All stories by Hedy Weiss on BroadwayStars

Friday, August 4, 2017

A neat balancing act in Black Ensemble’s ‘Last Dancer Standing’ by Hedy Weiss

WEISS: The reality TV takeoff also delves into backstage drama, a variety of musical styles and even contemporary politics.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 12:13PM

Repaving the Yellow Brick Road in ingenious “Bricklayers of Oz” by Hedy Weiss

Since its publication in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s novel, ‘The Wonderful of Wizard of Oz,” has been the source of countless iterations, from the magical 1939 MGM film, to the u…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 09:21AM
Thursday, August 3, 2017

With ‘Monticello,’ lawyer tries to come to terms with Thomas Jefferson by Hedy Weiss

The play's author, Thomas R. Geoghagen, pairs the Founding Father with Edgar Allan Poe as a way to examine Jefferson's contradictions.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 02:07PM
Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Three Chicago actors cast in Broadway-bound Harry Potter show by Hedy Weiss

Let’s just say that three Chicago actors – Alex Weisman, Jessie Fisher and James Romney – will probably be taking very long leases on New York apartments soon. And why is t…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 01:44PM
Tuesday, August 1, 2017

‘Funny, strong’ Steppenwolf actress Mariann Mayberry has died at 52 by Hedy Weiss

Steppenwolf says the actress, who appeared in Chicago and on Broadway in "August: Osage County," was "at the center of who this company is."

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 10:00AM
Friday, July 28, 2017

In ‘An Octoroon,’ everything old is made new again by Hedy Weiss

The pre-Civil War era melodrama by Dion Boucicault is receiving a smartly staged production by director Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:11PM
Thursday, July 27, 2017

A trio of Chicago premieres set for Shattered Globe’s 2017-2018 season by Hedy Weiss

The plays will be presented at Shattered Globe's resident home at Theater Wit.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:25PM

Dancing into post-war rebirth in glorious ‘An American in Paris’ by Hedy Weiss

The peerless songs of George and Ira Gershwin are paired with the sinuous direction and brilliantly varied choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 05:33PM
Monday, July 24, 2017

Steppenwolf announces its LookOut Series lineup for Fall 2017 by Hedy Weiss

The lineup will also inaugurate the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, dubbed “Destinos."

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:54PM

‘Madagascar’ cast exudes animal magnetism at Chicago Shakespeare by Hedy Weiss

A family musical at heart, the show might just be the ideal tonic for any grownup in search of a brief, zany escape from news of the real world.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 11:41AM
Sunday, July 23, 2017

Cirque du Solei’s gorgeous ‘Luzia’ a steady stream of wonderments by Hedy Weiss

Consistently true to its title, "Luzia" is infused with dazzling effects of light, color, texture and water that evoke Mexico in the most poetic ways.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 11:18AM
Thursday, July 20, 2017

Musing on the music in Shakespeare’s ears (and ours) by Hedy Weiss

Early on in “Something Rotten!,” the irreverent musical farce that imagines the birth of the Broadway musical as it might have happened during the Elizabethan era, a character su…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 04:26PM
Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Dance, romance and history propel ‘An American in Paris’ on stage by Hedy Weiss

Compile a list of some of the most famous directors of Broadway musicals — Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Susan Stroman, Tommy Tune, Graciela Daniele, Kathleen…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 11:00AM
Tuesday, July 18, 2017

‘Beauty’s Daughter’ conjures one woman’s world in six characters by Hedy Weiss

Wandachristine who masterfully brings her characters to life under the fluid, incisive direction of Ron OJ Parson.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:55PM

Founders of Raven Theatre announce a major life change by Hedy Weiss

Raven Theatre will begin a national search for a new artistic director immediately.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 01:48PM
Sunday, July 16, 2017

In ‘Lela & Co.,’ a harrowing look at one victim of war by Hedy Weiss

As you enter Steep Theatre you instantly become part of designer Joe Schermoly's genteel living room set.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 10:07PM

Gift Theatre’s 2018 season to include David Rabe play and more by Hedy Weiss

The season will include the Midwest debut of David Rabe's "Cosmologies" and Stacy Amma Osei-Kuffour's "Hang Man."

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 07:27PM
Thursday, July 13, 2017

Scrambling Shakespeare and inventing a musical in ‘Something Rotten!’ by Hedy Weiss

"Something Rotten!" is no serious meal of a musical. It's an elaborate dessert that might have been cooked up by a popular chain.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:28PM

Searching for a Jewish-American identity in potent ‘God of Isaac’ by Hedy Weiss

Has time been kind to "God of Isaac"? The answer requires a bit of a Talmudic approach.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:05PM
Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Cirque’s ‘Luzia’ a Mexican fantasy of light and water by Hedy Weiss

As the show's title suggests — Luzia fuses the sound of “luz” ("light" in Spanish) and “lluvia” ("rain").

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 03:00PM

‘Hir’ conjures a darkly dysfunctional family for the non-binary era by Hedy Weiss

Taylor Mac's play receives one of those take-no-prisoners, anything goes Steppenwolf productions.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 09:03AM
Sunday, July 9, 2017

‘How to Be a Rock Critic’ plays on the passion of Lester Bangs by Hedy Weiss

The one-man show features co-author Erik Jensen in a bravura turn as the dissipated but fervent Lester Bangs.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 04:39PM
Friday, July 7, 2017

‘The Nance’ strips away hidden pain of pre-liberation gay life by Hedy Weiss

Douglas Carter Beane's poignant yet high-spirited play-with-music is now receiving a terrific Chicago premiere by Pride Films & Plays.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 05:49PM
Friday, June 30, 2017

‘The Gin Game’ deals a cutting hand to two lonely seniors by Hedy Weiss

It is worth heading to the Drury Lane Theatre production of D.L. Coburn’s two-character play, “The Gin Game,” simply to watch the countless variations actor John Reeger can…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:40PM
Thursday, June 29, 2017

‘Bridges of Madison County’ soars on a passionate match at Marriott by Hedy Weiss

Francesca Johnson, the Italian war bride who has been married to an Iowa farmer for 18 years, could easily have locked the door when Robert Kincaid, an interesting stranger who just happens …

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 04:03PM
Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Goodman beguiles with Eugene O’Neill’s portrait of a loving family by Hedy Weiss

The superbly cast revival brings the family comedy "Ah, Wilderness!" to life with all the pathos, heart and sheer old-fashioned goofiness it demands.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 06:32PM
Sunday, June 25, 2017

Dated style but timely themes at war in Kurt Weill’s ‘Johnny Johnson’ by Hedy Weiss

Director hasn't found a fully cohesive style for the production that might balance its Old World operetta style with contemporary pacing.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 03:48PM
Sunday, June 18, 2017

Revisiting a masterpiece of culture clash in ‘The King and I’ by Hedy Weiss

While this touring edition of the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater revival is not perfect, it looks beautiful in the Oriental Theatre.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 03:14PM
Friday, June 16, 2017

‘Pilgrims’ a memorable journey in search of forgiveness and redemption by Hedy Weiss

Claire Kiechel's "Pilgrims" is now being staged in a beautifully realized world premiere at The Gift Theatre.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 01:16PM
Wednesday, June 14, 2017

‘The Color Purple’ stage musical headed to Chicago by Hedy Weiss

Director John Doyle’s acclaimed Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” the musical based on Alice Walker’s novel about four decades in the life of an African-America…

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 11:04AM
Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Stage musical ‘Waitress,’ based on hit film, is headed to Chicago by Hedy Weiss

An excerpt from the musical will part of Broadway in Chicago's annual free preview concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

SOURCE: chicago.suntimes.com at 11:09AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards