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The First Rainbow Coalition | Film Review Podcast

The First Rainbow Coalition | Film Review Podcast

UPDATE : Premieres January 27, 2020 at 10PM on WTTW Chicago Independent Lens. THE FIRST RAINBOW COALITION is a documentary that premiered at the 55th Annual Chicago International Film Festival  about Chicago’s multi-ethnic “street gangs” in the 1960s primarily led by activist Fred Hampton of 

THE MOUSETRAP | Chicago Podcast Theater Review |

THE MOUSETRAP | Chicago Podcast Theater Review |

In this popular Agatha Christie murder mystery, five distinctly eccentric individuals have each booked their stay during the inaugural opening of Monkswell Manor, a country guesthouse owned and operated by Mollie and Giles Ralston. “The Mousetrap” is currently on stage at the Court Theatre in 

Christmas Foundling – A Chicago Podcast Theater Review

Christmas Foundling – A Chicago Podcast Theater Review

“The Christmas Foundling” by Normal Allen (inspired by stories of Bret Harte) is at The Buena, Pride Arts Center, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago, through January 5, 2020

An upbeat holiday story explores the meaning of family bloodline ties while illustrating the need for humans to band together forming family bonds in whatever circumstances they happen to be.

Listen to the podcast theater review by Reno Lovison or read the review at ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.

(Photo by Heather Mall: L-R:  Zane Sade, Leo LaCamera, Fiore Barbini, Max McKune, Henry Lombardo, Max McKune)
An Awesome Encounter on the CTA

An Awesome Encounter on the CTA

If people are the lifeblood then the bus and train lines that crisscross Chicago are literally like capillaries delivering existential nutrients to every corner of the city. Each person is on their own personal distinct mission that drives the pulse and contributes to the vibrancy 

Chicago Eventologist Proclaims January 6th “National Smith Day”

Chicago Eventologist Proclaims January 6th “National Smith Day”

We are planning to have Eventologist, Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith as a recurring guest on our Chicago Broadcasting Network podcast to share one or more monthly “holidates” with us including suggestions on how to specifically celebrate with a “Chicago Spin” beginning with National Smith Day, January 

Joseph Dreamcoat Review

Joseph Dreamcoat Review

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” presented by Music Theater Works at the Cahn Auditorium in Evanston is an upbeat holiday extravaganza by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice that provides an evening’s worth of solid cheerful entertainment.

The MTW orchestra is a joy to hear and choreographer Clayton Cross steals the show with his exceptionally well-performed cast and dance crew who keep this production constantly in motion.

Onstage through December 31, 2019.

Listen to the audio version of the review by Reno Lovison using the player above or subscribe at iTunes, Spotify or wherever you like to listen to podcasts.

You can also read the review here.

Blinded by the Light Movie Review with a Chicago Spin

Blinded by the Light Movie Review with a Chicago Spin

The semi-autobiographical movie “Blinded by the Light” is based on the experiences of British born journalist and Bruce Springsteen super-fan Sarfraz Manzoor. The winsome Viveik Kalra stars in the lead role, of Javed who wants nothing more than to bust out of his small working 

Burning Bluebeard | Podcast Theater Review

Burning Bluebeard | Podcast Theater Review

The Ruffians Theater Company with director Halena Kays and choreographer Ariel Triunfo have devised a clever way to tell this story based on an actual tragic event. “Burning Bluebeard” literally comes alive in front of a scorched proscenium arch on a ruined stage – – 

A MURDER MOST NOVEL | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

A MURDER MOST NOVEL | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

Program cover A MURDER MOST NOVEL ChicagoIt’s the 1940s and veteran detective Max Forthright is throwing a lavish party to celebrate the publication of his upcoming memoirs.

Before long there is a shot and the discovery of a body causing the entire assemblage to turn to Max to identify the killer in “A Murder Most Novel.”

Alex Butschli’s cleverly written and well-performed production is enjoyable lighthearted entertainment for all ages.

“A Murder Most Novel” produced by Death & Pretzels, is at Nox Arca Theatre, 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago through December 14th, 2019.

Cast includes Grant Alsup, Jake Baker, Lill Bjorklund, Stephen J Bryant, Elaina Henderson, Kate Incardona, Elliot Lerner, Nick Strauss, Taylor Toms, and Guy Wicke.

 

Food Tip

We elected to have a quick bite at O’Shaughnessy’s Public House at Wilson and Ravenswood nearby. It’s a very traditional Irish Pub and Sports Bar with good food and big beer selection.

I opted for the trio of sliders that included a small cheeseburger, a mini corned beef sandwich, and a small chicken sandwich with spicy aioli. Julie chose the ample chicken burrito and we each had a bottle of Newcastle.

We mentioned to the waiter that we were going to the theater and he did a good job of getting our food promptly and leaving the bill so we could pay and be ready to go. Allow about ten minutes to drive from the pub to the theater and give yourself a little extra time to park and get up the stairs or elevator.

vintage elevator in building on Ravenswood.If you elect to ride the original (now self-service) double-gated elevator to the 4th floor Nox Arca Theater, this experience will set the mood in terms of time travel as surely as Dr. Who’s phone booth.

It’s always interesting to get a peek inside some of these vintage former industrial buildings on Ravenswood.

That’s one reason the Ravenswood  Art Walk is so much fun because you get to go in and out of various buildings to visit the exhibiting artists.

Every activity in Chicago has the potential to be a mini-adventure so be sure to subscribe to our website to be notified when new content is added and join us on this journey.

Listen to the podcast theater review using the player above or read the entire review at ChicagoTheaterandArts.com

 

 

 

 

MY LIFE IS A COUNTRY SONG | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

MY LIFE IS A COUNTRY SONG | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

Country music has been described as three chords and the truth. The world premiere of Anthony Whitaker’s “My Life is a Country Song” presented by New American Folk Theatre has taken that adage to heart crafting a well-told musical tale of love, friendship, and personal 

Vintage Political Humor Sounds Familiar | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

Vintage Political Humor Sounds Familiar | Podcast Theater Review | Chicago

 Before the age of TV and the Internet, people looked to the theater for entertaining political commentary the equivalent of Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, or Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. These three pithy well-performed one-act plays directed by Beth Wolf and presented by 

You Are Happy | Theater Review | Video Podcast | Chicago

You Are Happy | Theater Review | Video Podcast | Chicago

We created this visual video theater review to be more accessibility friendly for deaf or hearing impaired theatergoers. If you like the idea we will make more.

An interesting, innovative and thoroughly enjoyable theatrical production, produced by Red Theater in Edgewater that leaves you wanting more – – but in a good way.

The cast includes Michelle Mary Schaefer, Brendan Connelly, Emily Turner, Sarah JK Shoemaker, Bowie Foote, and Elana Weiner-Kaplow.

You Are Happy” is co-directed by Mary Kate Ashe and Aaron Sawyer with concept by Giulianna Marchese.

The script was translated into ASL through a collaborative process led by Brendan Connelly, Michelle Schaefer, and Mary Kate Ashe.

You Are Happy” runs through December 8, 2019 For tickets visit redtheater.org/tickets

Performances are at The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W Catalpa Avenue, in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood.