| On Sunday, the Theo Ubique Theatre in Evanston, right on Howard Street, became the
Fred Anzevino Theatre in honor of the company's late founder. I was honored to speak about Fred, to my mind the inventor of Chicago storefront musicals and as big a talent as Chicago theater ever enjoyed. This week also brought another loss with news of the death of Paul Edwards, a Northwestern University professor whose adaptations were produced by several Chicago theater companies over the years. To better understand his contributions, I'd refer you to this piece by the late Jack Helbig. Broadway in Chicago says its new partnership with Metra is working out well.
If you bought tickets to "The Lion King," you could ride the train for free. Let's hope it returns with future downtown shows. Rivendell Theatre has announced its new season, which begins next month. The women-centered company's slate includes
"Pivot" by Alex Lubischer, directed by Hallie Gordon;
"Do Something Pretty" by Melissa Ross, directed by Jessica Fisch; and "Bonnie’s Last Flight" by Eliza Bent, directed by Devon de Mayo. The season kicks-off with the annual new play festival “Fresh Produce,” and features the continuation of the
"immersive and collaborative" development process for a theatrical production with 2026 MacArthur fellow Tonika Lewis Johnson’s famed Folded Map. A RIV pass gets you all 3 shows for $95. Sandra Delgado in “Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars” at Timeline Theatre. (Brett Beiner) Now to a busy week of shows. On Broadway, there was
"Ragtime" and you'll find that review below (I missed the Frank Galati staging but
"Ragtime is Ragtime."). In Chicago, openings included "Paranormal Activity," which scared the bejesus out of me at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, "Revolution(s)," a most interesting new musical and "Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars," the new Sandra Delgado piece from Timeline Theatre. Kendal Marie Wilson, AJ Paramo, Christopher Kelley, Aaron James Mckenzie, Jarais Musgrove, Eric A. Lewis and Haley Gustafson in “Revolution(s)” at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre. (Brett Beiner) The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago has announced its 2025 Black Excellence Awards. Nominees in the theater realm are Definition Theater, Black Ensemble Theater, Theater 47, MPAACT and Pegasus Theater for best production; Jackie Taylor, Tyrone Phillips, Carla Stillwell, Daryl D. Brooks, John Ruffin and Ilesa Duncan for best director; Ronald L. Connor, Vincent Jordan, Tamarus Harvel and Michael Kenady for
best male actor; Rhonda Preston, Alexandria Crawford, Tamara Batiest, Ariya Hawkins and Caitlin Dobbins for best female actor. Directors Lili Ann Brown, Malika Stampley, Ron OJ Parson, Shanesia Davis, Awoye Timpo and Gabrielle Randle-Bent are up for special recognition alongside the performers Anji White, Gregory Fenner, Namir Smallwood, Brittney Mack, Kelvin Roston, Jr. and Shanesia Davis. Congrats to all! See you
at the theater. — Chris Jones, chief theater critic Cher Álvarez and Patrick Heusinger in “Paranormal Activity” in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Kyle Flubacker) Our current list of Chris Jones Recommended shows: "Mr. Wolf” through Nov. 2 at Steppenwolf Theatre; “Medea” through Oct. 26 by Lyric Opera of Chicago; “Veal” through Nov. 9 at A Red Orchid Theatre;
"Paranormal Activity" through Nov. 2 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater;
"Revolution(s)" through Nov. 17 at the Goodman Theatre Sign up for the Theater Loop newsletter: Our weekly newsletter has the latest news and reviews
from America’s hottest theater city. Theater critic Chris Jones will share a behind-the-curtain look at what you need to know. |
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