Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is a loose retelling of the Peter Pan story. Strat is the leader of “The Lost” who never ages and falls in love with Raven, who also falls for him. 

The music is the highlight of the performance. Early in the second act is 1977’s “For Crying Out Loud”. “And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes / Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through / For crying out loud, you know I love you”. This is such a theatrical song and it fits in perfectly in this context. 

The penultimate song is “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”. Jim Steinman refused to allow Meat Loaf to record this song because he saw it as a “woman’s song”. Celine Dion’s 1996 version is the one that became famous and has over 391 million streams on Spotify. “But when you touch me like this / And you hold me like that / I just have to admit that it’s all coming back to me / When I touch you like this / And I hold you like that / It’s so hard to believe, but it’s all coming back to me / It’s all coming back, it’s all coming back to me now”. The performance of this song is excellent! 

The show ends with Meat Loaf’s biggest hit, 1993’s “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)”, which has over 336 million streams (combining the two versions). “I would do anything for love, I’ll never lie to you and that’s a fact / But I’ll never forget the way you feel right now, Oh no, no way.” The lyric “But I Won’t Do That” sounds like there is something she is asking him to do that he won’t do. It would make more sense if it was “And I Won’t Do That” to describe never lying and never forgetting the feeling. 

Cost of a ticket: $97 (Orchestra)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value –

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Unlike most musicals, this tour only does only one night in each city and is playing in some quite small towns. Get tickets now for Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical! Also, get tickets here for future shows at The Auditorium. 

Quinn Delaney

Henry Percival is an author who lives in the Connecticut woods. He had one big hit a long time ago about a white man killing his black fiancé. The book came out after the author’s fiancé died under mysterious conditions. Everyone assumed that the book was the true story of what happened, but Percival was never convicted or punished for this crime. Xan Smith is a young black journalist who has come to interview him and get him to confess for a new biography about him. Did he actually kill his fiancé and will he confess? 

Kurt McGinnis Brown has written a very compelling and engaging play that has the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next. It’s a great exploration of non-fiction vs fiction. 

Gary Houston is very good as Henry, who is very slow to answer Xan’s questions. His performance does seem to lean towards a certain conclusion. Perhaps he should play it more down the middle to keep the audience more unsure of what will happen. Shelby Marie Edwards is excellent as Xan, who is determined to discover the truth and publish it.

Cost of a ticket: $47 (GA)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for The Official Biography through April 19th! 

Quinn Delaney

It’s 1927 in Chicago and Ma Rainey is booked to record at the studio. Her band has arrived and is rehearsing. After a long wait, Ma finally arrives escorted by a police officer. Her manager talks to the officer and manages to smooth out the situation. He is always the fixer for Ma’s issues, and he manages to get everyone ready to record when another problem comes up. 

August Wilson (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone) has written a fantastic play about blues music and the people who recorded it in the 1920s. 

Ma Rainey was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 1983. Seven years later, she was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

E. Faye Butler (Fat Ham, The Nacirema Society) is outstanding as the diva, Ma Rainey. She has a lot of demands and is constantly threatening to leave if they are met. Marc Grapey (Superbad, Sex and the City) is great as her manager, who does his best to handle all her requests. Matt Decaro (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office) is very good in the tough role of the owner of the studio who is sick of all her demands. Scott Aiello (A View From the Bridge) is solid as the police officer . 

Al’Jaleel McGhee (Revolution(s), Henry Johnson) is spectacular as Levee, the trumpet player and songwriter with big ambitions and a dark past. The rest of the excellent band includes Cedric Young (Lindiwe, Familiar) on bass, Kelvin Roston Jr. (Clue) on piano, and David Alan Anderson (The First Deep Breath) on guitar. Jabari Khaliq (Purpose) is great as Ma’s son, who has a stutter but still wants to speak on the record. Lastly, Tiffany Renee Johnson (Blues for an Alabama Sky, Passage) is so fun as Levee’s romantic interest. 

Cost of a ticket: $64 (Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value +

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom through May 3rd!

Quinn Delaney

—

Ben Kweller takes to stage solo and begins to play “Park Harvey Fire Drill” from his 2025 album, Cover The Mirrors. Midway into the song, the rest of the band joins him on stage and they all sing around one mic. “And all the Kwellerheads say / Sha sha sha / Shashashashasha / La la la / Papapapapa / Papapapapa”. He’s quoting his own songs, “How It Should Be (Sha Sha)” and “Falling” from his 2002 album, Sha Sha!

On bass today is Christopher Mintz-Plasse. He plays a right-handed bass upside down. Many fans recognize him as an actor from Superbad and Kick-Ass. He is also spotted on the balcony next to the stage watching the entire set of The Format!

Kweller talks about how Chicago has always been one of his favorite cities to play. He says that Q101 was a huge key in his success as they were the first to put one of his songs in their playlist. It was “Wasted and Ready”, which they play next. This song is his most popular on Spotify with over 4.9 million streams. “She is a slut but ex thinks it’s sexy / Sex reminds her of eating spaghetti”.  He plays it with great passion and the audience eats it up.

Later on, they play “Starz” from his 2021 album, Circuit Boredom. “’Cause I can’t find my thoughts when the lights go out / I see stars / Brighter than the Milky Way / I see stars / Wishing that one day / They would be ours.” This is great new rocker that further proves he can still write great songs.

To close out the set, they play “Penny on the Train Track” from his self-titled 2006 album.  “I’m just a penny on the train track / Waitin’ for my judgement day / Come on baby girl let me see those legs / Before I get flattened away”. This is such a great song with a driving beat and the energy in the room is fantastic.

See a recent setlist here. 

Cost of a ticket: $65 (GA)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney

Asaf lives in a small college town. He moved there because his wife was offered an excellent position at the university. He is a writer who also teaches one class. One day, a former student asks him to sign a political manifesto. After reading it over, he agrees with 99% of it and decides to sign it despite that small 1%. After seeing his signature, a couple of students ask him to sponsor a new group that wants to bring a controversial speaker to campus. 

Itamar Moses (The Band’s Visit) has written an intense and intellectually sharp play that dives deep into the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The scenes are very dense and dramatic with just a few moments of humor thrown in. Perhaps a bit more comedy should be added, or maybe a second intermission for this potent production. 

Jordan Lane Shappel is excellent as Asaf, who unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of this activist movement. K Chinthana Sotakoun is great as his wife, who is very concerned about the choices he is making. Devaughn Asante Loman is superb as the student who first gets Asaf involved. Sharyon Culberson is solid as Asaf’s ex-girlfriend and the leader of one of the activist groups. Mira Kessler and Eliyah Arman Ghaeini are intense as the students forming a new political group. Lastly, Evan Ozer is steller as the student who is quite offended by Asaf’s actions.  

Cost of a ticket: $45 (GA)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value +

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Get tickets now for The Ally through May 3rd! 

Quinn Delaney

Grelley Duvall Best Actress is a very fun revue that consists of short scenes from movies acted out followed by performances inspired by these scenes that feature singing, dancing, and a live band. Here is a list of all the references (Two thirds of the movies are from 1980 to 1995): 

Set Inspiration

The Academy Awards (1929 – )

ACT ONE

Black Narcissus (1947) – Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger 

Showgirls (1995) – Paul Verhoeven 

Safe (1995) – Todd Haynes 

The Omen (1976) – Richard Donner 

The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981) – Karel Reisz 

The Piano (1993) – Jane Campion 

Meryl Streep American Express Commercial (1991)

Kim Novak CBS Sunday Morning (2020)

The Hours (2002) – Stephen Daldry

Doubt (2008) – John Patrick Shanley – (See our review of the play here)

Ann Reinking Oscar Performance (1985) – Marty Pasetta

Possession (1981) – Andrzej Żuławski

INTERMISSION

Jodie Foster Countdown / Cecile B. D. Emille Award (2006)

ACT TWO

Basic Instinct (1992) – Paul Verhoeven

A Chorus Line (1985) – Richard Attenborough – (See our review of the musical here)

Out of Africa (1985) – Sydney Pollack

Heartburn (1986) – Mike Nichols

Searching for Debra Winger  (2002) – Rosanna Arquette

Popeye (1980) – Robert Altman

Ordinary People (1980) – Robert Redford

Poltergeist (1982) – Tobe Hooper (Steven Spielberg)

The cast includes Kara Brody, Madigan Burke, Alex Grelle, Lolly Extract, Darling Shear, Patrick Stengle, and Mary Williamson. The band consists of Aunt Kelly, Dan Gianaris, Max Loebman, and Sarah Weddle. 

Cost of a ticket: $45 (GA)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Grelley Duvall Best Actress through April 19th! 

Quinn Delaney

The lead singer talks about when he first came to Chicago as a kid with his grandmother and learned the nickname, Chitown. However, he doesn’t want to dedicate the next song to his grandmother. They go on to play “Girl , I Wanna Lay You Down”. Yep, definitely not the right song to dedicate to his grandma! “I cook you up some dinner, a little pasta / Listen to some music, a little Rasta”. They should really follow this line will a little Rasta guitar lick. 

ALO’s last Chicago show before this one was on October 14, 2015 at the Double Door! (Check out our review of the opener of that show here.) They have definitely become more of a jam band since then. Hopefully it won’t be another 10.5 years before they return!

See a recent setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $39 (GA)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney

Oscar Wao meets his roommate, Yunior, at Rutgers and they quickly bond over Watchmen comics. Oscar tells him about his crush. Yunior teaches him how to approach her with style, and then Oscar successfully starts a friendship with her that he hopes will turn into more. 

This is a fun story about a young man learning about life and love at college. Marco Antonio Rodriquez adapted the novel by Junot Diaz. 

In a very fun touch, the stage crew is dressed just like Oscar.

Lenin Izquierdo is great as Oscar Wao, who slowly builds up confidence in himself. Kelvin Grullon is excellent as the charismatic Yunior, who helps Oscar achieve his goals. Julissa Calderon is superb as Oscar’s sassy sister, who is a romantic interest for Yunior. Jalbelly Guzman is great as Jenni, who probably doesn’t like Oscar as much as he likes her. Arik Vega is stellar in the tough role as Jenni’s ex-boyfriend and other bad guys. Rossmery Almonte is solid as La Inca. Lastly, Yohanna Florentino is very good as Oscar’s mother. 

Cost of a ticket: $69 (Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Good Value

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Get tickets now for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao through April 12th. 

Quinn Delaney

Ivanov was written by Anton Chekhov in 1887. The Exodus Ensemble has done a great job adapting the play to feel very modern. 

Gregory J. Fields is intense as Ivanov, an alcoholic who is engaged to Anna, played by Emily Neifert. She randomly faints and doctors can’t figure out what is wrong with her. Bel Keily is excellent as Sasha Lebedev, who just turned 17 and is ready to get married, start a family, and launch her Tik Tok business. Kevin Kelly is great as her brother, X, who wants to forgive the loan of $50,000 to Ivanov. His partner, Z, played by John Winscher, wants the loan paid back immediately. The audience suggests to give him one week or they will break his left leg, to start. Patrick Agada is excellent as Eugene Michael Lvov, who is probably a better match for Anna. Mason Azbill is superb as Borkin, who acts as the narrator. Acacia Irene is solid as Martha, the straight-faced assistant. 

Cost of a ticket: 100% donation – tickets are free to reserve

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional

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Tickets for Ivanov  are sold out, but you can get tickets for Outlaw Express now and Cyrano soon. Tickets for Cyrano are free to reserve and will likely sell out in minutes. They should consider using a lottery system, instead of this frenzied rush to book.  

The Exodus Ensemble met while they were studying theatre at Depaul. Here’s hoping they will one day return to Chicago to perform. 

Quinn Delaney

In 1934, Anything Goes first debuted on Broadway. In 1962, there was a revival that added many of Cole Porter’s other songs. In 2012, there was a US tour. And now, in March of 2026, the Albuquerque Little Theatre version opens!

Billy Crocker sneaks onto a ship in NYC bound for London. He is trying to win the heart of Hope, who is engaged to Lord Oakleigh. Reno Sweeney is in love with Billy. In addition to this love triangle, there are many more great storylines in this ensemble musical.

This production is very fun. Many of the songs have become pop hits that even non-theatre fans will recognize. The first of these is “I Get A Kick Out of You”, which was recorded by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Bublé, and many more. “I get no kick from champagne / Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all / So tell me why should it be true / That I get a kick out of you”.

The next big hit is “Friendship”. This song wasn’t in the original musical, but it was added in the 1962 revival. Disney released a version with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. “It’s friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship / When other friendships are soon forgot, ours will still be hot.”

And then there is the title track, “Anything Goes” which has been recorded by many artists including Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in 2014. “When mothers pack and leave poor father / Because thеy decide they’d rathеr be / Tennis pros / Anything goes!”

Tasha Booth is superb as Reno Sweeney. Her voice is excellent, and she fully commands the stage,  John Reiser is absolutely hilarious as Lord Oakleigh, who is still trying to get a hang of American expressions. Jack Litherland is so funny as Moonface Martin, the unassuming gangster who is teased for just being Public Enemy #13. Stuart Charles Neef is great as Billy Crocker. Sami Aragon Roybai and Marco Sanchez are absolutely hilarious as the mischievous kids running around the ship raising hell.

With a great cast and set, excellent music, and fantastic costumes, this is a production not to be missed!

Cost of a ticket: $32 (Orchestra)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

Get tickets now for Anything Goes at  Albuquerque Little Theatre through March 22nd!

Quinn Delaney