It’s 1930 in Harlem, NYC. Angel is a jazz singer living with her cousin, a fashion designer. Her best friend lives across the hall and works at a family planning center. Another old friend of hers is a doctor who delivers babies. One day, she begins to date Leland, who has just arrived from Alabama. Her friends express their disapproval as Leland’s politics and morals strongly differ from theirs. Tensions rise as their relationship becomes more serious.

Tiffany Renee Johnson (Passage) is fantastic as Angel, who struggles with deciding if Leland is good for her. Breon Arzell (The Total Bent) is fantastically joyful as her cousin, striving for his dream to work in Paris. Jazzlyn Luckett Aderele is superb as the best friend, fighting for Angel and for women’s reproductive rights. Edgar Sanchez (Toni Stone, In The Next Room) is great as the doctor, who is so very kind to all his friends. Lastly, Ajax Dontavius (Last Night and the Night Before) is exceptional in the difficult role of Leland, the strong willed Christian who imposes his morals on everyone else.

Pearl Cleage (The Nacirema Society) has written a play that starts a bit slow to develop the characters, but then, in the second half, the action increases dramatically. The set and costumes are expertly created. The whole production is very impressive and is very deserving of the standing ovation it receives at the conclusion.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Get tickets now for Blues for an Alabama Sky through October 15^th!

Quinn Delaney

It is early 2020, before the Covid lockdowns have started. A writer is suffering from acute social agoraphobia. When she opens the door, she hears the sounds of the apocalypse, a manifestation of America’s racism and oppression. So, she doesn’t leave her apartment and orders everything in. One day, her delivery person stays at the door to make sure no one takes her food. When she steps inside to hand over the breakfast, she notices a painting on the wall that captures her attention. The writer steps into the other room to avoid the sound of the outdoors, and the courier steals the painting, but this is not the end of her story.

Inda Craig-Galván has written a very intense topical piece about the current experience of black people in America. The characters are so full of depth. After the opening scene, the audience is at full attention to see how these characters reached this situation and to discover what will happen next. Congo Square Theatre is also producing one of Craig-Galván’s plays, Welcome to Matteson, at Northwestern University’s Chicago Campus.

On September 16^th, it is Women’s Night. They are not preventing anyone from attending, but they hope that people who do not identify as women will choose a different performance. They also did a Black Out performance on September 9^th. Perhaps in the future, they could also add performances that have an intermission. At 95 minutes, this play is a bit long and intense to not have a one. There are many scene breaks where one could easily be added.

The cast is fantastic in the heavy play. Alex Moorman is excellent as the writer, who greatly plays her slow decent into madness from being stuck inside. Lo Williams is skillfull as the courier, who plays her on the edge of trustworthiness.

See the program here.

Cost of a ticket: $31
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don t Bother

Get tickets now for a hit dog will holler through September 17^th.

Quinn Delaney

Lead Photo: Hiplet Ballerinas © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2023

Dance for Life is an inspiring event that merges talent and philanthropy into one spectacular evening. It brings together the best Chicago dance companies and all proceeds go toward the Dancers’ Fund; a resource which provides financial assistance to professional dancers in their time of need, including covering medical expenses. It is one of the many ways our vibrant dance community joins forces to care for its own.
 
As dance enthusiasts entered the Auditorium Theatre this year, one could immediately feel the infectious joy that carried through the evening with each performance. The joy and support from the audience radiated to the dancers who in turn delivered a magical evening filled with grace, beauty, precision, and undeniable talent.

This infectious energy carried on to the after party at Venue SIX10. It’s a sophisticated affair with an impeccable ambiance thanks to the decor executed by TM Creative Consultants with the help of Tablescapes Party Rental and Windy City Linens. To add on, some of the best in the catering industry, including J&L Catering, Cake, Blue Plate, and Butter & Vine outdid themselves with both the quality and choice selection, including Mediterranean, sliders, various sides, and an indulging selection of desserts. A nice selection of beverage options, including Playpen Vodka, kept the audience satisfied as they waited in line for the fan-favorite sushi by M Square Sushi. While some mingled enjoying their food and drinks, many were entertained by DJ Sasha from BeatMix Music who kept the dance floor going all night. It’s truly amazing how many people came together to make this evening a magical moment for dance enthusiasts. 

Below you will find a photo along with a short description of the performances along with information for upcoming shows by the dance companies that participated in this year’s Dance for Life.

The Joffrey Ballet – Graceful and Beautiful

Frankenstein – October 12-22,2023 at The Lyric Opera House

BOOM CRACK! Dance Company – Energetic and Modern

Next Performance – TBA

Chicago Tap Allstars – All Ages and Diverse Cast

Next Performance – TBA

Giordano Dance Chicago – Music by Coldplay and U2

September 9 – Harris Fest: Music + Dance in the Park at Pritzker Stage Pavilion 

South Chicago Dance Theatre 

“The Nose” – December 2023 at The Harris Theater for Music and Dance

(See Cover Photo by Todd Rosenberg)

Hiplet Ballerinas – Hip Hop Ballet

Chicago Live! 2023 – September 23 + 24 at Navy Pier

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago – Futuristic and Boundary Pushing

Of Peace NOVEMBER 2–5, 2023 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Dutch National Ballet performers Joseph Massarelli and Riho Sakamoto – Modern Ballet

Next Performance – TBA

Moonwater Dance Project – New and Sleak

Next Performance – TBA

Muntu Dance Theatre – African and Rythmic

Next Performance – TBA

Cost of a ticket: Performance: $140 (Back Orchestra) and After Party – $125

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don t Bother

Quinn Delaney

Delicate Steve is the stage name of musician Steve Marion. Tonight, he plays many songs from his latest album, 2022’s After Hours. The songs are fresh and keep the audience fully entranced. No words are needed. Like classical music, the emotion is in the notes.

His musical talent matches that of Joe Satriani, another instrumental rock guitarist. See our review of Satriani’s 2022 performance at the Chicago theatre here.

Throughout the show, Steve doesn’t say much beyond “Hi Chicago”. He lets the music do the talking.

In his set, he also includes older tracks such as “Butterfly” from his 2011 debut album, Wondervisions. The audience is ecstatic to hear this one.   

In the middle of one song, he transitions into a cover of “Benny and The Jets” by Elton John. Since he doesn’t sing, the audience sings the words! The crowd was very exuberant all night long and he surely made some new fans on this evening.

Cost of a ticket: $28

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

Quinn Delaney

O.A.R. started playing together when they were in 8^th grade. They have been touring relentlessly ever since. Tonight they are playing on a hot and humid night in Chicago at Northerly Island.

Midway into their set, they play “Love and Memories” from their 2005 album, Stories Of A Stranger. Lead singer, Marc Roberge, sings “Love me (faster than the devil) / Run me (straight into the ground), yeah / Drownin’ (deep inside your water) / Drown in love and memories.” This is a great love rock song that puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Next up is “Shattered (Turn The Car Around)”, which is their most popular song on Spotify with over 58 million streams from their 2008 album All Sides. “How many times can I break ’til I shatter? Over the line can’t define what I’m after. I always turn the car around.” This song is truly a crowd favorite.

“Hey Girl” was their first single. It is on their 2003 album, In Between Now and Then. They made the music video on a budget of $17.

They close out with “That Was A Crazy Game of Poker” from their 1997 album, The Wanderer. “I had three Jacks and a pair of nines /My mind is turning, just two shots more / There’s not much left to play.” At a length of 8 minutes and 42 seconds, it is quite long for a hit song. It’s a fantastic long jam that has people throwing playing cards into the air for a great finale to their excellent set.

See the full setlist here.

The Goo Goo Dolls also rocked the house. See our review of their performance from July 2017 here.

Cost of a ticket: $99 plus fees (Back of 100 section)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don t Bother

Quinn Delaney

Rock of Ages first appeared on Broadway in 2009 to great success. A film version starring Tom Cruise was released in 2012 with moderate reviews. Broadway in Chicago brought the touring version to Chicago in April of 2019. Now, the Mercury Theatre is running a version that is better than the movie. Michael Metcalf stars as Lonny, the narrator of the story. He plays the 80’s rocker with a huge rock star hairstyle acting hilariously as he flirts with a woman seated up front.

A hysterical scene involves a couple getting physical in the bathroom. It is Stacee Jaxx, played hilariously with style by Donovan Hoffer, and Sherrie, played excellently by Kayla Marie Shipman. They fool around as they sing Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is”. This is just one example of the humor involved which was missing in the movie version.

The entire cast is fantastic. Aaron M. Davidson (Hair) is hilarious as Franz, the engineer who everyone thinks is gay, but is really just German. David Moreland (Rent, Cruel Intentions) is perfectly cast as Drew, the wannabe rockstar who can’t quite get it right.

In this performance, Darryl D’Angelo Jones is great as the Mayor, who is very open to accepting bribes. Also, Jason Richards (Avenue Q, The Producers) is fantastic as Hertz, the business tycoon trying to shut down The Bourbon Room.

Veronica Garza (Who’s Holiday) is so funny as Regina, the leader of the resistance to Hertz’s plans. Steve Watts is superb as the hippie owner of The Bourbon Room. Sharriese Hamilton is solid as Justice.  Lastly, Clayton Cross, Tafadzwa Diener, Julia Fleckenstein (Cabaret), Rachel Thomas, and Shaun Dennis White (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Cabaret) make for one hell of an ensemble.

Rock of Ages is the name of a song released in 1983 by Def Leppard. However, there are no Def Leppard songs in the show.

Overall, it’s a truly fun experience and a must see for all fans of comedy and 80s rock!

Get tickets now for Rock of Ages through September 10th!

Cost of a ticket: $65 (Premium Seats)
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
Follow us on Facebook!

Quinn Delaney

Michael Jackson is preparing for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. He wants it to be the best tour ever, no matter the cost. He is even considering mortgaging Neverland to pay for all the extras he is requesting. This includes special effects such as jet packs, toaster lifts, and pyrotechnics. An MTV film crew is there to create a documentary of the preparation and they discover that Michael is taking painkillers regularly.

The highlight of the show is the thrilling playlist! They start of with a bang with “Beat It”. “Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it”

“Billie Jean” is MJ’s most popular song with over 1.46 billion streams on Spotify. The performance of this song does not disappoint.

“Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son”

“Thriller” is handled fantastically. The costumes are excellent along with the dancing. “It’s close to midnight
And something evil’s lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight
You see a sight that almost stops your heart.”

After the curtain call is the fantastic “Black or White”.

A few hits that are missing are “Remember the Time”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, and P.Y.T. Perhaps these one and others will be featured in a sequel!

Get tickets now for MJ through September 2nd!

Cost of a ticket: $113 (Orchestra Far Side)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –

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

Quinn Delaney

A couple meets at college in Chicago. During the last week of the semester in December, he asks her out on a date while it is snowing. Jump forward five years and they are married with a baby. The father has become a successful author while the mother is struggling to get published.  

Kate Arrington has written a play that is full of interesting events. These make for great scenes, however, it feels like a great outline that is missing the details. It jumps from event to event without any explanation of what happened in between.

Ian Barford (Linda Vista, The Minutes) is great as the father unsure of what he is doing with his life. Judy Greer (Married, Kidding) is so likeable as the mother, who is so kind to the father, even after he what he does to her. Caroline Neff is so cute and funny as the father’s literary agent. Nicole Scimeca is solid as the narrator.

Overall, it’s a solid production with a great cast. It has strong bones and it just needs to add a bit more meat to the story.

Cost of a ticket: $84 – $102

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price +

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

Get tickets now for Another Marriage through July 23^rd!

Quinn Delaney

The Who’s Tommy was first released in May of 1969. The film version starring Roger Daltrey was released in 1975. The Broadway debut was in March of 1993. It was nominated for the Best Musical Tony. The Paramount Theatre in Aurora produced the musical in January of 2015. And now, in June of 2023, it opens at the Goodman Theatre.

Tommy’s father goes missing in action in the war while his mother is pregnant. Tommy is born and his mother meets a new man. His father is then rescued and returns home. The new man attacks and the father shoots him to death. Tommy witnesses this and goes deaf and blind. They see many doctors, but none of them can help. One day he discovers pinball and he quickly becomes a master.

This production is absolutely world class. It is Broadway and Tony Award worthy. All of the elements are at such a high level.

The set design by David Korins is incredibly impressive. It’s a very futurist look with lighted doors and mirrors. The lighting design by Amnada Zieve and the projection design by Peter Nigrini adds up to an incredibly amazing visual spectacle.

The cast is absolutely fantastic. Ali Louis Bourzgui (Layalina) shines as Tommy. Alison Luff is fantastic as the mother. Adam Jacobs (Aladdin) is superb as the father. John Ambrosino is great in the tough role of Uncle Ernie. Bobby Conte is steller as Cousin Kevin.

Also, the band is top notch. “Pinball Wizard” will be in ringing in the audience’s head for days.

Cost of a ticket: $145 (Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

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

Get tickets now for The Who’s Tommy through August 6^th!

For other rock operas, check out The Hazards of Love by the Decemberists, The Wall by Pink Floyd, and 2112 by Rush.

Quinn Delaney