February 2012: Chicago

Time Stands Still at Steppenwolf

I was completely indifferent to this well-reviewed play (by Donald Margulies) and production, which features Steppenwolf's usual outstanding acting and production values. In fact, I wish I could live in the very detailed loft apartment on display on stage. I just didn't care about the current inhabitants, a couple of journalists recovering from an overseas accident and their editor friend and his new, much younger girlfriend. Hard for me to believe this play returned to Broadway for a commercial run after a subscription-based, non-profit turn at Manhattan Theatre Club. It never engaged me in the least.

The Doyle & Debbie Show

I'm usually immune to silly shows like The Doyle & Debbie Show, but this one is a lot of fun. Who can resist song titles like "I Ain't No Homo, But Man You Sure Look Good To Me" and "Blue Stretch Pants?" Not me! This three-character show originated in Nashville and portrays an actual country-western bar performance by Doyle and his latest Debbie along with behind-the-scenes snippets of their less than happy lives. My only complaint is that it could have been even darker for my taste!

Show Boat at the Lyric Opera

The best thing about this new production of Show Boat is being able to listen to the score with a full cast of unamplified singers and orchestra. It's impressive to be able to hear them so clearly in the 3600-seat barn that is the Civic Opera House. Wow! This production is supposed to be modeled closely on the original 1927 version (though thankfully in this version "colored folk [as opposed to "n*****" folk] work on the Mississippi"). I had only ever seen the Hal Prince revision before and while I definitely prefer it, the first acts are very similar and both brilliant. My problem with Act 2 in this new production is that way too much time and plot is covered/glossed over in just 55 minutes. I usually don't feel many shows would benefit from a longer running time, but this is an exception.