Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

First Lady Suite (thru May 29)

Bailiwick Repertory Theatre is presenting the Chicago Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa"s musical spoof "First Lady Suite" on its Mainstage. This is a chamber musical that takes a look at the wives of our Presidents, Jackie, Lady Bird,Mamie, Bess and Eleanor. There are four specific pieces in this ninety minute (no intermission) production. Over Texas deals with the date of November 22nd, 1963 as the Kennedy people fly over Dallas. The second story is that of Mamie Eisenhower and her time travel fantasy , alone on her birthday, where she is visited by Marian Anderson. The third, OLIO, present Margaret Truman at a recital trying her best to sing a song as she s being upstaged by her mother, Bess and the final piece, Eleanor Sleeps Here is a warm and touching examination of the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok.

Directed by Shifra Werch on an unusual set by Eric Appleton, there are some quality moments, but the show doesn't seem to quite gel. The music is often delightful and very Sondheim sounding, and there is a very warm moment when Mamie (a strong performance by Elizabeth Haley) and Ike (Brad Jungwirth) sing "Tomorrow, I will Love You". Jenny Fitts Reynolds is a dynamite Lorena Hickock and Jill Van Brussel handles Mrs. Roosevelt with great style (she also does some comic moments as Lady Bird). Part of this story revolves around flight and how flight made these women more available to the public, therefore letting the people feel they knew the First Ladies. We even have Amelia Earhardt (Katherine Keberlien, who also does Jackie) flying Eleanor and Lorena during the final story.

First Lady Suite will run through May 29th at The Bailiwick Repertory Theatre located at 1229 West Belmont, with performances as follows:

Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are$25 on Thursday and $30 all other performances. They can be purchased by calling 773-883-1090 or online at www.bailiwick.org.