The Kingmaker

Dispatch: Selections from Chicago Int’l Film Festival’s First Weekend of Screenings

The 55th Chicago International Film Festival is officially underway, and with ten full days of screenings to go, there’s more to see than any one person could possibly make time […]

Lisa Trifone /
Sunset Boulevard

Review: Sunset Boulevard at Porchlight Glimpses Greatness, Ultimately Falls Short

Though I pride myself on a rather robust knowledge of American musical theater, one show I’ve never managed to get to is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, the musical based […]

Lisa Trifone /

Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 10/17 – 10/20

We’re halfway through the month but the spooky and scary events keep rolling in! Whether you’re up for more calming Halloween events like Chicago Botanical Garden’s jack-o-lantern displays or are […]

Julian Ramirez /

Chicago Teachers and Support Staff Will Begin Strike on Thursday

Chicago teachers and support staff will both hit picket lines beginning Thursday morning after negotiations failed between officials and union representatives. “We want this to be a short strike with […]

Aaron Cynic /
Lit,

Rachel Maddow’s Blowout, Impeachment Porn and Martini Recipe at Chicago Humanities Festival

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 […]

Karin McKie /

If CTU Strikes, Chicago Children’s Theatre Will Offer Drama Day Camps

As Chicagoans brace for a potential strike by teachers and support staff, the Chicago Children’s Theatre announced it plans to offer limited day camps for affected students from grades K-5. While […]

Nancy S Bishop /

Review: Despite its Charming Presentation, Stranded Sails is a Shallow Sea

When Doom Eternal was delayed to the same release date as the new Animal Crossing game, much discussion was had on the internet about who will be playing what that […]

Antal Bokor /

Playtime Radio: A Play Asks, Shall We Say the Word N? Plus Lenny Bruce, Two New Books and Music, Music

We collaborate with Playtime with Bill Turck and Kerri Kendall and appear on their Sunday afternoon arts radio show occasionally. Playtime broadcasts on WCGO, 1590AM and 95.9FM, each Sunday from 1 to 3pm […]

Nancy S Bishop /

Review: Kirill Gerstein Opens Symphony Center’s Beethoven Sonata Celebration

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven in the 2019-2020 season, Symphony Center Presents is bringing in leading performers to play all 32 of […]

Louis Harris /
Lit,

George R.R. Martin Discusses Influences, Inclusion & Diversity in Sci-Fi/Fantasy at Humanities Festival

Commencing last week with journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates, the Chicago Humanities Festival continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary in full force with acclaimed author George R.R. Martin being the […]

Adam Prestigiacomo /

Review: Lucy Dacus Feels at Home and We’re Happy to Have Her

Lucy Dacus opened Thursday’s Park West set with “Trust,” a cut off her first album No Burden that she wrote when she was 16. It’s unfathomable how a teenager could […]

Jessica Nikolich /
The Irishman

Preview: What To Watch (and Do) at the 55th Chicago International Film Festival

A 55th anniversary is no small thing; most marriages don’t make it to that milestone, let alone annual arts events. But here we are, with the Chicago International Film Festival […]

Lisa Trifone /