What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals
RECOMMENDED ‘Rock of Ages’ at Drury Lane Oak Brook is a fun 80’s inspired musical romp through the apparently now nostalgic Reagan / G.H.W. Bush era. The ankle-deep plot is reminiscent of the old Beach Party movies of the 1960’s. Basically boy, Drew (Russell Mernaugh) meets girl, Sherrie (Cherry Torres). He aspires to be a … Continue reading “Energetic ‘Rock of Ages’ revisits eighties music”
There isn’t a beer hall or gin joint in Chicago with a piano that hasn’t been visited sometime in the past 50 years by the fingers of jazz pianist and boogie master Erwin Helfer. This week we caught up with him at Hungry Brain 2319 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, where he will be appearing … Continue reading “Master of Boogie”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ‘Bonnie & Clyde,’ a Kokandy Productions musical now at the Wit Theater, is based on real outlaw lovers. They found nationwide fame during the 1930’s depression for their crime spree across the southwestern U.S. and lower Midwest. [Spoiler Alert] The couple famously met their end in a police ambush that resulted in perhaps … Continue reading “Love and Lawlessness”
The Pilsen area on the near south side of Chicago has been evolving into a significant arts destination, partly due to the presence of the Chicago Arts District on Halsted Street and the National Museum of Mexican Art which is a kind of anchor for the neighborhood’s art community. A number of small art galleries … Continue reading “Four Wisconsin artists exhibit in Pilsen”
RECOMMENDED HAIR The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a revival of the infamous hippie era production that raised many eyebrows in its day and contributed significantly to the evolution of American musical theater. It might be easy to simply see this current production of HAIR as riding a “permanent wave” of nostalgia. Or you … Continue reading “‘HAIR’ is still relevant”
Lolla ticket raffle Just found out there are a few free Lollapalooza tickets waiting to be won. The Boundary at 1932 W. Division St. and the Old Town Pour House at 1419 N. Wells St. have a raffle going for impossible-to-get tickets to Lolla-land. The deal is that patrons at either bar who purchase … Continue reading “Around Town: Find Lollapalooza tickets and a great pub or listen to writer secrets”
RECOMMENDED “Little Fish” is a musical adventure of a young woman’s journey to get her life on track as she leaves a bad relationship, gives up smoking and ultimately finds a core group of friends who are willing and able to support each other through life’s challenges. Even though I quit smoking thirty years ago … Continue reading “Little Fish Searches for Her Place in the Big Pond”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED It was a very appreciative audience, some dressed as flappers, who packed the house opening night of “Chicago” at Drury Lane Oak Brook. The Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb script with music by John Kander is iconic due in no small part to its signature song “All that Jazz.” This new production … Continue reading “Old is new again in refreshed ‘Chicago’”
RECOMMENDED Two doctoral candidates are compelled to examine their morals, their friendship and their futures as they re-examine the data that has driven their scientific careers for the past six years. Priya Mohanty (Sanam Shah), a statistician, and Darci Nalepa (Ariel Spiegel), an apiologist, are on the verge of presenting scientific evidence proving that pesticides … Continue reading “Scientific moral dilemma bumps against friendship and ambition”
About Chicago Theater and Arts Dear Readers, Perhaps you go to the theater to be entertained. Perhaps you hope to see great acting. Maybe you go because it’s a night out. Or you go because some critics or friends say a show is good. But from a playwright’s perspective it could be about the message. … Continue reading “About”