A thoughtful review of Itamar Moses’ The Ally at Theater Wit — a sharp, timely drama about identity, activism, and conflicting truths. This episode explores the play’s themes, performances, direction, and why one “good deed” spirals into chaos. Perfect for listeners interested in Chicago theater and contemporary social issues.

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Blending spooky folklore with offbeat humor, White Rooster by Matthew C. Yee a world Premiere at Lookingglass Theatre is a haunting tale of grief, family and the messiness of moving on. Chicago Theater Review by Kim Campbell.

This campy, opera style, cabaret performance mostly in drag is oddly compelling. The unconventional storyline comprised of seven sexually ambiguous individuals has the show living up to its tagline of a queer extravaganza.

Thompson Street Opera Company is worth keeping an eye on. Their recent premiere production of Off-Nights at the Sometimes Café at Bramble Arts Loft in Andersonville was a short run but worth mentioning for the record.

In “Changing Channels” at City Lit Theater in Chicago, Maggie Carlin and boss Eddie Gilroy abruptly learn that creating what will become an iconic TV comedy show is not all fun and games.

Currently appearing on the fledgling DuMont TV network, Gilroy has an offer to move his wildly popular show to CBS. However, his manager, “Bullets” played by Johnny Moran informs him due to suspected communist infiltration of the new television medium CBS is requiring all of its employees to sign a loyalty oath.

The storyline of “Changing Channels” is a fictional account of actual events, and the characters are thinly veiled portrayals of real people.

Listen to this full podcast to learn more about this production and the history of the red scare.

Review by Reno Lovison ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com

A nonstop “catcaphony” of frenzied feline fun that will create a lasting memory. With elements of musical theater, dance, opera and acrobatics there is definitely something for everyone in Music Theatre Works production of CATS at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

There are two good reasons to see Harvey, by St. Sebastian Players. One is the humorous quirky Pulitzer Prize winning script by Mary Chase and the other is the exceptional performance of Jeff Broitman as Elwood Dowd, the pleasant oddball fellow whose companion and best friend is a six-foot rabbit.

You’ll probably love this if you’re of Irish heritage because of the familiarity of the songs and background message. If you’re a few generations removed or have no Irish heritage you will likely find some insight into this segment of America that makes up about 10% of the overall population.

The Irish and How They Got That Way by Porchlight Theatre Company is at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

Theater review by Reno Lovison concludes with an original rendition of Danny Boy recorded live at the Roots Room.

Cover photo by LaPenna.

This intimate drama at Redtwist Theater in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago delivers a message of unconscious bias and institutional slavery put into motion generations ago but messages that are still very much alive and grappled with today on both sides of the racial divide. Review by Reno Lovison approximately 5 minutes. Highly recommended.