Conor McPherson’s riveting monologue insinuates itself into the audience’s consciousness, balancing quiet, meticulous descriptions of ordinary life with recollections of horrific violence. In an hour of expertly paced storytelling, the unnamed thief relives the aftermath of a routine shakedown gone terribly wrong. The milieu is familiar from hard-bitten, softhearted gangster films like “The Long Good Sunday,” but McPherson makes it his own with an eye toward the unusual detail, like the picnic the thief shares with his kidnap victim. Gift Theatre founder Michael Patrick Thornton is subtle and commanding as the thief. Seated throughout as he swigs from his liquor bottle or caresses his walker like his best girl, Thornton seduces us into caring about this self-aware, mordantly funny thug. The walker also serves as a reminder of the miraculous nature of Thornton’s performance. What would count as a strong acting job under any circumstances becomes something to marvel at given the massive stroke Thornton suffered only three years ago. The persistent effects of the stroke are visible only intermittently; for the most part, the fluidity and spirit with which Thornton carries the monologue make this a thrilling and triumphant return to the stage. (John Beer)
“The Good Thief ” plays at Gift Theatre, 4802 North Milwaukee, (773)283-7071, through July 1
When Mad Men Ruled the Airwaves: A Review of "Good Night, Oscar" at the Goodman Theatre Doug Wright's brilliant new play, "Good Night, Oscar," in its hilarious and heartbreaking world-premiere production at the Goodman Theatre, is set in 1958. It's more than twenty years since Gershwin's tragic death at the age of thirty-seven, but his ghost still haunts Levant.
A Good Time for Capitalists and Comrades Alike: A Review of “The Neo Futurists Sell Out” at The Neo-Futurist Theater The Neo-Futurists transform the theater into a corporate board room, with Windows98-style PowerPoint presentations, frantic focus groups and an overall eerie ambience. Four corporate shills try to get you to conform to their corporate hierarchical way of life. The plan of indoctrination is delivered via short skits and interludes of music and dance.
