Karin McKie is a Chicago freelance writer, cultural factotum and activism concierge. She jams econo.
Emmy Award-winning host of the eponymous MSNBC program Rachel Maddow made a book tour stop on October 12 at McCormick Place’s Arie Crown Theater, as part of the Chicago Humanities […]
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Isango Ensemble’s effervescent musical memoir, A Man of Good Hope, as part of its Worldstage series, in a limited run through October 13. The 20-member company returns […]
MacArthur Fellow (genius award) writer Ta-Nehisi Coates launched the Chicago Humanities Festival’s impressive 30th anniversary “Power” season with an engaging and lively discussion on October 2 at UIC’s Dorin Forum. […]
There was some life in this death. BASE Hologram and director Stephen Wadsworth resurrected soprano Maria Callas 42 years after her death on September 7 at the Lyric Opera. The […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]