Kokandy Productions Archives - 1 Minute Critic

(l-r) Sandra Oh in "Twelfth Night," June Squibb in "Marjorie Prime," André Holland in "The Brothers Size," Jonathan Groff in "Just in Time,' and " Aurora Penepacker in "Amélie."

Reviews Take 5

From Jonathan Groff in ‘Just in Time’ to June Squibb’s Broadway return, every 5-star review from 2025

Matthew Wexler Dec 29, 2025 0

1 Minute Critic gave 18 five-star reviews in our inaugural year. Jonathan Groff, June Squibb, and Chicago's Kokandy Productions were…

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David Moreland (center and the cast of Kokandy Productions' "Jekyll & Hyde."

Reviews

‘Jekyll & Hyde’ gets a maximalist makeover in Kokandy’s powerhouse Chicago revival

Lauren Emily Whalen Oct 27, 2025 0

Kokandy's "Jekyll & Hyde" trades intimacy for maximalism with powerhouse vocals, gothic sexuality, and a riveting lead performance.

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Jekyll & Hyde at Kokandy Productions.

Hot Sec

Kokandy goes ‘full swoon,’ resurrecting one of Broadway’s most controversial musicals

Matthew Wexler Sep 12, 2025 0

Kokandy Productions brings "Jekyll & Hyde" back to Chicago after 15 years with full orchestration, gothic camp, and zero apologies.

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Aurora Penepacker and the cast of Kokandy Productions' "Amélie."

Reviews

This underground Chicago theater just made ‘Amélie’ better than Broadway

Lauren Emily Whalen Aug 4, 2025 0

Kokandy's whimsical 'Amélie' starring Aurora Penepacker proves intimacy beats spectacle at Chopin Theatre through September 28.

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Have another minute? ⏰

Firelei Báez, Untitled (Les tables de gé ographie réduites en un jeu de cartes) , 2022.

Art

Can fabric and collage dismantle colonial history? Firelei Báez makes a breathtaking case

Laura Zornosa Jan 30, 2026

The People's Filibuster Public Theater poster art

Hot Sec

Lin-Manuel Miranda & Broadway’s best join The Public Theater’s People’s Filibuster

Matthew Wexler Jan 29, 2026

Owen Teague and Abbey Lee in "Blackout Songs" Off-Broadway.

Reviews

‘Blackout Songs’ spirals through a decade of addiction, but where does it land?

Emily Chackerian Jan 27, 2026

Tony-winning composer Marc Shaiman, author of "Never Mind the Happy" memoir.

Books

Book Review: Marc Shaiman’s tell-most memoir isn’t afraid to name names

Ryan Leeds Jan 27, 2026