Articles by Leanne Star

‘The Misanthrope’ Review — This 347-year-old Farce Couldn’t Be Fresher

Court Theatre sharpens the edges of Molière's cutting social satire

‘Henry VIII’ Review — Artful Sculpting of Shakespeare’s Portrait of a Flawed King

Director Barbara Gaines shines an unsparing stage light on serial wedder and beheader Henry VIII and those whose lives — and deaths — revolve around him

“Othello” Review — Joffrey Ballet’s Eloquent, Wordless Take on Shakespeare

Lar Lubovitch choreographs jealousy to transform Shakespeare into ballet at the Joffrey

“Barnum” Review — Cy Coleman’s Tuneful Circus Comes to Town

"Barnum" packs a big-hearted circus into the intimate Mercury Theater

“Proof” Review — Shrewd Direction + Nuanced Performances Avoid the Formulaic

Court Theatre's elegant "Proof" shows itself to be an engaging, resonant drama

“Made in Spain” Review —Luna Negra Dancers Dig Their Heels into New Works by Spanish Choreographers

Music takes center stage at Luna Negra's spring performance

“The Birthday Party” Review — Steppenwolf Serves up Pinter’s Noir Celebration with a Side of Feeling

A crack cast and astute direction give audiences access to this early Pinter work

“Sweet Charity” Review — Writers’ Theatre Hits All the Right Notes in this Sizzling Musical

An ensemble of triple threat performers act, sing and dance their way to the heart of this enchanting show

Geja’s Café Review — Every Day Is Valentine’s Day at this Romantic Restaurant

Voted #1 for romantic dining in Chicago, Geja's Café joins couples over the fondue pot

“Skylight” Review — Probing the Gaps that Separate Lovers

Director William Brown's sensual interpretation adds depth to David Hare's drama

“The School for Lies” Review — Molière’s Comic Confection Fuels 21st Century Fun

Watch out for flying canapés as this classic French farce with modern-day raunch takes to the stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Balkano at City Winery Review —Klezmer, Mimosas and Latkes Make for a Festive Hanukkah

City Winery Chicago kicks their regular klezmer brunch up a notch for Hanukkah

Roka Akor Winter Menu Review — Elegant Japanese Comfort Food Brings Joy to the Season

The Winter solstice marks the launch of Roka Akor's 6-course menu featuring upscale and earthy Japanese food and spirits

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Winter Series Review — Beautifully Balanced Program Dishes up Accessible, Provocative Works

Hubbard Street's well-paced Winter Series warms things up with a premiere from Swedish choreographer Mats Ek

“The Dead” Review — A Feast of Epiphanies at Court Theatre’s Musical Adaptation of James Joyce

With beautifully understated performances and music that grows from its story, "The Dead" transports theatergoers to a snowy night in long-ago Dublin

Gentleman’s Rule Review — A Cappella Pop at the Royal George

Voice is the only instrument for Dan Ponce's new men's a cappella group

“Hellcab” Review — Ride Along for a Bittersweet Taste of Chicago

1 nifty script + 34 actors + 1 dented taxi = unconventional holiday entertainment at Profiles Theatre

Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Colin Gilmore Review — Father-and-Son Alt Country at City Winery

Alternative country icon Jimmie Dale Gilmore and son Colin Gilmore made beautiful music together at City Winery

The Joffrey Ballet “Human Landscapes” Review — Provocative Works, Gracefully Performed

Three masterworks, powerfully performed, make the Joffrey Ballet's fall program a must-see

Luna Negra Dance Theater Fall Program Review — This 13-year-old Contemporary Dance Company Just Gets Better

Luna Negra Dance Theater rises to celestial heights

“Black Watch” Review — Theater of War at the Broadway Armory

The National Theatre of Scotland's powerful multimedia production about the realities of war sets up camp in Edgewater through October 21

‘Sunday in the Park with George’ Review — Entering a Work of Art at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Director Gary Griffin and an extraordinary cast and crew paint a masterful "Sunday in the Park with George" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

“The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart” Review — Scots Transform Chicago Shakes into a Pub that Rocks

The National Theatre of Scotland brings a rollicking, pensive, interactive creation to Chicago Shakespeare Theater

‘Good People’ Review — Steppenwolf Serves Theatergoers a Meaty, Tasty Repast

Stereotypes fall by the wayside in smartly staged 'Good People' at Steppenwolf

‘Hamlet’ Review — Some Family Is Dysfunctional in the State of Denmark

Top Chicago actors reinterpret Shakespeare's melancholy prince at Writers' Theatre

‘Scientist Turned Comedian Tim Lee’ Review — Chicago Fringe Festival Spotlights Up-and-Coming Performers

Comedian Tim Lee tickles his audience with science at Chicago's Fringe Festival

Asaf Avidan and Julia Klee Review — Two Gifted, Quirky Singer-Songwriters Shine at City Winery

The mellifluous Julia Klee opens for one-of-a-kind Israeli indie musician Asaf Avidan at the City Winery

‘Oedipus el Rey’ Review — No Escaping el Destino

Oedipus redux as a Chicano youth in Luis Alfaro's provocative drama

Crossing Tavern Summer Menu Review — Beer Garden Sprouts Good Eats

Crossing's patio beckons in summer with refreshing fare

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Series Review — ‘Quintett’ Makes for Intriguing Centerpiece to Summer Program

One haunting premiere and two recent classics add up to a full dance card at Hubbard Street