Conversations with Ed Tracy

Review - The "Ring" is the thing! Chicago Shakespeare Theater is deep in Middle-earth with "The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale" now playing through September 1. American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/7/30/picksinsix-review-the-lord-of-the-rings-a-musical-tale-chicago-shakespeare-theater

Review - Kristianna Dilworth and Max DeTogne star in the superb Dunes Arts Summer Theatre production of "The Bridges of Madison County" directed by Steve Scott now playing through August 11. Dunes Arts Foundation American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/7/29/picksinsix-review-the-bridges-of-madison-county

PicksInSix®️ - Opening Tonight - Dunes Arts Summer Theatre opens “The Bridges of Madison County” tonight at the 73-year-old theatre’s in Michiana Shores. Directed by Steve Scott, the musical with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, plays through August 11 and includes stellar performances from Kristianna Dilworth and Max DeTogne. Special ticket discounts are available along with an onsite dinner option before the show. Visit the website for details. Our PicksInSix®️Review will be coming later this weekend. Dunes Arts Foundation www.dunesarts.org

- "Titanique" news from Broadway In Chicago and Porchlight Music Theatre!

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago premiere production of Titanique, The Musical is setting sail at the Broadway Playhouse March 25 – May 18, 2025!

Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog.

TITANIQUE will be part of our upcoming Season Subscription, on sale this fall. Groups 10+ can book now by calling (312) 977-1710 or email [email protected]. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Review - The new musical based on John Berendt's NYT bestseller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" opened Monday at Goodman Theatre. Read the review and see the show through August 11. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil - Goodman Theatre — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy “What A Lovely Place To Die.” PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy The long-awaited, world premiere of the musical version of John Berendt’s epic book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” directed by Rob Ashford and choreographed by Tanya Birl-Torres opened Monday in Goodman’s Albert Thea...

Review - Kaitlyn Linsner highly recommends Drury Lane's revival of "Ain't Misbehavin' - The Fats Waller Musical Show" now playing through August 18 in Oakbrook. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Ain't Misbehavin' - Drury Lane Theatre — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ - Revival Worth Waiting For! PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Kaitlyn Linsner For those looking to enjoy a soulful and spirited night of jazz music, consider a visit to Drury Lane Theatre for the wildly entertaining revival of Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwi

Review -Lanford Wilson's "Talley's Folly" at Dunes Arts Summer Theatre through July 14. Dunes Arts Foundation American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Talley's Folly - Dunes Arts Summer Theatre — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Lovers Reunite in Dune’s “Talley’s Folly” PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy The second production of the 2024 Dunes Arts Summer Theatre season is Lanford Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Talley’s Folly,” the second installment of Wilson’s Talley Trilogy that includes “Fifth of ...

Review - Laurie Metcalf leads Steppenwolf Theatre Company's brilliant new production of Samuel D. Hunter's "Little Bear Ridge Road" now extended through August 4. 2024 American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/6/24/picksinsix-review-little-bear-ridge-road-steppenwolf-theatre-company

Review - Ronald Keaton reviews Broadway In Chicago's "The Kite Runner" now playing through June 23 at the CIBC Theatre. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: The Kite Runner—Broadway In Chicago — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy “Kite Runner” poignant, moving… and shocking. PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton If you’ve never read the bestselling novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini—a tale of friendship between two Afghan boys and how their choices dictate their adult lives—you are miss

Review - Teatro ZinZanni's 2024 summer show features a powerhouse lineup of top cirque artists with LiV Warfield, Cunio and comedian Kevin Kent. American Theatre Critics Association Liv Warfield

PicksInSix Review: Love, Chaos & Dinner - Teatro ZinZanni — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Teatro ZinZanni delivers high-flying entertainment! PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy There was a genuine air of excitement for the opening on Friday of Teatro ZinZanni’s 2024 summer show in the magnificent Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th of the Cambria Hotel in the heart of the Chicago Loop Theatr

Review - Dunes Summer Theatre's smart, spry production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opens the 73rd season. Read the review and plan to see the show now playing at the picturesque Michiana Shores venue through June 16. Dunes Arts Foundation American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/6/3/picksinsix-review-blithe-spirit-dunes-summer-theatre

Review - "Black Sunday" is the final show of TimeLine Theatre Company's 25 year run on Wellington before moving to a new facility next year. The venerable Chicago company continues with a new season in the the fall in partnerships with Court Theatre, Writers Theatre and DePaul University Cortelyou Commons. "Black Sunday" runs through June 29 American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/5/28/picksinsix-review-black-sunday-timeline-theatre-company

Review - Broadway In Chicago's Broadway-bound premiere of "Death Becomes Her" is now playing through June 2. American Theatre Critics Association Death Becomes Her the Musical https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/5/20/picksinsix-review-death-becomes-her-broadway-in-chicago

- The List

THE LIST — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy THE LIST for productions in and around Chicagoland this week. Please check theater website for up-to-date schedules. Reviews at:  PicksInSix   (P6) Please check links for up-to-date schedule changes. A Red Orchid Theatre TURRET May 2-June 9, 2024 at C

- Chicago Shakespeare Theater's world premiere production of JUDGMENT DAY written by Golden Globe winner Rob Ulin, directed by Tony nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel and starring Tony and Emmy award winner Jason Alexander has been extended through June 2. https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/5/2/picksinsix-review-judgment-day-chicago-shakespeare-theater

Paramount's new Stolp Island Theatre. Rendering by Jeffrey D. Kmiec. Opening July 10, 2024 MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET.

Review - Jason Alexander stars in the hilarious, irreverent Chicago Shakespeare Theater world premiere of "Judgment Day" now playing through May 26. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Judgment Day - Chicago Shakespeare Theater — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy “WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR HEAD?” PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy There’s a deliciously hilarious show now playing in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, a spritely, unabashed, comic romp that centers on a deceitful and wretched lawyer named Sammy Campo (Jason Alexander) who gets what everyone

Review - Kaitlyn Linsner highly recommends The Joffrey Ballet's "Midsummer Night's Dream" playing now at Lyric Opera of Chicago through May 5

PicksInSix Review: Midsummer Night's Dream - The Joffrey Ballet — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy WHAT A WEIRD AND REMARKABLE DREAM PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Kaitlyn Linsner Sometimes, a once clear line between dream and reality will blur. A fantastic and boundless dreamscape may blend into everyday surroundings causing tired eyes confusion as they awake and search f

Review - Read Ron Keaton's highly recommended review of Goodman Theatre's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" now extended through May 19 in the Albert. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Joe Turner's Come and Gone - Goodman Theatre — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Riveting Performances Drive Goodman’s “Joe Turner” PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton “A man forget his song, he forget who he is”… It was a line shared by Bynum Walker, a ‘conjure man’ whose awareness of life and people is reflected in Walker’s role as the com...

Review - Drury Lane's rock'em sock'em revival of "Guys and Dolls" stars Erica Stephan, Pepe Nufrio, Alanna Lovely and Jackson Evans. Now playing in Oakbrook through June 9. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Guys and Dolls - Drury Lane Theatre — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Shake the Dice. Save a Soul! PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy Looking for the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York with tough guys packing heat and cracking wise while a couple of old-time love stories unwind in locales as exotic as Havanna and the Hot Box Cabaret? If so,

Review - Broadway In Chicago's "Peter Pan" is playing now at the James N. Nederlander Theatre. Read Kaitlyn Linsner's review and see the show through April 7. https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/4/2/picksinsix-review-peter-pan-broadway-in-chicago

Gold Review - Get in step, folks. Mercury Theater's "JERSEY BOYS" will be the hot ticket to get in town. Now playing through May 19. American Theatre Critics Association

PicksInSix Review: Jersey Boys - Mercury Theater Chicago — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Sweet, Sassy, Success Story, Richly Told! PicksInSix® Gold Review | Ed Tracy After an electrifying opening on Thursday night at Mercury Theater Chicago,  “Jersey Boys,” the mega-hit Tony Award-winning musical has officially launched its first regional production in Chicagoland. Get i

Review - Steppenwolf Theatre Company's "Purpose"- directed by Phylicia Rashad - has been extended through April 28. Read Ronald Keaton's highly recommended review. American Theatre Critics Association
https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/3/31/picksinsix-review-purpose-steppenwolf-theatre-company

Actor and UVM alum Michael Garfield Levine joined the Conversation this week to talk about the performance of his solo show SPINNING MY WHEELS on Thursday, April 11 at the Royall Tyler Theatre in Burlington, VT. The one night only performance is a preamble to the RTT's 50th Anniversary Celebration April 12-13.

The 7:00 pm show is free, but registrations are required. Those who wish to attend can register by emailing: [email protected].

Listen to the CONVERSATIONS podcast:
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-with-ed-tracy/id1223770777

Audacy:
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/conversations-with-ed-tracy-68fc2

From the Archive - A memorable 2017 St. Patrick's Day conversation and musical exploration with the great John Williams about the origins of traditional Irish music. John and his step-dancing companion(now wife) Katie are featured in a January 2012 Prairie Home Companion performance of "Within A Mile From Dublin" with Chris Thile. Sláinte!

JOHN WILLIAMS - DRAWN TO THE MUSIC — CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy Midway through the conversation with John Williams , he becomes introspective. He recalls introducing musician friends of his father to a rare copy of the O’Neill collection of traditional Irish music, an out-of-print anthology that had been given to him as a gift. The men select a title they reco...

The University of Vermont's Royall Tyler Theatre, and the performing arts everywhere, are in the news!

Today, March 14, 2024, is the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the theatre located in Burlington, Vermont. The date has been recognized as "Royall Tyler Theatre Day" in Vermont by proclamation of Governor Phil Scott.

A milestone celebration will be held on campus in early April for alumni from all eras.
https://www.uvm.edu/news/cas/theatreanddance/uvms-royall-tyler-theatre-turns-50

American Theatre Critics Association

UVM's Royall Tyler Theatre Turns 50 With an ambitious plan for the future and an eye to its history, the University of Vermont’s (UVM) Royall Tyler Theatre turns 50 on March 14 and will host a celebration five decades in the making when alumni return to campus on April 12-13 for a series of panels, workshops, and exhibits, a book...

For those who loved the late, great Mike Nussbaum, we hope you will join us on Monday, March 4 at 5:00pm for a celebration of his remarkable life.❤️

Kindly RSVP at www.chicagoshakes.com/celebratingmike.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike's memory to Storycatchers Theatre, a program that helps youth in the juvenile justice system tell their stories through performance.

Review - Goodman Theatre's “The Matchbox Magic Flute,” adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman, "weaves together a spellbinding storytelling through song." Scott Gryder reviews. Now extended through March 24 in the Owen. American Theatre Critics Association https://www.conversationswithedtracy.com/picksinsix/2024/2/20/picksinsix-review-the-matchbox-magic-flute-goodman-theatre