My weekend of local theater continued Saturday night. Falling for Make Believe is the latest in the MadKap 2022–23 season at Skokie Theatre.

Highlighted with the greatest hits of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz “Larry” Hart, the musical relates the Hart’s life story. Meeting in 1919, Hart and Rodgers wrote some of the greatest songs of the early 20th century. The pair wrote music and lyrics for 26 Broadway musicals and several films.

Mandi Corrao (Photo by MadKap Production).

Suffering from alcoholism and depression, Hart lived a closeted life, an unfortunate sign of the times in Hollywood. He died at the early age of 48.

Sean M. G. Caron, Mandi Corrao, and Sean Michael Barrett (Photo by MadKap Production).

Falling for Make Believe balanced the tragic tale of Hart with powerful song performances. The hits of Rodgers and Hart came alive through “Bewitched,” “The Lady Is a Tramp” and several others.

Sean Michael Barrett, Nate Hall, Mandi Corrao, and Donaldson Cardenas (Photo by MadKap Production).

Produced by Wendy Kaplan and directed by Wayne Mell, this was the second of five productions in MadKap’s season. Next up is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, followed by The Book of Merman and Neil Simon’s Rumors.

Nate Hall (Photo by MadKap Production).

A short walk from my home, Skokie Theatre is a great place for such performances. The acoustics and sight lines are fantastic. The upcoming three shows will provide entertaining breaks through the long winter.

Sean M. G. Caron and Mandi Corrao (Photo by MadKap Production).

— John Wroblewski, online writer