The novel version by Margaret Atwood of The Penelopiad was released in 2005. Soon afterwards, a theatrical version was performed at the Canadian National Arts Center and Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company. And now, in March of 2024, it opens at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

Odysseus is the hero of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. Penelope is his wife. This is her story. 

The cast includes Penelope, played by Jennifer Morrison (House), and her 12 maids played by Aja Alcazar (Cambodian Rock Band), Demetra Dee (Nacirema Society, Relentless), Maya Lou Hlava (Spring Awakening), Noelle Kayser, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Helen Joo Lee (Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno), Tyler Meredith (Campaigns, Inc., Spinning), Ericka Ratcliff, Andrea San Miguel (How to Defend Yourself), Laura Savage (Tommy, West Side Story), Allison Sill, and Hannah Whitley.

Cost of a ticket: $55 (Rear Main Floor)

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Get tickets now for The Penelopiad through March 31^st.

Quinn Delaney

Bill W. is an alcoholic and he is struggling to keep it together. He needs to find another drunk to talk to. No one else will understand what he is going through. So, he finds Dr. Bob, an alcoholic surgeon. Just talking to him helps more than anything else ever has. Together, they decide to put together a program which eventually becomes Alcoholics Anonymous.

It’s a very interesting and heartwarming play. Alcoholism is defined as the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. The characters are truly suffering from this dependence as they reach their rock bottom, but then they slowly pull themselves out of it.

Ronnie Marmo (I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce) is great as Bill. Marmo is very invested in the role as he has been attending meetings since he was 17. Steve Gelder is excellent as .Dr Bob, who displays such a full range of emotions on his journey to sobriety. Katherine Wettermann (Gigi’s Party) is excellent as the very understanding wife of Bill. Elizabeth Rude is superb as Dr. Bob’s wife. Phil Aman is amazing as a variety of drunks who are the first people Bill and Bob try to reach. Marla Seidell is so joyful as many fun characters.

See the full program here.

Cost of a ticket: $74.50

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Get tickets now for Bill W. and Dr. Bob through April 14^th.

Quinn Delaney

A man takes his girlfriend to a small cabin near a river. He teaches her how to fish and then he cooks their fresh catch. He tells her that he loves her and that he has never taken another woman here before. However, the girlfriend sees clues that another woman has been in the cabin. The girlfriend walks off the stage and another girlfriend walks on, which leaves the audience to figure out what is happening.

Jez Butterworth has written a very funny, romantic, and dramatic play. Loose Cannon has done a great job capturing each of those elements. Considering this is only their second production, their future looks bright.

Cameron Schmalz is great as the man who has a developed a routine to win over his girlfriends. Greta Schultz is great as the girlfriend who pretends she doesn’t know how to fish. Ellie Duffey is excellent as the girlfriend who teases him about talking to another fisherman at the river. Lastly, Abbie Rasmus is solid in her supporting role.

See the full program here.

Cost of a ticket: $26

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Get tickets now for The River through March 10^th!

Quinn Delaney

Here are the Top 5 reasons to see Black By Popular Demand:

1. In one sketch, four cast members come out with balloons and/or pillows stuffed into the back of their pants for the big booty sketch. It’s absolutely hilarious. One of them jokes that he can’t use a fireman’s pole because when he hits the ground, he just bounces all the way back up! Arlieta Hall shines in this sketch.

2. In another scene, a young woman’s family is appalled at her new bangs. Also, they can’t believe that she listens to Paramore. Faith Valerie is so funny in this one as the young woman.

3. The dancing in the show is fantastic. Most of the cast has a dance solo that has the crowd cheering. Sameul B. Jackson’s dance is one of the best.  

4. There is also a card magic show by Deshawn Mason that features Adonis Holmes on a mic giving hilarious commentary.

5. In one sketch a young couple is on their balcony talking to an old couple also on their balcony in Wrigleyville. Both couples are played by Breanna Ghostone and Samuel B. Jackson in a hilarious fashion.

Cost of a ticket: $48

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Get tickets now for Black by Popular Demand: A Black Excellence Revue through May 25^th!

Quinn Delaney

The novel version by Anne Fine, titled Madame Doubtfire, was released in 1987. The film version of Mrs. Doubtfire was release in 1993 starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan. The musical version first premiered in Seattle at the end of 2019. It opened on Broadway in December of 2021. And now in February 2024, it opens at The Nederlander Theatre in Chicago

A married couple with three children are having issues. The father is being unresponsible and doing things against her wishes. So, the mother decides to divorce him and she is awarded full custody. Since the father only gets visitation rights once a week, he decides to dress up as an old Scottish woman and apply to be their nanny.

In this production, they truly captured the spirit of the movie and successfully added to it. The musical is so funny and heartfelt too. The songs by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick fit right into the story and truly elevate it.

The entire cast is fantastic. The performance by Rob McClure (Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in this role) as Mrs. Doubtfire is absolutely amazing. His funny voices are so great and the amount of costume changes is mind-boggling. Maggie Lakis is excellent as the mother. It’s a tough role to play and she nails it. Also, Lakis and McClure are married in real life. Leo Roberts is great as the mother’s new love interest. He is perfectly cast as the counterpoint to the father.  

This is a very impressive and must-see show! This touring version has definitely maintained it’s Broadway worthiness.

Cost of a ticket: $110 (Orchestra)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Mrs. Doubtfire through March 10^th!

Quinn Delaney