under the direction and leadership of Ms.
Jackie Taylor, rarely disappoints her audience and her new show
"I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass)" is no
exception. Besides Pendergrass' hits, you'll hear three new
songs that he has written with Bill Jolly for the show. The
biography musical tells how Teddy Pendergrass gained recognition with
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1972. Thanks to
Pendergrass' exceptional singing, the group skyrocketed to fame and
received national attention with such hits as "I Miss You,"
"Bad Luck" and "Wake Up Everybody". Like
many artists, he made the decision to go solo in 1977 and his raw,
soulful style turned the music industry upside down.
The show offers such Pendergrass hits as "Close the Door," "Turn off the Lights," "Joy," "The Love I Lost," "Power of Love," "When Somebody Loves You Back" and "You are My Greatest Inspiration". Ms. Taylor has once again hired a powerful group of 13 professionals who can sing, dance and make the story work. The title role of Teddy Pendergrass is being played by two actors, Kevin McIlvaine and Rashawn Thompson. Others in various roles and the ensemble are Carrie, Tony Dawson, Atikin D'Hayes, Rueben Echoles, Kristy Johnson, Melanie McCullough, Dawn Mitchell, Dwight Neal, Rhonda Preston, Billy Simmons and Andre Wood. The show features seven musicians in the orchestra.
It's unfortunate that in 1982 this talent suffered a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, making him a quadriplegic. But through the strength of God and his friends, it didn't deter his ambitions as an artist, winning five Grammy awards in 36 years of performing. The three new songs written for the show are "I Am Who I Am," "A Mother's Love" and "Thus Far By Faith". The story shows that with faith and determination, nothing is impossible. It runs a little over 2 hours with intermission. The show has an open run with no closing date set. Tickets are $45. Call (773) 769-4451.
A Steady Rain
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
After
a successful six week run at the Chicago Dramatists Theatre, New
York producers Jono Gero, Frank Gero and Ray Gaspard are bringing
Keith Huff's "A Steady Rain" to the Royal George
Theatre. The show deals with two Chicago policemen, Denny
(played by Randy Steinmeyer) and Joey (played by Peter DeFaria) as
they explore love and rage on the streets of Chicago. A routine
domestic disturbance call sends them on a harrowing journey that
tests their loyalties and their lives forever. It is a raw,
gritty and gripping story of a good cop and bad cop that deals with
alcohol and racism issues. The two-character play runs a
powerful 95 minutes.
Keith Huff's play has a great future in the small Off Broadway and regional theatres, and Russ Tutterow's direction is right on target as it hits the bullseye. The story builds as the two characters must deal with personal issues and a major mistake finds them making decisions that cause problems with each other. We find Joey has a problem with drinking and Denny does his best to keep him away from alcohol. On the other hand, Denny takes bribes and can't see why he keeps getting passed over for promotions. The show opens with two separate monologues that set the pace for the show. "A Steady Rain" has been extended through October 5, 2008. Tickets range from $35 to $45, with discounts for students, seniors, Police, firefighters and uniformed personnel. Call (312) 988-9000 or (312) 902-1500.
Les Miserables
Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****
The
Marriott Theatre is opening their 2008 season with a powerful
production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's "Les
Miserables," based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The
Marriott has over the years done some excellent shows, but this by
far has to be the best production ever. And they will continue
to give Chicagoland audiences top value for their money.
Dominic Missimi and the Marriott artistic staff have assembled a cast
of 32 professional performers for this show. Several of the
cast have Broadway credits, but the majority reside in Chicago.
John Cudia plays Jean Valjean and is married in real life to Chicago actress Kathy Voytko. Ms. Voytko has recently been seen on Broadway and plays Fantine. Richard Todd Adams has the role of Valjean's nemesis Javert. The handsome Chris Peluso, last seen in "Wicked," has the role of Marius, and Anne Letscher plays Eponine. Other standout performances in this strong show are Leah Horowitz, Patrick Cummings, Michael Accardo, George Keating and the list goes on.
For those unfamiliar with the Victor Hugo classic that travels through three turbulent decades of 19th Century France, I suggest you go to the library and read the book as the musical takes three hours and covers much romance, passion, suspense and humanity to tell the story. The songs are strong and well sung and include "I Dreamed a Dream," "Who Am I?", "Stars," "Red and Black," "On My Own," "Dog Eat Dog," and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," to name just a few. The eleven musicians are one of the largest orchestras the Marriott has had.
It is the story of a fugitive named Valjean who is pitted against the self-righteous Javert, who audiences will love to hate. The Marriott can be proud of its production, which is a coup for them as it is only one of five theatres chosen to produce this epic musical in regional theatre. We only wish this production after its Marriott run could be transferred to another mid-sized theatre so it could be seen by more people at reasonable prices. The show runs through May 11, 2008. Tickets are $45. Call (847) 634-0200.
About Richard Eisenhardt
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 LaSalle Bank) 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 Peterson. 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."