With Tony Fitzpatrick, it's 'Stations Lost' and summer found

THEATER REVIEW: "Stations Lost" by Tony Fitzpatrick at the Steppenwolf Garage ★★★
With his gig at the Steppenwolf now seemingly an annual event, Tony Fitzpatrick is taking on the air of Garrison Keillor, as seen from the back of a Damon Avenue bus.

A New York break for Jonathan Berry

Jonathan Berry, one of the Chicago theater's most promising young directors, has scored a Gotham gig.

No 'Mommies' at the Royal George

The planned summer production of "Mommies - A Musical Blog" has been postponed, producer Jeanie Linders said Thursday afternoon. The show was to have opened July 29 at the Royal George Theatre.

Jake, Elwood and Huggy, all singing the Euro blues

THEATER REVIEW: "The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers" at the Auditorium Theatre ½
So at the Auditorium Theatre, there's an Australian Elwood, a British Jake and a European cover band.

The Theater Loop has a new look

The Theater Loop has a new look. However, all your favorite features are still here. In the near future, we hope to bring you yet more new content and resources.

Jeff Garlin comes full circle. Just with a little less circle.

Here in sweet home Chicago, Jeff Garlin has gone from "I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With" to "No Sugar Tonight." It's an interesting 20-year trajectory. A revealing 20-year trajectory. Wouldn't you say, Mr. Garlin?

Theater openings

Chris Jones picks opening nights for the week of July 8-14.

Oak Park is home for 'Henry V'

Kerry Reid picks suburban shows for the week of July 8-14.

'Good Boys and True' and 'Icarus'

Nina Metz reviews Towle Theater and Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, both playing at Theater Wit, for the Tribune's On the Fringe.

A new season at the Neo-Futurists

The Neo-Futurists have announced their 2011-12 season.  Typically electic titles abound.

A fresh critical face at Time Out Chicago

Meet Oliver Sava.

A new associate artistic director at Chicago Dramatists

Chicago Dramatists said Wednesday that Meghan Beals McCarthy has been hired as the theater's new associate artistic director.

The lure of the LED screen

While performing in Chicago last month as part of the Just For Laughs festival, comedian Bill Burr spotted an audience member texting in the front row.

Zesty acting but a problematic storyline in 'Girl With Sun in Her Eyes'

THEATER REVIEW: "A Girl With Sun in Her Eyes" by Pine Box Theater ½
Some formidable acting power is stuffed into this deceptively titled little drama by Joshua Rollins that's actually a gritty police procedural.

'Traces' gets a New York run

"Traces," the circus show that impressed at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago last winter, is getting an off-Broadway run. The show will open in August at the Union Square Theatre in New York. It's the work of the Montreal-based 7 Fingers; Fox Theatricals are the producers.

What Chicago can learn from Toronto

TORONTO - At Luminato, the festival of arts, culture and ideas that just concluded in Canada's largest city, one message rings the loudest and clearest: This festival was created "to shine Toronto's light on the world and the world's light on Toronto." You can't say it much clearer than that.

Two worthy new summer plays: 'Chinglish' and 'The Homosexuals'

David Henry Hwang's "Chinglish" is that rare theatrical beast that's culturally wise, but also enough of a good time that if you head over to the Goodman directly from the office, you won't feel like you've shelled out money to take part in some kind of after-hours seminar.

Belle and Mr. Beast save an otherwise hairy production

THEATER REVIEW: "Beauty and the Beast" at the Oriental Theatre ½
Many Belles wander smiling through the proceedings. With Emily Behny, you feel something is at stake.

Cirque du Soleil: Bugging out extravagantly under the big top

THEATER REVIEW: "Ovo" ½
Insects are such a good match for the Cirque du Soleil, you have to wonder why those scurrying around that famous Montreal hive had not thought of them before.

Laughs in translation in David Henry Hwang's shrewd new 'Chinglish'

THEATER REVIEW: "Chinglish" at the Goodman Theatre
Business relations develop to the point a Chinese buyer and U.S. seller find themselves in bed together.

About Face charts a new century of gay life in Chicago

THEATER REVIEW: "The Homosexuals" by About Face at the Biograph
Evan tries to figure out what it means to be gay when, as his friend observes, "there are no dirty words."

'5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche' and 'Radio Goggles'

Kerry Reid reviews The New Colony and Oracle Productions in On the Fringe