The Theater Loop: Redtwist Theatre

June 01, 2011

'Bug' at Redtwist Theatre: Up-close production can't help but crawl under your skin

THEATER REVIEW: "Bug" ★★★ Through June 26 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; Running time: 2 hours; Tickets: $25-$30 at 773-728-7529 or redtwist.org

At one point in Kimberly Senior's juicy Redtwist Theatre production of Tracy Letts' “Bug,” I completely forgot about the dead body that had been lying on the floor for several minutes. Until I happened to shift in my seat, and found my foot touching soft flesh. And I didn't even think I'd picked a particularly prominent spot.

Even more so than its similarly intimate North Side peers — Profiles Theatre, Steep Theatre and A Red Orchid (where Michael Shannon once starred in a memorable production of this very same play) — Redtwist Theatre can truly be said to be microtheater. Much is being made currently in other cities about the trend for theater in people's homes or apartments. In Chicago, one does not need to sit in someone else's living room to share an actor's sweat. We've got places down on the street for that.

Senior, whose production of Martin McDonagh's “The Pillowman” was a previous hit in this space, shares directing and design credit here with Jack Magaw. As soon as you pass through the lobby, your can see why: the duo clearly has tried, as far as possible, to build an actual, life-sized, seedy Oklahoma motel room inside a black box, and simply shove the audience in as many unobtrusive corners as possible, without seeming to betray the shape or dimension of the room. It's such a remarkable feat that the room becomes like an additional character.

From several seats, you could hit the lights for the actors. Or beat them to the bathroom. Or the Raid.

Continue reading "'Bug' at Redtwist Theatre: Up-close production can't help but crawl under your skin" »

Posted by leisureblogs at 4:40 PM in Redtwist Theatre | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 03, 2011

Nina Metz reviews 'Shining City,' 'Geek Show'

Left, Brian Parry as the middle-aged John and John Arthur Lewis as the novice therapist Ian in the Dublin-set “Shining City” at Redtwist Theatre.

Nina Metz gives ★★★ to both Conor McPherson’s chilling “Shining City” at Redtwist and the witty "Geek Show" at The Playground Theater, this week in On the Fringe. Read both reviews here.

Posted by leisureblogs at 3:59 PM in Redtwist Theatre | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 08, 2010

Kerry Reid reviews 'The Franklin Expedition' and 'A Delicate Balance'

In her On The Fringe column this week, Kerry Reid has high praise for "The Franklin Expedition" ★★★½ at The Building Stage. And, despite the playwright's no-review policy, she bought a ticket to see "A Delicate Balance" ★★★ at the Redtwist Theatre.

Posted by leisureblogs at 10:53 AM in Building Stage, Redtwist Theatre | Permalink | Comments (2)