5-star review Archives - 1 Minute Critic

A collage of production photos from "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Ragtime," and "Just in Time."

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Set change: Our favorite 5-star shows still playing

Matthew Wexler Aug 10, 2026 0

Some are closing soon, one's transferring to Broadway, another just got a new leading man. Four shows worth a trip…

The cast of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

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‘Spelling Bee’ revival spells it out: J-O-Y

Matthew Wexler Aug 5, 2026 0

Twenty years on, "Spelling Bee" arrives Off-Broadway with fresh energy, proving the quirky musical's charm remains timeless.

Reviews

‘Hair’ can still spark a revolution, and this Chicago revival proves it

Lauren Emily Whalen Jul 20, 2026 0

'Hair' hasn't lost its bite. Discover why Kokandy Productions' Chicago revival earns a full five stars.

Gary Cole and Audrey Francis in Steppenwolf's "Catch as Catch Can."

Reviews

Gary Cole plays both mother and son in ‘Catch as Catch Can.’ And that’s just the beginning

Lauren Emily Whalen Jun 16, 2026 0

Gary Cole plays an Italian mother and her son in Steppenwolf's "Catch as Catch Can"—a gripping Chicago premiere that's funny,…

Reviews

The devil’s in the details, and Goodman Theatre’s ‘Covenant’ has plenty

Lauren Emily Whalen May 12, 2026 0

York Walker's 'Covenant' at Goodman Theatre earns its 5 stars: an all-Chicago cast, a killer twist, and a deal with…

Brendan Hunt in "The Movement You Need."

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Inside Brendan Hunt’s Beatles obsession lives a love letter to his mom

Lauren Emily Whalen Apr 29, 2026 0

Emmy winner Brendan Hunt brings the Beatles and his late mother to Steppenwolf in a bittersweet solo triumph.

Reviews

‘Kenrex’ puts a broken justice system on trial and the verdict will haunt you

Matthew Wexler Apr 26, 2026 0

Jack Holden is electrifying in the Olivier-winning "KENREX," a true crime thriller now playing Off-Broadway.

Reviews

Nathan Lane in ‘Death of a Salesman’ asks: how much of Willy Loman lives in you?

Matthew Wexler Apr 9, 2026 0

Joe Mantello's Broadway revival of "Death of a Salesman" stars Nathan Lane in a production that asks how much of…

Reviews

‘Theater of the Mind’: David Byrne knows you better than you think

Lauren Emily Whalen Mar 28, 2026 0

David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar's immersive "Theater of the Mind" invites you in, shakes you up, and sends you home…

Rohan Maletira and Ismenia Mendes act out a scene in Jonah at DC's Studio Theatre All photos credit Margot Schulman

Reviews

‘Jonah’ knows what it costs to keep loving. Studio Theatre’s production invites you to feel it.

By Nathan Pugh Mar 21, 2026 0

Rachel Bonds' 'Jonah' follows one woman across a lifetime of learning who and what to trust.

Set change: Our favorite 5-star shows still playing

‘Spelling Bee’ revival spells it out: J-O-Y

‘Hair’ can still spark a revolution, and this Chicago revival proves it

Gary Cole plays both mother and son in ‘Catch as Catch Can.’ And that’s just the beginning

The devil’s in the details, and Goodman Theatre’s ‘Covenant’ has plenty

Inside Brendan Hunt’s Beatles obsession lives a love letter to his mom

‘Kenrex’ puts a broken justice system on trial and the verdict will haunt you

Nathan Lane in ‘Death of a Salesman’ asks: how much of Willy Loman lives in you?

‘Theater of the Mind’: David Byrne knows you better than you think

‘Jonah’ knows what it costs to keep loving. Studio Theatre’s production invites you to feel it.

Have another minute? ⏰

What a Sara Bareilles listening event taught me about grief

Raúl Esparza and Lily Rabe anchor a gloriously messy ‘Winter’s Tale’

Comfort dulls the edge for David Sedaris in ‘The Land and Its People’

Bywater Call on how to create a superfan in one set