The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: Kokandy Productions’ “Loving Repeating” is a fun, lighthearted look at the life of poet Gertrude Stein

First Look review: Kokandy Productions’ “Loving Repeating” is a fun, lighthearted look at the life of poet Gertrude Stein

By TheRealChicagoOnline
July 28, 2015
400
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

LovingRepeating-1

By Allyssa Campbell-Sawyer

Playing at: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont through Aug. 30. www.TheaterWit.com

Basic storyline: Loving Repeating is a musical play about the life and work of 20th century poet Gertrude Stein. Using Stein’s own writing as the script and lyrics for the show, it follows Stein from the beginning of her career to the end of her life, playfully documenting her best work and decades-long romance with life partner Alice B. Toklas. The play is narrated by an elderly Stein reflecting back on her life, with a younger Stein on stage to bring the narration to life.

What stood out: The show is almost entirely sung, with very little dialogue during scenes of action. Most of the spoken words of the play are narrated by the older Stein. Actress Caron Burns brings a sense of humor and relatability to a poet who, as shown by the play, had an interesting perspective to say the least.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Despite the lack of dialogue, the show is still a wonder to watch and listen to. The actors perform on ground level with the audience, which allows them to engage with spectators on a level that most theatre productions cannot with elevated stages. Furthermore, you really get the sense the performers want to do nothing more than entertain you.

The most endearing part about the play is the love story between Stein and Toklas. It’s refreshing to see a loving portrayal of same-sex romance that isn’t a caricature. Not to mention, it’s sweet to watch their love endure for most of Stein’s life, thus the play. The romance is truly the heart of the story.

Final thoughts: The best way to truly enjoy this production is to do a little research on Stein beforehand. Because the show uses her work as the screenplay, most of the songs, plot development and jokes make some sort of reference to Stein’s life or work without much explanation. The show as a whole is not a grand biography of Gertrude Stein with plot points that flow together, but more of a highlight reel of her best moments. Nonetheless, if you can ignore all of that, you will be thoroughly entertained by the music and humor of Loving Repeating.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsAlice B. ToklasGertrude SteinLoving RepeatingTheater Wit
Previous Article

The Big City Blog: Family traditions like ...

Next Article

First Look review: Brunch, bottomless mimosas and ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Shattered Globe Theatre expertly handles the comedic and emotional balance of Tennessee Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo”

    February 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Stan’s Donuts, holiday exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry, The Santaland Diaries, SpinOff and ...

    November 3, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: “Completeness” at Theater Wit

    March 17, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Shattered Globe Theatre’s “The Grown Up” is a comedic take on the struggle to maintain your innocence

    April 18, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Griffin Theatre’s “The Birds” is a haunting tale about the dangers of human nature

    July 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Set in the ’60s, Shattered Globe’s racially charged “In the Heat of the Night” remains relevant

    May 1, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Bucktown boutiques: This trendy neighborhood has become a shopping destination

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Doughnut delight: These sweet treats are popping up all over in Chicago

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Summer’s in season: A Chicago guide to outdoor drinking

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.