Articles tagged with: Elizabeth Ledo
English kings in bloody struggles for power: Part 2 of Chicago Shakespeare’s history saga
![English kings in bloody struggles for power: Part 2 of Chicago Shakespeare’s history saga sub-feature](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/sub-feature-2-125x125.jpg)
Review: Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s outsized and smartly honed two-part miniseries “Tug of War,” focusing on the endless cycle of royal usurpation and bloodshed in the Bard’s history plays, comes to its conclusion with a sequence that illuminates the brief reign and unsurprising death of horseless Richard III at Bosworth Field. For my part, I shall not ask with the great songstress Peggy Lee, “Is that all there is?” My question is: When will we be able see it again? ★★★★
‘The Matchmaker’ at Goodman: A (very) funny thing happens when sly widow decides to wed
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Review: It’s Dolly’s world, the charming milieu and crazy circumstances of Thornton Wilder’s perdurable farce “The Matchmaker.” All the other characters on stage just live in it. So say hello to a delightful Dolly whose world is well worth a visit in the Goodman Theatre production starring — with a capital S — Kristine Nielsen. ★★★★
‘Isaac’s Eye’ at Writers: In genius’ rarefied realm, Newton’s high-flying boy meets Captain Hooke
![‘Isaac’s Eye’ at Writers: In genius’ rarefied realm, Newton’s high-flying boy meets Captain Hooke Young, impetuous Isaace Newton (Jurgen Hooper, left) lashes out at the famed scientist Robert Hooke (Marc Grapey). (Michael Brosilow)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Young-impetuous-Isaace-Newton-Jurgen-Hooper-left-lashes-out-at-the-famed-scientist-Robert-Hooke-Marc-Grapey.-Michael-Brosilow-125x125.jpg)
Review: ★★★ As a clinical study of narcissism, even autism, in a budding young genius, Lucas Hnath’s play “Isaac’s Eye,” an imaginary clash between the obscure 25-year-old Isaac Newton and the celebrated British scientist Robert Hooke, is clever and sometimes brilliant theater. But as drama, it comes off at Writers Theatre as, well, a clinical study. ★★★
‘The How and the Why’ at TimeLine: Evolution thicker than blood as biologists clash
![‘The How and the Why’ at TimeLine: Evolution thicker than blood as biologists clash The How And The Why (Lara Goetsch)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-How-And-The-Why-Lara-Goetsch-125x125.jpg)
Review: Rachel Hardeman is 28 years old and very bright, in fact a budding evolutionary biologist. She’s also a prickly pear who wears her attitude like a badge – or perhaps a protective cape. In Sarah Treem’s fascinating play “The How and the Why,” now on clinical display at TimeLine Theatre, Rachel collides with a blood relative who may owe her a good deal – some explaining for starters – and the thorns fly. ★★★
Goodman’s ‘Christmas Carol’ brings Yuletide treasure in magical form of Yando’s Scrooge
![Goodman’s ‘Christmas Carol’ brings Yuletide treasure in magical form of Yando’s Scrooge Old Ebenezer Scrooge (Larry Yando, left) observes his younger self (Robert Hope) in a happy moment with Belle (Atra Asdou). (Liz Lauren)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Old-Ebenezer-Scrooge-Larry-Yando-left-observes-his-younger-self-Robert-Hope-in-a-happy-moment-with-Belle-Atra-Asdou.-Liz-Lauren-125x125.jpg)
Review: The sixth time is a charm for Larry Yando as that grasping, covetous old sinner Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Or I should say, a charm again — just like Yando’s previous five outings in the part. His irascible but salvageable and very funny misanthrope remains a Scrooge for the young in heart and imagination. ★★★★