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The House Theatre of Chicago roles out a slightly-gothic world premiere by Kara Davidson, directed by Shade Murray and with fascinating puppets by Jesse Mooney-Bullock. If you thought P&J stood for peanut butter and jelly, you’d better think again. Davidson’s historical research is impeccable, with every character in the play–human and puppet–rooted in the actual history of Punch and Judy shows in England. Kelly and Jonathan are fascinated!
Jeff Smith, Max Clayton and Seth Danner (left to right) as three gobs with a guidebook, hitting the streets of the Big Apple in “On the Town” (photo courtesy of the Marriott Theatre).
Old Tar Jonathan and Salty Kelly discuss On the Town at the Marriott Theatre, a tale of three gobs and their gals, and Kelly recommends Stupid F++king Bird at Sideshow Theatre.
The White Snake production photo courtesy of the Goodman Theatre.
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.
Celia (Joanne Dubach) and Randy (Andrew Goetten) plan their revenge and great escape in Jackalope’s The Killing of Michael X (photo courtesy of Jackalope Theatre).
Jonathan and Kelly duel over a world premiere about grief, adolescent angst and making a movie, presented by Jackalope Theatre. Then, Jonathan recommends A Crime in the Neighborhood, a page-to-stage adaptation at City Lit.
Question: What did Noel Coward scrawl on a Chicago dressing room wall in 1926? It wasn’t painted over for years.
Answer”: “Noel Coward Died Here.” After creating a sensation in London and New York as author, actor and director of his career-making drama, The Vortex , Coward took it on the road. It pleased neither Chicago audiences nor critics and moved on after two weeks of a planned four-week run. The Coward graffito was visible for years afterwards.
Welcome to the on-line home of the Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel. Here you'll find the Critics' weekly conversations about Chicago theater. These verbal battles are broadcast every Sunday morning on "The Arts Section," WDCB's on-air culture magazine. Tune in to 90.9 FM to hear the Critics going at it.
On this site you'll also find written reviews by Kelly and Jonathan as well as links to their writing in other venues. Never fear, there are plenty of opinions to go around!
Please let us know what you think of the broadcasts, the written reviews and the opinions expressed therein. Thanks for listening and reading.
DC split over David Rabe world premiere at Steppenwolf October 11, 2016
K says “wunderbar” for WONDERFUL TOWN, J says “Hmmm.” October 5, 2016
The House does a dark take on Punch & Judy but it lights up J. & K. September 28, 2016
Kelly & Jonathan of one mind about play with split personality! September 20, 2016
Halcyon’s Production of Fefu and Her Friends Makes Enemies of the Dueling Critics September 14, 2016
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Kelly Kleiman at the Huffington Post Jonathan Abarbanel at the Windy City Times