‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ pays a visit

Californian Christian Jacobs had nothing against the purple dinosaur. It was a harmless character his oldest daughter was watching on television ten years ago… and it kept her happy.

New play taps into lives of Latinos

Ana dreams of having a lavish quinceañera. That’s the traditional Latino celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, and Ana’s brother Luis, a high school senior and the man of the house, hopes to help fulfill Ana’s wish.

Writers’ takes on dance with ‘Sweet Charity’

Some girls can’t catch a break. Take the case of Charity Valentine who works as a dance hall hostess while she searches in vain for a man to change her luck.

Acting is real thrill of ‘The Letters’

“The Letters” is an example of truly exceptional performances in the service of a script that’s not always on the level of the acting.

Directed by Kimberly Senior at Glencoe’s Writers’ Theatre, the two-person piece is something of a political thriller. The trouble is, playwright …

Father, son share talent and a stage

Andre’ Teamer’s relationship with his 13-year-old son Destin changes when the two actors are in a play together.

“When we’re in rehearsal, I’m not ‘Dad,’” Andre’ said. “We’re actually peers and we have to work together. I have to give him the same respect I …

‘Little Women’ adaptation finds heart of story

Ann Noble’s new stage adaptation of “Little Women,” is now premiering at Citadel Theatre. Under the direction of Scott Phelps, it serves as a superb introduction for 21st century audiences to Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel.

Smiles on tap in Marriott’s ‘My One and Only’

Can a musical tap its way to happiness?

Certainly! Especially if it is packed with songs by those great Gershwin guys.

“My One and Only” is running at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through Jan. 6 and from the opening number by the three New …

Dickens’ ‘Carol’ goes happily off-key in ‘Bah, Humbug!’

The panto is on again. For the 12th year in a row, Piccolo Theatre is borrowing a British holiday tradition and diverting audiences with a cheery, if offbeat, entertainment known as a panto (short for pantomime).

‘One and Only’ upbeat romance set to great Gershwin

Can an ambitious aviator and a former English Channel swimmer find true happiness? Given enough great Gershwin songs it could happen in “My One and Only” at the Marriott Theatre.

Two actresses fill a hole in ‘Donuts’

You can expect arresting performances from two north suburban natives in Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.’s remount of “Superior Donuts” at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre.

Cut it out ... there really is a ‘Full House’ musical

Katie Johnston-Smith, one of three co-writers of “Attend the Tale of Danny Tanner: A Full House Musical,” says that the parody show appeals to her inner child.

Second City buddies star as ‘Odd Couple’

They’re a couple of old pals, playing, well, a couple of old pals. Second City alums George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky have “come home” to star in Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “The Odd Couple,” which begins previews Nov. 2 at Northlight Theatre. The duo recently chatted about comedy, friendship and politics.

Grim tale of ‘Other People’s Money’ hits hard

“Other People’s Money,” Jerry Sterner’s play about a greedy speculator capitalizing on a business weakened by the soft economy, is just as relevant and affecting as when he wrote it in 1987. Maybe more so. Its premise rings painfully true in Citadel Theatre’s biting production …

Go ‘Backstage’ to sample Evanston arts

Evanston is a very entertaining place. You can get a taste of the variety of performance companies that call that city home during BackStage Evanston, Sunday, Sept. 30 in the Ethel M. Barber Theater at Northwestern University. Seventeen music, theater and dance organizations will perform …

A bad business at Citadel

Lawrence Garfinkle knows a good deal when he sees it. And the New York corporate raider sees a great one in the undervalued stock of a small town company called New England Wire & Cable. If the stockholders agree, they will profit handsomely, too.