Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen a new version by Amy Herzog Directed by Sam Gold Circle in the Square Theatre June 6, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Enemy of the People was a lean, mean fighting machine of a play. This new version of the play as edited by Amy Herzog resembles her production of last season’s Doll’s House in that it is a stripped down production that gets to the heart of the story in the fewest steps needed. All of the window dressing is gone. The play uses the full theater-in-the-round experience that Circle in the Square can uniquely provide so you really feel close to the action itself. Of course, you do have the problem of the actors turning their back to you at times and the occasional chandelier that is in your line of sight, (I swear, I wanted to climb on stage and take that chandelier down, but . . . ) but this is a very small price to pay for this front row opportunity to see this drama.
Illinoise Music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens Book by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury Directed and Choreographed by Justin Peck Ethel Barrymore Theatre June 5, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Illinois IS the perfect solution to the jukebox musical. Although Illinois is based on the popular album Illinois by Sufjan Stevens this this time the album to live production works and works MAGICALLY and PERFECTLY. The central plot follows Henry as he leaves his boyfriend to join a community of storytellers somewhere in the woods of Illinois.
Here There are Blueberries Tectonic Theatre Project by Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronich conceived and directed by Moises Kaufman New York Theatre Workshop April 19, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Based on real events, Here There are Blueberries tells the story of a mysterious collection of photographs that was set to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007. The shocking discovery in these photographs taken at Auschwitz was that not a single picture was of a prisoner or a corpse. Every picture was of a soldier or a person employed at the camp. There, picture after picture – – was of office meetings, retreats, and even holiday celebrations. They showed groups of young, giggling women all working as switchboard operators manning the phones and communication channels for the camp. In short it presented the human, day-to-day side of the Germans in Auschwitz.
Patriots by Peter Morgan Directed by Rupert Goold Ethel Barrymore Theatre April 12, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Simply brilliant! Patriots is everything a play should be: a smart play that gives causes you to think and feel – excites your imagination – is fun and clever – dangerous and radical – challenges your view of history – and causes you to think about your future! All that in 2 glorious hours. Set in 1991 as the Soviet Union is morphing into the new Russia, oligarchs are taking over the government and billionaire Boris Berezovsky (brilliantly, brilliantly played by Michael Stuhlbarg) looks to an unknown deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin (equally brilliantly played by Will Keen) to serve as the eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin – Putin seems to be the perfect puppet to serve this king-maker – – or is he?
Created by 600 Highwaymen for Talking Band Featuring Ellen Maddox & Paul Zimit Perelman Performing Arts Center February 16, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
The Following Evening was a piece of theatre history and theatre magic. Theatre legends were working alongside the cutting edge of theatre present. The production was created by 600 Highwaymen – one of perhaps the most exciting experimental theatre companies in the world stage today. Highwaymen (Abigail Browde & Michael Silverstone) have been making performances since 2009. Their work – which blends theater, dance, contemporary performance, and civic encounters – illuminates the magic and potential of people coming together.
