Hedy Weiss Reviews: 'Othello,' '2666,' 'Posh' and 'The Flick'


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Chicago Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss is back to review some oldies, goodies and a "magnum opus."

2666
Highly recommended
When: Through March 20
Where: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
Run time: 5 1/2 hours, with three intermissions

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Eric Lynch (Oscar Fate), Alejandra Escalante (Rosa Amalfitano), Demetrios Troy (Chucho Flores), Juan Francisco Villa (Charly Cruz) and Yadira Correa (Rosita Mendez) in “Part III: The Part About Fate” of 2666 based on the novel by Robert Bolaño, adapted and directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley at Goodman Theatre. Eric Lynch (Oscar Fate), Alejandra Escalante (Rosa Amalfitano), Demetrios Troy (Chucho Flores), Juan Francisco Villa (Charly Cruz) and Yadira Correa (Rosita Mendez) in “Part III: The Part About Fate” of 2666 based on the novel by Robert Bolaño, adapted and directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley at Goodman Theatre.

“‘Madness is contagious.’ We hear this warning often throughout '2666,' the monumental, labyrinthine, altogether hypnotic 5-and-one-half-hour magnum opus now on stage at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre," Weiss writes. "And if proof of its accuracy were required you need only point to the novel of the same name penned by the Chilean-born writer Roberto Bolano; to this riveting world premiere stage adaptation created and directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley; to the astonishing cast of 15 actors who change colors like chameleons throughout its long but enthralling running time; and to the visionary team of designers who lead you to countless locations on two continents and through nearly every decade of the 20th century.” Read Weiss' full review.


OTHELLO
Highly recommended
When: Through April 10
Where: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave. on Navy Pier
Run time: 2 hours 55 minutes, with one intermission

Othello (James Vincent Meredith, center) is a distinguished commander in the Duke’s war council in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of "Othello," directed by Jonathan Munby. (Liz Lauren)Othello (James Vincent Meredith, center) is a distinguished commander in the Duke’s war council in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of "Othello," directed by Jonathan Munby. (Liz Lauren)

“Just when you might be convinced there is nothing more to be said or done with Shakespeare’s mighty tragedy, ‘Othello’ — whether as a play, a ballet, an opera or a film — along comes British director Jonathan Munby’s utterly faithful yet endlessly revelatory production for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater," Weiss writes. "Crystal clear, and shot through with military-generated testosterone that finds its counterpoint in several intriguingly played female characters, Munby has given us a thoroughly modern, meticulously cohesive, consistently engrossing take on the play without ever overreaching in his countless reminders of how Shakespeare is indeed ‘our contemporary.’” Read Weiss' full review.


POSH
Highly recommended
When: Through March 12
Where: Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave.
Run time: 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission

From left: Matthew Garry, Dash Barber, Michael Holding and Sean Wiberg in "Posh" at Steep Theatre. (Lee Miller)From left: Matthew Garry, Dash Barber, Michael Holding and Sean Wiberg in "Posh" at Steep Theatre. (Lee Miller)

“Every society has its class warfare, but there is something particularly pernicious and enduring about the British variety," Weiss writes. "On the positive side, this clash of classes has served as the high-octane fuel for countless plays, from John Osborne’s landmark 1956 work ‘Look Back in Anger’ to Laura Wade’s scathing ‘Posh,’ first seen at London’s Royal Court in 2010. It’s now in a dazzling U.S. premiere by Steep Theatre, where director Jonathan Berry, that master of ensemble brilliance, has gathered a large, knock-your-socks-off cast.” Read Weiss' full review.


THE FLICK
Recommended
When: Through May 8
Where: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.
Run time: 3 hours and 5 minutes with one intermission

Photos for Steppenwolf's production of "The Flick," written by Annie Baker and directed by Dexter Bullard. (Travis Turner and Caroline Neff)Photos for Steppenwolf's production of "The Flick," written by Annie Baker and directed by Dexter Bullard. (Travis Turner and Caroline Neff)

“The first thing you might want to do before seeing Annie Baker’s 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Flick' — now in an ideally realized Chicago premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre — is to reset your dramatic metabolism," Weiss writes. "This is a play that operates according to its own very particular clock, a clock that beats to the time of three people with diminished expectations about themselves, about human relationships and about the more pedestrian notion of success.” Read Weiss' full review.


More from Hedy Weiss

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