Solitary Solidarity: Theatre Reviews from the Present to the Past

      On May 18th, 2019, I saw a performance of the John Ross Bowie play "Four Chords and A Gun" at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago, IL.  The World Premiere Production ran from July 6th through 30th, 2017 at the Bootleg Theatre in Los Angeles (preview performances began July 2nd).  The production I saw in Chicago performed from May 18th through June 2nd, 2019.  The play is about Phil Spector and the Ramones yet is the show was endorsed by neither Phil Spector or the Ramones.        The format of the show was slightly odd.  The first part of the show was a play.  The second part of the show was a concert, with a cover band of the Ramones.  At the beginning of the concert, the lead singer yelled "You're one of us now!"  I didn't understand what he meant.  One of whom?  That had nothing to do with the play in the first act of the show.  I was confused.  I left in the middle of the first song. ...

       During mid-2003, some of my family and I saw the Catherine Johnson / Benny Andersson /  Björn Ulvaeus musical "Mamma Mia!" at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (now called the James M. Nederlander Theatre) in Chicago, IL.  This might have been the first show I saw at that venue.  The Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre had only reopened five years before, following a major restoration project.  The Cadillac Palace Theatre had also been restored at that time.      This was the second time "Mamma Mia!" played in Chicago.  The first time was when the show played down the street at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a successful 13 week run.  While that Chicago Engagement was prior to the Broadway Premiere, it is still considered the First National Tour, as is the production I saw in 2003.  Though I guess it depends on who you ask.  When the time came for the show to open...