Bus Stop - Highly Recommended

What a treat! Excellent writing, set design, and solid acting combine to produce a thoroughly engaging evening of theater at the Raven.

I've said it before, but this production merits it being repeated: Chicago is home to some of the best theater I've encountered. Allow me to explain:

Set outside Kansas City in 1955, Bus Stop explores three lines of romance between six of the eight characters: a high school girl and a drunken, pedophile professor; an abandoned woman and a bus driver; and the principal story line, a rough, abusive young cowboy and a "loose" nightclub singer that he has kidnaped, stranded in a bus stop/diner due to a winter storm. In the wrong hands - in fact, in any but the best hands - this could be a disaster.

But in the hands of the excellent playwright, William Inge, the director, JoAnn Montemurro, the crew (in particular the set design by Ray Toler), and the actors, the result is a drama that finds the right notes with drama, romance and comedy. In particular, Michael Stegall as "Bo," Jen Short as "Cherie" and Kristen Williams as "Grace" deliver first-class, enrapturing performances: their transformation into their characters was seamless and complete.

Even in the face of some broad comedic moments (such as the professor's drunken stumbling and Bo's attempt to carry Cherie out over his shoulder), the moments of drama were genuinely touching. I was particularly moved by Cherie's nearly ten minutes of silent emoting as others occupied the speaking parts; Ms. Short truly inhabited "Cherie" and allowed us in for those very intimate moments.

A couple words of caution: the Raven has seats along the side, but the blocking for this play doesn't accommodate those seats. As it's open seating, arrive early and find a place in the main, center section. And, don't forego the opportunity to acquire season's tickets to this wonderful theater company: they tackle solid plays with predictable success - and delight.

Against Type Project - Highly Recommended

There's only one chance left to see the Against Type Project - Wednesday night, October 5. Don't miss it!

Presented by the Focal Point Theatre Company at the Think Tank (off Ravenswood in Lakeview), this is a collection of six scenes from contemporary plays: Glengarry, Glen Ross; Our Town; The Four Yorkshiremen; The Importance of Being Earnest; The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe; and Steel Magnolias.

The program flyer from Melissa Albertario (Artistic Director) notes in part that the purpose of the evening was "to give our group of extraordinarily talented friends, peers and collaborators and opportunity to limber up and challenge themselves." The theme, beyond the largely comic selection of themes, is "to discard ... preconceptions about casting according to age, gender, race and experience."

This is 75 minutes of high energy, extreme talent and just plain fun. The settings could only be more minimalistic if they did away with the four chairs and table; even the costumes are all Basic Black. All of which allows this very talented collection of artists to show their considerable chops. While all the performances are well done, the closing scene from Steel Magnolias brought the house down - deservedly.

Go see this performance. Or, if you can't, be sure to follow the careers of all of those involved - this is a real treat for any lover of theatre! To wit, their first full-length production is this coming Spring - but I don't want to wait until then to see these folks in action!