Marissa Oberlander, author at Chicago Reader

Best of Chicago

Best Renovation of a Mag Mile Icon

by Marissa Oberlander June 25, 2014August 18, 2021

North Michigan Avenue’s first statement piece has been restored to glistening glory.

David Cerda and Michael Hampton in Christmas Dearest

Arts & Culture

Christmas onstage: Let us count the ways

by Tony Adler, Jena Cutie, Keith Griffith, Justin Hayford, Jack Helbig, Marissa Oberlander and Zac Thompson December 4, 2013August 19, 2021

Our critics’ takes on a handful of holiday play

Tristan Tanner and Brett Mannes in The Rocky Horror Show

Arts & Culture

Weekend evenings of the living dead (and one midnight show)

by Tony Adler, Jena Cutie, Keith Griffith, Justin Hayford, Jack Helbig, Aimee Levitt and Marissa Oberlander October 16, 2013August 19, 2021

Our critics take on seven spooky shows, from creepy Jane Austen to nuclear zombies.

Jessica Anne and Leah Urzendowski Courser

Arts & Culture

Growing up girl in The Miss Neo Pageant

by Marissa Oberlander May 30, 2013August 19, 2021

The Miss Neo Pageant is a thoughtful look at a loaded word: feminist.

Local grouch Jonathan Toomey carves a nativity scene for a lonely little boy in The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

Arts & Culture

The ho ho ho show review

by Tony Adler, Keith Griffith, Justin Hayford, Jack Helbig, Dan Jakes, Marissa Oberlander and Zac Thompson November 28, 2012August 19, 2021

Reviews of eight new Christmastime shows

Best of Chicago

Best Audience Heckling

by Marissa Oberlander June 20, 2012August 19, 2021

Off Off Broadzway

Arts & Culture

Steppenwolf treat: Jeff Garlin’s No Sugar Tonight

by Marissa Oberlander July 7, 2011August 19, 2021

Famous as the Curly to Larry David’s Moe on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Second City alum Jeff Garlin has always been big on sweets. His stand-up show, No Sugar Tonight, chronicles the highs and lows of his glucose addiction. Garlin cites diabetes and his voice work on the 2008 Pixar movie WALL-E as motivators to […]

Arts & Culture

Dave Chappelle—no, Carlos Mencia at the Improv

by Marissa Oberlander June 23, 2011August 19, 2021

Think of Carlos Mencia as the Latino Dave Chappelle. A brash, confrontational, and unapologetic lover of free speech, he likes making his audience squirm. That’s the point of democracy, isn’t it? Honduras-born Mencia—who gained a broad following with his Comedy Central show, Mind of Mencia—uses his immigrant perspective to offer minority observations on American culture, […]