In the seven counties comprising northeastern Illinois, including Chicago’s Cook County, there were slightly more than a million and a half residents over the age of 50 between 2018 and 2022. That data comes from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and offers pertinent insight. It acts as a useful measure of the number of …
The Unflinching Wisdom of Mike Royko Returns in One Man Show at the Chopin Read More »
The best things in life really can come in small packages and [title of show], a little musical about making a musical fits that bill to a tee. Now playing at PrideArts in Lakeview, the show originated nearly twenty ago when two friends got together to do something they always dreamed of but never mustered …
In an interview conducted when he was 78, in poor health and reflecting on his life, playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer sounded resigned and dissatisfied. Speaking with the New York Times, his former nemesis, he confided that “seeing things that are wrong” inspires him. He then immediately went on to explain that “it’s …
The Normal Heart at Redtwist Can Still Be Read as a Call to Action Read More »
Viewed as haunts of the elite, art galleries aren’t the kinds of places you’d associate with advocacy and activism. But Hope: A Prelude, an exhibition featuring the work of conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier at Hilton Contemporary’s River North gallery, shows how extraordinary beauty and environmental consciousness can merge to outstanding effect. Like most galleries, Hilton …
River North Gallery Uses Exceptional Art to Offer Pleasure and Move the Mind Read More »
Now in its 33rd year, Dance for Life has grown from an inspired idea to an invaluable tradition. Both a performance showcasing the breadth of Chicago’s dance talent, and a benefit raising funds to promote the well-being of dance professionals; the concept has exploded to become a force on both counts. Saturday night’s dance gala …
Annual Gala Revels in the Invincibility and Wonder of Dance Read More »
Something about Carousel’s storyline is like sand running through your fingers. As hard as you try, you really can’t get a firm grasp of it. The basic outline isn’t complicated. A girl meets a guy. They marry. But unlike a lot of musicals, things don’t end as expected. Richard Rodgers composed the music and Oscar …
Music Theater Works Carousel a Beautiful Conundrum Read More »
Has there ever been a time in history when significant human migration wasn’t occurring? Headlines these days continue to blare about migrants at the border. In the US, they’re talking about the southwestern borders of California and Arizona. In England, France, Italy and Germany, they refer to the watery borders of the English channel and …
Like West Side Story and the upcoming cinema release of Wicked, we’re far more accustomed to the entertainment industry turning theatrical productions into movies rather than the other way around. It’s even more unusual to see an epic fantasy adventure transformed into a musical. That effort was attempted in 2006 when promoters mounted an ambitious …
Lucid Theater’s current production of WELLS AND WELLES about an imagined meeting between legendary film pioneer, Orson Welles, and literary titan H.G. Wells, proves obscure moments in history can make for thoroughly compelling theater. The fame and notoriety of both men have faded significantly from contemporary memory. Most people can recall Orson Welles seized global …
The Fine Art of Self-Promotion at the Core of Lucid Theater’s WELLS AND WELLES Read More »
Nicole Eisenman: What Happened has been surprising and captivating visitors to the Museum of Contemporary Art since it arrived in early April. Judging from attendance at the show on a recent Wednesday afternoon, word’s gotten out about how strongly her art resonates. Intended to prepare you for what you’ll see in the exhibition, a short …
Art and Life’s Authenticity Merge in MCA’s Outstanding Nicole Eisenman Exhibition Read More »