| Good afternoon. How great that David Schwimmer is re-engaged with Lookingglass Theatre (not that he ever went away) on the marketing side. I am blown away by the company's new website, as managed by David, especially the history section. Many theaters will be envious. Too often, these narratives and records of past production get lost, as my regular readers well know. And if you doubt David's "juice," to use his word,
know that only the Chicago Bears attracted more readers of this newspaper than this story. This week's new reviews include "Bernadette, The Musical,” a very unusual (and nun-friendly) musical from France that is having its U.S. premiere at the Athenaeum Theatre. It's about the saint of that name and Our Lady of Lourdes. The cast of “Bernadette, The Musical” at Chicago’s Athenaeum Center. (Provided by Bernadette The Musical) Also,
"Miss Julie" at Court Theatre. Could not be more different from "Bernadette." But that's the joy of such a theater scene here. Tonight is the return of director Hallie Gordon at Rivendell Theatre with "Pivot," a new play by Alex Lubischer, starring Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer. Exciting. Also exciting: Rumor has it that the Kokandy Productions' 2025 staging of "Jekyll & Hyde" might be getting a transfer and coming back to life. No deal yet, I'm
told. Albeit years later than first announced, Black Ensemble is getting ready to open its second stage in its Uptown home. I hear that Naperville got to hear a real showstopping
"Impossible Dream" from Broadway's Joaquina Kalukango at the star-studded Saturday benefit for the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts. (If you were there, email me and tell me more!) The latest fundraiser for that institution will be in Chicago: a reunion of the original Broadway cast of
"Six" on June 22 at The Fairlie in the West Loop. Lots of Chicago represents there. A reminder that director Jessica Fisch's new, updated staging of
"Dear Evan Hansen" at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora is really, really good. Check out the young lead from Northern Kentucky, Cody Combs. Totally worth any drive or train for superfans of the show. Finally, rest in peace, John R. Lazzara, old-school impresario of the Drury Lane Evergreen Park. There was a colorful guy who had big fun in the business they call show! See you at the theater. — Chris Jones, chief theater critic Devin DeSantis, Elaine Watson, Isabel Kaegi and Pablo David Laucerica in “Dear Evan
Hansen” at Paramount Theatre in Aurora. (Boris Martin) Our current list of Chris Jones Recommends:
"Birds of North America" through March 15 at A Red Orchid Theatre; “On Your Feet!” through March 22 at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace; “Come Back, Little Sheba" through March 22 at American Blues Theater; “Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till” through March 1 by Collaboraction in the Kimball Arts Center; “Holiday” through March 8 at Goodman Theatre; “Dear Evan Hansen” through March 22 at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. | 
