Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
This episode is a review of “Changing Channels”, a fictionalized look at the 1950s TV blacklist, inspired by Jackie Gleason and The Honeymooners, exploring the historical roots, standout performances, and modern relevance. Listen to the full audio review to learn more about this production and …
Music Theater Works’ production of CATS at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is a nonstop “catcaphony” of frenzied feline fun. With elements of musical theater, dance, opera and acrobatics there is definitely something for everyone. CATS is a must-see for anyone looking …
For those unfamiliar with the 1886 original story of Jekyll and Hyde – – it is a tale of the strange case of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a fictional 19th century London physician who decides to experiment on himself using psychotropic drugs. In doing so he unleashes his own demon in the person of his alter ego Mr. Hyde.
This musical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic was originally conceived for the stage by Frank Wildhorn & Steve Cuden with music by Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
Directed by Derek Van Barham this production features tenor, David Moreland as Jekyll & Hyde who diligently adapts his voice and visage in a physically demanding transformation between each character as he struggles with the opposing forces of good and evil.
After selling out the initial run, Kokandy Productions added eight additional performances through January 10, 2026 at Chopin Theatre, Chicago. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. For information and tickets visit kokandyproductions.com
Be sure to listen to the entire podcast review.
#chicagotheater
On one level this is a joyous expression of the Irish people through song but it is also a reminder of pain and struggle but with a wink and nod because Frank McCourt wants us to see the absurdity of life and the humor in …
There are two good reasons to see Harvey, by St. Sebastian Players. One is the humorous quirky Pulitzer Prize winning script by Mary Chase and the other is the exceptional performance of Jeff Broitman as Elwood Dowd, the pleasant oddball fellow whose companion and best …
Confederates by playwright Dominique Morrisseau and directed by Aaron Reese Boseman is the level of writing and performance I hope to see when attending a play.
This intimate drama at Redtwist Theater delivers a message of unconscious bias and institutional slavery put into motion generations ago and still very much alive and grappled with today on both sides of the racial divide.
The expert handling of this somewhat complex storyline along with the requisite dialog in both academic and historic vernacular is superb. Each of these actors have literally consumed their roles by internalizing the material and performing with total believability, naturalness and nuance.
This is the style of acting that I yearn for . . .
How is it that this superb production is hiding away in a thirty-seat storefront theater in Edgewater? Someone needs to gather up this show with this company and put them in a bigger venue with a larger audience. Both the performers and the story deserve to be seen and heard.
Director Aaron Reese Boseman who also directed The House That Will Not Stand at Invictus last year has once again superbly handled subjects of misogyny and race relations within a kind of supernatural context with clarity and vision.
Confederates is at Redtwist Theater, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago through March 8, 2026. Runtime is 90 minutes with no intermission. Visit redtwisttheatre.org for tickets and information.
Be sure to click through and listen to the entire podcast theater review – – about 5 minutes.
The highlight of The Dance of Death at Steppenwolf is the outstanding set design of Collette Pollard, that dominates the stage. Featuring an impressive, ancient, oppressive, dimly lit three story plaster and brick edifice, that apparently was a former jail, it is now the military …
“Holiday” at The Goodman is a fresh world-premiere adaptation of the classic boy meets girl – – boy meets girl’s sister romcom by Richard Greenberg based on the original 1928 version by playwright Philip Barry and featuring an outstanding cast. This is a …
If you’re a subscriber or regular listener to our podcast this is going to be a busy week. Beginning with this review of Company at Skokie Theater, followed immediately by Holiday at the Goodman Theater then Dance of Death at Steppenwolf followed by Confederates at Redtwist then The Irish and How they got that way at Ruth Page.
So, if there is a flurry of activity in your inbox from us this week just understand that we post episodes as events occur so there is a bit of a fluctuation in our schedule, but it is all designed to do what we can to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening and share our thoughts.
Enjoyable and entertaining with a distinct mid-century vibe. Stephen Sondheim’s vintage musical “Company” presented by Madkap Productions explores the life choices of Bobby (Graham Todd) the only one of his friends still unmarried at a time when marriage by thirty was expected.
Company is presented by Madkap Productions at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie through March 1, 2026, tickets can be purchased online atSkokieTheatre.org or by calling 847-677-7761.
Be sure to click through to listen to the entire review. Listening time 5 minutes.
February has started out with a mix of interesting one-off events which I did not include as a podcast episode because I try to reserve those for events that run awhile, giving listeners a chance to see them based on my comments.
However, there are often times when one-off events deserve a mention so that performers can get recognition for their efforts and alert others – – not to what they’ve missed – but to artists they should be paying attention to and looking out for in the future.
NOTE: Look for a BONUS REVIEW added at the bottom of this review page.
There will be 100 puppet-based events over 12 days in Chicago this January from the Chicago International Puppet Fest running January 21st to February 1st 2026.
Besides the festival, there are other Puppet & Puppet Adjacent Stuff to See:
This year we reviewed over 30 Chicago plays and events. This podcast recaps favorites and highlights of the 2025 season plus a few ideas for 2026.
We have prepared both an audio and a video version of this podcast.
Some productions mentioned include:
Iraq But Funny, Amelie, Color Purple, Tom & Eliza, Galileo, Hedda Gabler
and a few more plus favorite costume designer, set designer and favorite Chicago theater company.
Special thanks to Kim Campbell who contributed two podcasts this year and just submitted a third that will technically be the first for 2026.
I’m planning to experiment in 2026 with some more video podcasts as well as the audio versions, we’ll see how it goes.
Be sure to click on the one you prefer to listen or view right here at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com then be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. if you are not already a subscriber. You can do so at our website, at youtube.com, Spotify or where ever you prefer to listen to podcasts.