The Theater Loop RSS 
News. Criticism. Gossip. The shows not
to be missed — and the shows to avoid at all costs. The Theater Loop is hosted by
Chris Jones, chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune. We're the online destination for breaking news and reviews of Chicago-area theater, from the downtown shows to suburban theaters to the off-Loop scene. Stop here often to feel the pulse of America’s most vibrant theater city. Plus coverage of Broadway and beyond, and reviews from Tribune writer
Nina Metz and contributor
Kerry Reid.
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•
"GREASE," the original Chicago, R-rated version, is coming back at American Theater Company. |
PHOTOS
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REVIEW ★★★½ "The Original Grease" is young and heartfelt, says Chris Jones.
•
JEFF AWARDS: The 2011 non-Equity nominations are in.
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THE OPRAH INTERVIEWS: Saying au revoir to Chicago, but not goodbye ... "You will still see me eating at RL." |
PHOTO GALLERIES AND BIG MOMENTS
• Plus Chris Jones talks to Oprah about her
BROADWAY PLANS post talk show.
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JUST FOR LAUGHS: Gearing up for the annual summer comedy festival, in Chicago June 14-19.
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BACKSTAGE AT SECOND CITY: What do the moments before "South Side of Heaven" look like? Read Nina Metz's story for the Tribune.
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TRIBUNE STAGE GUIDE: Reviews and photos for theater in Chicago and suburbs, including critic's picks from Chris Jones, Nina Metz and Kerry Reid.
Left, Norm Woodel in "Festen"
at Steep Theatre
Shows are rated on a ★★★★ scale
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"42nd Street" ★★★½ Through May 29 at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire
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"A Twist of Water" ★★★★ Through June 26 by Route 66 at Mercury Theatre
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"Blue Man Group" ★★★★ Open run at the Briar Street Theatre
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"Festen" ★★★★ Through July 10 at Steep Theatre Company
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"Fifty Words" ★★★ Through June 26 at Profiles Theatre
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"The Front Page" ★★★ Through July 17 at TimeLine Theatre
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"The Gospel According to James" ★★★ Through June 12 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
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"Hickorydickory" ★★★ Through June 12 at Chicago Dramatists
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"The Madness of George III" ★★★½ Through June 12 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
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"Million Dollar Quartet" ★ ★ ★½ Open run at the Apollo Theater
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"The Original Grease" ★★★½ Through Aug. 21 at American Theater Company
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"The Outgoing Tide" ★★★ ½ Through June 19 at Northlight Theatre, Skokie
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"Passing Strange" ★★★ Through May 29 by Bailiwick Chicago at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
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"Porgy and Bess" ★★★½ Through July 3 at Court Theatre
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"Some Enchanted Evening" ★★★½ Through July 3 by Theo Ubique at No Exit Cafe
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"South Side of Heaven" ★★★½ Open run at Second City
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"Watership Down" ★★★ Through June 19 at Lifeline Theatre
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"Working" ★★★½ Through June 5 at the Broadway Playhouse
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"Aces" at Signal Ensemble Theatre
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"Superman: 2050" and "Cubicle! An Office Space Musical"
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"Murder for Two: A Killer Musical" upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
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"Life is a Dream" by Vitalist Theatre
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"Slaughter City" and "Ismene"
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"Down & Dirty Romeo and Juliet"
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"Freedom, NY" by Teatro Vista at Theater Wit
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"Tragedy: a tragedy" and "Roadkill Confidential"
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"Stage Kiss" at the Goodman Theatre
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"Peter Pan" at the Tribune's Freedom Center
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"Rantoul and Die" by American Blues at the Biograph
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"The King and I" by Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773
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"Heartbreak House" at Writers’ Theatre
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"Woyzeck" and "Pony" at the Chopin Theatre
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"A Little Night Music" at Circle Theatre
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"Eurydice" and "Orpheus" by Filament Theatre Ensemble
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"The Copperhead" at City Lit
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"There Is a Happiness That Morning Is" and "Easy Six"
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"The Metal Children" at Next Theatre
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"The Mandrake" at A Red Orchid Theatre
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"White Noise" at the Royal George Theatre
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"Solo Works" and "Verse Chorus Verse"
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"Man From Nebraska" and "Woyzeck"
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"The Woman in Black" at First Folio
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"One Flea Spare" at Eclipse Theatre
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"Dirty Blonde" by BoHo at Theater Wit
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"All in Love Is Fair" at Black Ensemble Theater
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"The Hot L Baltimore" at Steppenwolf Theatre
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"Dixie's Tupperware Party" at the Royal George Cabaret
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"The Addams Family" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
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"American Idiot" at the St. James Theatre
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"Avenue Q" at the Golden Theatre
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"Baby It's You" at the Broadhurst Theatre
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"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" at the Richard Rodgers Theatre
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"Billy Elliot" at the Imperial Theatre
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"The Book of Mormon" at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
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"Catch Me If You Can" at the Neil Simon Theatre
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"House of Blue Leaves" at the Walter Kerr Theatre
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"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre
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"Memphis" at the Shubert Theatre
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"Million Dollar Quartet" at the Nederlander Theatre
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"The Motherf**ker with the Hat" at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
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"Next to Normal" at Booth Theatre
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"Priscilla Queen of the Desert" at the Palace Theatre
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"Rock of Ages" at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
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"Sister Act" at the Broadway Theatre
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"Time Stands Still" at the Friedman Theatre
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"War Horse" at the Vivian Beaumont Theater
• 'Cherrywood' at Mary-Arrchie: With 49 actors, David Cromer throws a packed, sweaty party
• Total escape isn’t in the cards in 'How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found'
• "August: Osage County"
• "Billy Elliot the Musical"
• "Million Dollar Quartet"
• "White Noise"
• 16th Street Theatre
• 500 Clown
• A Red Orchid Theatre
• About Face Theatre
• Actors Theatre Company
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• North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
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• Obituaries
• Paramount Theatre
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• Profiles Theatre
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• Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
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• Rosemont Theatre
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• Second City
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• Stage 773
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• XIII Pocket
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