Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Always …Patsy Cline is an amusing tale written by Ted Swindley, based on a true story, as told by Louise Seger who met young Patsy Cline at one of her early Houston performances in the 1950s. The encounter created a friendship that lasted until the …
This exuberant Broadway in Chicago production with Caribbean inspired compositions of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is a cautionary love story warning of the dangers of tempting fate, told as a folk tale passed down by the village storytellers to a Little Girl. “Once On …
This production of “Twelfth Night” presented by Midsommer Flight can be described as “Theatrum in Orto” or “Theater in a Garden” offering the fifth annual holiday presentation of one of Shakespeare’s silliest plays, energetically performed, amid the tropical flora collection at The Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago (adjacent to the Lincoln Park Zoo) through December 22, 2019. For information visit midsommerflight.com
Listen to the entire theater review podcast using the player above or search iTunes, Spotify or wherever you enjoy listening, then remember to subscribe.
Reno Lovison is also a theater reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.
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 …
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 …
“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.
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 …
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 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.
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 …
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 – – …
It’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.
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
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