Articles by Patricia Simms
CHARLES TROY’S “THE CREATION OF GYPSY” Review – One of Troy’s 50+ Multimedia Presentations on Musical Theatre
If you haven’t seen Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater yet, I hope you’ll want to rush out and buy tickets after you read this review. If you've already seen it, you may want to go back and see it again
THE MAGICAL EXPLODING BOY AND THE INVISIBLE CIRCUS Review – Actors' Gymnasium Charms Away the Winter Blahs
Even if it were difficult to get to The Actors Gymnasium—it's not, it's at the Noyes stop on the Purple “L” line—it would be worth the trip to see The Magical Exploding Boy and The Invisible Circus. Don't miss it
IN THE MATTER OF J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER Review – St. Sebastian Players Unflinchingly Explores Daunting Choices
Don’t miss this remarkable piece of great theater craft, philosophical discussion of justice, patriotism, humanity, morality, what the heck—throw in human kindness and a powerful anti-smoking demonstration
Lyric’s BARBER OF SEVILLE Review – Long Live Figaro’s Passion!
Perhaps you were first introduced to Figaro by Bugs Bunny, Mrs. Doubtfire, or Seinfeld? The iconic opening aria is the quintessential anthem for frantic comic madness with a happy ending
BLOCK MUSEUM'S WINTER OPENING Review – Art, History, Ideas and Politics Intertwined
If you like your art exhibits to be mindlessly decorative, this one will change your mind—in more ways than one. You will be exposed to two separate shows which, over time become intertwined
LA TRAVIATA Review – Let’s Toast to Passion!
Everything about this production was so perfect, it was magical! I have been attending operas at Lyric for about five years now and I have to say this was the most moving, most perfect in every way
Lyric's GALA Season Opener OTELLO Review – Feel the Passion!
This 59th GALA at Lyric Opera of Chicago was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. But for we opera goers—ogling the literati and glitterati—it was a senstational prelude to the musical feast of Otello and a promise of a magnificent season
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP Review – Piccolo Theatre’s “Commedia dell'arte” Meets “Penny Dreadful”
An astonishing tour-de-force in which two performers...portrayed men, women and an assortment of monsters in a full-length quick-change act
CJO at Ravinia Review – Benny Goodman Tribute Doesn’t Miss a Beat!
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra’s homage to Benny Goodman and his remarkably fine band was perfect in every way—even in ways one wouldn’t, couldn't possibly expect
Scottish Festival Preview – You Take the High Road. I’ll Take I-290!
We’re vacationing in Scotland this summer, so we’re looking forward to the opportunity to sample the culture while we’re still at home. Thought you, too, might want to enjoy some Scottish Culture this summer
THE EXONERATED Review –Liberty and Justice for All?
This is an example of theater at its finest. Powered by righteous indignation, there’s no room for melodrama. This award-winning play drives home a profound emotional and moral message
Roger Ebert - A Celebration of Life with Love from Chaz
Everything about this Celebration of Life reminded us of the remarkable man Roger was (and will continue to be in our hearts and minds)
INSPIRING BEAUTY Review – Chicago History Museum and Ebony Fashion Fair Strut Their Stuff!
Don’t even think about missing this fabulous, historic exhibit. It will only be at the Chicago History Museum until January 5! This is a story—not a fairy tale!—about a vision WAY before its time
INSPIRING BEAUTY Review–Chicago History Museum and Ebony Fashion Fair Strut Their Stuff!
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Review – Musical Magic Transforms Tragic
What an unforgettable experience it was to be in the audience for this opera! Lyric’s production of Streetcar succeeds on every level, starting, of course, with that outstanding music
BLITHE SPIRIT Review– Piccolo Theatre Sure Can Pick ‘Em!
Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit is the perfect match for the quirky comedic sense at Evanston’s Piccolo Theatre which boasts (truthfully!) “small theatre, big laughs”
EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED Review – Next Theatre’s Production Rings with Irony, Discovery and Pathos
Plays like Everything is Illuminated are so multi-layered, it’s very difficult to separate the layers, see how (if!) they relate to one another and what that all means as part of a cohesive whole
SILENT WITNESS – A Ray of Hope for Crime Victims
Silent Witness is a non-profit program to help citizens assist law enforcement in solving crimes. Citizens remain completely anonymous and are paid cash rewards up to $1,000 when information they provide leads to an arrest or indictment
North Shore Village Celebrates 3 Years – Self-Reliant Seniors Have Plenty to Celebrate
If it takes a village to raise children, doesn’t it make sense that it takes a village to serve our aging adults
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY Review – Many Unhappy Returns
Although this seems like it should be a simple, straightforward tale—it’s just a birthday party, after all—after a while everyone seems to be at least a hypocrite, delusional or a flat-out liar. It is so clearly unclear
Lyric’s LA BOHÈME Review – Captivating Music, Heart-Breaking Romance and, of course, Passion
I can’t imagine anyone seeing any performance of La Bohème anywhere and not be transported by it. Those of us who experienced Lyric’s La Bohème, had all that and even more
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING Review – One Enchanted Evening!
The chic, exhilarating, soul-satisfying Chicago production, now at the freshly renovated Mercury Theater in Wrigleyville showcases 30 captivating songs from Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Flower Drum Song—the list goes on
Side Effects May Include Review – Dark Comedy Illuminates Difficult Choices, Heartwarming Devotion
Since Side Effects May Include was written by Seinfeld writer Marc Jaffe and Emmy nominee Eric Coble, we had good reason to expect that this sensitive subject—Parkinson’s disease—will be handled with just the right touch
We Three Lizas Review – Don We Now Our Gay Apparel, Tra La La La La La La!
It’s time for a new Christmas tradition! Instead of dragging out those tired reindeer, let’s get out the glitter machine and sparkle! Enter We Three Lizas: they don’t mean a thing if they ain’t got that bling
The Letters Review – Writers’ Theatre’s edge-of-your-seat thriller
John W. Lowell (Playwright) has written a taut, tight, tough-minded play that resonates beyond the confines of its historical context
Wanting Miss Julie Review - A Concert Reading of an Edgy Contemporary New Musical
Wanting Miss Julie is an edgy, contemporary musical set in the super-sophisticated, moneyed, political world of the Hamptons
The Odd Couple Review – Northlight’s Rollicking Reprise of Neil Simon’s Classic
The Odd Couple opened in 1965, just as the Women’s Liberation Movement was gathering momentum. Neil Simon saw and capitalized on its comic potential. So did director BJ Jones, Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre
Superior Donuts Review – Outstanding Remount of Critically-Acclaimed Production at Royal George Cabaret Theatre
I saw Superior Donuts twice in three days. It was that good. Both times, I was fascinated by the power and presence of Superior Donuts
Billy Strayhorn Festival at Music Institute of Chicago Review – Celebrating 10 Years at Nichols Concert Hall
On Saturday night, October 27, the Terrell Stafford Quintet treated the audience at the Music Institute of Chicago in Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston to a live rendition of Stafford’s CD “This Side of Strayhorn”
Freshly Fallen Snow Review - Chicago Dramatists’ Don’t-Miss Season Opener
Freshly Fallen Snow asks the question: “If it were possible to cure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), would it be a wonderful breakthrough?” Why wouldn't you want to lose those tortured memories
- Wednesday March 12th
- 7:45 PM | Reunion: South Coast Repertory
- Thursday March 13th
- 6:30 PM |
- 7:30 PM | Billy Budd @ LA Opera
- 7:45 PM | Reunion: South Coast Repertory
- 9:00 PM | Candyland and Kill Paris at Sutra
- 9:00 PM | Comedy Palace 3/13 Natasha Leggero! Jake Johannsen! & more! FREE
- 9:30 PM | Comedy Palace
