The World Of Extreme Happiness (playing at the Goodman Theatre through 10/12) was written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, who was born in Philadelphia and raised in Northern Virginia, Okinawa, Taipei and Beijing. Her intention with this piece was to create a show centered around a strong Asian woman with bigger dreams than the world that she was born into. And while the show does portray this strength in the main character of Sunny, this show itself felt like it didn’t always know where it intended to drive the audience.

The World Of Extreme Happiness is about a girl named Sunny who was unwanted as a baby – as her parents awaited a boy – and left to die. After being found alive after some time, her parents decided to keep her and raise her until she was old enough to be of some use. As Sunny grows up, she finds that she has bigger dreams and larger hopes, but that it has never been within her reach to grasp them. That is where the question of the show lies – Is it possible to change one’s destiny? This show teeters on the edge of showing you – through different eyes – how this is both possible and impossible at the same time. I would guess that you would have to define the word “change” in order to answer that question for yourself.

With some vulgarity in the show right from the beginning, I expected that this would either come off as a hard hitting comedy or a tough drama. Unfortunately, it never felt like the show settled on a tone. I am not saying that a show has to fit any particular category, but tonally, I never felt that it entirely clicked. That said, there were some standout scenes and technical choices.

Meeting Mr. Destiny was a pleasure. His entrance brought a breath of fresh air and direction into the show. The use of the webcam to project his image – as well as the guests he brought on stage – onto the wall behind him gave the distinct feel of watching a televangelist or “stage healer.” The actors all committed and seemed to enjoy the many parts that each played, so this was a fun bonus for the audience as well.

At the top of the show, the lights went out with both the pattern and the sounds that you would hear in a warehouse as the lights are being shut down section by section. This immediately clued you into the fact that you were entering the world of sweatshops and institutionalized work environments.

The World Of Extreme Happiness gives an extremely interesting glimpse into a world that most Americans aren’t familiar with, but it never quite hits the mark on connecting with the audience. This missing connection is what leaves it lacking.

Goodman Theatre: The World Of Extreme Happiness Chicago Review – The World Of Extreme Happiness is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 10/12/14. Tickets can be purchased through the Goodman Theatre box office online or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.

Goodman Theatre made an unprecedented move when they decided to bring their production of Smokefall – which had been performed in their smaller Owen Theatre in 2013 – back exactly one year later into their larger Albert Theatre. That being said, had I been given the pleasure of seeing Smokefall last year, I would have gladly and most excitedly watched it again.

Smokefall is the moving and thought-provoking story of members of a family over several generations. It is told through a fragmented timeline that gives you glimpses into the reasons behind the daily storytelling that is taking place. The narrator for the first half (played by a charismatic Guy Massey) provides pointed moments with footnotes, leaving the audience either chuckling or thinking. All of the characters provide moments where they crack you up and then break your heart. That is the genius that is Smokefall.
The cast of this season’s Smokefall is the same as the cast that performed in The Owen last year – and for each you feel as if the character fits like a glove. Mike Nussbaum plays two characters – a frail, entertaining man struggling with dementia (and all that comes with it) and the other, a frustrated, angry man who has created a life in which he is now alone. The characters are related to each other and although I won’t mention how, knowing the first endears you to the second.
Catherine Combs as the non-speaking Beauty is one who starts the show with a slow simmer. By the end of the second act, her intensity and passion for the journey that she’s been on (which has bizarrely, but believably stunted her aging) boils over to reflect the emotion of the show. She is a reflection of how we relate to our families. She is the one who completes the journey and helps to draw a conclusion to the generations of questions. She is the one who really gets you thinking.

Smokefall is a show that brings up themes from “Why are we here?” to “How do we change to suit the needs of others?” to “Do people get to a point where they are past saving?” You will find yourself thinking about this show long after you leave and it earns every one of those pondering thoughts.

Goodman Theatre: Smokefall Chicago Review – Smokefall is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 10/26/14. Tickets can be purchased through the Goodman Theatre box office online or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.

Brigadoon – a small Scottish town that appears for one day every hundred years – has arrived in Chicago. Luckily for us, it is here for more than one day! Brigadoon (directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell), a production being held at The Goodman Theatre through 8/17, is about the small Scottish village from the 1700’s that is impacted by strangers from the 1900’s during the one day that the town awakens each century. Those familiar with the movie (starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse) will be pleasantly taken away by the familiar songs and story and those new to the legend will find that it’s “almost like falling in love.”
Our leads in this production, Tommy Albright (played by a crush-worthy Kevin Earley) and Fiona MacLaren (a strong, but tender Jennie Sophia) have a natural chemistry that floats the audience through their love story. Both actors have lovely, engaging voices and, speaking for the audience and myself, we would have enjoyed hearing more from them had the music and lyrics allowed. That being said, “The Heather On The Hill” was an enchanting reminder of what it’s like to fall in love.

The comic relief in Brigadoon was played beautifully by both Rod Thomas (as Jeff Douglas) and Maggie Portman (Meg Brockie) to the point where they stole most scenes that they were in. While I noticed that Ms. Portman was far smaller in stature than Mr. Thomas, it was almost a bit of extra fun to watch her dominate her scenes with him. That being said with this match made in comedic heaven, “Love Of My Life” was hugely entertaining.
Far more than any other production I’ve seen, the Goodman’s performance of Brigadoon is just as packed with dance as it is with song. This gave the show a more modern feel and accentuated everything from the rowdiness during group scenes to the heartbreak and tender young love during others. One standout dance performance was that of a mourning Maggie Anderson (played by Katie Spelman) during the second act. My heart broke for her.
Making time to see the new production of Brigadoon is something that you’re going to want to do. The run has been extended twice and it seems that that is due to the popularity and success of the show. You will want to buy tickets sooner rather than later, as I expect that they will sell out!

Goodman Theatre: Brigadoon Chicago Review – Brigadoon is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 8/17/14. Tickets can be purchased through the Goodman Theatre box office online or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.