Preview: See Callas in Concert via Hologram at the Lyric on September 7
Step stage left, Tupac. OG Maria Callas is taking center stage now. Over 42 years after her death, the definitive La Divina diva is performing at the Lyric Opera on […]
Karin McKie is a Chicago freelance writer, cultural factotum and activism concierge. She jams econo.
Review: High Crime-ing and Ms.-Demeanors with Mueller, She Wrote
Constitutional crisis commentary has become a cottage industry, and three SoCal women have carved out their niche with focused, funny, and accessible vivisections of the constant onslaught. The Daily Beans […]
Review: True West, a True Time Capsule at Steppenwolf Theatre
The play that launched Chicago’s lauded ensemble returns to the substantially larger stage for the first time since 1982. Sam Shepard’s True West propelled the Highland Park High School and […]
Review: Author, Auteur John Waters and the Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder
Iconoclastic film- and filth-maker John Waters told interviewer Michael Phillips that the first time he came to Chicago was with a “drive-away” car. He couldn’t believe a stranger trusted him […]
Review: I Just Wanna Bang on the Djembe! All Day
Djembe! is a Disney-like journey through the history of the West African drum, a kind of “Around the Drum in 80 Minutes” diorama, and that’s OK. The intermission-less musical, in […]
Fleming Fêted at the Lyric Opera; to Star in A Light in the Piazza in December
Chicago’s Lyric Opera fêted their fabulous creative consultant Renée Fleming last week. She debuted on that stage on October 9, 1993, and has since performed in 10 roles. She’s presided […]
Review: The Art Institute’s Quartet of Rembrandt Portraits
This exhibit feels like it’s being billed as a big dealio, but, in fact, the Art Institute of Chicago’s Rembrandt Portraits, running through June 9, is merely four paintings, two of […]
Review: Us/Them Explores Chechen Terrorism with Energetic Pas de Deux in CST Belgium Series
Pink Floyd sang about “Us and Them”: Haven’t you heard it’s a battle of words The poster bearer cried “Listen son”, said the man with the gun There’s room for […]
Review: So Much Wrong with The Play That Goes Wrong
I attended The Play That Goes Wrong on a friend’s recommendation. I will never forgive him. The touring production runs at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., through December 16, […]
Review: Days in White Satin with Anna Netrebko’s Lyric Opera Recital
Anna Netrebko offered a delightful matinee recital at Chicago’s Lyric Opera on December 2. The program was carefully curated to encompass the Day and Night title, as well as feature […]
Review: Just Can’t Stop The English Beat
Birmingham-born band The English Beat shows staying power with its current US tour. Dave Wakeling co-founded the ska sextet in 1979. They opened for seminal acts such as Talking Heads, […]
Get Out the Vote with Fight Night at Chicago Shakes
Belgium’s Ontroerend Goed (“Good Moving”) has a distinct outside vantage point to dissect the fraught American electoral system. Their limited run of Fight Night at Chicago Shakespeare is required viewing for […]