Closing Weekends!

My two favorite shows of the year thus far are both closing this weekend. If you haven't seen them yet, you should.

Tarrell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays is closing its lengthy run at Steppenwolf this weekend. It's utterly brilliant, and worth seeing one part or both, in order or out. McCraney's utterly brilliant, and I doubt Tina Landau's production can be bettered. We'll see a lot more of McCraney in the future (he's just joined the Steppenwolf  but don't miss this.

The Hypocrites' production of Cabaret at the Storefront Theatre isn't brilliant because of how it's reconceived (with a female Emcee and a three-act structure and various other changes). Nearly every production of Cabaret does that. It's brilliant because it balances caring about the characters with stylized theatrical moments, and brings home the horror of a country sliding into fascism with visceral (if unsubtle) power. Plus strong design, singing, and acting. It's more that worth a trip.

Sorry, by the way, for my lack of posts--I haven't felt the need. Hopefully it returns soon.