What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals
Georgia O’Keeffe. East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel, 1928. New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut, Stephen B. Lawrence Fund. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum on loan to Art Institute of Chicago Highly Recommended If you think you know something about Georgia O’Keeffe, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. … Continue reading “Georgia on a New York Mind”
Highly Recommended Two great minds collide over “A War of the Worlds.” In 1938, twenty-five-year-old (George) Orson Welles became famous after his radio play based on this book shook the airwaves, purportedly nearly causing national panic. The book’s seventy-five-year-old author, H.G. Wells, was not amused at how his intellectual property was, in his mind, … Continue reading “Wells and Welles is a war of words”
Mary Ernster, Christopher Kelley, Sean Donovan, Andre Malcolm, J. Harrison Ghee, DeMarius R. Copes, Jarvis B. Manning Jr. and Wes Olivier in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” at the Goodman Theatre. (Photo by Liz Lauren) Highly Recommended It would be a crime to miss this. Without a doubt “Midnight in the Garden … Continue reading “Do not expect the movie or book in ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ – The Musical”
“1619: The Journey of a People” at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Evanston. (Photos by Basil Clunie) Recommended “1619: The Journey of a People” by Ted Williams III is an entertaining and informative chronology highlighting essential events in the progression of the African American experience. It uses music, dance and spoken word to craft an historical narrative … Continue reading “An artistic journey through Black history”
Pej Vahdat, Sahar Bibiyan and Roxanna Hopen Radja in “English” at Goodman Theatre. (Photo by Liz Lauren) Highly recommended When you cannot adequately express yourself with the nuance and clarity of a native speaker, people do not realize that you are actually smart, funny, and kind. Instead, they only hear your imperfect pronunciation and limited … Continue reading “‘English’ at the Goodman speaks eloquently about language and identity”
Is it a restaurant or an entertainment venue? Sideshow Gelato in Lincoln Square is a funky quirky fun experience. On the surface this is a gelato shop with a variety of offbeat flavors that include pickle, ginger and Cheetos as well as more familiar flavors like crème brule, vanilla and chocolate as well as … Continue reading “Sideshow in Lincoln Square”
RECOMMEND Three overworked, underpaid and unappreciated 1970’s era office secretaries seize the opportunity to kidnap and blackmail their domineering misogynist male boss in an effort to change the power dynamic and improve their working environment. “9 to 5: The Musical” playing at the Metropolis Theater in downtown Arlington Heights is a kind of women’s lib version … Continue reading “Nine to Five: A Retro Romp or Cautionary Reminder?”
Jason Alexander (left) is attorney Sammy Campo trying to get into heaven and Daniel Breaker, right, is the well-meaning Father Michaein, in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Judgment Day” by Rob Ulin. (Photo by Liz Lauren) Highly Recommended Scurrilous self-serving scumbag attorney Sammy Campo (Jason Alexander) seeks redemption after an encounter with an angel (Candy Buckley) … Continue reading “Evidence indicates ‘Judgement Day’ a hilarious success”
Highly Recommend Seeing “Jersey Boys” is about having a great time watching a “jukebox” musical. “Jersey Boys” must be the hardest working cast on stage in Chicago. This nearly three-hour production, now at the Mercury Theater, is a physical workout for the four primary characters. They perform over 30 musical numbers while walking us … Continue reading “Oh what a night with Jersey Boys”
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, … Continue reading “All Mozart Program at Lyric Opera”