RECOMMENDED
Bailiwick’s ‘Cousins Grimm” begins with the song “Why not a Fairytale?” and by the end of Scott Ferguson’s world-premiere production, the audience feels like singing along. A musical about playwrights creating a gay, musical version of the Grimm’s fairytales may sound ridiculous—and it is—but it is also fabulous. Shamelessly campy, Bailiwick’s “The Cousins Grimm” is jam-packed with laughs—so much so that one audience member said that her mouth hurt from smiling. In between the witty jokes, the crazy costumes and the larger-than-life characters, viewers catch a glimpse of themselves in stories about struggling against losing hope and losing love. They can also see some great performers. Consistently hilarious and with excellent comedic timing in his many roles, Chad is very skilled at cycling between parts, even when that means alternating from a human voice to an animal voice and back. As a duck, as a frog, and in his lead role as Leon the bitter and frustrated playwright, he’s a delight. His leading lady Danni Smith sings beautifully, and does a nice job playing the hopeless romantic as Jackie Grimm. Rebecca Hamlin’s set design is outstanding, mixing classical designs and modern technology in a very innovative way, including a well-integrated (and often hidden) projector screen which proves very important for many of the most interesting and entertaining moments in the play. Lisa Morrill’s costumes perfectly give each of the characters some pizazz. Ted Sod’s script and Mark Biello’s lyrics are both amusing and poignant, and even the most biting and edgy moments in the script have a lot of heart. “The Cousins Grimm” is a lovely combination of satire and romance, and manages to let the audience laugh at fairytales without forgetting their charm. (Ilana Kowarski)
At Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, (773)883-1090, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, through August 23. $25-$30.
Related Stories
Once Again And Better Than Ever: A Review of Once at Paramount Theatre The Tony Award-winning musical gets its regional premiere at Paramount Theatre in Aurora.- Them/Us/All: A Review of Self-Accusation at Theatre Y Beyond the window, the show is happening.
- Is It? I Think So: A Review of It Is Magic at Theater Oobleck Mickle Maher's new play investigates the balance between the alchemical and nihilistic forces alive in the theatrical arts.
- After All: A Review of Small World at The New Colony This world premiere is a modern-day vision of hell that outstrips the imaginings of Dante or Hieronymus Bosch. It's also a comedy.
- Everything is Available, Everything is Here: A Review of In a Rhythm by Bebe Miller “In a Rhythm” offers a broad cross section of our cultural moment cut by the critical empathy of Miller and her collaborators. The effect is a powerful artistic experience that leaves the audience openhearted and with a greater sense of connection.
- What You Need: A Review of The Fly Honey Show Erin Kilmurray's queer feminist cabaret/variety show extravaganza, celebrating its tenth season, is a raucous, righteous balm for the weary soul.
