In June of 2020, the Mercury Theatre announced that they were shutting down permanently. In a tribute to them, we posted this list of their best shows. Then, in April of 2021, they announced that they would return. Thus, it is only appropriate that their first show is about a Catholic church and resurrection.

In May of 1992, the film Sister Act starring Whoopi Goldberg and Harvy Keitel was released. It was later adapted in a musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. The first premier was in October of 2006 in Pasadena, California It opened on Broadway in April of 2011. And now, in November 2021, it opens at the Mercury Theatre.

In the story, lounge singer Derloris witnesses her boyfriend commit murder. The police decide to hide her in a convent as a nun, the last place her boyfriend would look for her. She doesn’t fit in very well until she finds her place and becomes the leader of the choir. The choir gains widespread attention which then leads to more issues.

The cast in this production is fantastic and truly make this show hilarious and Broadway Worthy. Ed Kross (Shear Madness) is hysterical as the priest. Each time he grabs the mic, he cracks the whole audience up. Leah Morrow (Avenue Q, The Producers) is so funny as the nun who just loves everything about her job. Gilbert Domally strikes comedic gold as Sweaty Eddie, especially during his solo song, “I Could Be That Guy”. Austin Nelson is so funny as TJ with his one-liners Lastly, Alexis J. Roston’s voice is fantastic as Deloris.

Cost of a ticket: $35 – $80

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Get tickets for Sister Act now through January 2^nd!

Quinn

The theme of the concert tonight is songs about heartbreak. First, she plays a string of “pre-breakup” songs.

On “younger women”, she sings “If you don’t want me anymore… just say it.” The audience eats this song of raw emotion up.  

Then there is “Phase Me Out”. “Don’t you want to stay here or do you want to phase me out?” She fully expresses the pain and heartache in this song.

“I don’t want your body, but I hate to think of you with somebody else”. This is from “Somebody Else” by The 1975. Her cover of this song has exploded on Spotify with 129 million listens. It fits in very well with her songs.

Then, there are the post-breakup songs. On “think of me” she sings, “I hope you fuck her with your eyes closed… and think of me.”

VÉRITÉ passed around two disposable cameras for fans to take pictures, like it was a wedding. Also, a boyfriend borrowed the microphone for a minute and proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes.

While most of the songs are dark, it’s actually a joyful night. Music gives us the power to feel and express these emotions which makes us feel better in the end.

Cost of a ticket: $18

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

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

Quinn Delaney

Born Yesterday first opened in 1946 on Broadway. In 1950, it was adapted into a movie. In 1989, Broadway revived the play and again it was followed by a movie version, in 1983. Lastly, it was revived one more time on Broadway in 2011.

If witty barbs delivered by a sharply dressed cast is your thing, Born Yesterday is for you. This absorbing play takes the audience to Washington, D.C. in the aftermath of World War II, where Harry Brock and his girlfriend Billie Dawn are moving up in the world, thanks to Harry’s shady business dealings.

But the audience soon learns that Billie isn’t satisfied with just being Harry’s girl and singing show tunes (e.g. “Anything Goes). She has a desire to expand her knowledge of the world and her place in it. They watch Billie transform from an idle, would-be socialite into a bespectacled revolutionary. She delves into book after book and scribbles newly learned facts in a tiny notebook (London is in England? Who knew?!).

She revels in her new knowledge of literature and history, and her transformation is delivered in a way that makes her funny and vulnerable. The play’s message is never heavy handed, even when Billie is debating exploding her own life to live a more moral one. Billie forces not only herself, but the people around her, to question their motives and the societal implications of their actions. Born Yesterday leaves the audience with more questions than answers, which seems to be the point.

The cast in this production is excellent. Neal Goldman is great as Harry Brock, giving off the Tony Soprano mob boss style. Anna Gallucci is terrific as Billie Dawn, becoming empowered by knowledge. Joshua Paul Wright is splendid as Paul Verrall, playing a Ryan Reynolds type. He seems meek at first but is actually quite bold. The rest of the cast are solid in their roles, as well. This includes Julie Catarello Mitre as Helen, Brendan Siddal as Hotel Staff, Rob Gretta as Eddie Brock, Nat Kier as Ed Devery, Russ Gager as Senator Norval Hedges, and Melinda “MJ” Deamon as Mrs. Anna Hedges.

Cost of a ticket: $25

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value

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

Get tickets now for Born Yesterday through November 7th!

Jen Hubert and Quinn Delaney

Eurydice and Orpheus are in love and they make plans to get married. At the wedding, Eurydice gets bored and goes to the home of the Nasty Interesting Man to retrieve a letter from her father. Once she is there, he refuses to let her leave. She attempts to escape and falls to her death. This leads to Orpheus being devastated and vowing to go to the Underworld to rescue her.

This story is based on the Greek Myth about Orpheus and Eurydice. The Lyric Opera and the Joffrey Ballet also adapted this story in their large production of Orphée et Eurydice in 2017.  In addition, Something Marvelous presented another adaptation called Don’t Look. It also took place at The Den Theatre, back in 2016. While the opera used a more classic interpretation, The Artistic Home and Something Marvelous both used a more modern script

This version of the story, written by Sarah Ruhl, adds a lot of humor. Todd Wojcik is very creepy and strange as the Nasty Interesting Man and the Lord of the Underworld in a weird and funny way. The Chorus of Stones are quite funny and interesting as well with their many comments. They are played by Will Casey, Alexander McRae, and Ariana Lopez. Karla Corona as Eurydice and Steven Cooper as Orpheus play a couple that doesn’t seem all that close. Lastly, Javier Carmona is solid as Eurydice’s father, who just wants to reconnect with his daughter in extraordinary circumstances.    

Cost of a ticket: $35

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price

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

Get tickets now for Eurydice through November 21^st.

Quinn Delaney

Also check out our review of another Sarah Ruhl play,  In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play.

Creative Hustle is a variety show with stand up comedians, musical artists, and filmed sketches. The entire show is being recorded with the intention to be released on a streaming platform in the future.

The band for this show is MyPeepsBand directed by Mike Peoples. They are excellent and do a great job with walk up songs along with a few full songs throughout the night.

Tonight’s Comedians:

Tanisha Rice
Leon Rogers
Correy Bell

Damon Williams
Marvin Phipps
Schmitty B
Clark Jones
Calvin Evans
Erica Clark
Baldhead

Musical acts:

J.Hollins

Slique Jay Adams
J.Lyn

This promo is a lot like the sketches shown tonight:

Quinn Delaney

Opening (World Premier)

Choreography: Nan Giordano, Cesar G. Salinas, Dancers

Live Soloist and Original Score: Bongi Duma

Upon the stage appears Bongi Duma who begins to sing. This is rare to have a musician performing on stage and a cool feature of this act. As he sings, the dancers run on to the stage all dressed in white. Their movement is sensual and flowing as they wave around colorful scarves. It’s a joyful piece and a great start to the evening.

Flickers (2019)

Choreography: Marinda Davis

Music: Son Lux – Change Is Everything

“This moment changes everything” sings Son Lux. This piece is uplifting as they literally lift a dancer into the air. It conveys a sense of working through issues with social support and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel .

A Little Moonlight (2010)

Choreography: Autumn Eckman

Music: Emile-Claire Barlow

This is a great romantic duo piece. It is fun and flirty with great precision. Their great synchrony and harmony is on full display is this impressive dance.

Take A Gambol (2018)

Choreography: Joshua Blake Carter

Music: Yazz Ahmed, Maynard Ferguson, Perry Como, Mose Allison, Quincy Jones

The dancers are wearing black suits with jackets for this jazzy, fun, and seductive dance. You try not to blink so you won’t miss a moment of this spectacular piece.

It was a triumphant return to the stage after the long pandemic darkness. Indeed, they illuminated the audience once again!

Catch Giordano Dance Chicago next on April 1^st and 2^nd for their Spring Series.

Quinn Delaney

Sometimes words fall short while pictures and videos do a much better job of describing the beauty that is a performance by the Joffrey Ballet. Luckily, Joffrey is good at putting up videos on YouTube and great pictures by Cheryl Mann are available also.

Birthday Variations

Choreography by: Gerald Arpino

Music by: Giuseppe Verdi

Swing Low

Choreography by: Chanel Dasilva

Music by: Zoe Keating

Under the Trees’ Voices

Choreography by: Nicolas Blanc

Music by: Ezio Bosso

Bolèro

Choreography by: Yoshihisa Arai

Music by: Maurice Ravel

Also check out our review of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre which discusses all the local dance companies that have used this song in their performances.

Catch The Joffrey Ballet next in The Nutcracker from December 4th to 26th.

Quinn Delaney

“Let’s switch now. I want my body back!”

“No way, I like being an old lady!”

“I worked hard to get where I am! Let’s switch now!”

“Hey ladies, are you going to do the Freaky Friday switch here at JC Penny?”

This was the crazy start to a completely improvised scene in the third act of Together at Last. It only gets funnier from there when other actors join as Mr. JC Penny and another as a former sweater! This cast has very good improv chops.

Everyone from the cast of the pandemic interrupted Do You Believe in Madness? returns in this show except for Andrew Knox, who is replaced by Evan Mills. The newcomer fits right in and shines in a scene playing the son explaining parts of his life to his out of touch father, played excellently by Adam Schreck. Asia Martin is very funny on the fly and had everyone laughing as she stalks her son. Jordan Savusa is a hilarious breakout talent that completely commanded the room when he took the mic for an improvised standup set about not being to find a banjo teacher in his home state of Hawaii. Mary Catherine Curran is great, especially as the old lady in the JC Penny scene. Lastly, Sarah Dell’Amico is hilarious and cracks everyone up in the joyful getting divorced song. The cast is so talented that at least one of them will surely be called up to be on TV soon. Catch them now while you still can in Old Town!

Cost of a ticket: $34 – $84 (depending on the day)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

Get tickets now for Together at Last!

Quinn Delaney

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre is celebrating their 45th anniversary with this performance tonight. Also, this is the first show to take place at the Auditorium Theatre since the pandemic shutdown. The evening consisted of 2 acts, each consisting of multiple performances. The performances beautifully highlighted the various components of flamenco along with many other dance styles. They consisted of music, dance, and storytelling. The evening also included a special dedication to the late and beloved founder of Ensemble Español, Dame Libby Komaiko. Below you will find a sample of tonight’s performances.

Pasion Oculta (Hidden Passion)

Music: “Requiem for a Tower” and “Palladio” by Escala

This modern piece portrays the hidden passions of love and desire set to modern music. Film fans may recognize the first musical choice as the theme from Requiem From a Dream. It’s a hauntingly beautiful track that fits in well with the intense dancing here.

Bolero (1993)

Music: Maurice Ravel’s Bolero (1928)

This song is a very popular choice for dance companies to use. It was used by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre on this same stage in March 2017. It was also used by Hubbard Street Chicago in June 2018. The song starts off playful and fun with a driving beat that lends itself well to dancing. From there, it slowly builds to a dramatic conclusion. The dancers tonight expertly match the song and transition along with it in their intensity.

Catch them next on December 18^th at their Holiday Concert at Northeastern Illinois University.

Quinn Delaney

The Contumacious Pig is hosting a big influencer night. They have a special menu planned for the big event. But right from the get go, things start to go wrong. The pig they have does not have a USDA sticker and the health inspector has just shown up. The soup tastes very bland. The chef is acting very strangely. The problems just keep piling up.

The plot is a comical farce like The Doppelgänger (an international farce). However, in this case, the action just isn’t that funny. The jokes are just too easy. Also, part of the issue is multiple conversations happening at the same time. In their production of Southern Gothic, this wasn’t an issue because the conversations were taking place in different rooms. However, in this case there is only one room and it’s difficult to focus on any one conversation.

On the other hand, the food designed by Rick Bayless is excellent. It was even more food than expected. While their website says six bite-size tastings, in truth, four of them are much larger than bite size. I’d say have only half a meal or less before coming to the show. In addition, there are three wine and cocktail pairings designed by Lanie Bayless. All this is enough to justify half the price of the ticket.

Cost of a ticket: $110
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for A Recipe for Distaster through December 31st.

Quinn Delaney