Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Author Steve Bellinger talks about his time-travel sci-fi novel “The Chronocar” set in the Chicago southside Bronzeville neighborhood and the campus of Illinois Institute of Technology, the author’s alma mater. Listen to the podcast above or watch the video recorded version below. This selection of …
Those of us coming of age in the late sixties did perhaps believe it was “the dawning of the Age of Aquarius” and indeed hoped that “peace would guide the planets and love would steer the stars.” Chicago experienced a violent protest at the Democratic …
Until now her mother’s profession has been a mystery to Vivie Warren who has spent most of her life in boarding schools and in the country home of friends having little personal contact with the woman who provides her financial support.
The author George Bernard Shaw has an affinity for exposing upper-class snobbery and hypocrisy and creating witty culture clashes between the British social classes, most famously with “Pygmalion,” in “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” he does so openly with no holds barred.
I am not familiar with the original version but this world premiere adaptation by Melanie Spewock, produced by Promethean Theatre Ensemble in Chicago (through March 29, 2020) is said to concentrate more on the relationship between mother and daughter which it apparently does.
This is a fine chance to revisit a work by a classic playwright while viewing it in the light of current sensibilities.
The cast of Mrs.Warren’s Profession includes
Elaine Carlson as Mrs. Kitty Warren
Tracey Greenwood as Vivie Warren
Chris Woolsey as Frank Gardner
Ted Hoerl as Reverend Samuel Gardner
Jared Dennis as Sir George Crofts
and Ross Frawley as Praed
Listen to the entire podcast theater review using the player above.
The complete written review by Reno Lovison is available at ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.
Podcast Correction Note: The character Vivie is a graduate of Cambridge, not Oxford.
The legendary and picturesque Green Mill Cocktail Lounge just off the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is known for its poetry and jazz, making it the perfect venue for flutist and word artist Janice Misurell-Mitchell. This particular performance occurred on February …
This is an awesome mix of opera and hip-hop shot in and around Chicago. Look for familiar scenes of the city via rooftops and bridges. The music video features soprano Marisa Buchheit singing “Habanera” or “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” (“Love is a rebellious bird”), …
In the post-WWII era, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein reinvented American Musical Theater for a modern audience.
This is my audio podcast review of the book by Todd S. Purdum, “Something Wonderful Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution” by Todd S. Purdum.
I’ve taken a short trip down memory lane to give it a Chicago spin by including my personal relationship with their works that I enjoyed as a child actor and as a student of the theater. Also, some references to Chicago people and places that are mentioned in the book or that relate to the content.
You can listen here using the player above or find it at Spotify or iTunes.
By Reno Lovison executive producer at Chicago BroadcastingNetwork.com and theater reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandarts.com.
Retired from the Chicago Park District where she taught writing and theater arts at Berger Park on the lakefront in Edgewater, Venice Johnson is currently living in Rogers Park on the far north side of the city. Storytelling comes naturally to this westside native whose …
HIT HER WITH THE SKATES is a regionally inspired musical by Christine Rea (book/lyrics) and Rick Briskin (music/lyrics) that will have its world premiere March 18, 2020 at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago featuring “American Idol Power Couple,” Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young. We …
Chicago – A Film from the Chicago Board Of Education from Fading Dyes on Vimeo.
If you are a Chicagophile of any age you will enjoy this professionally produced idyllic 1940’s view of Chicago.
It’s amazing to see how much things have changed and how much has remained the same.
Planners like Daniel Burnham created a structure that has served the city well. Essentially the “bones” are the same. You can feel the familiarity of every scene in this film.
Look for landmarks like Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, the museums, and historic water tower which will easily orient you to the current version of Chicago.
The ride down Lake ShoreDrive and South Shore Drive feel exactly the same as do the beaches and parks. The primary changes are in clothing, cars, and technology such as street lamps and airplanes.
For Chicago historians. This is probably as close as you will get to a time machine so if you are interested in traveling to the past take the time to indulge yourself in this vintage travelogue produced by the Chicago Board of Education.
You can read a little more about the history of this archival footage at Chicago Block Club.
Thanks to Jeff Altman for his preservation and making it available on his Vimeo account.
We are very happy that Michael Rataj of Bulb Brain Creative submitted this guest podcast segment of an interview he conducted with “food artist” Roselle from Bistro 6050 in Portage Park. Bistro 6050 has been described as a “pan-global” snack bar because it is more …
John Denver’s music was considered to be more-or-less middle-of-the-road if not downright conservative in the wake of rising rock stars like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. This issue is confronted early in this latest jukebox boomer music revival “Almost Heaven- John Denver’s America.” However, the …
The Chicago premiere of “Whisper House” by Black Button Eyes Productions is a somewhat touching story of love and acceptance, with an unusual treatment and interesting musical score delivered by a competent cast . . .
Music & Lyrics by Duncan Sheik
Book & Additional Lyrics by Kyle Jarrow
Directed by Artistic Director Ed Rutherford
Music Direction by Micky York
Choreography by Derek Van Barham
The cast includes T.J. Anderson, Karmann Bajuyo, Kate Nawrocki, Leo Spiegel, Mikaela Sullivan and Kevin Webb. Understudy: Huy Nguyen.
“Whisper per House” is presented by Black Button Eyes Productions at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio Two), 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago through Feb. 15, 2020. For tickets and more information call(773) 935-6875 or visit OvationTix.com.
If you prefer to read rather than listen you can find this entire review at ChicagoTheaterandArts.com
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