Archive for December, 2011
The best of Chicago theater in 2011
December’s end brings frantic resolutions, plans for heavy drinking and of course, a barrage of best/worst lists. Being the largest theater review site west of Broadway, Chicago Theater Beat covered over 600 shows in 2011, and the difficulty of choosing the top 25 speaks to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. In alphabetical order, here are our choices for the year’s best:
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![Karen-Aldridge-Cliff-Chamberlain-Ste[3]](http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Karen-Aldridge-Cliff-Chamberlain-Ste31.jpg "Steppenwolf Theatre's \"Clybourne Park\"") |
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![en-route---Chicago-Shakespeare-One-S[2]](http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/en-route-Chicago-Shakespeare-One-S21.jpg "One Step At A Time's \"en route\"") |
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![Timothy-Edward-Kane---Court-Theatre-[3]](http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Timothy-Edward-Kane-Court-Theatre-31.jpg "Court Theatre's \"An Iliad\"") |
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![stef-tovar-and-projections-by-john-b[1]](http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/stef-tovar-and-projections-by-john-b11.jpg "Route 66 Theatre's \"A Twist of Water\"") |
Review: The Addams Family (Broadway in Chicago)
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The Addams Family Book by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice |
Review: The Secret Garden (Light Opera Works)
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The Secret Garden Book and lyrics by Marsha Norman |
Top 10 Chicago plays of 2011
After covering nearly 600 productions this year, here are our picks of the best of the best. Bravo!! FYI: The national website Huffington Post has kindly posted our choices on their Chicago page, which you can see here.
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Review: It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (American Theater Company)
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It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play Adapted from the Frank Capra film Directed by Jason W. Gerace American Theater Co., 1909 W. Byron (map) thru Dec 31 | tickets: $35-$40 | more info Check for half-price tickets Read entire review |
Review: That’s Weird, Grandma – Holiday Edition (Barrel of Monkeys)
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That’s Weird, Grandma Holiday Edition By students from Chicago Public Schools |
Review: In The Jungle (Howard Brown Health Center)
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In the Jungle Written by Bertolt Brecht |
Holiday Sanity Break: St. Jude Carol of the Bells
Here’s a heartwarming gift from St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital. Look at those beautiful smiling faces on this YouTube video!
Review: La Cage Aux Folles (Broadway in Chicago)
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La Cage aux Folles Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman |
Review: Silent Night of the Living Dead (New Millennium Theatre)
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Silent Night of the Living Dead Written by Sean Harklerode and Chad Wise |
Review: The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (Stage Left)
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The Eight: Reindeer Monologues Written by Jeff Goode |
