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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!
ATC’s Inaugural CORE Series
Lie With Me Monday, September 12 at 7:00 PM We are kicking off CORE with Michael Patrick Thornton’s Lie With Me , a three act play about an older man who mentors, psychologically manipulates, and sexually molests his friends’ high school son. The play is highly interested in the shame surrounding male bisexuality, the effects, coping mechanisms, and cyclical nature of abuse, and the efficacy of forgiveness. http://www.atcweb.org/core
We are kicking off CORE with Michael Patrick Thornton’s Lie With Me , a three act play about an older man who mentors, psychologically manipulates, and sexually molests his friends’ high school son. The play is highly interested in the shame surrounding male bisexuality, the effects, coping mechanisms, and cyclical nature of abuse, and the efficacy of forgiveness. http://www.atcweb.org/core
We talk about Oracle Theatre’s new production Good Friday.
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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Jazz lovers reminisce, scheme and try to recapture their old friendship; can they? Chops examines. A world-premiere entrant in the Mamet-Scorcese milieu.
Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole grace the stage at the Goodman; Kelly and Jonathan grace the airwaves on Sunday mornings on WDCB!
Plus, we preview summer theater at Theater on the Lake, First Folio, Oak Park Festival, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, etc., etc. and highlight some free music, dance and film available
J. and K. assess this world-premiere musical about the Haymarket bombing and its sequelae. We’re enthused: what can you expect from a pair of old lefties? Plus: K. raves over The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window by Lorraine Hansberry, now running at the Goodman.
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