The U.S. premiere of the stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic literary epic runs through September 1, 2024

Now in its North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, THE LORD OF THE RINGS is sprawling, messy theater that’s in serious need of editing. With direction from Paul Hart, book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus, and music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinâ, and Christopher Nightingale, this stage adaption represents many iconic scenes, characters, and creatures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. 

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Jason Robert Brown and Taylor Mac’s world premiere musical adaptation of John Berendt’s best-selling non-fiction book runs through August 11, 2024

MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL is a sprawling, messy musical that weaves together the threads of several characters in 1980s Savannah, Georgia. Composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown draws on a variety of different musical styles, while Taylor Mac’s book scenes present a series of vignettes for the Savannah residents. Brown uses a hodgepodge of musical styles to develop the characters, but the result is a score that lacks cohesion and is occasionally redundant. Along with director Rob Ashford, Mac and Brown took a “go big or go home” approach to MIDNIGHT. I admire the musical risk-taking, but the adaptation of John Berendt’s 1994 best-selling book is full of character threads but relatively light on plot. 

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