Sarah Ruhl’s contemporary farce crosses the line from self-awareness to self-parody.
Author Archives: Dan Jakes
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Remember the Alamo has more quirks than purpose
Where true confessions meet Texas history and Phil Collins trivia
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Friends! The Musical Parody? More like a musical parasite, amirite?
This cruise-ship-ready cash grab is 90s nostalgia run amok.
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Four characters battle existential dread in an Amazon-like Fulfillment Center
The Red Orchid cast is adept at humanizing some incredibly flawed human beings.
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Dada Woof Papa Hot shows that modern parenthood’s not just for straight people
“Isn’t being normal the most radical thing of all?” God no!
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I Know My Own Heart looks back on the life of 19th century queer icon Anne Lister
The diarist, mountaineer, and female gentleman was ahead of her time, and maybe ours.
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The Full Monty is a less-than-auspicious inauguration of Theo Ubique’s new space
The production’s sexual politics unsuccessfully hang between self-aware period piece and relevant, contemporary commentary.
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Barney the Elf spreads campy Christmas cheer
It’s one of the most polished Pride Films and Plays productions yet.
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The latest edition of El Stories explores the drama of the Holiday Train
The Waltzing Mechanics’s production returns after a two-year hiatus.
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Plainclothes takes a look behind the security cameras at a department store
It doesn’t quite ring true, but it’s still a successful work comedy.
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The Steadfast Tin Soldier brings us hope, gratitude, and magic
The enchanting Christmas pantomime is masterfully crafted for play and wonder.
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Ben Hollis looks back on his pre-Wild Chicago days in Sex, Booze and Candy Bars
Although the songs are out of tune, his absurdist, irreverent humor is still intact.
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Forget IHOP, “Chicago’s Best Worst Drag Show” at Jackhammer is the place to be at 2 AM on a Monday
From new queens to Drag Race alums, there’s room for everybody.
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Dael Orlandersmith’s Lady in Denmark explores the legacy of Billie Holiday through one of her fans
But the music gets lost in a stew of melancholy.
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The Last Session’s backstory makes it more than a relic of the AIDS crisis
Playwright Steve Schalchlin’s survival turns the musical into something hopeful and defiant.