Dueling Critics

Chicago Public Media•www.wbez.org

Dueling theater critics Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel discuss the latest stage productions and dissect the best — and the worst — of Chicago's theater scene.

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Episodes

Isaac's Eye at Writers Theatre, Death Tax at Lookingglass Theatre

Isaac's Eye at Writers Theatre, Death Tax at Lookingglass Theatre by Dueling Critics

Sep 24, 2014•12 min

Women Beware Women, Two Pence Theatre Company, Sept. 12, 2014 (Episode 43)

Jonathan and Kelly sample incest, adultery and power in Women Beware Women, a Jacobean battle-of-the-sexes at Two Pence Theatre. Plus, Kelly recommends C. S. Lewis at Provision Theatre.

Sep 10, 2014•10 min

OnTheTown, Marriott Theatre, August 29, 2014 (Episode 43)

Old Tar Jonathan and Salty Kelly discuss On the Town, the musical about three gobs and their gals, at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

Aug 27, 2014•10 min

Coraline, Black Button Eyes Productions at City Lit Theatre, August 15, 2014 (Episode 41)

The Dueling Critics disagree about Coraline, based on Neil Gaiman's children's-book-or-is-it: children's theater, or is it?

Aug 15, 2014•11 min

Intimate Apparel at Eclipse Theatre, August 1, 2014 (Episode 40)

The Dueling Critics get intimate with Lynn Nottage's play at Eclipse Theatre.

Jul 30, 2014•11 min

The Qualms, Steppenwolf Theatre, July 18, 2014 (Episode 39)

J. and K. strongly disagree about the new Bruce Norris play: J. approves, while K. has Qualms. Also, K. recommends Griffin's rendition of the 1940s Scottish melodrama Men Should Weep.

Jul 17, 2014•12 min

Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Eclectic Theatre, Tyrant, Sideshow Theatre, June 22, 2014 (Episode 38)

Jonathan recommends Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Eclectic Full-Contact Theatre while Kelly raves about Tyrant at Sideshow Theatre.

Jun 10, 2014•10 min

Rung, Curious Theatre Branch, June 6, 2014 (Episode 37)

Kelly and Jonathan wring each other's neck over Rung, a world premiere opera at Curious Theatre Branch, and Kelly recommends Eat Your Heart Out at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.

Jun 05, 2014•11 min

The White Snake, Goodman Theatre, May 23, 2014 (36)

How sharper than a serpent's tongue are Kelly and Jonathan as they discuss The White Snake at Goodman Theatre, and Jonathan also recommends Tennessee Williams' Vieux Carre at Raven Theatre.

May 22, 2014•12 min

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Porchlight Music Theatre, May 9, 2014 (Episode 36)

J. and K. fail to disagree even one iota about this revival of Frank Loesser's musical satire from the early 1960s. Then J. picks Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge at Teatro Vista, and K. picks Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater.

May 08, 2014•10 min

The President, Oracle Productions, April 18, 2014 (Episode 35)

Kelly and Jonathan wax presidential and debate Capitalism vs. Communism over "The President" at Oracle Productions in Lakeview. Kelly also recommends "The Dance of Death" at Writers Theatre and "Our Class" at Remy Bumppo.

Apr 17, 2014•11 min

The Great God Pan, Next Theatre, April 11, 2014 (Episode 34)

Jonathan and Kelly duel over Amy Herzog's play about sexual abuse and repressed memory. Then Jonathan reports on three news plays from the Humana Festival, two of which are heading to Chicago

Apr 11, 2014•11 min

Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, Theatre Wit,April 4, 2014 (Episode 33)

Kelly flies solo, reviewing Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England and wondering why they aren't wooly.

Apr 03, 2014•5 min

The Killing of Michael X, Jackalope Theatre, March 28, 2014 (Episode 32)

Jonathan and Kelly duel over a world premiere about grief, adolescent angst and making a movie, present by Jackalope Theatre. Then, Jonathan recommends A Crime in the Neighborhood, a page-to-stage adaptation at City Lit.

Mar 26, 2014•10 min

Water by the Spoonful, Court Theatre, March 21, 2014 (Episode 31)

Water by the Spoonful, Court Theatre, March 21, 2014 (Episode 31) by Dueling Critics

Mar 21, 2014•11 min

The Gospel of Lovingkindness, Victory Gardens Theater, March 14, 2014 (Episode 30)

Jonathan and Kelly engage in spirited debate over a spiritual play, the world premiere of "The Gospel of Lovingkindness," by Marcus Gardley, at Victory Gardens Theater.

Mar 14, 2014•11 min

The Language Archive, Piven Theatre, March 8, 2014 (Episode 29)

Jonathan and Kelly duel over Piven Theatre's production of The Language Archive, and then Jonathan recommends Theresa Rebeck's Seminar at Haven Theatre Company.

Mar 07, 2014•10 min

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