Dueling theater critics Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel discuss the latest stage productions and dissect the best — and the worst — of Chicago's theater scene.
Isaac's Eye at Writers Theatre, Death Tax at Lookingglass Theatre by Dueling Critics
Jonathan and Kelly sample incest, adultery and power in Women Beware Women, a Jacobean battle-of-the-sexes at Two Pence Theatre. Plus, Kelly recommends C. S. Lewis at Provision Theatre.
Old Tar Jonathan and Salty Kelly discuss On the Town, the musical about three gobs and their gals, at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.
The Dueling Critics disagree about Coraline, based on Neil Gaiman's children's-book-or-is-it: children's theater, or is it?
The Dueling Critics get intimate with Lynn Nottage's play at Eclipse Theatre.
J. and K. strongly disagree about the new Bruce Norris play: J. approves, while K. has Qualms. Also, K. recommends Griffin's rendition of the 1940s Scottish melodrama Men Should Weep.
Jonathan recommends Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Eclectic Full-Contact Theatre while Kelly raves about Tyrant at Sideshow Theatre.
Kelly and Jonathan wring each other's neck over Rung, a world premiere opera at Curious Theatre Branch, and Kelly recommends Eat Your Heart Out at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.
How sharper than a serpent's tongue are Kelly and Jonathan as they discuss The White Snake at Goodman Theatre, and Jonathan also recommends Tennessee Williams' Vieux Carre at Raven Theatre.
J. and K. fail to disagree even one iota about this revival of Frank Loesser's musical satire from the early 1960s. Then J. picks Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge at Teatro Vista, and K. picks Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater.
Kelly and Jonathan wax presidential and debate Capitalism vs. Communism over "The President" at Oracle Productions in Lakeview. Kelly also recommends "The Dance of Death" at Writers Theatre and "Our Class" at Remy Bumppo.
Jonathan and Kelly duel over Amy Herzog's play about sexual abuse and repressed memory. Then Jonathan reports on three news plays from the Humana Festival, two of which are heading to Chicago
Kelly flies solo, reviewing Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England and wondering why they aren't wooly.
Jonathan and Kelly duel over a world premiere about grief, adolescent angst and making a movie, present by Jackalope Theatre. Then, Jonathan recommends A Crime in the Neighborhood, a page-to-stage adaptation at City Lit.
Water by the Spoonful, Court Theatre, March 21, 2014 (Episode 31) by Dueling Critics
Jonathan and Kelly engage in spirited debate over a spiritual play, the world premiere of "The Gospel of Lovingkindness," by Marcus Gardley, at Victory Gardens Theater.
Jonathan and Kelly duel over Piven Theatre's production of The Language Archive, and then Jonathan recommends Theresa Rebeck's Seminar at Haven Theatre Company.