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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!
Plus, Jonathan recommends Rose at the Greenhouse Theatre Center and shares his memories of meeting title character Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
We talk about Oracle Theatre’s new production Good Friday.
Plus, Jonathan recommends Endgame and King Lear at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
CORRECTION: Learning Curve is NOT a free performance, as we mistakenly said in the review. Tickets are $40, $18 for Chicago Public School students, faculty and staff. The Dueling Critics regret the error.
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We duel over Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Our Lady of 121st Street at Eclipse, and then J. recommends Bite: A Pucking Queer Cabaret (a deconstructed Midsummer Night’s Dream ) at Mary’s Attic while K. chooses an actual Midsummer Night’s Dream, the one at First Folio.
Jazz lovers reminisce, scheme and try to recapture their old friendship; can they? Chops examines. A world-premiere entrant in the Mamet-Scorcese milieu.
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