Ada Grey's Top 10 Plays, Top 5 Musicals, and Top 5 Kids' Shows of 2015

Once upon a time I reviewed one hundred and eighteen shows. This has been a great year for lots of different kinds of shows. I saw some great musicals and I saw some great kids' shows and I saw some great plays. When you went to see a kids' show, you could have seen an adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid or zoo animals doing Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (Lions in Illyria). You could have seen a musical about a sci-fi convention (Fanatical) in a small festival or a huge Broadway tour about gentlemen murdering people (A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder). You could have seen a creepy show about a murderer at the Columbian Exposition (Holmes vs. Holmes) or a creepy show about The Simpsons (Mr. Burns). You could have seen a funny show about con artists (Trust Us / Screw You) or a funny show about women thinking about cheating on their husbands in ridiculous ways (Fallen Angels). You could have seen a classic Shakespeare play with a magical twist (The Tempest) or an adaptation of a classic Ibsen play with a lot of modern references (Ibsen's Ghosts). You could have seen an exciting noir show with gun shots and duct tape (The Sweeter Option) or a show (Inana) about trying to keep an artifact safe (without duct tape). You could have seen a show about a family just beginning that has some problems (Barefoot in the Park) or about a family that has been around a long time but is just getting to know who they are (Marvin's Room). I'm really looking forward to seeing more shows next year!

Top 10 Plays

Theater Wit's Mr. Burns (Photo: Chalres Osgood) 

Barefoot in the Park (Step Up Productions)

     People who would like this show are people who like adorable couples, funny arguments, and knichi.

Fallen Angels (Remy Bumppo)

     People who would like this show are people who like Frenchmen, suspiciously talented maids, and profiterole food fights.

Holmes vs. Holmes (E.D.G.E Theater)

     People who would like this show are people who like the Columbian Exposition, murder mysteries, and tea fights.

Ibsen's Ghosts (Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company)

     People who would like this show are people who like dramatic stories, intimate spaces, and swearing pastors.

Inana (TimeLine Theatre Company)

     People who would like this show are people who like artifacts, suspense, and lingerie that your wife won't let you see.

Marvin's Room (Shattered Globe Theatre)

     People who would like this show are people who like courageous women, soap opera weddings, and awkward dancing gophers.

Mr. Burns (Theater Wit)

     People who would like this show are people who like The Simpsons, cheesy commercials, and funny scary stories.

The Sweeter Option (Strawdog Theatre Company)

     People who would like this show are people who like noir, action, and literally instant coffee.

The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

     People who would like this show are people who like amazing magic, conjoined monster twins, and alcoholic beverages.

Trust Us / Screw You (The Neo-Futurists)

     People who would like this show are people who like card castles, con pranks, and exasperated ATMs.



Top 5 Musicals

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Photo: Joan Marcus)

Fanatical (American Demigods at the 2015 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival)

    People who would like this show are people who like science fiction conventions, awesome music, and awkward women trying to seduce their heroes.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Porchlight Music Theatre)

     People who would like this show are people who like comedy tonight, not-good-at-math courtesans, and Beaker eunuchs.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Broadway in Chicago)

     People who would like this show are people who like charming murderers, amazing music, and identical D'Ysquiths.

On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan (Broadway in Chicago)

     People who would like this show are people who like Miami Sound Machine, festive dances, and bar mitzvah conga lines.

Plastic Revolution (The New Colony)

     People who would like this show are people who like old-fashioned commercials, Tupperware, and insanely long scarves.



Top 5 Kids' Shows

The Secret Life of Suitcases (Photo: Anne Binckebanck)

Lifeboat (Filament Theatre Ensemble)

     People who would like this show are people who like    , suspense, and friendship.

Lions in Illyria (Lifeline Theatre)

     People who would like this show are people who like hugs, candy, and pirate monkeys.

The Little Mermaid (Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

     People who would like this show are people who like mohawked fish, tap-dancing seagulls, and amazing evil octopus ladies.

The One and Only Ivan (Lifeline Theatre)

     People who would like this show are people who like gorilla best friends, elephants with human spirits, and adorable Bob dogs.

The Secret Life of Suitcases (Ailie Cohen Puppet Maker and Lewis Heatherington at Stages, Sights & Sounds)

     People who would like this show are people who like walking suitcases and eating spaghetti on the beach.