Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Video related to books, authors, art, music, theater and performance in Chicago.
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 …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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, …
“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 …
The uplifting story of a distinctively red haired, hopelessly optimistic, depression era orphan named Annie is firmly rooted in the early 1930s where the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots was plainly evident everywhere and especially true in urban centers like New York City …
Part of the success and charm of this tale is its simple elegance. The story is easy to understand even by the youngest theater goers yet it does not talk down the audience. It’s a kind of secular parable with a strong moral lesson to …
Performed in modern dress using original Elizabethan vernacular, Much Ado About Nothing is a quintessential Shakespeare comedy and seminal rom-com that has a little something for everyone. A humorous love story with a touch of drama that pokes fun at everyone no matter their …