Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Comedy in May. Reno Lovison reviews Judgment Day. “This world premiere comedy is a thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining production with several guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments.” Also a restaurant review of Offshore Rooftop Bar at Navy Pier. Purported to be the nation’s largest rooftop venue. Excerpt …
An update of a few events we enjoyed recently with a look to what’s happening soon including an excerpt of Rikki Lee Travolta’s interview with Evan Jackson, artistic director of “What the Weird Sisters Saw” a retelling of Macbeth from the Witches’ point of view …
Jersey Boys features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man.”
This podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar.
Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024. For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365.
CAST: Adrian Aguilar (Tommy DeVito), Grant Alexander Brown (Joey Pesci), Jason Michael Evans (Nick Massi), Adam Fane (Bob Crewe), Haley Jane Schafer (Lorraine & others), Carl Herzog (Gyp DeCarlo), Eric A. Lewis (Barry Belson), Andrew MacNaughton (Bob Gaudio), Maya McQueen (Francine), Michael Metcalf (Frankie Valli), Jason Richards (Norm Waxman), Kayla Shipman (Mary Delgado), Dan Gold (Nick DeVito). The understudies are Hannah Efsits, Casey Huls, Nick Johnson, Peyton Knowsk and Isaac Ray.
Orchestra: Linda Medonia co-music director (keyboards), Justin Kono (percussion), Jonathan Golko (bass), Samuel Shacker (guitar), Cara Strauss (reeds), and Greg Strauss (trumpet). Listening to this ensemble is a joy in itself.
BONUS CONTENT:
Where to park.
I meant to include in the podcast that parking is available less than a block away in the Blaine Elementary School parking lot. You’ll have to use the Spot Hero app to pay and reserve your spot. Space is limited so do it early. The Mercury Theater is also easily accessible by the CTA Brown Line Southport stop as well as the Clark Street bus, and Addison bus both just a short walk away. There is also paid street parking on Southport and also on Ashland but allow some time as it can be very busy on weekends. Of course there is also Uber, Lyft, a Divvy bike or Lime scooter if you are so inclined.
Where to eat.
Before the show we stopped in at Bodega Sur 3755 N Southport Ave, a little Argentinean bar about three door north of the theater for a light supper. We each had a glass of Malbec (red wine) and one empinada, then split the beet salad with tomato, avocado and greens with vinaigrette dressing – – perfect for two. Tab was $58.00 with tax and tip.
Links:
Jersey Boys seems as much like a great concert as it is a play, featuring a substantial and interesting backstory.
Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronnie Marmo appearing in “I’m Not a Comedian….I’m Lenny Bruce” under the direction of multi-award-winner Joe Mantegna at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. This production produced in partnership with Lenny Bruce’s daughter Kitty Bruce tells the story of the life and …
In this episode of “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee,” Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Elizabeth Swanson co-director of “A Streetcar Named Desire” (with artistic director Jim Corti) at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora featuring Amanda Drinkall as Blanche, Casey Hoekstra as Stanley, and Alina Taber as …
“Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade.
[*Please note there was confusion in the names on the podcast. This is the correction]
“Aida” is performed in Italian with projected English titles at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago through April 7, 2024. Running time is about 3 hours with one intermission. For tickets and information, call 312.827.5600 or go to lyricopera.org/aida.
The love triangle at the heart of this story is anchored by three powerful voices: Michelle Bradley, Russell Thomas and Jamie Barton.
CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF VOCAL APPEARANCE
Ramfis – Önay Köse
Radamès – Russell Thomas
Amneris – Jamie Barton
Aida – Michelle Bradley
King – Wm. Clay Thompson
Amonasro – Reginald Smith, Jr.
Conductor – Enrique Mazzola
Conductor – (April 4, 7) Francesco Milioto
Director – Francesca Zambello
Artistic Designer – RETNA
Set Designer – Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer – Anita Yavich
Chorus Director – Michael Black
Choreographer – Jessica Lang
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 Bond beginning March 7, 2024 and running through October 2024. The museum has partnered with Eon Productions who own …
Bill Wilson is an alcoholic who realized the help he needed could only come from someone who understood first hand what he was experiencing. After meeting a fellow sufferer of alcoholic addiction, the two realize this process could help others. As a result Bill and …
Beginning in the 1950s and ending in the 1970s Mr. Kelly’s on Rush Street was the premiere Chicago nightclub featuring some of the most popular entertainers of the period.
The Newberry Library at 60 West Walton Street, Chicago is launching a new exhibit on March 21, 2024 running through July 20, 2024 that includes scheduled showings of “Live at Mr. Kelly’s” as well as other related programming. For more information visit https://www.newberry.org/calendar/a-night-at-mister-kellys
The documentary film, “Live at Mr. Kelly’s” directed by Ted Bogosian is about 90 minutes long and jam packed with testimonials and stories from many entertainers including Barbra Streisand, Lily Tomlin, Bob Newhart, Herbie Hancock, Shecky Green, Ramsey Lewis, Bette Midler, The Smothers Brothers, Lainie Kazan, Tom Dreesen, Tim Reed, Mort Sahl and others who while in Chicago called Mr. Kelly’s their home or who attribute their appearance at the local club as a significant contribution to their success.
“Live at Mr. Kelly’s” showcases a bit of Chicago history that with each passing day fades further into obscurity. Thankfully this film has made an effort to stop the clock and capture a snapshot of the past from a few of those who were there to witness it in its heyday.
Listen to our podcast above and check out the film trailer below.
Now available Amazon Prime Video On Demand Apple +
Dr. Aileen Dillane of the University of Limerick presents excerpts from her thesis in which she makes the case that the city of Chicago itself is imprinted in the work of Cheif Francis O’Neill who is credited with saving Irish Folk Music through his preservation efforts in the early 20th Century.
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 …
Can you shake loose the pain of the past and reclaim your legacy? Shortly after the end of the Civil War two former slaves ruminate on their experiences living and working within Monticello, the estate of former President Thomas Jefferson. In doing so they find themselves reunited in spirit with family and friends who lived and died along-side them in bondage providing what little love and support they were able to find in a cruel and oppressive system.
“The Reclamation of Madison Hemings” directed by Chuck Smith is onstage at the American Blues Theater through March 24, 2024.
This theater review by Reno Lovison includes impressions of the ABT’s new home and a recommendations for dining in the area.