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Articles tagged with: Walt Spangler

‘The Herd’ at Steppenwolf: It’s Dad at the door, but it could be the wolf – he’s so not welcome

Apr 17, 2015 – 11:28 am | 1,292 views
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Review: Ah, family values. Mom, Dad, the kids. The dysfunction, the divorce, the alienation, the animosity. All the things that make a house a home are piled into “The Herd,” a smashing first play by Rory Kinnear now fuming through its U.S. premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre. No need to equivocate. It is simply not to be missed. ★★★★★

Dark, funny, musically vibrant ‘Don Giovanni’ raises the curtain on new Lyric Opera season

Sep 29, 2014 – 5:06 pm | 3,322 views
Mariusz Kwiecien and Marina Rebeka in 'Don Giovanni,' production by Robert Falls, Lyric Opera Chicago (Todd Rosenberg)

Review: A more appealing cast could hardly have been assembled for Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” than the vocally resplendent, good-looking singers who inhabit the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s new production and season opener. And for the most part, Mozart’s opera – dramatically dark and musically brilliant — is well served by director Robert Falls’ heated and funny approach to this tale of the world’s most infamous sex addict, whose recklessness and hubris finally bring him all the way down and then some. ★★★★

‘Buzzer’ at Goodman: New day in neighborhood, but its bright promise is shadowed for 3 friends

Feb 26, 2014 – 1:46 am | 4,512 views
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Review: As Tracey Scott Wilson’s urban tragi-comedy “Buzzer” spins through a series of introductory monologues, its mordant wit and coalescing picture of a ménage à trois suggests an updated bundling of the two young men and a woman in Noel Coward’s “Design for Living.” Though the laughs keep coming in “Buzzer,” the comedy soon hones the edges of a bitter tale — of love and hope infected by torment and fear. Goodman Theatre serves it up as potent brew. ★★★★

‘Measure for Measure’ (read: laugh for laugh), Goodman’s screamer would be hard to top

Mar 21, 2013 – 10:57 pm | 18,375 views
9Isabella (Alejandra Escalante) is offered a carnal bargain by Angelo (Jay Whittaker) in "Measure for Measure" at Goodman Theatre 2013 credit Liz Lauren

Review: ★★★★

‘Good People’ at Steppenwolf: Of earthly salt and a wounded soul desperately seeking work

Sep 26, 2012 – 12:41 am | 7,418 views
Molly Regan is Dottie, Lusia Strus is Jean and Mariann Mayberry is Margaret in Steppenwolf Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by K. Todd Freeman credit Michael Brosilow

Review: ★★★★

Steppenwolf’s dark view of ‘Time Stands Still’ frames a close-up of war’s toll

Feb 4, 2012 – 9:45 pm | 10,345 views
Time Stands Still Steppenwolf Featured Image credit Michael Brosilow Guinan Murphy

Some wounds heal slowly. 4 stars!