Shakespeare vs. New York's Jews (2nd comment)

Jews 1, Shakespeare 0

I waited 18 hours to see The Merchant of Venice in New York's Central Park. Al Pacino's signature lion's roar was well worth the wait. But director Daniel Sullivan, by dumbing down the script and softening its anti-Semitism, subverted Shakespeare's clear intention.

Rathe Miller

Jul 31, 2010 · Articles · 5 minute read

Temple Repertory's "Three Sisters'

Fulfillment is out there somewhere

In a Russian garrison town far from the cultural capitals, three sisters dream of a better life. In three hours that end too soon, Temple's staging evokes a world throbbing with a pulse of hope and despair that still beats today.

Jim Rutter

Jul 20, 2010 · Articles · 5 minute read

Temple Repertory Theater's "Measure For Measure'

Is there a hypocrite in the house?

It's a wonder that anyone would take on such a complex and difficult work as Shakespeare's Measure For Measure. Yet director Douglas C. Wager and his new Temple Repertory theater team have navigated this riddle of a play with two original (albeit flawed) features.

Norman Roessler

Jul 20, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

Second City's 50th anniversary tour (2nd review)

It's the material, stupid

Great comedians can always elevate even bad material. But in this collection, it's the superb writing that ensures the show's hilarity.

Jim Rutter

Jul 20, 2010 · Articles · 2 minute read

Second City's 50th anniversary tour (1st review)

50 years of taking risks

After 50 years, Chicago's Second City still displays a distinct style of satirical humor that transcends its competitors. Its forte is spontaneous improvisation, but its real distinction is an indescribable weird, dark quality.

Steve Cohen

Jul 20, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read

Word feast at Canada's Shaw Festival

Where words speak louder than actions

The treat of Canada's Shaw Festival, held annually in the charming, flower-filled town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is that it offers productions of plays you rarely get to see— not only by George Bernard Shaw, but by his contemporaries like Chekhov, Wilde and Barrie.

Toby Zinman

Jul 20, 2010 · Articles · 7 minute read

"The Secret of Sherlock Holmes' at People's Light (2nd review)

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, meet Dr. Watson

The Secret of Sherlock Holmes challenges conventional detective stereotypes, presenting a Sherlock Holmes with noticeable flaws and a Dr. Watson of intellect and humor.

Steve Cohen

Jul 17, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Secret of Sherlock Holmes' at People's Light (1st review)

Portrait of a friendship

The Secret of Sherlock Holmes focuses not on a single mystery but on the evolving relationship between Holmes and Dr. Watson. It's an ideal summer diversion: not too heavy but just substantial enough to give the viewer something to chew on afterward.

Bill Murphy

Jul 13, 2010 · Articles · 2 minute read

Shakespeare, Shylock, anti-Semitism— and Al Pacino (1st comment)

Shakespeare (and anti-Semitism) on trial

At least since the Holocaust, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice has been widely reviled as an anti-Semitic screed. But Al Pacino's majestic portrayal of Shylock in New York suggests an entirely different interpretation: of Jews (and Israel too) surrounded by a hostile world.

Carol Rocamora

Jul 11, 2010 · Articles · 11 minute read

"Musical of Musicals' at Walnut Studio 3 (2nd review)

What they did for love (of Broadway musicals)

Unlike satire, which comes out of anger, pastiche comes out of love. The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) is definitely the latter.

Judy Weightman

Jun 29, 2010 · Articles · 3 minute read