The Cripple of Inishmaan

The Druid Theatre Company's The Cripple of Inishmaan at Chicago Shakes. Pretty unrelentingly bleak.

Hercules at Lyric Opera

Only Mr. P went to this one. Peter Sellars directs. Loved it.

"Hercules wears desert camouflage, combat boots and bulky Kevlar vest. Iole appears in a prisoner’s orange jumpsuit, her beautiful face and gleaming blonde hair hidden by a black mesh hood. Hercules’ homecoming party is a backyard barbeque complete with fancy gas grill and plenty of beer."

Same Planet, Different World

The program: "HIT,"by Minneapolis-based choreographer Carl Flink. "He employs a singular, combative image, more an act of aggression, really, as signature motif. The dancers periodically punch each other, directly and often seemingly out of nowhere, as if in challenge or even mild assault."