“Head of Passes” Tarell Alvin McCraney captivated audiences (and a spot in the illustrious Steppenwolf ensemble lineup) a few years ago with his impressively original trilogy “The Brother/Sister Plays.” Before the opening of this rather epically Biblical follow-up, the dense and moving “Head of Passes,” in which a matriarch faces Job-like difficulties and loss, Newcity called him a genius. Several months later, the MacArthur folks agreed, granting McCraney $625,000 to do with as he sees fit. We’re not saying we’re prescient, but… Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 North Halsted, (312)335-1650, steppenwolf.org
Dime Stories: The Donkey Show 2020 For the first time in either party's convention, it wasn't merely a bunch of old white guys tossing off feel-good bromides to a servile base wearing stupid hats. It wasn't a pep rally—it attempted to be a serious consideration of where we are, as a people and a country, and for the most part, it succeeded.
