Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
The latest premiere from Thompson Street Opera Company, offered Chicago audiences a campy, queer operatic cabaret production filled with drag performance, bel canto vocal artistry, and a delightfully unconventional storyline. Presented at Bramble Arts Loft in Andersonville as Off-Nights at the Sometimes Café, the production …
Music Theater Works’ production of CATS at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is a nonstop “catcaphony” of frenzied feline fun. With elements of musical theater, dance, opera and acrobatics there is definitely something for everyone. CATS is a must-see for anyone looking …
For those unfamiliar with the 1886 original story of Jekyll and Hyde – – it is a tale of the strange case of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a fictional 19th century London physician who decides to experiment on himself using psychotropic drugs. In doing so he unleashes his own demon in the person of his alter ego Mr. Hyde.
This musical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic was originally conceived for the stage by Frank Wildhorn & Steve Cuden with music by Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
Directed by Derek Van Barham this production features tenor, David Moreland as Jekyll & Hyde who diligently adapts his voice and visage in a physically demanding transformation between each character as he struggles with the opposing forces of good and evil.
After selling out the initial run, Kokandy Productions added eight additional performances through January 10, 2026 at Chopin Theatre, Chicago. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. For information and tickets visit kokandyproductions.com
Be sure to listen to the entire podcast review.
#chicagotheater
The highlight of The Dance of Death at Steppenwolf is the outstanding set design of Collette Pollard, that dominates the stage. Featuring an impressive, ancient, oppressive, dimly lit three story plaster and brick edifice, that apparently was a former jail, it is now the military …
On one level this is a joyous expression of the Irish people through song but it is also a reminder of pain and struggle but with a wink and nod because Frank McCourt wants us to see the absurdity of life and the humor in …
There are two good reasons to see Harvey, by St. Sebastian Players. One is the humorous quirky Pulitzer Prize winning script by Mary Chase and the other is the exceptional performance of Jeff Broitman as Elwood Dowd, the pleasant oddball fellow whose companion and best friend is a six-foot rabbit.
Details: Harvey, by St. Sebastian Players, at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey through March 8, 2026. Runtime is about 2 hours with one intermission. For ticket information and schedule visit saintsebastianplayers.org
Be sure to listen to our entire review (approx. 3 minutes).
Other plays still running include:
The Irish and how they got that way – – Confederates – – The Dance of Death — Holiday — Company
This musical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Jekyll and Hyde is moving the entire original Chopin Theatre production downtown.
Windy City Winds will be offering a free concert at St. Paul’s UCC church at Orchard and Fullerton on Friday March 13th at 7:30 PM – – with a night of music inspired by the American flag to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Confederates by playwright Dominique Morrisseau and directed by Aaron Reese Boseman is the level of writing and performance I hope to see when attending a play. This intimate drama at Redtwist Theater delivers a message of unconscious bias and institutional slavery put into motion generations …
“Holiday” at The Goodman is a fresh world-premiere adaptation of the classic boy meets girl – – boy meets girl’s sister romcom by Richard Greenberg based on the original 1928 version by playwright Philip Barry and featuring an outstanding cast. This is a …
If you’re a subscriber or regular listener to our podcast this is going to be a busy week. Beginning with this review of Company at Skokie Theater, followed immediately by Holiday at the Goodman Theater then Dance of Death at Steppenwolf followed by Confederates at Redtwist then The Irish and How they got that way at Ruth Page.
So, if there is a flurry of activity in your inbox from us this week just understand that we post episodes as events occur so there is a bit of a fluctuation in our schedule, but it is all designed to do what we can to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening and share our thoughts.
Enjoyable and entertaining with a distinct mid-century vibe. Stephen Sondheim’s vintage musical “Company” presented by Madkap Productions explores the life choices of Bobby (Graham Todd) the only one of his friends still unmarried at a time when marriage by thirty was expected.
Company is presented by Madkap Productions at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie through March 1, 2026, tickets can be purchased online atSkokieTheatre.org or by calling 847-677-7761.
Be sure to click through to listen to the entire review. Listening time 5 minutes.
February has started out with a mix of interesting one-off events which I did not include as a podcast episode because I try to reserve those for events that run awhile, giving listeners a chance to see them based on my comments.
However, there are often times when one-off events deserve a mention so that performers can get recognition for their efforts and alert others – – not to what they’ve missed – but to artists they should be paying attention to and looking out for in the future.
NOTE: Look for a BONUS REVIEW added at the bottom of this review page.
There will be 100 puppet-based events over 12 days in Chicago this January from the Chicago International Puppet Fest running January 21st to February 1st 2026.
Besides the festival, there are other Puppet & Puppet Adjacent Stuff to See:
This year we reviewed over 30 Chicago plays and events. This podcast recaps favorites and highlights of the 2025 season plus a few ideas for 2026.
We have prepared both an audio and a video version of this podcast.
Some productions mentioned include:
Iraq But Funny, Amelie, Color Purple, Tom & Eliza, Galileo, Hedda Gabler
and a few more plus favorite costume designer, set designer and favorite Chicago theater company.
Special thanks to Kim Campbell who contributed two podcasts this year and just submitted a third that will technically be the first for 2026.
I’m planning to experiment in 2026 with some more video podcasts as well as the audio versions, we’ll see how it goes.
Be sure to click on the one you prefer to listen or view right here at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com then be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. if you are not already a subscriber. You can do so at our website, at youtube.com, Spotify or where ever you prefer to listen to podcasts.