Because theater and TV seem at first glance to be variations on the same performing art—people act out a story; we watch—lots of actors, directors, and writers assume they can leap easily between the mediums. But they’re different enough that it doesn’t always work. A script meant for the stage can come out cramped and talky on TV; something created with TV in mind—easy-to-read characters, an emphasis on visuals, dialogue enhanced by the camera—can feel underwritten or empty in a theatrical production.
Director David Schwimmer, another theater-to-TV-to-theater guy, has put together a great cast here. Philip R. Smith and Danny Goldring deliver superb performances as the archetypally grouchy, jaded, middle-aged police partners. And Thomas J. Cox and Anthony Fleming III prove to be quite the chameleons, appearing throughout the play in a variety of roles.
Through 8/11: Wed-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat-Sun 3 and 7:30 PM, see website for additional showtimes
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Water Tower Water Works
821 N. Michigan
312-337-0665lookingglasstheatre.org
$36-$70
