Bigger, Brighter, Louder
150 Years of Chicago Theater as Seen by "Chicago Tribune" Critics
The first known "Chicago Tribune" theater review appeared on March 25, 1853. An anonymous notice, it shared the page with two other announcements – one about a pair of thousand-pound hogs set to be slaughtered and another trumpeting the largest load of lumber ever to leave Chicago".And thus Chicago's priorities were starkly laid out right there on that page", begins Chris Jones in the introduction to this new collection".Hog butcher for the world and windy self-promoter, specializing in commerce-driven superlatives. The arts came a poor third. Critics would rail against that perceived set of civic priorities for years".
The Chicago of today, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the world's premier cities for theater, and no one has had a more consistent front-row seat to its ascendance than the "Chicago Tribune" theater critics".Bigger, Brighter, Louder" weaves together more than 150 years of Tribune reviews into a compelling narrative, pairing full reviews with commentary and history. With a sharp eye for telling details and a keen sense of historical context, Jones, longtime chief "Tribune" theater critic, takes readers through decades of highs and lows, successes and failures.
The book showcases fascinating early reviews of actors and shows that would go on to achieve phenomenal success, including a tryout of "A Raisin in the Sun" with newcomer Sidney Poitier and the first major review of "The Producers". It also delves into the rare and the unusual, such as a previously unpublished Tennessee Williams interview and a long conversation with Edward Albee's mother.
"Bigger, Brighter, Louder" offers a vital store of primary documents about Chicago arts and a riveting look at the history behind the city's rise to theatrical greatness.
About the Author
Chris Jones is chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune, where he has reviewed and commented on culture, the arts, politics, and entertainment for more than fifteen years. He is also adjunct professor at the Theatre School at DePaul University.
Reviews
"From Joseph Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle in 1868, to the notorious critic of the '40s & '50s, Claudia Cassidy, to the Goodman Theatre's 'The Iceman Cometh' with Nathan Lane in 2012, Chris Jones writes a rich and rewarding history of Chicago theatre. It's a must for any theatergoer" – Roy Leonard
"An invaluable addition to the history of our city" – Roche Schulfer, Executive Director of Goodman Theatre
"'Bigger, Brighter, Louder' is more than an anthology of reviews; Jones follows each of them with a commentary, and these tell us things – not necessarily flattering – about the critic, the production, the state of Chicago theater at the time, and sometimes even the Tribune. Jones has done his homework; he's consistently interesting... So-called lost writing rarely gets this good" – Michael Miner, Chicago Reader
"'Bigger, Brighter, Louder' is a fascinating read, with Jones providing a thoroughly accessible exegesis" – Time Out Chicago
