Critic's notebook
Here is a look at currently running plays recently reviewed by the Daily Herald.
"Altar Boyz," Drury Lane Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. This high-energy, spot-on sendup of prefab boy bands and Christian pop has an ecumenical appeal. You don't have to be a member of the congregation to get the joke in a show that's pure fluff, but very well-done. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 5 p.m. Sundays; through Jan. 6. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in Water Tower Place garage with validation. Tickets: $45-$55. Rating: For teens and older, contains sexual innuendo. Box office: (312) 642-2000 or www.altarboyzchicago.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars
"Between Barack and a Hard Place," Second City Theatre, 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. Second City sends up Illinois' junior senator in its 94th revue featuring requisite jabs at pop culture and politics. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; open run. Running time: About 1 hour, 45 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $17-$25. Rating: For adults. Box office: (312) 337-3992 or www.secondcity.com. Reviewed by Scott Morgan. 2 1/2 stars
"Bourbon at the Border," Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Eclipse Theatre concludes its Pearl Cleage season with her drama about the lingering effects of the brutal and bloody civil rights movement on two activist participants. The show is sluggish in spots and Cleage telegraphs the outcome early. But the competent production benefits from good casting and a moving performance by Lynette Mance -- who overcomes her initial tentativeness to blossom in the second act -- as a survivor of racial violence married to a man still coming to grips with it. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 16. Running time: About 2 hours, including intermission. Parking: Reduced parking in the Childrens' Memorial Parking Hospital parking lot with ticket stub. Tickets: $18-$30. Rating: For adults, contains strong language, adult subject matter. Box office: (773) 871-3000 or www.eclipsetheatre.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 stars
"Defiance," Next Theatre Company, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Next Theatre delivers a blistering Chicago-area premiere of John Patrick Shanley's drama, follow-up to his Pulitzer- and Tony-winning "Doubt," about a couple of career officers dealing with racial unrest and personal misconduct on a North Carolina base. A sharply written examination of power, duty and loyalty set against a backdrop of race and religion, it features terrific work by Steve Pickering, in his first performance for next in 10 years and newcomer Osiris Khepera. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 23. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Metered and street parking available. Tickets: $23-$38. Rating: For adults, contains sexual references, strong language. Box office: (847) 475-1875, ext. 2 or www.nexttheatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars
"Every Christmas Story Ever Told!" Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Noble Fool's clever revolt against traditional holiday shows pares down classics like "The Nutcracker" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," adds TV ephemera like Santa riding a Norelco shave to create a mostly mirthful production. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 29. Running time: About 100 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Free lot adjacent to theater. Tickets: $27-$38 (dinner-theater packages from $49 to $60). Rating: For teens and older, includes a disillusioning discussion of Santa. Box office: (630) 584-6342 or www.noblefool.org. Reviewed by Scott Morgan. 2 1/2 stars
"Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie)," Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. James Thiérrée, a graceful, inventive performer, combines mime, acrobatics, dance and music to create an astonishing piece of conceptual theater centered around a rumpled everyman who loses and then recovers his family. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Validated parking in the Navy Pier lot. Tickets: $42-$56, limited tickets available. Rating: For all ages. Box office: (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars
"The Island of Dr. Moreau," Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. Lifeline's chilling, adrenaline-fueled adaptation of H.G. Wells' science-fiction classic about a shipwrecked man who encounters a perverse scientist determined to one-up evolution by creating his own human-animal hybrids impresses thanks to the artistry of its design team, the astute direction of Paul Holmquist and the talent of its ensemble, especially Phil Timberlake as the unwilling observer to Moreau's experiments and Yosh Hayashi as the doctor's self-loathing assistant. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30; 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Some street parking; free lot several blocks north in the Trilogy lot at Glenwood and Estes. Tickets: $15-$25. Rating: Violence, disturbing themes, suitable for older teens and adults. Box office: (773) 761-4477 or www.lifelinetheatre.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars
"Jersey Boys," LaSalle Bank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The superb touring production of this exuberant bio-musical about the rags to riches to wreckage to reconciliation tale of The Four Seasons delivers on its promise as one of the season's most anticipated shows. The show looks and sounds great thanks to the Broadway design team, songwriters Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, and Jarrod Spector, Drew Gehling, Michael Ingersoll and Jeremy Kushnier, who play the Seasons with charisma and conviction. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through July 13, 2008. Running time: About 2½ hours, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $30-$150. Rating: For adults, includes explicit language and sexual references. Box office: (312) 902-1400 or www.ticketmaster.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars
"Machos," Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Latina actresses convincingly portray men in this Teatro Luna production which reveals men's feelings on gender roles, stereotypes and sexual preferences in a humorous and unflinching manner. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 16. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Street parking in available. Tickets: $15, $10. Rating: For adults, contains strong language. Box office: (773) 878-5862. Reviewed by Elena Ferrarin.3 stars
"Meet Me in St. Louis," Drury Lane Oak Brook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. This pleasantly bland 1989 musical fails to translate the simplicity and charm of Vincent Minelli's original 1944 film, despite the classic tunes like "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and enjoyable performances by Jessie Mueller as the spunky Esther (the Judy Garland role) and Justin Berkobien as the boy-next-door. Showtimes: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 and 8 p.m. Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 16. Running time: About 2 hours, 10 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Free lots adjacent to theater. Tickets: $25-$50. Rating: For all ages. Box office: (630) 530-0111 or www.drurylaneoakbrook.com. Reviewed by Scott Morgan.2 stars
"The Night of the Iguana," Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. Raven Theatre serves Tennessee Williams well in its well-done revival of his classic, a touching examination of loneliness and desperation centered around three lonely souls at the end of their ropes. Michael Menendian injects a bit of screwball sensibility into the production, which features first-rate performances by Paul Dunckel as the defrocked minister T. Lawrence Shannon, JoAnn Montemurro as the lusty Maxine and Kristen Williams Smith as the wise spinster Hannah Jelkes. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 8. Running time: About 2½ hours, including intermission. Parking: Free in lot adjacent to theater. Tickets: $20, $25. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 338-2177 or www.raventheatre.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars
"Old Wicked Songs," Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. Vincent L. Lonergan plays an eccentric Austrian professor instructing Shawn Pfautsch's American piano prodigy at a professional impasse in Signal Ensemble's solid production of Jon Marans' sentimental, formulaic drama underscored by Robert Schumann's "Dichterliebe" song-cycle. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 15. Also 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 12. Running time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Metered and street parking available. Tickets: $20, $15. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 347-1350 or www.signalensemble.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 1/2 stars
"A Park in Our House," Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. A talented cast impresses in this Teatro Vista/Victory Gardens collaboration of Nilo Cruz's play about the hardships endured by a family living in 1970s Cuba whose lives are upended by the arrival a Russian botanist on an international exchange program. Rife with emotion, sensuality and vivacious humor, the play's true gem is the second act wherein the fine cast poetically depicts the family's agony and rage. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 9. Running time: About 2 hours, 15 minutes including intermission. Parking: Discounted parking at the Children's Memorial Hospital parking garage. Tickets: $20-$45. Rating: For adults, contains sexual innuendo. Box office: (773) 871-3000 or www.victorygardens.org. Reviewed by Elena Ferrarin. 3 stars
"The Phantom of the Opera," Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The flaws of this long-running show (stock characters, a repetitive score, overdone special effects) have been well-documented. But it has undeniable appeal, captivating audiences with its spectacle including Maria Bjornson's period costumes and Harold Prince's cinematic staging. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through Jan. 5. Running time: About 2 hours, 45 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Area garages. Tickets: $28-$85. Rating: For all ages. Box office: (312) 902-1400 or www.broadwayinchicago.com. Reviewed by Scott C. Morgan. 3 stars
"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," Circle Theatre, 7300 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Circle Theatre's entertaining, judiciously staged revival of this high-spirited 1954 movie musical benefits from efficient, exuberant direction and choreography by Kevin Bellie, who pays homage to original choreographer Michael Kidd yet still puts his own stamp on the show. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 23. Running time: About 2 hours, including intermission. Parking: Street parking available Tickets: $26. Rating: For all ages. Box office: (708) 771-0700 or www.circle-theatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 1/2 stars
"Some Girl(s)," Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago. Neil LaBute's play about a man who tracks down former girlfriends hoping to right some wrongs, gets a taut production from Profiles, a company specially suited to the writer's caustic humor and lean, unsentimental style. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 16. Running time: About 90 minutes, including a deleted scene. Parking: Limited street parking. Tickets: $25, $30. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 549-1815 or www.profilestheatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars
"The Sparrow," Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Imaginative and beguilingly told, this coming-of-age fairy tale about a young girl with a wounded spirit and special gifts who helps a town heal after a tragedy features a muted but eloquent performance by Carolyn Defrin in the title role; arresting visuals by Tracy Otwell and Lucas Merino; inventive staging by creator and director Nathan Allen; and winning choreography by Tommy Rapley. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 31. Running time: About two hours, including intermission. Parking: $10 valet. Tickets: $34.50-$49.50. Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (773) 935-6100 or www.thehousetheatre.com or www.broadwayinchicago.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars
"Weapon of Mass Impact," A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. Brett Neveu's second play in his trilogy examining the war on terrorism grabs your attention with a cringe-inducing opening of a woman held hostage by Third World guerillas. Unfortunately, the self-consciously cryptic drama -- less satisfying than its predecessor "Harmless" -- fails to sustain that tension. The best thing about the show are the seamless performances of A Red Orchid ensemble members Jennifer Engstrom, Kristen Fitzgerald and Mierka Girten. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; 7 p.m. Dec. 2. Running time: About 80 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $20, $25. Rating: For adults, contains violence, strong language. Box office: (312) 943-8722 or www.aredorchidtheatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 stars
"Wedding Play," Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Writer/director Eric Rosen bows out as About Face's artistic director with a sharp, affectionate, often frustrating yet spot-on look at Chicago theater with this artfully staged and well-acted play about an up-and-coming playwright whose latest hit might well be his confession to murder. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; 3 p.m. Dec. 2. About 2 hours, 10 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Paid lot adjacent to the theater. Tickets: $20-$35. Rating: For adults, mature language and subject matter, sexual situations. Box office: (312) 335-1650 or www.aboutfacetheatre.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars
"What the Butler Saw," Court Theatre, University of Chicago, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Sean Graney directs this feisty, fast-paced, physical revival of Joe Orton's sex farce about a psychiatrist attempts to seduce his new secretary. The first-rate cast, which includes the terrific Joe Foust, delivers Orton's wry dialogue with deadpan panache. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 9. Running time: About 2 hours, 10 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Free lot adjacent to the theater. Tickets: $38-$54. Rating: For adults, contains nudity, ribald humor and sexual situations. Box office: (773) 753-4472 or www.courttheatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars