All stories by Noel Schecter on BroadwayStars

Monday, February 10, 2020

Discrete Data Points: A Review of Roan @ the Gates at American Blues Theater by Noel Schecter

Technologically adventurous and emotionally empathetic, the local premiere of Christina Telesca Gorman's play connects even as it diagnoses distance.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:30PM
Monday, January 20, 2020

Nothing to Shout About: A Review of Whisper House at Black Button Eyes Productions by Noel Schecter

This spooky meta musical from Kyle Jarrow ("SpongeBob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical") and Duncan Sheik ("Spring Awakening") cares more than it scares.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:30PM
Friday, December 20, 2019

Nine to Five: A Review of Working at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre by Noel Schecter

First directed by Stephen Schwartz, this musical, based on the writings of Studs Terkel, explores the nature of work in contemporary America.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:00AM
Monday, November 11, 2019

Tragedy Strikes Verona: A Review of Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater by Noel Schecter

Chicago Shakes delivers a vision of their namesake's most well-known tragedy anchored in today’s headlines.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:00AM
Monday, October 28, 2019

Quoth the Raven: A Review of Poe at Theatre Above the Law by Noel Schecter

This charming theatrical anthology is probably best enjoyed only by those fans most committed to its namesake.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:30PM

Who Even Wants To Go Home Again: A Review of Kentucky at The Gift Theatre by Noel Schecter

The local premiere of Leah Nanako Winkler's play is a busy and beautiful examination of small town life and the loneliness that breeds in its shadows.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:15PM
Monday, October 14, 2019

The One That Didn’t Get Away: A Review of Big Fish at BoHo Theatre by Noel Schecter

BoHo brings “Big Fish” back to Chicago in a production that favors characters over visual effects.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Shake a Spear: A Review of Something Rotten! at Marriott Theatre by Noel Schecter

In its regional premiere, this 2015 Tony Award winning musical comedy takes aim at the Bard himself.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Monday, September 16, 2019

Extra, Extra: A Review of Newsies at Paramount Theatre by Noel Schecter

Helmed by Paramount artistic director Jim Corti, this production has plenty to holler about.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Monday, September 9, 2019

A Rousing Adolescent Tale: A Review of Spring Awakening at Three Brothers Theatre by Noel Schecter

This ever-relevant Tony Award-winning musical gets a solid storefront production in Waukegan.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:00PM
Monday, June 24, 2019

Give an Inch: A Review of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre by Noel Schecter

Hedwig makes a triumphant return to close out the company's inaugural season in their new Evanston digs.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 06:25PM
Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Star Man, Where Have You Gone: A Review of Take Me at Strawdog Theatre Company by Noel Schecter

An out-of-this-world premiere that is more small step than big leap.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Putting the “Fun” in Fungus: A Review of The Mushroom Cure at Greenhouse Productions & The Marsh by Noel Schecter

Comedian Adam Strauss takes audiences on a psychedelic quest to cure his OCD.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:37PM
Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Burning Down the House: A Review of The Firestorm at First Folio Theatre by Noel Schecter

This explosive political drama reflects the all-too-recent past as well as our current political moment.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Maybe Best Forgotten: A Review of Remember the Alamo at The Neo-Futurists by Noel Schecter

This world premiere is indeed memorable though perhaps not for the reasons its creative team intended.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:00AM
Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Must The Show Go On: A Review of The Producers at Paramount Theatre by Noel Schecter

Paramount Theatre makes a strong case to take a drive to Aurora with their production of this Tony Award-winning musical comedy.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 11:30AM
Monday, January 21, 2019

A Cut Above: A Review of Evil Dead The Musical at Black Button Eyes Productions by Noel Schecter

Based on the cult horror franchise of the same name, this 2003 musical is a bloody good time.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 05:00PM
Sunday, December 2, 2018

Not Sure Ethel Would Approve: A Review of The Book of Merman at Flying Elephant Productions by Noel Schecter

There are just not enough laughs to sustain the premise of this self-consciously Mormon-centered musical.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 04:00PM
Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Gritty Pulp: A Review of The Darkness After Dawn at Factory Theater by Noel Schecter

Leaning into the conventions of classic noir, The Factory Theater offers this bloody, violent tale of crooked cops and sideways plots.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, September 13, 2018

Hey, Big Spender: A Review of Sweet Charity at Marriott Theatre by Noel Schecter

Marriott Theatre nods, in rhythm and time, to a moment and a movement with this revival from the late Neil Simon.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 12:35PM
Thursday, May 3, 2018

Once Again And Better Than Ever: A Review of Once at Paramount Theatre by Noel Schecter

The Tony Award-winning musical gets its regional premiere at Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 10:00AM
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Crook on the Hook: A Review of Frost/Nixon at Redtwist Theatre by Noel Schecter

A classic cat and mouse game starring a disgraced former president and a has-been talk show host comes to life at Redtwist Theatre.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 06:00PM
Friday, March 23, 2018

A Good DM Is Hard To Find: A Review of She Kills Monsters at The Cuckoo’s Theater Project by Noel Schecter

Some things are scarier than monsters in this production from The Cuckoo's Theater Project.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Closer Than Ever: A Review of Cabaret at Paramount Theatre by Noel Schecter

Berlin in 1931 has never felt closer to home in Paramount Theatre's production of Kander and Ebb's classic.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Monday, January 8, 2018

A Macabre Tale: A Review of Nevermore–The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allen Poe at Black Button Eyes Productions by Noel Schecter

Black Button Eyes Productions delivers a macabre antidote to saccharine holiday fare with the Chicago premiere of this musical based on the life of Edgar Allen Poe.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 02:00PM
Thursday, November 16, 2017

English Manners: A Review of The Importance of Being Earnest at Writers Theatre by Noel Schecter

A quickly paced and altogether wonderfully silly interpretation of Oscar Wilde's classic farce.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 05:00PM
Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Vomiting Rainbows: A Review of Captain Steve’s Caring Kingdom at The Factory Theater by Noel Schecter

This darkly imaginative world premiere is part Dr. Seuss and part "Peyton place" with a bit of "Goodfellas" thrown in for good measure.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 03:00PM
Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Original Outsider: A Review of 1980 (Or Why I’m Voting For John Anderson) at Jackalope Theatre by Noel Schecter

Transporting audiences back to the ill-fated campaign of a presidential underdog, this period piece attempts to prefigure the present.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Running The Boards: A Review of The 39 Steps at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble by Noel Schecter

The stage adaptation of John Buchan's novel, made famous by Alfred Hitchcock, plays south by southwest of Chicago at Glen Ellyn's McAninich Arts Center.

SOURCE: www.newcitystage.com at 01:00PM
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

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