Sharon is “retired from her marriage” and living in Iowa. She is lonely, so she decides to take in a roommate. In comes Robyn, who is moving from the Bronx. She hesitantly reveals that she is trying to escape her past and Sharon keeps pushing to find out more. Since Sharon doesn’t have much of an identity herself, she becomes somewhat obsessed with learning about Robyn and her dark past. They become fast friends as they laugh together, but perhaps they are too different for it to last.

Joy Vandervort-Cobb is excellent as Sharon. She plays her as a worried mother and roommate who is unaware when she is becoming too nosy. Sharon Graci (Homeland on Showtime) is perfect as Robyn. She is clearly stressed out about all the attention she is getting from Robyn. This was not what she was looking for when she decided to move to Iowa. Together they have great chemistry as their relationship continually shifts.

Music plays a role in this production. Sharon says she doesn’t listen to any music except for the one mix CD that her son gave to her. On the other hand, Robyn loves music and happily introduces many different artists. The music really brings them together and strengthens their friendship. For example, Robyn puts on a record and for the first time in the play, Sharon loosens up and starts to dance.

Cost of a ticket: $53

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It 

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Get tickets now for The Roommate through August 5^th!

Quinn Delaney

Beautiful is a fantastic musical that begins with Carole King as a young determined songwriter and ends at Carnegie Hall with her as a confident composer and entertainer. The story encompasses her relationship with her husband and songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin. This talented duo wrote dozens of songs together during their tumultuous relationship In addition, it includes the story of fellow song writers Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, their best friends and friendly competitors. The musical chronicles Carol and Gerry’s relationship which hinges on an unexpected pregnancy and subsequent marriage. King and Goffin’s relationship is a sharp contrast to Weil and Mann. Cynthia is very hesitant to marry Barry because she doesn’t want to lose her identity as his songwriting partner and just become his wife, raising kids. The drama of watching these developing relationships and comparing them with today’s view on marriage held the audience captive.

The show has many humorous moments. Among them is a scene in which Cynthia and Barry are struggling to compose their new song, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”.  Barry begins singing the song in a very lethargic and apathetic manner because he doesn’t like the song. Cynthia chimes in that it just needs to be song in a lower key. Cut to the Righteous Brothers singing in their signature low vocal: “You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips”. This is a fantastic piece of theatre and it’s moments like this that add context to the songs by revealing the stories behind them.

The music is absolutely fantastic. After a few notes, each song is instantly recognizable. It’s amazing the number of big hits these two couples wrote and how many different artists have sung their songs including James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and The Animals, just to name a few. Often the performers get all the credit, but this amazing musical showcases the noteworthy contributions of the songwriters. It’s also very interesting to learn that Gerry Goffin wrote the lyrics for (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

Cost of a ticket: $80 (Front Orchestra)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

Get tickets now for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical through April 28, 2024!

Check out our review of The Christmas Carol at the Dock Theatre here.

Quinn Delaney

Early in the set, Saint Motel plays “Puzzle Pieces” from their 2012 album, Voyeur. Right from the start, when the great keyboard riffs begins, everyone starts dancing. It’s such a fun song and sets the atmosphere of right.

Shortly afterwards, they play “Move” from their 2016 album, saintmotelevision. Wow, this song starts off with such a great groove that keeps going through the whole song. “Gotta get up, I gotta get up (Move!)” sings the lead singer, AJ Jackson.

Later on they play “A Good Song Never Dies” from their 2021 album, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. “’Cause a good song never dies / It just reminds you of where you were / The first time it made you cry, the first time you felt alive.” This is a great song and the crowd will always be reminded of this night when they heard it live.  

AJ says that they need an audience member to present the next award since Mike Tyson left the building. They bring up a woman from near the front of the stage. He then reads nominees and the loudest cheer comes for “Sisters”. She opens the envelope and reads “Sisters”. This is such a fun 1950’s style song and the audience eats it up.

For the final song of the night, they play “My Type” from their 2014 EP, My Type EP . It is their most popular song on Spotify with over 343 million streams. As the iconic horn intro begins, AJ goes into crowd. “I’m a man who’s got very specific taste. You’re just my type! Oh, you got a pulse and you are breathing!” This is a perfect end to the evening as it sends the crowd outside with giant smiles on their faces.

See a recent setlist here.

Check out our review of their set at the Taste of Chicago in 2015 here.

Cost of a ticket: $37

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Quinn Delaney

Erica is in love. She wants to spend as much time as she can with her lover. She is in love with a Dairy Queen sign. It’s called objectum sexuality. It’s defined as sexual or romantic attraction to inanimate objects. Erica tries to date her coworker, Kevin, but all she can do is think of the sign.

Nick Robideau has written a very unique and cute show. It’s very funny in parts and enlightening in other parts as objectum sexuality is explored.

J.G. Smith is excellent as Erica, who is on a journey discovering her sexuality. William Anthony Sebastian Rose II (The Whistleblower) is superb as the coworker with a crush on Erica. Jodi Gage is great as Erica’s sister who is the leader of a campaign to revitalize the downtown of their city. Aaron Latterell is a bit stiff as the Dairy Queen sign.

Erin Long (Yippee Ki-yay Merry Christmas) is fantastic as the can opener, making it a very sexual leather bound character. Dustin Valenta is so funny as the host of the local news channel, so delighted to be covering a story that is getting attention. Khloe Janel (Haymarket) is great as a day of the dead doll who thoroughly distracts Erica.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

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Get tickets now for Inanimate through May 4^th!

Quinn Delaney

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It begins with Tommy DeVito deciding he wants to put together a band. They go through many iterations before they finally become The Four Seasons and release their first big hit, “Sherry”.

The “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)” scene is absolutely hilarious. It’s a great party scene where one of the band mates finally gets some action. The line “And my, as I recall it ended much too soon” is met with a great amount of laughter. Also, this is their most popular song on Spotify with over 465 million streams.

The music in this show is legendary. “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man”, and “Working My Way Back to You” are just some of the huge hits included. The buildup to “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” is awesome as they struggle to get the song released and then again to get it played on the radio.  

Adrian Aguilar is outstanding as Tommy DeVito with a great Jersey accent and Jersey attitude. Michael Metcalf (Rock of Ages) is superb as Frankie Valli. He showcases one hell of a voice while hitting all the high notes. Jason Michael Evans is great as Nick Massi (Anastasia, The Good Cop), who is always saying he should leave and start his own band! Andrew MacNaughton (Young Frankenstein, Clue) is great as Bob Gaudio, the last member to join the band.

Eric A. Lewis is fantastic in his many roles, especially as the supplier of the joints during “Oh What a Night” Grant Alexander is so funny as Joe Pesci, (yes, the famous actor Joe Pesci) who introduced Gaudio to the band. Adam Fane (Spamalot, Avenue Q) is hilarious as Bob Crewe. Kayla Shipman (Young Frankenstein, Rock of Ages) is stellar as many characters, especially as Valli’s first wife. Lastly, Carl Herzog, Maya McQueen, Jason Richards (The Producers, Avenue Q), and Haley Jane Schafer are solid in their supporting roles.  

All together, it’s an epic life story of a legendary band full of their fantastic songs. This production is Broadway worthy!

Cost of a ticket: $70

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Get tickets now for Jersey Boys through May 19^th!

You can also get tickets to see Frankie Valli live at the Rosemont Theatre on October 12^th!  See our review of his 2018 Chicago performance here.

Quinn Delaney

Peter Pan first appears as a character in J.M. Barrie’s novel, The Little White Bird, in 1902. Disney release their animated film version in 1953. This musical version first premiered in 1954. Robin Williams starred as Peter Pan in Hook, which was released in 1991. And now, it opens at the Nederlander Theatre in March 2024.

Peter Pan lives in Neverland, where children never grow up. He comes to the regular world to hear stories from Wendy’s mother. One day, Wendy finds him searching for Tinkerbelle. She asks if she can join him back to Neverland. He agrees on the condition that she will be the mother to him and the Lost Boys and tell them stories. Wendy also brings along her two younger brothers for the adventure. In Neverland, they join Tiger Lily to fight against Captain Hook.

This is a very family friendly show. The highlight is Peter Pan and many of the characters flying around the stage on wires. All the children were delighted by the show, but there isn’t a lot of appeal for adults.  

Cost of a ticket: $106

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Discounted

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

Get tickets now for Peter Pan through April 7^th.

Quinn

The family is all gathering to celebrate the mother’s birthday along with the oldest son being released from prison. This son was caught embezzling money as a state senator. His wife must now serve her sentence. The youngest son arrives alone, but his female friend unexpectly arrives later because she has his phone. The mother convinces her to stay due to the impending storm. The crazy weather outside matches the circus at dinner when many secrets are revealed and emotions run high.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has written a masterpiece on the same level as Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County and Lee Edward Colston II’s The First Deep Breath. This production is epic in scale. The set created by Todd Rosenthal is an impressive two-story house. The play is riveting from start to finish and full of laughs and drama.

Glenn Davis (King James, The Christians) is fantastic as the oldest son, who is struggling to figure out who he is. Alana Arenas is great as his wife, who realizes she got in way over her head. Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU) is fantastic as the mother, who is masterful about getting what she wants in her house. Harry Lennix (The Matrix series) is superb as the father, who is a legendary civil rights leader. Jon Michael Hill (True West, Pass Over) is exceptional as the youngest son, who is the narrator that guides us through all the chaos around him and within him.  Ayanna Bria Bakari (Relentless, Last Night and the Night Before) is perfect as his female friend, who brings everyone to tears.

This is Steppenwolf at its best. At just under three hours long with an intermission, it’s like a 2 for 1. It is Broadway and Tony worthy and an absolute must-see!

Cost of a ticket: $82.50 (Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Get tickets now for Purpose through May 12^th!

Quinn Delaney

A young adult man named Beane is very quiet and socially awkward. His sister is very protective of him. Her husband tries to have him do a personality test, but Beane isn’t answering the questions in a satisfactory manor. One day, Beane comes home and catches a woman who is stealing from him. He starts a relationship with her and it causes a big change in him. He becomes very talkative and outgoing, but the sister suspects that something is off.

John Kolvenbach has written a very interesting play about a young man being awaken by love. It’s very funny and modern. The title sounds like it would be a musical, but it’s definitely a comedy. This production is very well done with a very impressive set created by Joe Schermoly and a superb cast.

Terry Bell (Routes, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at Steppenwolf)  is fantastic as the young man who is strongly affected by the relationship. Isa Arciniegas (How to Defend Yourself, The Wolves) is very mischievous and sly as the burglar. Sarah Coakley Price (The Wolves) is exceptional as the concerned sister. Ryan Hallahan (Straight White Men, Pass Over) is so funny as her husband, constantly challenging her ideas.

See the full program here.

Love Song first premiered at Steppenwolf in 2006.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Get tickets now for Love Song through April 21!

Quinn Delaney

Lee Fields has been singing since the 1960s. He helped fellow stars Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley get their start. Now that they have passed, it is up to him to carry on their legacy and keep the classic soul music alive.  

Early in the set, they play “Ladies” from their 2009 album, My World. It’s their most popular song on Spotify with over 27 millions streams.  He truly shows his love for women on this one. “Short ones, tall ones, big ones, small ones! Beautiful ladies / Lovely ladies / You look so good in the summertime”. It’s such a fun a song that has everyone dancing along.

Lee says the following song was used in a Super Bowl commercial in 2023. It’s “Forever” from his 2022 album, Sentimental Fool. “I wanna hold you forever / I’m gonna love you forever / I know forever might seem like a / Mighty long time”. It’s a great slow love song that is perfect for a wedding.

Fields says that one day his woman comes to him and says that they don’t have enough money. She can’t buy the things she wants. This leads smoothly into “Two Jobs”, which is also on Sentimental Fool. “One o’clock (keep on working) / Two o’clock (keep on working) / Three o’clock (keep on working)”. In the breakdown, he keeps counting all the way up to 12, and then starts again at 1. It makes for a great singalong. Towards the end of the song, he sings “I’m so tired when the day is through / I’m working two jobs and one of them is you”. There is some truth right there. Relationships are hard work.

In the end it was clear that Lee Fields still loves to sing and is keeping soul music alive.

See a recent setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $38

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

Quinn Delaney

Catherine is taking care of her ailing father, a famous mathematician at the University of Chicago. He is losing his mind, but he is fighting it and trying to continue to work on his math. In a pivotal scene, her father is sitting outside wearing a t-shirt in 30 degree December weather. He says he is really on to something now that will keep him busy for years. He refuses to go inside until Cathy reads it.  “Let X equal the quantity of all quantities of X. Let X equal the cold. It is cold in December. The months of cold equal November through February.” It’s heart-breakingly clear that the glimmer of hope that he was again lucid is gone. Cathy worries that she will also go crazy while at the same time hoping she did inherit her father’s mathematical mind.

In the intimate space at Theatre Wit, the drama plays out intensely along with some funny moments. This production does a great job showing why this play was the winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2001. It was also turned into a film starring Gwyenth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis, and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Dana Muelchi is great as Catherine, who struggles figuring out what to do with her life. Callahan Romen Crnich is excellent as Hal, who is perfectly awkward and likeable as the father’s protégé. Geoff Isaac‘s performance is superb as the father who exemplifies the symptoms of dementia. Taila Langman is solid as Catherine’s sister, who is doing her best to help out.

Get tickets now for Proof through April 6^th.  

Quinn Delaney