concerts – Chicago Theater and Arts

Double the pleasure at Northlight

Matthew McGloin and Adam LaSalle as dueling musicians in “2 Pianos 4 Hands” at Northlight Theatre (Photo by Liz Lauren).

Highly Recommended

It’s a play. It’s a concert. It’s a little bit of both. Recently extended until August 11, 2024, “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is a satisfying romp through the lives of two ambitious musicians who long for stardom in a highly competitive industry.

Actors/musicians Adam LaSalle as Ted and Mathew McGloin as Richard, play a range of characters in this humorous, entertaining and poignant show. What they have in common is their quest for excellence on the keys.

The characters tell stories of pushy parents, maniacal teachers, and challenging professionals who bar their entry for further training.

In one scene, they’re both music students competing with each other for the top prize. In another, they act as piano teachers, complete with Italian and French accents.

In another scene, they play parents on both sides of the spectrum. One encourages his son to practice 30 minutes a day. The other criticizes his son for the amount of time he spends practicing at the risk of a normal childhood.

As someone who took piano lessons for many years, the play took me back to the long days of practicing scales and arpeggios, with hands cupped in the right position. And, banging on the piano when I couldn’t get it right, just like they did.

“2 Pianos 4 Hands” includes a treasure trove of classical music from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart as well as popular hits by Billy Joel, Elton John and John Lennon.

Luckily for the audience, their mastery of the piano is over-the-top and we get treated to an outstanding performance.

Written by Richard Greenblatt and Ted Dykstra, the show was directed by veteran actor/director Rob Lindley who says, “Sometimes you must adjust your dreams, never giving up on them. Be the best you can be today and keep working to be better.”

The play was originally produced in 1994 with the authors performing in their respective roles for more than 30 years. “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is simply timeless.

Details: “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is at the Northlight Theatre in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. For tickets and information, visit Northlight Theatre | 2 Pianos 4 Hands or call the box office at (847) 673-6300.

Mira Temkin

For more shows visit Theatre In Chicago.

‘Beehive’ brings a dizzying decade to Marriott Theatre

“Beehive: The 60s Musical” ( Photo by Liz Lauren)

Five Stars

With all the great music venues in Chicago who would have predicted that one of the best pop concerts this summer would be at Marriott Theatre in suburban Lincolnshire.

Happening under the guise of one feminine hair style fad, “Beehive: The 60’s musical,” celebrates the multi-culture and frequent social changes of a tumultuous decade.

And it does so with terrific vocalizations and instrumentals.

The show stars six exceptional singers: Emma Grace Bailey (Marriott Theatre: The Music Man; Metropolis PAC: A Christmas Carol); Grace Bobber (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music, Paramount Theatre: Into the Woods); Lucy Godinez (Marriott Theatre: Big Fish, American Repertory Theatre: Real Women Have Curves); Miciah Lathan (Marriott Theatre debut; Black Ensemble Theatre: The Other Cinderella; Leah Morrow (Marriott Theatre: Madagascar; TV: Somebody Somewhere, neXt ); and Aisha Sougou (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful, University of North Carolina School of the Arts: Crow’s Nest).

Understudies are Bridget Adams-King, Clare Kennedy, Tiyanna Gentry, and Savannah Sinclair.

The band is onstage led by keyboardist Celia Villacres. Musicians include Karli Bunn, Stephanie Chow, Kellin Hanas, Camila Mennitte, and Lauren Pierce.

Created by Larry Gallagher, “Beehive” is basically a covers musical that includes such songs as “Walking in the Rain” (Mann/Spector/Weil) and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” (Goffin/King) and “performances” of such stars as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Janis Joplin.

“The 1960’s was a decade known as one of, if not THE decade, that experienced the biggest shifts in music, fashion, culture and social evolution and revolution.” said director/choreographer Deidre Goodwin. “Beehive” is a love letter to the music of the 1960’s. It became a generation’s soundtrack for first loves, heartbreak, social awareness and growing up,” added Goodwin.

A packed house, Wednesday, appreciated the messages and music.

If not for the announced need to keep aisles clear for performer costume changes, the opening day crowd Wednesday, would have been dancing, shouting, clapping, and singing along those pathways instead of just shouting, applauding and rising from their seats.

Unlike “1776” which comes mid-August and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” for December, Marriott Theatre has deviated from its usual fine but tried-and- survived musical show schedule to bring us this over-the-top pop concert.

Thank you, Marriott Theatre.

Details: “Beehive” is at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, now through Aug. 11, 2024. Run time is 120 minutes with no intermission. For tickets and more information call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Jodie Jacobs

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

Grant Park Music Festival ages well

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park hosts music and dance performances. (J Jacobs photo) — Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park hosts Grant Park Music Festival and other music and dance performances. (J Jacobs photo)

Grant Park Music Festival now and then

NOW

Sit on the grass or bring a chair or reserve a seat to hear great classical music interspersed with special programs. It’s summer as celebrated downtown Chicago at the Pritzker Pavilion. The Blues Fest was just here but now a summer-long music festival starts.

Grant Park Music Festival opens tonight, June 12, 2024, with the Dvorak Cello Concerto played by Alban Gerhardt and continues this week with Christian Tetzlaff playing Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto. At the podium is Carlos Kalmar who has been conduction the Grant Park Orchestra since 2000.

And so goes the Grant Park Music Festival in 2024 with free tickets for those who don’t mind sitting further back of the Pritzker Pavilion or with a low price, often $27, for reserve seats closer up. Visit GPMF Schedule, orgpmf.org or call (312) 742-7647 for more information.

(Common is performing July 20 so tickets are higher. Visit Common :: Grant Park Music Festival.

THEN

Summer concerts started in Grant Park in the 1930s and became a tradition in 1935. By 1944 the Chicago Park District started the Grant Park Orchestra to be led by Conductor Nikolai Malko. He was followed by such renowned conductors as Irwin Hoffman, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman, Zdenek Macal and Hugh Wolff.

The Grant Park Chorus was formed in 1962 by Thomas Peck and then led by Michael Cullen and guest conductors. Christopher Bell took over in 2002.

In 1962, the Grant Park Chorus was established under the direction of Thomas Peck. It was subsequently led by Michael Cullen (1994–97) and a series of guest conductors until the appointment of current Chorus Director Christopher Bell in 2002.

As to location, the Grant Park Music Festival was in the bandshell at the south end of Grant Park then moved in 1978 to the Petrillo Bandshell named for former musicians’ union president James C. Petrillo who joined with then mayor Anton Cermak to start a music festival in Grant Park.

When Millennium Park opened in 2004 with Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by architect Frank Gehry, it became home to the Grant Park Music Festival and other music performances and festivals.

All Mozart Program at Lyric Opera

The Lyric Opera showcased their superb chorus and orchestra in an all Mozart program including two dramatic works, “Incidental Music from Thamos, King of Egypt” and the ever popular “Requiem.”

Conducted by Enrique Mazzola, performances were presented Friday March 22 and Sunday March 24, 2024, with soloist Heidi Stober, soprano, Elizabeth DeShong, mezzo-soprano, Matthew Polenzani, tenor and Kyle Ketelsen, bass. Michael Black is the chorus director.

“Requiem” is arguably the most beautiful choral work ever written. It is purported that while creating the work Mozart had a premonition of his own death. The composer did indeed die before the work was fully completed causing Franz Xaver Süssmayr to be engaged to complete the task. According to program notes Süssmayr, orchestrated the Kyrie and completed the Lacrymosa.

We attended Sunday’s performance to a sold out and very appreciative audience.

Featuring the exceptional Lyric Opera chorus and orchestra the program is essentially an annual event that should not be missed.

Next year Lyric will conclude its regular season with Lyric in Concert: A Wondrous Sound, April 16 and 18, 2025. Maestro Mazzola will present an original program of some of opera’s choral favorites and most thrilling overtures, perfect for opera aficionados and newcomers alike.

The program will be designed to demonstrate the truly grand scale of the more than 100 artists of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Chorus. In addition to the two performances at the Lyric Opera House, Lyric in Concert: A Wondrous Sound will also have a pair of performances presented at venues around the Chicagoland area, with more details to be announced soon.

This season tickets are available for the Rising Stars Concert April 13, 2024.

Details: Lyric Opera of Chicago is at 20 N. Wacker Dr. For tickets and more information visit Lyric Opera Chicago.

Reno Lovison

A couple of July Fourth Weekend to Weekday options

Washington DC Fireworks co-sponsored by the National Park Service

Cruise Lake Michigan

Instead of worrying about getting around downtown Chicago with the NASCAR Race July 1 and 2 in 2023, consider taking a fireworks cruise on Tall Ship Windy that Saturday before or Wednesday after July 4.

It goes from Navy Pier so you get the Pier’s Fireworks without the downtown hoopla and street closures. You can also come down a day early and stay in the Sable Hilton Hotel right on Navy Pier to enjoy fun rides, a beer garden, restaurants, art exhibits and a vacation with great views.

On the Fourth

Tune in to PBS at 8 p.m. CT July 4 for “A Capitol Fourth,” a really special annual concert from Washington D.C. that features international stars and patriotic music.

Among this year’s headliners are Renée Fleming, Boyz II Men, Belinda Carlisle, the Broadway cast of “A Beautiful Noise (Neil Diamond) the Muppets, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Everly.

Then, stay tuned for Washington DC Fireworks shooting over the National Mall at 9 p.m. CT, co-sponsored by the National Park Service.

Happy Fourth!

Jodie Jacobs

This Weekend

Midsummer Concert

While it is still “Midsummer,” that sometimes mystical time of year around the Summer Solstice, go to the Grant Park Music Festival in Millenium Park to hear Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The concert, with Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra, is June 23 at 6:30 p.m. and June 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The concert is free for lawn sitters and asks for donations for reserved seats.

The Grant Park Music Festival is presented by the Grant Park Orchestral Association with support from the Chicago Park District and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). For programs and other information visit Grant Park Music Festival.

Up close with exotic and other animals

For a peek at some exotic animals and those you thought you knew, watch NBC’s Earth Odyssey series on Brookfield Zoo. Presented by Hearst Media, it starts 9 a.m. CT beginning June 24 with host Dylan Dreyer. She brings you up close to some of Brookfield’s 500 species such as a tamandua. For more about Brookfield Zoo visit Chicago Zoological Society – Brookfield Zoo Home (czs.org)

Free Joffrey Ballet Performance

Back in Millennium Park, the Joffrey Ballet is holding a free, pre-perfomance dance class at 4:45 p.m. June 25. It is followed by a free program at 5:30 p.m. that features the Joffrey Company Artists, the Joffrey Academy and the Joffrey community Engagement Students. For more information visit Joffrey Ballet.

Jodie Jacobs

Around Town early to mid-October

t is easy to miss events when September ends on a Friday and October starts on a weekend. Plus, a COVID break of events for two years changed when some events are re-appearing.

American Craft Expo

Sept. 30 through Oct. 2

Usually held earlier in the year, ACE, as the art exposition is known, will be at the Chicago Botanic Garden again but runs this weekend on the cusp of September/October. A top-notch show of works from100 juried-in artisans, ACE is sponsored by the Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem and is a fundraiser for NorthShore research and care.

Hours: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. For more information visit Chicago Botanic Garden and American Craft Expo. Chicago Botanic Garden, CBG/ACE and American Craft Expo.

World Music Festival Chicago

Sept 30 through Oct. 9

The festival has free band concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center and locations across the city from restaurants and bars to the University of Chicago. Its artists and ensembles represent 22 countries and areas. A special feature is Ragamala, the largest all-night long presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States. For more information visit World Music Festival Chicago. For the bands and locations visit Schedule.

Lyric curtain before lecture on Fiddler. (J Jacobs photo)

Fiddler on the Roof

Oct. 2 through Oct. 7

Opera director Berrie Kosky premiered his “Fiddler on the Roof” at Komische Oper Berlin in 2017. Now it has been adapted by the Lyric Opera of Chicago for its US premiere, but it leaves soon.

Both Grand, with the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus and powerful with fine acting and exceptional dances, “Fiddler” visits the village of Anatevka in 1905 in what became Ukraine (and in 2022 is a war zone.) Lectures on operas and shows are one hour before curtain time.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is at 20 N. Wacker Dr. For tickets and more information visi. Lyric Opera and call (312) 332-2244.

Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins to hold Highland Park benefit

Benefit poster for HP at ZuZu's — Benefit poster for HP at Zuzu’s

If you pass Madame ZuZu’s, a café/tearoom and music event space on First Street in Highland Park, IL, you will see a sign with an angel and a couple of cute animals that says “Together and Together Again” (7.27.22).

The sign is an invite to a virtual benefit concert put together by ZuZu’s owner, Billy Corgan and partner Chloé Mendel, for the Highland Park Community Foundation.

Yes, it’s the North Shore town that never expected its July 4^th parade to be on the news for a mass shooting. And yes, Corgan, frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, is an HP resident.

To be held July 27, 2022, 8 to 10 p.m., the concert will include, among others, Corgan, Smashing bandmate Jimmy Chamberlin, Frank Catalano (Jazz sax), the Bob Moses duo of Tom Howie and Timmy Vallance and the classical Lincoln Trio. Other entertainers will be named later.

Attendance and items to purchase are virtual through the Smashing Pumpkins YouTube site. For more info visit Zuzucafe.com event. Zuzu’s is at 1876 First St., Highland Park, IL.

Around Town: June Festivals

Toronzo Cannon appears at the Pritzker Pavilion June 9, 2022. (Photo by Mike White)

More than TGIF, is TGIJ

J is for June. This is the month where North Halsted Street is a blaze with rainbow colors, Millenium Park has three entertainment stages and Jay Pritzker Pavilion resounds with the Blues and Grant Park’s Classics.

Sing the Blues

Or just be moved by its mood and rhythm when Chicago celebrates its hometown sound at the annual Blues Festival June 9-12.

The city has expanded the Festival to add blues bands to Chase’s Promenade North and South Stage to the Pritzker Pavilion stage . Check the Blues Band Schedule for Dates, Times and Stage.

In addition, Blues Festival bands will be at the Riverwalk June 9-10 and join with Taste of Chicago in Austin June 11 and Bronzeville June 12.

Pride Fest and Parade

Dress up if you want but join in the LGBTQ+ fun at Chicago Pride Fest June 18-19. .Come for the food, stage shows and entertainment. Return the next weekend for the city’s famed Pride Parade.

Pride Fest is on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days. A $15 donation is suggested to cover costs. All Ages are welcome. Not welcome are backpacks, large bags and outside beverages. For more information visit Pride Fest About.

Then, dance,, hoot and howl with thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters June 26 for the 52 Annual Pride Parade along a four-mile route. The parade of floats, performers, bands and marchers starts off at noon from Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown. Then winds through the city’s north side (map) including Northalsted and Lakeview to end near Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.

Pride in the Park

Pride celebrations continue June 25-26 in Grant Park (entrance on Monroe) with a ticketed ($60 Sat. $50 Sun. $105 two-day pass) music and food festival, Saturday 2 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 3 to 10 p.m. For tickets and other information visit Pride in the Park.

Music in the park

Two music series to know: Millenniums Park Music Series and Grant Park Music Festival.

Go over to Millennium Park for its Music Series, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 9.m. for a variety of singers and instrumentalists. Held in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, seating is free. The series opens June 20 with renowned Nigerian Afrobeat saxophonist, composer Femi Kuti.

For classical music in the Pritzker Pavilion, check out the Grant Park Music Festival. It opens June 15 with Mozart Symphony No. 35, 6:30 to 8 p.m.. Seats up front are ticketed and reserved. Further back and bring your own chair or blanket seating is free.

Jodie Jacobs

Ravinia Festival tickets and update

The Pavilion stage at Ravinia Festival. (Photo courtesy of Ravinia Festival)

Don’t let April and early May’s bad weather stop you from thinking about enjoying music at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL this summer.

Ravinia concert tickets went on sale to the public online May 4 at 8 a.m. at Ravinia .org The site has the summer schedule May 20 through Sept. 18, 2022 and ticket info. (Donors already had early access to concert tickets.)

To learn what ticket buyers need to know go to Are you prepared? It includes getting a Ravinia account (needed for tickets), a warning against secondary sellers and suggestions about where to sit. Seating on the lawn directly behind the Pavilion now has reserved spaces.

Along with the Pavilion and indoor theaters, Ravinia will hold a series on the Carousel stage that was new last year on the North Lawn. Seating there is general admission and casual.

The Ravinia Carousel concert series includes many local artists including: Ravinia Festival’s Reach Teach Play Jazz Mentors & Scholars, June 19, Chicago band Summer Drive, June 23, Son Little, June 25, Chicago band Rookie, July 8, Chicago-based Licensed to Sail DJs present Club MTV, August 26, Chicago-based band Tobacco City, September 2, Chicago singer KAINA, September 11 and Flor de Toloache, September 18.

In addition, some opening acts for the Pavilion headliners will appear on the Carousel stage. They include: Southern Avenue opening for Sheryl Crow with special guest Keb’ Mo’, July 7, Mac Saturn opening for The Black Crowes, July 12, Lindsey Ellopening for Little Big Town, July 20, SiriusXM Globalization DJs opening for Pitbull with special guest Iggy Azalea, August 25, Naturally 7opening for Diana Ross, September 4 and Ravyn Lenae opening for Erykah Badu, September 11.

Also, look and listen for performances at the Kohl Kaplan Fountain including a jazz quartet June 2 and 7, a jazz combo June 8, Nanny Nikki June 18, the saxophone quartet Nois Aug. 21 and the Mariachi son de Fuego Sept. 18.

In addition, the Chicago-based Adrian Dunn Singersspiritual and gospel choir joins the concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Marcus Roberts Trio on July 16, and Chicago-based vocalistsDevin DeSantis, Susan Moniz, and Bethany Thomas join Brian Stokes Mitchell, Heather Headley, and Alexandra Billings for Yours, Stephen Sondheim: His Letters, Mentorship, and Music with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on August 7.

Canceled: June 25 performance by Why Don’t We with special guests The Aces and JVKE.

While in the park, visit the Ravinia Music Box. Free to park guests, it has a 65-seat, wraparound holographic theater and a museum gallery space. Figure half an hour if viewing before a concert.

For information about getting to Ravinia, dining there and more about the park and its venues visit Ravinia Festival/About the 2022 Season.

Enjoy Ravinia Festival

Jodie Jacobs