Chris Jones announces 10 best plays of 2009

The Tribune’s Chris Jones announces Top 10 Plays of 2009

For the complete description, explanations and reviews of these plays (and others), be sure to visit Chris Jones’ excellent blog: The Theater Loop

---

1. The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman – Lookingglass Theatre  (our review)

 

 

2. The History Boys by Nicholas Hytner – Timeline Theatre 

 

3. The Overwhelming by J.T. Rogers – Next Theatre 

4. The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz – Victory Gardens (our review)

5. Blackbird by David Harrower – Victory Gardens (our review)

 

6. Cabaret by Kander and Ebb – Drury Lane Oakbrook (our review)

 

7. The Mystery of Irma Vep by Sean Graney – Court Theatre (our review)

 

,

 

8. Graceland by Ellen Fairey – Profiles Theatre (our review)

 

9. Oh Coward! – devised by Roderick Cook – Writers’ Theatre (our review)

10. Stud Terkel’s Not Working – Second City e.t.c.

 

Chris Jones’ list of 10 shows that “should have made the list”

Desire Under the Elms – Goodman Theatre

Little Foxes – Shattered Globe Theatre 

Miss Saigon – Drury Lane Oakbrook

Old Glory – Writers’ Theatre

Our Lady of the Underpass – Teatro Vista Theatre

Rock ‘n’ Roll – Goodman Theatre

Top Dog/Underdog – American Theater Company and Congo Square Theatre

 Twelfth Night – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Marriott Theatre

Chicago theater openings/closings this week

show openings

 

1985 – The Factory Theater 

All the Fame of Lofty Deeds – The House Theatre of Chicago 

Becoming Ingrid – Rubicon Theatre Project

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet – Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Cooperstown – Theatre Seven of Chicago

The David Bowie Hepzikat Funky Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular Live!…From Space (David Bowie’s 1977 Christmas Special Network Edit) – New Millenium Theatre

Democracy – Eclipse Theatre

G.I.F.T. – Collaboraction Theatre

Little Women – Circle Theatre

Macbeth – Dominican University Performing Arts Center

Mass – Northwestern University 

Plaid Tidings – Noble Fool Theatricals

Spanish Strings – McAninch Arts Center

Stars in the Morning Sky – UIC Theatre

A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant – A Red Orchid Theatre

 

show closings

 

As You Like It – Loyola University

The Black Duckling – Dream Theatre 

Book of Days – EverGreen Theatre Ensemble 

C’est La Vie – Light Opera Works 

Dinner for Six – Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

The Fantasticks – Porchlight Music Theatre 

Fedra: Queen of Haiti – Lookingglass Theatre 

Graceland – Profiles Theatre

The Last Unicorn – Promethean Theatre

The Mercy Seat – Profiles Theatre

Pump Boys and Dinettes – Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

Spoon River Anthology – Saint Sebastian Players

A Streetcar Named Desire – Polarity Ensemble Theatre

Treasure Island – Lifeline Theatre

Two by Pinter – Piven Theatre Workshop

Theater Thursday: Profile Theatre’s “Graceland”

Thursday, August 20

Graceland
by Ellen Fairey
Profiles Theatre
4147 N. Broadway, Chicago (map)

Profiles Theatre will host a special performance of their critically acclaimed production of Graceland by Ellen Fairey with a wine and cheese reception before the show and a talk back with the cast and artistic director immediately following the show. It’s a great chance to meet and listen to the team behind one of the biggest hits of the summer. Chicago’s oldest cemetery is the backdrop for Graceland, the story of four lonely Chicagoans whose lives collide one August weekend while the Blue Angels air show is in town. Graceland is a world premiere comedic drama about the loneliness of family, the tenderness of strangers and the unexpected benefits of bad decisions.
Event begins at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $40
For reservations call 773.549.1815 and mention "Theater Thursdays."