Newcity columnist Tony Fitzpatrick and cohort Stan Klein complete their “regular fucking art guy” trilogy of plays with a look back at the WWII-era men who spawned them. As expected, there are evocative visual detours to New Orleans, Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park on Disco Demolition Night.
Fitzpatrick’s his usual charming self, regaling the audience with his first “tough girl” kiss, his quasi-career with Chicago’s criminal elements, and the foundation his tough-as-nails tombstone salesman father gave him. Fitzpatrick’s father taught him to treat his art career like war. Currently, Fitzpatrick’s winning the battle.
This installment focuses on Fitzpatrick’s longtime friend, Klein. We learn that his father joined the army to escape starvation, that the Chicago Cubs don’t consider him usher material (thank God), and that he’ll never have a ballroom-dancing career. Together, they are regular guys who are too smart for the world but more than entertaining enough for us. (Lisa Buscani)
16th Street Theater at the Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 North Halsted. Through August 5. (Half-Priced Tickets)
Let’s See Together: A Review of "Choir Boy" at Steppenwolf Theatre Among other compelling reasons to see "Choir Boy" is the power and musicianship on songs sung by the young men who play the students in the choir at the Black, Christian Charles R. Drew School for Boys.
Buggin’ Out: A Review of Bug at Steppenwolf Theatre The audience is the fly on the wall of a dingy Oklahoma hotel room where Agnes White is taking refuge from her recently released, abusive ex-husband Jerry.
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