Bollywood pizzazz brightens Circle’s ‘Pippin’

It’s 40 years since Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Pippin” first found success on Broadway. Now, local audiences get to see it in a new light at Oak Park’s Circle Theatre where Kevin Bellie is staging the show as “Pippin: A Bollywood Spectacular.”

‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ pays a visit

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.

‘One and Only’ upbeat romance set to great Gershwin

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.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ find love, death in New Orleans

Life is far from simple for two young lovers in the Big Easy. Their families don’t get along and, even in free-spirited 1920s New Orleans, their relationship seems doomed. That’s the backdrop for director Jason Narvy’s intriguing take on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” for the …

Friendship enriches lives in ‘Steel Magnolias’

Strong Southern women and the friendship that sustains them is at the heart of “Steel Magnolias.” The Grove Players present “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling Nov. 9 to 18, at the Lincoln Center in Downers Grove. The play, which opened off-Broadway in 1987, became a …

Second City buddies star as ‘Odd Couple’

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.

Palmer ‘Singin’ praises of toe-tapping role

Singing in the rain is nothing new for Sean Palmer. “I’ve definitely had my share of rain onstage,” Palmer said. “I just did ‘Crazy for You’ at Regent’s Park outdoors. With the London weather, it oftentimes rained down on us.”

Theatre of Western Springs stages ‘Moonlight and Magnolias’

The Theatre of Western Springs is poised to make audiences laugh with “Moonlight and Magnolias,” a raucous comedy that will open the company’s 84th season Sept. 6.

Anita Deely lands three roles in one Lifeline play

Anita Deely has always been impressed by Lifeline Theatre’s work. That’s why the Westchester native agreed to take on three roles in their production of “The Woman in White.”

“This is my first show at Lifeline but, of course, like every other actor in the …

Touching drama, top-notch cast in Circle Theatre’s ‘Marvin’s Room’

Circle Theatre’s highly commendable production of Scott McPherson’s touching 1990 drama “Marvin’s Room” hits home as it exposes a torn family’s mounting physical and emotional suffering.

Character assassination: Play explores John Wilkes Booth’s effect

“The Player King” begins a year after Lincoln’s assassination when Edwin Booth is coping with feelings of shame and grief over his brother’s actions.

Set designer is having a banner year

By all rights, Chicago-based theatrical set designer Kevin Depinet should be lounging on a beach somewhere, recharging after a year of living in creative overdrive. But he is not.

Instead, when we chatted recently, he was nursing some painful dental surgery and speaking animatedly about …

Circle Theatre presents ‘Marvin’s Room’

It’s about bloodlines rather than phone lines according to Willow Springs’ Mary Redmon, who is directing Circle Theatre’s production of “Marvin’s Room” by Scott McPherson. “There’s a lot of human contact issues that come to the front in this show,” said Redmon. “There’s an overall …