Mundelein Review

Cuneo welcomes trio of historical women

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:30:01 -0500

Audiences will take a tour of history — with three stops — when Kirk Players presents “Influential Women of History” at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in Vernon Hills.

Childish behavior not just for kids in ‘Carnage’

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:06:01 -0500

If one could apply a pH test to “God of Carnage,” the acid level would be off the scale. Yasmina Reza’s savage, absurdist comedy, now on stage at Citadel Theatre with an accomplished cast directed by Wayne Mell, is full of humor.

Bayside’s principal goes bad in ‘Breaking Belding’

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:56:01 -0500

Mr. Belding transforms from compassionate, rule-following high school principal into a crazed drug lord in “Breaking Belding.” Written by Pete Mandra, the “Saved by the Bell” meets “Breaking Bad” hour-long parody opens Saturday at Gorilla Tango’s Skokie Theatre.

Bad behavior good for laughs in ‘God of Carnage’

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:02:01 -0500

There’s a simple reason why Wayne Mell wanted to direct “God of Carnage for Citadel Theatre Company. “It’s all about parents being children,” he said. Yasmina Reza’s hilarious comedy focuses on two sets of parents who are meeting to discuss a playground disagreement between their sons.

Dreams, life crash in new play

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:06:00 -0500

Turning 15 is a big deal for many Latino girls and their families. Quinceañera is cause for celebration to mark the transition from childhood to young womanhood. Susan Lieberman makes that tradition the foundation her new play, “Cars and Quinceañeras,” now premiering at Clockwise Theatre. Though its plot is somewhat predictable, the two-act drama gives director Juan Castañeda’s earnest seven-member cast a chance to explore how the realities of everyday life can derail dreams of a “perfect quinceañera.” As one of Lieberman’s characters dourly puts it, “Quinceañera is a special time for a young girl’s passage — to messing up …

Russian Ballet Troupe has new take on ‘Cinderella’

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:52:01 -0500

The story of “Cinderella” has been presented in numerous forms over the years, often with variations and subtle changes in the basic plot or characters.

‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ pays a visit

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:54:01 -0500

Californian Christian Jacobs had nothing against the purple dinosaur. It was a harmless character his oldest daughter was watching on television ten years ago… and it kept her happy.

New play taps into lives of Latinos

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:28:16 -0500

Ana dreams of having a lavish quinceañera. That’s the traditional Latino celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, and Ana’s brother Luis, a high school senior and the man of the house, hopes to help fulfill Ana’s wish.

Writers’ takes on dance with ‘Sweet Charity’

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:46:02 -0500

Some girls can’t catch a break. Take the case of Charity Valentine who works as a dance hall hostess while she searches in vain for a man to change her luck.

Acting is real thrill of ‘The Letters’

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:30:39 -0500

“The Letters” is an example of truly exceptional performances in the service of a script that’s not always on the level of the acting. Directed by Kimberly Senior at Glencoe’s Writers’ Theatre, the two-person piece is something of a political thriller. The trouble is, playwright Jonathan Lowell’s end game twist is visible from a distance. The arc of the pendulum is predictable here; it’s evident early on that in this particular game of cat and mouse, the roles of predator and prey will reverse at least once before the hunt is concluded. The primary reason to see “The Letters” is …

Mundelein actor relishes life on stage

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:22:03 -0500

This past year has been much the same as the past 24 for Mundelein’s Philip Earl Johnson. He’s worked, steadily, including 30 weekends of performances across the country, at the only profession he ever considered. “I’ve always known I was going to be an actor — since second grade,” he says about his years growing up in Libertyville. “Every chance I got to be in a play, I was.” Those plays and his drive still pay off. “I haven’t had a non-performing job since I was 24,” says Johnson, now 48. Currently he’s starring in “The Dead” at Chicago’s Court …

‘Little Women’ adaptation finds heart of story

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:42:00 -0500

Ann Noble’s new stage adaptation of “Little Women,” is now premiering at Citadel Theatre. Under the direction of Scott Phelps, it serves as a superb introduction for 21st century audiences to Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel.

Smiles on tap in Marriott’s ‘My One and Only’

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:50:01 -0500

Can a musical tap its way to happiness? Certainly! Especially if it is packed with songs by those great Gershwin guys. “My One and Only” is running at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through Jan. 6 and from the opening number by the three New Rhythm Boys (Quinn M. Bass, Jarran Music and Clinton M. Bass), through a virtuoso interlude from tap great Ted Louis Levy, to a company kick-line with the formidable Felicia P. Fields, the show is fueled by fancy footwork. The score includes such treasures by George and Ira Gershwin as “S’Wonderful” and “Nice Work If You …

‘One and Only’ upbeat romance set to great Gershwin

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:08:02 -0500

Can an ambitious aviator and a former English Channel swimmer find true happiness? Given enough great Gershwin songs it could happen in “My One and Only” at the Marriott Theatre.

Second City buddies star as ‘Odd Couple’

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:50:01 -0500

They’re a couple of old pals, playing, well, a couple of old pals. Second City alums George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky have “come home” to star in Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “The Odd Couple,” which begins previews Nov. 2 at Northlight Theatre. The duo recently chatted about comedy, friendship and politics.

A bad business at Citadel

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:20:01 -0500

Lawrence Garfinkle knows a good deal when he sees it. And the New York corporate raider sees a great one in the undervalued stock of a small town company called New England Wire & Cable. If the stockholders agree, they will profit handsomely, too.