REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre Through December 16th, 2018

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Fantastically Fun Farce, 

The Play That Goes Wrong Will Leave You 

In Stitches

My 17 year old son, Dugan, and I caught the press opening of The Play That Goes Wrong at Chicago's iconic Oriental Theatre last night, and I can attest, my abs are still aching from laughing throughout the whole show. This cast is adept at physical comedy as well as witty wordplay, slapstick, and negotiating a deathtrap set with humor and finesse. Like classic farce, numerous unusual entry and exit ways are used and physical obstacles abound. 



The cleverly constructed set... or should I say deconstructed, is a joy to see in action, and this intrepid cast works the space well. The Play That Goes Wrong is a fast paced, bumbling buffet of buffoonery that turns every actor's nightmare into energetic entertainment. What begins as minor set malfunctions, missed lighting and sound cues, late entrances, misplaced props, and bungled lines, soon escalate to major mishaps. Multiple characters are knocked out or left bleeding, poisoned, or beset by falling set pieces. 



There are fires, duals, electrical problems, combative leading ladies, runaway dogs, Duran Duran, and that cure all for everything... duct tape. The escalating gags are a hoot, even when you see them coming. 





We love the premise of building a whole show where everything goes wrong, and this one lives up to its name, before the lights even dim. The action begins during pre-show, when the house lights are still up, so put down your cell phone and watch hilarity ensue. Errors abound, on stage and off! When we first saw the upside down marquee show listing and the Playbill type setting screw up, we were hooked! 

There's never been a Broadway touring show so wrong that's done so right. The Play That Goes Wrong is nothing short of brilliant. Highly recommended. 



Broadway In Chicago is thrilled that the national tour of the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG opens December 5th for a limited two- week engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph St) through Sunday, December 16, 2018.



What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby? You’d get THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Broadway & London’s award-winning smash comedy! Called “A GUT-BUSTING HIT” (The New York Times) and “THE FUNNIEST PLAY BROADWAY HAS EVER SEEN” (HuffPost), this classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania delivering “A RIOTOUS EXPLOSION OF COMEDY” (Daily Beast). Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it’s “TONS OF FUN FOR ALL AGES” (HuffPost) and “COMIC GOLD” (Variety) – sure to bring down the house!





Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a riotous comedy about the theatre. The play introduces The ‘Cornley University Drama Society’ who are attempting to put on a 1920s’ murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong...does, as the accident-prone thespians battle on against all odds to get to their final curtain call.

The Broadway production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 2, 2017. The show, which was slated to close on Broadway in August of this year, will extend its run due to popular demand through January 6, 2019. By then, the Broadway production will have played 27 previews and 745 performances, making it the 2nd longest running show in the history of the Lyceum Theatre. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG received a Tony Award for Best Set Design, Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Play, and the Theater Fans Choice Award for Best Play.





Awarded the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, 2014 WhatsOnStage Best New Comedy and 2015 UK BroadwayWorld Best New Play Awards, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is now in its fourth year in the West End, is currently on a 30 week UK tour and playing on six continents. The producers have avoided Antarctica for fear of a frosty reception.



It is a remarkable rags-to-riches story for a play which started its life at a London fringe venue with only four paying members of the public at the first performance, and has gone on to play to an audience of over 2 million people around the world.

Mischief Theatre, the Olivier Award-winning theatre company led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer, was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief Theatre performs across the UK and internationally with improvised and original scripted work.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG tour is directed by Matt DiCarlo with original Broadway direction by Mark Bell, featuring set design by Nigel Hook, lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, sound design by Andy Johnson and costume design by Roberto Surace.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J.J. Abrams, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence Ltd., Catherine Schreiber, Ken Davenport, Double Gemini Productions / deRoy-Brunish, Damian Arnold / TC Beech, Greenleaf Productions / Bard-Roth, Martian Entertainment / Jack Lane / John Yonover, and Lucas McMahon.


For more information, visit www.BroadwayGoesWrong.com or follow THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @BwayGoesWrong

PERFORMANCE DATES
Tuesdays at 7:30PM
Wednesdays at 2PM and 7:30PM
Thursdays at 7:30PM
Fridays at 7:30PM
Saturdays at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays at 2:00PM and 7:30PM (no evening performance on Sunday, December 16)

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets are on sale now and range in price from $25-$98 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 18 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, Oriental Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.


Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

OPENING: The Play That Goes Wrong December 4-6th at Chicago's Oriental Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

December 4-6th at Chicago's Oriental Theatre

Find out more info and order your tickets HERE.

REVIEW: Flashback to the 60's in Style with RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles at Oriental Theatre Through Sunday

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

COME CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF THE SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND ALBUM!

Review: 

Tuesday night I had the unique chance to kick off my 50th birthday week with another 50th celebration... the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was a time traveling feat worthy of Dr. Who to be serenaded by RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles. They're in Chicago, bringing down the house at the Oriental Theatre this week through Sunday. 

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles was a delightful evening and we absolutely recommend this visual and auditory feast. Rain is appropriate for all ages and a great bet for multigenerational family fun. In fact we saw children through octogenarians all clapping, singing along, and enjoying this show. I mean, who doesn't know most Beatles lyrics, fans or not? They've become so interwoven in our culture that they disputably are "more popular than Jesus" now, as John Lennon scandalously stated back in 1966. 

"We're more popular than Jesus now. I don't know which will go first, rock 'n' roll or Christianity..."

The Beatles have had staying power and massive appeal throughout the decades, and this band is charismatic and talented enough to pull off an engaging and convincing show, featuring the Beatles from their early days of suits, skinny ties, and Beatlemania tours all the way through Abbey Road.



Sometimes Broadway touring "cover band" shows suffer from a bit of an identity crisis, where audiences aren't sure whether to watch them like theatre or join in like a concert. Rain does a stellar job of getting patrons out of their seats and into the moment. It was as much fun watching the audience members with giant grins on their faces, trying in vain to keep the beat and having a fabulous time all the same, as it was watching the show.






Here at ChiIL Live Shows we particularly loved the 60's era commercials in the show, crowd shots of enthusiastic fans, and the ever evolving costumes and hair styles emulated by the band. RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles is a solid two hours of music from the Beatles' entire career, featuring several encores. It was truly a treat to hear and see Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band performed in its entirety, with a light show and psychedelic screen extravaganza. Whether you want to relive the 60's and the heyday of the Beatles or were born decades later, this show is something to see. Don't miss this.

NOW PLAYING AT THE ORIENTAL THEATRE 

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles is now playing at Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph) for a limited one-week engagement March 28- April 2, 2017. RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band! For the first time ever, RAIN will bring the historic album to life in its entirety for this psychedelic multimedia spectacular!

As “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press), RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in the studio but never performed for an audience. In addition to the updated sets that include brand new LED, High-Definition screens and multimedia content, RAIN will bring the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album to life in its entirety with the launch of the 2017 Tour.

Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. Let RAIN take you back with all of the songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band along with all of your other Beatles favorites such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together,” “Hey Jude” and more! This adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!

“On their feet, with arms raised high above their heads, all in the audience were swaying and singing along in blissed-out, nostalgia-powered unison!"
-- Chicago Sun-Times

“The enraptured audience relives the soundtrack of its life!”
-- Chicago Tribune

This mind blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Experience the worlds’ most iconic band and come celebrate 50 years of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES.

Get Social:
Become a fan of RAIN on Facebook, follow RAIN on Twitter @raintribute, Instagram: @RainTribute and YouTube.



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday at 7:30 PM
Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Thursday at 7:30 PM
Friday at 7:30 PM
Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM
Sunday at 2 PM and 7:30 PM

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles at the Oriental Theatre range from $35-$75. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.  Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 



ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

REVIEW: CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! Now Playing at Chicago's Oriental Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

NOW PLAYING THROUGH MARCH 26TH AT THE ORIENTAL THEATRE

Review:
As promised, Circus 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! delivers impressive, life sized elephantine puppets with personality to spare, vintage thrills, side show schtick, period piece costumes, and an altogether enjoyable evening out. Sometimes less is more and featuring one expert contortionist, one aerialist, one juggler etc. at a time with theatrical lighting and a dramatic score makes for a stronger impression than traditional arena, three ring circus shows, with stimulus overload.



I took my 13 year old daughter who has studied circus arts for 5 years and she enjoyed the show. It's a great pick for all ages, family friendly fun. Little ones and adult volunteers may even be chosen to assist with the acts!

The puppetry by award winning War Horse veterans was fun to see, though we would have liked to see more of the elephant mother and tot. Their primary scene is just drinking water from a bucket and a few very basic circus moves. A bigger role with more circus tricks and a rider would have been more impressive and worthy of their delightful design. The side show silliness, except the talented contortionist, could have been skipped, along with the whip act. Having seen an actual Guinness World Record holding whip act annually at Renaissance Faire, this was anticlimactic.



Circus 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! also misses a golden opportunity with little plot or character development and nearly nothing historical except the costumes. We're lucky in Chicago to have a world class circus scene, and we've seen what's possible when circus arts are incorporated into period piece shows, to advance the storyline. Lookingglass Theatre, The House Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Actors Gymnasium, among others, have done stellar shows with compelling characters and interesting plots. Circus 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! was basically just a series of stunts, albeit excellent ones, by skilled performers. We were left wanting more of a plot specific to 1903 and circus history, as well as more back story and relationships between the performers.

That said, if you're nostalgic for the parading pachyderms of circus days gone by, without the animal ethics issues, and entranced by performers with extraordinary skills, Circus 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! is fun for an evening.

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List 

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to introduce CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus! From the producers of the world’s biggest magic show, The Illusionists, and the award-winning puppeteers of War Horse comes a turn-of-the-century circus spectacular. CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus has all the thrill and daredevil entertainment one would expect from the circus, with an exciting new twist. Discover the golden age of circus at the Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph) March 21- 26 as CIRCUS 1903 captivates audiences of all ages.

Sensational puppetry puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before by introducing the largest- ever performing African elephant and her baby, along with a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world – from strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, high wire and much more!

The award-winning team of puppeteers and model makers who created the National Theatre’s War Horse brings to life two stunningly beautiful elephants for CIRCUS 1903. Featuring groundbreaking advances in design and expression, the puppets appear throughout the show as the mother teaches her calf the tricks of the trade.



CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus is produced by Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and MagicSpace Entertainment. Painter and Lawson have created Le Grand Cirque, Le Noir, Cirque Adrenaline and The Illusionists in over 250 cities from London to Sydney to Broadway, as well as presenting A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fiddler on the Roof through Australia. MagicSpace Entertainment has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 35 years, including The Illusionists - Witness the Impossible, Donny & Marie – A Broadway Christmas, American Idiot, RAIN - A Tribute To The Beatles On Broadway, Lord of the Dance created by Michael Flatley, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and national concert tours by Janet Jackson, Cher and Fleetwood Mac.


CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus is designed by scenic artist Todd Ivins and set in an extraordinary and decadent circus tent. Act One is set in front of the circus with trucks, props and rigging. Act Two features the tent, flagpoles and rigging being raised into the roof of the theatre.

The costumes for CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus are designed by Angela Aaron, whose impeccable recreations of original turn-of-the-century circus costumes are a work of art inspired by authentic photographic collections, studying historical museum pieces and discussions with experts and historians.

No circus would be complete without its music. The soundtrack of CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus encapsulates the time period and accentuates the thrill and danger of the acts. It is composed by Evan Jolly, composer of many of Painter and Lawson’s international hits.



Get Social:
Follow CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus Twitter: @Circus1903, Facebook and Instagram: @Circus1903 www.Circus1903.com

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 21 – 7:30PM Wednesday, March 22 – 7:30PM Thursday, March 23 – 7:30PM
Friday, March 24 – 7:30PM
Saturday, March 25 – 2:00PM & 8:00PM Sunday, March 26 – 2:00PM & 7:30PM

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for CIRCUS 1903 –The Golden Age of Circus at the Oriental Theatre range from $16- $80 with premium seats available for all performances. Group tickets for 10 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

For more information, visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.
Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ●
#broadwayinchicago

OPENING: Disney's Aladdin Appearing April 11 For 12 Weeks Only

                                                                 

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, it was our great pleasure to catch a press preview last year, way back on June 22nd, with some of the Aladdin cast members. The songs were amazing! This production is sure to be epic, with stunning costumes, set design and special effects. The North American tour kick off for Aladdin is shaping up to be an exciting extravaganza the whole family will love. 

We've been enjoying the program, rockin' canvas bag, and official CD since the press preview last June, and we can't wait to catch the full show. Got your tickets yet? Don't miss this! 

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway In Chicago's long-awaited engagement of Disney’s Aladdin will launch its North American tour in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre with performances beginning on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.  

Tickets are currently available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.  Tickets for Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace Theatre range from $42 – $118.  A select number of Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available for many performances. Group tickets for 15 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. For a complete performance schedule for Aladdin, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway In Chicago theatres and www.BroadwayInChicago.com are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Broadway In Chicago is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Disney's Aladdin opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20^th, 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years, breaking 11 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and welcoming over 3 million people worldwide. Its global footprint has expanded to include productions in Tokyo, Hamburg, London and Sydney, in addition to the two U.S. productions. 

About ALADDIN

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar^® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!).  

Aladdin, adapted from the Academy Award^®-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical.  Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.  This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. 

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song.  The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira.  The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. 

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago