Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
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 …
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 …
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 being human.
You’ll probably love this if you’re of Irish heritage because of the familiarity of the songs and background message. If you’re a few generations removed or have no Irish heritage you will likely find some insight into this segment of America that makes up about 10% of the overall population.
The Irish and How They Got That Way by Porchlight Theatre Company is at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, through March 15, 2026. Runtime is about 110 minutes with one intermission. Tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight box office at 773.777.9884.
This podcast concludes with an original live rendering of Danny Boy recorded by Reno Lovison at the Roots Room a few years ago.
Be sure to click through and listen to the entire review.
More about Irish music– Learn about Chief O’Neill, the Chicago policeman who saved Irish music.
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 …
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 story about familial love, romantic love and sexual attraction as well as the influence of money and in both cases – – those who have too much, those who do not have enough, and those who want more.
I may be a bit old fashioned but this production is the gold standard of everything I feel traditional theater should be. Good story, great writing, excellent cast and spectacular set.
Holiday directed by Robert Falls is at The Goodman – Albert Theatre 170 N Dearborn Street, Chicago through March 8, 2026. For tickets and information call (312) 443-3800 or visit goodmantheatre.org
Be sure to listen to the entire podcast review. Approx. 9 minutes
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 …
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.
UPDATE: The 10-time 2025 Jeff Award–nominated musical JEKYLL & HYDE will make its Broadway In Chicago debut at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St.), September 8—October 25.
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 has added eight additional performances through January 10, 2026 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., 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.
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, …
“Amadeus” presented at Steppenwolf is a story of two men, one believed to be beloved by God and one who believed he could negotiate to win God’s love.
It is easy to assume this is a biographical sketch of Mozart, and indeed the story written by Peter Shaffer does allude to the final years of the composer’s life, but actually this is a story of one man’s envy of another man’s apparent God given talent.
Ian Barford as Salieri is the important steady beat while David Darrow as Mozart is the melody that adds life to this theatrical composition.
The costume design by Amanda Gladu featuring impeccable tailoring and luxurious fabrics, along with amazing hair and make-up were extraordinary.
Be sure to listen to the entire 10 minute podcast review.
Amadeus, is at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL through January 25, 2026. Run time is 2 hours and 45 minutes including one intermission. Visit Steppenwolf.com for tickets and information.
Note: Cover photo by Michael Brosilow.