Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
Across from Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Randolph Streets on land donated by Civil War Veterans in 1893 stands what used to be Chicago’s Main Public Library. Re-imagined in 1977 as the Chicago Cultural Center it is host to more than 1,000 …
Be sure to enjoy the podcast and the accompanying photos at the bottom of the page. You don’t need to be an architectural expert to simply look around and enjoy the various styles and building materials that combine to make up Chicago’s diverse urban landscape. …
“Hala” is an indie film shot in Chicago that, if you’re like me, you might have missed. Sadly it was on my list for the Chicago International Film Festival but got scratched due to some scheduling conflicts. I finally got to see it and at the time of this writing it’s available to view through Apple TV.
Written and directed by Minhal Baig, born and raised in Roger’s Park, the film is inspired by her life experiences growing up in a Muslim family while attending Northside College Prep in the North Park neighborhood.
Seventeen year-old Hala Masood (Geraldine Viswanathan) is a Pakistani American Muslim girl struggling to navigate high school, hormones, and harmony within her home. Her sexual awakenings have her laser focused on Jesse, (Jack Kilmer) a non-Muslim boy in her school, bringing her into direct conflict with her family and the cultural dictates of her ethnic community.
The film location makes this story of particular interest, from a Chicago perspective, to those of us who know and understand this neighborhood.
Also look for Chicago native Anna Chlumsky who is perhaps best known for her juvenile role as Vada Sultenfuss opposite McCauly Culkin in the 1991 film My Girl. After a hiatus from acting, to study International Studies at University of Chicago, Chlumsky has returned to TV and film, and is here all grown up, giving us one more Chicago connection.
“Hala” is definitely worth the viewing for both the sensitive and well told story as well as its distinctive Chicago vibe. (Listen to the entire podcast review and please like, share and subscribe.)
You’ve probably seen ’em. Signs like Throop, Goethe, Paulina and Devon but how do we say them in Chicago and why? Here is a short video from WBEZ that at least tries to tackle the “why” as well as some of the “how.” My friends …
Beginning in the 1950s and ending in the 1970s Mr. Kelly’s on Rush Street was the premiere Chicago nightclub featuring some of the most popular entertainers of the period. The Newberry Library at 60 West Walton Street, Chicago is launching a new exhibit on March …
“The Whole Seamus Thing” at Bramble Lofts in Andersonville through April 19, 2025
Review by Reno Lovison – Highly Recommended
Playwrights: Ben Auxier and L.C. Bernadine | Director: Spencer Huffman
Cast: Alexander Attea, Ben Auxier, Gabriel Fries, Olivia Lindsay, Lydia Moss
Publicity photo by George Hudson
Ticket and information at bit.ly/seamusthing
On the heels of the success of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, another group of four working-class lads from the outskirts of London called The Kinks made their mark on the history of Rock and Roll. This energetic jukebox musical, “Sunny Afternoon,” enjoying its North …
The Winter’s Tale at Invictus Theatre is a story of reproach, remorse and reconciliation. This Shakespeare play directed by Charles Askenaizer has something for everyone. It is both tragedy and romantic comedy with sorrow, absurdity, mirth and fantasy. The adept Invictus Theatre Company demonstrates that …
Puccini’s popular opera La Bohème at Lyric Opera of Chicago is a story of youth, passion, love and loss where idealism comes face-to-face with life’s realities such as poverty, illness and death.
Yes, this is the opera where the young lady with the bad cough dies at the end. Puccini’s classic has often been spoofed, and is the inspiration for the popular rock musical RENT.
In this production of La Bohème directed by Chicago native Melanie Bacaling at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Maestro Jordan de Souza conducts tenor Pene Pati (Rodolfo) in his Lyric debut, with Ailyn Perez, soprano (Mimì), Gabriella Reyes, soprano (Musetta), Will Liverman (Marcello), Peixin Chen (Colline), Ian Rucker (Schaunard), Levi Hernandez (Benoit & Alcindoro), Travon D. Walker (Parpignol), Uniting Voices Chicago, and the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
“La Bohème” at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, through April 12, 2025. Sung in Italian with easy-to-follow English translation projected above the stage. Running time is 2 ½ hours with one intermission. For tickets and other information call (312) 827-5600 or visit LyricOpera.org/boheme
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New podcast subscriber. Graphic designer and illustrator, Lisa Danielson works digitally and manually including hand lettering with paint markers on chalkboard.You can learn more about her work at www.behance.net/lisa-danielson
Looking to make music of your own? Visit LakeShoreMusicStudio.com
I had an opportunity to “bond” with spy movie expert Tom Pizzato at the press opening for the new 007 Science: Inventing the World of James running through April 2025. The museum has partnered with Eon Productions who own the rights to all things Bond …
This film hits all the right notes. Physically debilitated due to a childhood injury inflicted by his mentally impaired father, an aspiring pianist is virtually paralyzed on one side of his body and unable to use his right hand. In spite of his challenges, Norman …
Music Theater Works’ 45th Season Begins with the Frank Loesser Classic, GUYS and DOLLS directed
by Sasha Gerritson, Choreographed by Clayton Cross and Music Directed by Linda Madonia
This season kicks off with what many believe is the “perfect musical” with every song in its score a part of the American musical canon.
Guys and Dolls whisks audiences from Manhattan to Havana and back again with career gambler Sky Masterson, “Save-A-Soul” missionary Sarah Brown, Adelaide, Nathan Detroit and others in this
exuberant, big, brassy musical.
The cast of Guys and Dolls includes, in alphabetical order:
Brandon Acosta Liver Lips/Ensemble/US Nathan Detroit/fight and intimacy captain); Jordan Beyeler (swing); Kristin Brintnall (Miss Adelaide); Caron Buinis (General Cartwright); Jeffrey Charles (Sky Masterson); Jenny Couch (ensemble); Emma Jean Eastlund (ensemble); Andrew Freeland (Big Jule/ensemble); David Geinosky (Benny Southstreet/ensemble/US Nicely Nicely); Joe Giovannetti (ensemble/US Sky Masterson); Isabella Gomez-Barrientos (Agatha/ensemble/US Sarah Brown); Ben Harmon (Angie The Ox/ensemble); Emily Holland (ensemble/US Miss Adelaide); Cecilia Iole (Sarah Brown); Dee Kimpel (Martha/ensemble/US General Cartwright); Kyle Kite (ensemble); Miguel Long (Rusty Charlie/ensemble); Cary Lovett (Nicely Nicely Johnson/US Arvide Abernathy); Matthew Millin (swing); Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor (ensemble); Adam Raso (Harry the Horse/ensemble/US Lt. Brannigan); Ian Reed (Lt.Brannigan); Callan Roberts (Nathan Detroit); Peter Ruger (Calvin/ensemble/US Big Jule); Bob Sanders (Arvide Abernathy) and Alex Villaseñor (ensemble/Non-Equity Deputy)
Guys and Dolls, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 6 – 30, 2025.
For tickets and information contact Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300 or visit their website MusicTheaterWorks.com
Be sure to listen to our podcast theater review.
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