Steadstyle Chicago
	May 2008 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Russian on the Side Critical Evaluation: *** out of **** Over the last few years, Chicago audiences have been fortunate in having a marvelous venue like the Royal George Theatre, an intimate stage where a one-man show can work perfectly.  Audiences have been treated to Hershey Felder's one-man shows, and now Mark Nadler brings his one-man show "Russian on The Side" to this stage.  Mr. Nadler starts this ninety minute musical experience by playing and singing a Gershwin piece that includes 48 Russian composers names.  That's it, just their names, but it is a clever tune that grabs the attention of the audience and sets the tone of what Mr. Nadler has written, an exploration of the composers who have influenced the Broadway musical. He adds a bit of comedy in a Danny Kaye type of casual talk to the audience approach.  For you youngsters, Danny Kaye was a funny comedian who might be best known for his movie "Hans Christian Anderson").  And he does work the audience, but not to the degree of Mr. Felder.  During his exploration of the Broadway musical, we are treated to music from "Oklahoma", "Once Upon a Mattress" and a stirring bit on Sondheim.  At the end of this fun-filled ninety minutes (with no intermission) he takes us back to the original song to have us join and sing along.  Oh yes, along the way, as he speaks about each composer, he clicks their names on to the back wall and teaches us pronunciations and memory tricks. Does he really expect us to do this?  No way!  It is all part of bringing the parts together. This is a show that is preparing to move to New York and Broadway.  While it is here in town, I am sure that our audiences will help in the reshaping of certain moments and help Mr. Nadler get his show better for that trip.  Our audiences are solid and if a performer/writer/director really wants the best show possible, all they need do is pay attention to the reaction of a Chicago audience.  They will tell you how to do it better! "Russian on The Side" will run through June 15, 2008 at the Royal George Theatre main stage, located at 1641 N. Halsted in Chicago.  Performances are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 9 p.m., Sunday at 3 and 7 p.m.  Tickets range in price from $34.50 to $55 and are available at the box office or by phone at 312-988-9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  To learn more about this original musical comedy www.RussianOnTheSideOnline.com.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The EpochTimes.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.