Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
This well-conceived stage version of “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens’ expose of the French Revolution by Brendan Pelsue and directed by Mikael Burke is cleverly performed and seems a little too close to home in today’s political climate.
In this episode, we take a look at Rise Above: The Carl Jackson Story—a powerful new documentary by Chicago filmmaker Maryilene Blondell. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or not, stick around to learn what happens when a boy from a segregated Southern neighborhood in Georgia …
“The Whole Seamus Thing” at Bramble Lofts in Andersonville through April 19, 2025
Review by Reno Lovison – Highly Recommended
Playwrights: Ben Auxier and L.C. Bernadine | Director: Spencer Huffman
Cast: Alexander Attea, Ben Auxier, Gabriel Fries, Olivia Lindsay, Lydia Moss
Publicity photo by George Hudson
Ticket and information at bit.ly/seamusthing
On the heels of the success of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, another group of four working-class lads from the outskirts of London called The Kinks made their mark on the history of Rock and Roll. This energetic jukebox musical, “Sunny Afternoon,” enjoying its North …
The Winter’s Tale at Invictus Theatre is a story of reproach, remorse and reconciliation. This Shakespeare play directed by Charles Askenaizer has something for everyone. It is both tragedy and romantic comedy with sorrow, absurdity, mirth and fantasy. The adept Invictus Theatre Company demonstrates that …
Puccini’s popular opera La Bohème at Lyric Opera of Chicago is a story of youth, passion, love and loss where idealism comes face-to-face with life’s realities such as poverty, illness and death.
Yes, this is the opera where the young lady with the bad cough dies at the end. Puccini’s classic has often been spoofed, and is the inspiration for the popular rock musical RENT.
In this production of La Bohème directed by Chicago native Melanie Bacaling at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Maestro Jordan de Souza conducts tenor Pene Pati (Rodolfo) in his Lyric debut, with Ailyn Perez, soprano (Mimì), Gabriella Reyes, soprano (Musetta), Will Liverman (Marcello), Peixin Chen (Colline), Ian Rucker (Schaunard), Levi Hernandez (Benoit & Alcindoro), Travon D. Walker (Parpignol), Uniting Voices Chicago, and the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
“La Bohème” at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, through April 12, 2025. Sung in Italian with easy-to-follow English translation projected above the stage. Running time is 2 ½ hours with one intermission. For tickets and other information call (312) 827-5600 or visit LyricOpera.org/boheme
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New podcast subscriber. Graphic designer and illustrator, Lisa Danielson works digitally and manually including hand lettering with paint markers on chalkboard.You can learn more about her work at www.behance.net/lisa-danielson
Looking to make music of your own? Visit LakeShoreMusicStudio.com
I had an opportunity to “bond” with spy movie expert Tom Pizzato at the press opening for the new 007 Science: Inventing the World of James running through April 2025. The museum has partnered with Eon Productions who own the rights to all things Bond …
Goodman Theatre’s GeNarrations program is a FREE storytelling program that engages adults aged 55 and over in writing and performance workshops that nurture the creative spirit. This cohort was invited to attend Goodman’s current production of Betrayal starring Helen Hunt after which participants were then encouraged …
This film hits all the right notes. Physically debilitated due to a childhood injury inflicted by his mentally impaired father, an aspiring pianist is virtually paralyzed on one side of his body and unable to use his right hand.
In spite of his challenges, Norman Malone, followed his passion to teach music in a Chicago High School and in retirement fulfills a lifelong dream to master Ravel’s “Concerto for left hand” then play it in front of an audience with a full orchestra for the first time at age 79.
[Originally reviewed as part of the 2021 Chicago International Film Festival].
“For the Left Hand,” an inspiring documentary is available for rent or purchase at Amazon.
Music Theater Works’ 45th Season Begins with the Frank Loesser Classic, GUYS and DOLLS directed by Sasha Gerritson, Choreographed by Clayton Cross and Music Directed by Linda Madonia This season kicks off with what many believe is the “perfect musical” with every song in its …
March is National Reading Month and National Women’s History Month. Let’s investigate some Chicago Women who have left a mark on our local history and on the world stage. ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com encourages you to investigate the lives and works of many notable Chicago women especially a …
On a macro level the primary themes of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler are morality and propriety. On an individual level we find manipulation and despair.
Hedda Gabler is the self-absorbed, only daughter of a military officer who has an overblown grandiose sense of her own importance, and a lack of empathy for others. She feels trapped in a world of bourgeois values full of expectations she cannot control. It is her perception that the men around her seem to enjoy much more freedom to pursue their own public and private interests with less scrutiny and fewer consequences.
Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” directed by Monica Payne is presented by Artistic Home at The Den Theater 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago through March 30, 2025. Tickets are available at thedentheatre.com or by phone at 773-697-3830. More information at www.theartistichome.org
Cast:
Hedda Gabler – Brookelyn Hebert
Ejlert Lovborg – Dan Evashevsi
Jorge Tesman – Todd Wojcik
Thea Elvsted – Ariana Lopez
Judge Brack – John Mossman
Aunt Julie – Lynne Baker
Berte – Laura Coleman
Thanks to new subscribers Dan Roe; Brian Kille, BK Creative, thebkcreative.com and D.M. Pirrone author of Chicago based historical mysteries.
Edvard Grieg “Cradle Song” played by Julie Lovison, The Lake Shore Music Studio – Chicago.
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