Articles by Leanne Star

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Series Review — ‘Quintett’ Makes for Intriguing Centerpiece to Summer Program

One haunting premiere and two recent classics add up to a full dance card at Hubbard Street

‘The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead’ Review — The Player’s the Thing at Writers’ Theatre

Chameleon Deborah Staples plays a cast of characters in this monodrama at Writers' Theatre

Gaslight Bar & Grille Review — Raising the Bar on Bar Food

Upscale bar food at down-home prices lures diners to this welcoming Lincoln Park tavern

‘Spring Desire’ Review — Magical Romance from the Joffrey Ballet

The Joffrey's spring program offers up a stunning world premiere

‘Being Shakespeare’ Review — A Revealing Look at the Man behind the Iambic Pentameter

Actor Simon Callow spins new insights into the life of the Bard

‘Angels in America’ Review — Court Theatre’s Production Soars

Superb cast and direction make Angels in America a must-see at Court Theatre

‘Fela!’ Review — Vibrant Afrobeat Musical Dances with Politics

Fela! brings a Broadway cast to Chicago to tell the story of Nigerian musical and political legend Fela Kuti

‘The Rest Unknown’ Review — Interactive Fun with Genesis Ensemble

Eat, play, live with Genesis Ensemble's interactive tour

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Spring Series Review — Fresh Choreography, Ripened Performance

World premiere Little mortal jump puts a spring in the step of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Spring Series

‘Bachelorette’ Review — Uninterrupted Shrillness

Playwright Leslye Headland gives her characters little cause for celebration

‘Time Stands Still’ review — Domestic Life through the Lens of War

The characters in Donald Margulies' drama grapple with the horror of war and the ironies of home life

‘Invisible Man’ review — Court Theatre adaptation of Ellison’s novel captures nightmare but fails to engage

The world premiere dramatic adaptation of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man remains a work in progress

danc(e)volve: New Works Festival review — Hubbard Street mines talent of developing choreographers and strikes gold

Hubbard Street dancers bring fresh points of view to choreography

Fiddler on the Roof Review — Tradition Worth Keeping

A touring version of the classic musical based on stories by Sholem Aleichem touches down at the Auditorium Theatre over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend

Merce Cunningham Legacy Tour Review — A Graceful Farewell

Before his death Merce Cunningham envisioned one last gift to wrap up more than 50 years of his signature style of dance

The Caretaker Review — Total Immersion in Pinter

Fans of Pinter will find much to savor in The Caretaker at Writers' Theatre

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Fall Series Review — A Menu of Old Favorites and New Flavors

A world premiere by Twyla Tharp mixes things up at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

“Follies” Review — Dazzling and Provocative

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Follies shows Stephen Sondheim at his best

In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play Review — Victorians Seeking Stimulation

Sarah Ruhl's play about Victorians and vibrators entertains but doesn't fully satisfy

‘Porgy and Bess’ Review — Less is More in Court Theatre’s Stripped-Down Version of Gershwin’s Seminal Folk Opera

For an up-close look at Catfish Row, catch a performance of “Porgy and Bess” at Court Theatre

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Spring Series Review — Inventive Israeli Choreographers Underscore Hubbard Street’s Strengths

Two provocative new pieces by Israeli choreographers use the talents of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to the max

Luna Negra Dance Theater's Spring Program Review — Telling Stories through Dance

Chicago's premier Latino contemporary dance company, Luna Negra Dance Theater, tells it like it is

Working Review — A Musical that Makes the Daily Grind Sing

"Working" is an engaging musical that pays homage to Studs Terkel, Chicago, and the meaning of work.

"A Dream Unfolds: Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr." Review — Chicago Sinfonietta's Lyrical Approach to Cultural Diversity

Chicago Sinfonietta celebrates Dr. King with the beautiful music of diversity

Harold and the Purple Crayon Review - A Dance Treat for All Ages with Hubbard Street 2

"Harold and the Purple Crayon" draws in children and adults