This week, we’re kicking off a new occasional series, Stages of Survival, spotlighting theater companies that are, despite the pervasive gloom-and-doom narratives about the performing arts, still producing. The plan is to eventually encompass a broad range of companies: Equity and non-Equity, those that are itinerant and those that have their own spaces, and companies […]
Tag: Beau O’Reilly
Posted inPerforming Arts Feature
The Rhino in spring
In January 2020, I checked in with Jenny Magnus about Rhinoceros Theater Festival (better known as Rhino Fest), the city’s longest running fringe theater festival. “The world is really hard right now,” Magnus said at the time. “All we have is each other and the intention to do something good. Aid and comfort. We just […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Remembering Michael Martin
From Chicago to New Orleans, the performer, playwright, director, producer, and raconteur created deep connections.
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhino Fest provides a theatrical horn of plenty
In its 31st year, Chicago’s longest-running alternative theater festival celebrates old friends and new voices.
Posted inArts & Culture
A Packet of Holiness and Joy Will Come to You? (A Fable) is a fun house for grim times
Beau O’Reilly’s latest play for Curious Theatre Branch celebrates weirdness as resistance.
Posted inBlogs
Goodbye to Tony Adler, the best weekly theater critic Chicago’s ever had
His retirement after 38 years will leave a void both at the Reader and in Chicago’s theater scene.
Posted inArts & Culture
Crossing Aviva might be enjoyable if it left any room to breathe
There are so many narratives the show requires an LED crawl to keep them straight.
Posted inBlogs
The best and rest of Rhinofest
The Reader critics’ guide to the annual fringe festival
Posted inArts & Culture
Everyone’s favorite fringe fest is back
The 29th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival presents a full slate of plays that are “new, local, and good” (or not).
Posted inArts & Culture
Chicago, Lady X: The Musical, and seven more new theater reviews
The hometown return of an iconic show and the tuneful reboot of a camp classic are among this week’s best bets.
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhinofest isn’t just an experimental theater festival, it’s a community
”Chicago’s longest running fringe” event is back for its 28th year.
Posted inArts & Culture
After the Dance, End of the Rainbow, and ten more new theater reviews
A Chicago premiere from Runcible and another success from Porchlight are among this week’s best bets.
Posted inBlogs
At Rhinofest, the Rhinoceros stampede continues—Ionesco’s classic included
Reviews of three prime-time shows at Rhinofest, which runs through February 28.
Posted inArts & Culture
The rules have changed at Rhinofest
Has Chicago’s longest-running fringe theater festival abandoned the fringe?
Posted inBlogs
It’s Rhinofest time again: Chicago’s fringe theater festival returns
The Rhinoceros Theater Festival returns for its 27th year.