PicksInSix Review: Rhapsody Theater-Indulgence-Lucy Darling
Razzle and Dazzle Rejuvenate the Rhapsody!
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Scott Gryder
The historic venue at 1328 W. Morse Ave has been rejuvenated once again as the newly dubbed Rhapsody Theater, brought back to life by physician and magician Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz. And the ghosts of the previous Mayne Stage were officially cleared from the wings and rafters by the bawdy antics of the opening night headliner, multi-award-winning bombshell: comedian-magician Lucy Darling in Indulgence!
Indulgence brings together two of Chicago’s more legendary forms of entertainment, improv and magic, as the voluptuous mischief-maker Darling welcomes us to her stylized world of vintage Hollywood hijinks, complete with breakfast cocktails and extreme flirtations. From getting-to-know-you situational humor to classic audience participation, Indulgence ebbs and flows between laughter and applause.
Considering the legendary history of the Rhapsody, opening the newly renamed venue with the firecracker energy and grace of the celebrated Carisa Hendrix was no sleight of hand. As the sassy and brassy Lucy Darling, Hendrix layers 80 minutes of comedic improv with magic. And beyond the glamorous gowns and voluminous curls, Darling's most striking feature was her voice, melodiously weaving a heavy Mid-Atlantic English with the popular yet almost indecipherable Moira Rose.
Appropriately, the evening began with a traditional, live curtain speech by Dr. Rosenkranz, filled with personal stories, warming the audience up for the more intimate performance of vixen Darling. Darling effortlessly posed and prodded throughout, directly connecting with the first few rows of audience members, while gleefully setting up guests for madcap mishaps and casually interjecting crackerjack callbacks. Even with the most nervous or clueless of patrons, Darling stayed cool, quick and in control.
As a Managing Partner and Artistic Director, Dr. Rosenkranz has programmed a lineup of notable prestidigitators for their inaugural 2022/2023 program, bringing a piece of Chicago’s thriving magic scene to the northerly Rogers Park. Featuring peacock-emblazoned curtains filled with personal and universal Easter Eggs, the Rhapsody Theater remains a stunning performance venue; however, the active table service during the performance did sometimes detract from the finer moments of abracadabra onstage.
As much as Hendrix’s Darling brings panache and joie de vivre to Indulgence, bejeweled in sparkling diamonds and wit, what would enhance the extravagance of the evening further would be more of the “fantasy of why we’re here” so boldly touted at the start of the show: more moments of illusion. Chicago’s performance scene aches more now than ever for theatrical stages, and I look forward to seeing how the new Rhapsody Theater effuses the north side with more magic, music and live entertainment from and for the community.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | SCOTT GRYDER received a Non-Equity Jeff Award for his performance in the one-man show BUYER & CELLAR. www.thescottgryder.com
PHOTO|Rhapsody Theater
RHAPSODY THEATER
1328 Morse Avenue
Rogers Park, IL
(888) 495-9001
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