Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Video related to books, authors, art, music, theater and performance in Chicago.
“West Side Story” echoes immigration fear and division across generations Music Theater Works in Skokie remains true to their tradition of presenting musical theater that stays very close to the original production, offering a faithful recreation of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s now classic, contemporary …
Recognizing America’s rich and varied musical heritage is the perfect way to celebrate the birth of our republic. 2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Various semiquincentennial celebrations have taken place nationwide to commemorate the 1776 signing of the …
HAIR The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical – – is it a nostalgic romp or does it have relevance to a contemporary audience? Whether you intend to see this Kokandy production at the Chopin Theatre or just want to know more about this historically pivotal musical …
Have you ever heard the name or term Scaramouche? Maybe you remember it in the bohemian rhapsody or maybe you’ve seen the 1952 film? The 18th century tale set on the eve of the French Revolution, based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini’s may not have …
A widowed father informed that his child has been killed during a protest, forces him to consider whether a cash settlement can possibly soothe his grief – in the process, we witness how public institutions and policies, in an attempt to remain impartial, reduce tragedy …
A review of The Ally by Itamar Moses at Theater Wit in Chicago. Directed under the steady hand of Jeremy Wechsler, this is a provocative, sometimes humorous look at activism, identity, and what happens when good deeds lead to bad outcomes. A look into the …
Set circa 1927 — at the height of the Great Migration, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is rooted in personal trauma, systemic racism and economic exploitation. Ma Rainey is the leading artist of a struggling Chicago based blues label. Four of her backing musicians sitting in a rehearsal …
The Sugar Wife, is a compelling and emotionally charged drama by Elizabeth Kuti, presented by Artistic Home at Theater Wit. This episode explores a story where faith, repression, privilege, and desire intersect inside the home of an affluent Quaker couple in mid-nineteenth century Dublin. When …
White Rooster a darkly funny tale of love, loss and the strange things we inherit, draws from a personal family story rooted in early 1900s China. The inventive and haunting play with original music reimagines an American ghost town, weaving together puppetry, movement, and song. …
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 …
The latest premiere from Thompson Street Opera Company, offered Chicago audiences a campy, queer operatic cabaret production filled with drag performance, bel canto vocal artistry, and a delightfully unconventional storyline. Presented at Bramble Arts Loft in Andersonville as Off-Nights at the Sometimes Café, the production …
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 …