Review: Aoife O’Donovan Enchants at Old Town School of Folk Music
Aoife O’Donovan is special. It’s easy to say that about many musicians, especially ones we hold dear, but there is something about O’Donovan that can’t be denied. Whether it be […]
Review: Broken Nose Theatre’s Audio Play, Kingdom, Tells a Black LGBTQ Story With Heart
Arthur and Henry are long time partners; they’ve lived together for 40 years in Orlando, in the shadow of the “Magic Kingdom.” Now same-sex marriage has been legalized and the […]
Preview: WTTW Celebrates Mother of Invention Viola Spolin in Inventing Improv
Tonight WTTW’s Chicago Stories premiers “Inventing Improv,” a one-hour special about “Chicago’s greatest export,” improvisation, and its visionary creator, Viola Spolin. Writer/producer Jude Leak chronicles the journey of Spolin, the […]
Review: Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s As You Like It Combines the Bard and the Beatles to Surprising, Engaging Results
Over the centuries, Shakespeare has been adapted in countless ways. It’s the appeal of his work, after all: universal in its appeal, timeless in its messages, and just as entertaining […]
Dispatch: First Screenings at Chicago International Film Festival Feature Ties to City, State Plus Sneak Previews
The first full day of screenings at the Chicago International Film Festival features a number of impressive films ready to be discovered, including several with Chicago ties. From a thriller […]
Interview: In Olde Chicago: A Talk with David Anthony Witter about His Book Oldest Chicago
David Anthony Witter was born in Miller, Indiana—“across the lagoon from Nelson Algren’s summer home,” as he puts it—but has spent most of his life in Chicago. Growing up in […]
Review: Beach Fossil and Wild Nothing Put on a Wonderful Spectacle at Thalia Hall
Following the 10-year anniversary of both Beach Fossils and Wild Nothing’s debut albums Beach Fossils & Gemini, they announced a heaping tour together that naturally got music fans exhilarated. Of […]
Review: Newberry Exhibit Introduces Five Female Pioneers of the Chicago Avant-Garde
Five Chicago women—all artistic, ambitious pioneers—form a circle of 20th century innovation and boundary-pushing experimentation in Chicago during the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Their stories and their connections are curated […]
Review: Beautiful and Poignant Kena: Bridge of Spirits Surprises With Tight Combat
Okay, so it took me a bit longer to get through Kena: Bridge of Spirits than I anticipated. I was surprised. Its first few hours were a breeze, and gave […]
Review: No Time to Die Is a Fitting, if Slightly Too Long, Farewell to the Best Bond of the Franchise
I spent a long time trying to figure out how to tackle a review of a film that is less a traditional James Bond movie and more a victory lap, […]
Review: Hermanas Do It for Themselves in Goodman’s American Mariachi
The Destinos Latino Theater Festival is Chicago’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Goodman Theatre’s offering is American Mariachi, a co-production with the Dallas Theater Center. Henry Godinez directs […]
Review: Jett: The Far Shore Has Big Ideas But Is More Frustrating Than Fun
It’s no secret in video games that trailers can sometimes be deceiving. Sure, they can show off pretty visuals with cool music, but it’s not always clear what the actual […]