Recent Posts

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 

THE TORCH – Continuing a Blues Legacy | Film Review

THE TORCH – Continuing a Blues Legacy | Film Review

If you are not already a fan of Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy you are very likely to become one after seeing THE TORCH a new documentary directed by Jim Ferrell and distributed by IFC Films, set to premiere as the closing night presentation at 

The Merchant of Venice Controversial & Thought Provoking | Theater Review

The Merchant of Venice Controversial & Thought Provoking | Theater Review

“The Merchant of Venice” is presented by Invictus Theatre Company in the words of William Shakespeare but with more contemporary staging.

Anyone who watches Judge Judy knows that lending your deadbeat friend money that you don’t have then agreeing to put the cost on your credit card in hopes that he’ll repay you when his tax refund comes in or whatever usually leads to trouble.

The Merchant of Venice is presented by Invictus Theatre Company at The Buena Theater in the Pride Arts Center, 4147 N Broadway, Chicago, IL through November 17, 2019. For tickets and information visit invictustheatreco.com.

Note: We regret that in the podcast review we mentioned Joshua Seeger as The Duke (who also did a fine job) when we meant Jack Morosoville as Aaragon. Morosoville was also the composer of the of the music included in this production.

Chicago International Film Festival | Week 1 Overview | Podcast

Chicago International Film Festival | Week 1 Overview | Podcast

Whether you plan to attend the Chicago International Film Festival or not Reno Lovison, Joanne Schochat, and Connie Wilson provide some insights into several films that are being presented including many of which will soon be available in wider release or will appear on PBS, 

Connie Wilson Preview of the Chicago International Film Festival

Connie Wilson Preview of the Chicago International Film Festival

Connie Wilson, reviewer for TheMovieBlog.com and author of IT CAME FROM THE ’70s: From The Godfather to Apocolypse Now, gives a quick preview of movies she has seen or has chosen to see at the Chicago International Film Festival running through October 27, 2019 at 

Joanne’s Tips for Attending Chicago International Film Festival

Joanne’s Tips for Attending Chicago International Film Festival

Guest correspondent, storyteller, and radio personality Joanne Schochat provides tips for attending the Chicago International Film Festival.

Joanne shares information about ticket buying, traveling to the theater, and how she selects and organizes the films she plans to view. She also shares a few of her choices from the 2019 film festival lineup.

This is the 55th Anniversary of the annual Chicago International Film Festival running through October 27, 2019 at the AMC River East Theater, 322 E. Illinois Street, Chicago.

Joanne ( a/k/a Joanne Weglarz) hosts a radio show “Practical Classical” on Morton College Radio which can be heard online at radio.morton.edu.

Chicago International Film Festival Opening Night Red Carpet Comments

Chicago International Film Festival Opening Night Red Carpet Comments

Chicago Producer Gigi Pritzker and Chicago Director Jennifer Reeder talk about the film festival and their films MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN and KNIVES AND SKIN from the red carpet at the 55th Annual Chicago International Film Festival running through October 27, 2019 at the AMC River East 

Revenge and Romance at Lyric Opera Chicago

Revenge and Romance at Lyric Opera Chicago

Love, lust, and the quest for power lead to despair and death in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Luisa Miller” at Lyric Opera Chicago. A seemingly outlandish story based on the play “Kabale und Liebe” (Intrigue and Love) by Friedrich von Schiller none-the-less may resonate with modern audiences 

Lerner & Loewe’s Greatest Hits Review

Lerner & Loewe’s Greatest Hits Review

The clever lyrics and memorable mid-century melodies of “Lerner and Loewe’s Greatest Hits” are performed by Music Theater Works at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston through October 13, 2019.

This trip down memory lane starts in the Highlands of Scotland, over the bumpy trails of the American West, through the streets of London, the salons of Paris then ending up in the woods and palaces of historic old England.

The cabaret-style performance begins with the theme from “Brigadoon,” then part one continues with selections from the Western-themed “Paint Your Wagon” before a fifteen-minute intermission.

Part Two begins with perhaps Lerner and Loewe’s most successful musical “My Fair Lady”  followed by the story of  “Gigi” which deals with love and romance in a most Parisian way before the emotional and hopeful tunes from“Camelot.”

Listen to the complete podcast review above or visit Chicago Theater and Arts to read the entire review and others.

Review by Reno Lovison. Podcast background music by Julie Lovison.

Photo Credit : Brett Beiner

“Delicate Tears” Offers a Powerful Performance | Theater Review

“Delicate Tears” Offers a Powerful Performance | Theater Review

Inspired by true events “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” is presented by the Water People Theater as part of the 3rd Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Onstage through October 13, 2019, “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” at the Steppenwolf 1700 Theater 

A “Midsummer” Romance |Theater Review | Chicago

A “Midsummer” Romance |Theater Review | Chicago

Attorney Helena and Bob a petty thief are not exactly a perfect match, but they find themselves thrown together out of desperation and convenience. When confronted with an opportunity to have an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime night of excess and revelry they both decide to take a 

Chicago Artists at Lakeview East Arts Festival 2019

Chicago Artists at Lakeview East Arts Festival 2019

We enjoyed an afternoon listening to some music, eating some food and talking with a few Chicago artists exhibiting at the 15th Annual Lakeview East Arts Festival on Broadway between Belmont and Hawthorne.

Watch our video or listen to the podcast.