Dueling Critics

Dueling Critics

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.

Episodes

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

September 24, 2014 • 11 mins
Isaac's Eye at Writers Theatre, Death Tax at Lookingglass Theatre by Dueling Critics
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Women Beware Women, Two Pence Theatre Company, Sept. 12, 2014 (Episode 43)

September 10, 2014 • 9 mins
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.
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OnTheTown, Marriott Theatre, August 29, 2014 (Episode 43)

August 27, 2014 • 10 mins
Old Tar Jonathan and Salty Kelly discuss On the Town, the musical about three gobs and their gals, at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.
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Coraline, Black Button Eyes Productions at City Lit Theatre, August 15, 2014 (Episode 41)

August 14, 2014 • 11 mins
The Dueling Critics disagree about Coraline, based on Neil Gaiman's children's-book-or-is-it: children's theater, or is it?
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Intimate Apparel at Eclipse Theatre, August 1, 2014 (Episode 40)

July 30, 2014 • 10 mins
The Dueling Critics get intimate with Lynn Nottage's play at Eclipse Theatre.
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The Qualms, Steppenwolf Theatre, July 18, 2014 (Episode 39)

July 17, 2014 • 11 mins
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.
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Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Eclectic Theatre, Tyrant, Sideshow Theatre, June 22, 2014 (Episode 38)

June 10, 2014 • 10 mins
Jonathan recommends Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Eclectic Full-Contact Theatre while Kelly raves about Tyrant at Sideshow Theatre.
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Rung, Curious Theatre Branch, June 6, 2014 (Episode 37)

June 5, 2014 • 10 mins
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.
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The White Snake, Goodman Theatre, May 23, 2014 (36)

May 22, 2014 • 11 mins
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.
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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Porchlight Music Theatre, May 9, 2014 (Episode 36)

May 8, 2014 • 10 mins
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.
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The President, Oracle Productions, April 18, 2014 (Episode 35)

April 17, 2014 • 11 mins
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.
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The Great God Pan, Next Theatre, April 11, 2014 (Episode 34)

April 11, 2014 • 11 mins
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
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Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, Theatre Wit,April 4, 2014 (Episode 33)

April 3, 2014 • 5 mins
Kelly flies solo, reviewing Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England and wondering why they aren't wooly.
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The Killing of Michael X, Jackalope Theatre, March 28, 2014 (Episode 32)

March 26, 2014 • 10 mins
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.
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Water by the Spoonful, Court Theatre, March 21, 2014 (Episode 31)

March 21, 2014 • 10 mins
Water by the Spoonful, Court Theatre, March 21, 2014 (Episode 31) by Dueling Critics
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The Gospel of Lovingkindness, Victory Gardens Theater, March 14, 2014 (Episode 30)

March 14, 2014 • 11 mins
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.
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The Language Archive, Piven Theatre, March 8, 2014 (Episode 29)

March 7, 2014 • 10 mins
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.
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