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“Inherit the Wind” revives fundamental conflicts at Goodman Theatre | Review

The Goodman Theatre reminds us that the more things change the more they remain the same in this production of the classic courtroom drama, “Inherit the Wind.”

Small town school teacher Bertram Cates is on trial for breaking a state law that prohibits the teaching of evolution.

The prosecution is aided by the bombastic self-important fundamentalist bible thumping Matthew Harrison Brady while Cates is represented by famed Chicago lawyer Henry Drummond, a clever defense attorney known for taking on difficult and controversial cases.

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

Beethoven’s love story of Fidelio speaks to a modern audience.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Beethoven’s message of freedom of expression in this captivating, new to Chicago, contemporary production of Fidelio. It’s interesting to see how easily this 18th Century music transforms to modern times. It’s and story of good triumphing over evil but most …

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

South Pacific at Skokie Theatre | Podcast Review

This timeless classic amounts to an enchanting evening that deserves to be seen and heard. Whether you are experiencing it the first time or you are coming from a place of nostalgia, the musical South Pacific includes some of the best and most recognizable tunes by the composing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Based on a novel by James Michener and adapted by Hammerstein and Josh Logan, the 1949 play boldly addressed the notion of learned prejudices, and confronted changing post-war attitudes about interracial marriage and mixed raced children.

Directed by Pat Henderson
Musical Direction by Jeremy Ramey
Costume Design by Patty Halajian
Conductor/Keyboard ………………………………… Jeremy Ramey
2nd Keyboard ……………………………………….Andrew Milliken
CAST:

Ngana………………………………………………….. Molly Hamada
Jerome ………………………………………………Connor Saavedra
Nellie Forbush ……………………………………..Willow Schneider
Emile De Becque …………………………………….Tony Calzaretta
Luther Billis ………………………………………………Andrew Buel
Stewpot, Henri …………………………………………Luis Del Valle
Professor……………………………………………..Erol Ibrahimović
McCaffrey…………………………………………..Liam K. Schlosser
Lt. Joseph Cable…………………………………………. Max Perkel
Bloody Mary ………………………………………… Mariel Saavedra
Liat, Nurse………………………………………Megan Mariko Boggs
Nurse MacRae ………………………….. Carolyn Sundlof Boudreau
Nurse MacGregor ……………………………………….Kristin Weed
Nurse Murphy …………………………………. Catherine Athenson
Capt. Brackett ………………………………………….. Jacob Cohen
Cmdr. Harbison …………………………………………….Tyler Lord
Set Design by Brian Wasserman
Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener
Choreography by Brenda Good
Sound Design by Brian Bedoya

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

Georgia O’Keefe Exhibit – Art Institute Chicago

If you think you know something about Georgia O’Keeffe, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. Her styles at this time while living in New York during the 1920s seems to have generally drifted away from her previous more colorful and amorphous forms, and instead varied …

Art, Podcasts & Audio, Uncategorized

Wells and Welles Podcast Theater Review

A war of words. In 1938 twenty-five-year-old Orson Welles became famous after his radio play interpretation of “A War of the Worlds” shook the airwaves, purportedly nearly causing national panic. The book’s seventy-five-year-old author H.G. Wells was not amused at how his intellectual property was …

Books & Authors, Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil – The Musical.

“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” is the best musical I have seen in years. Opening night was one to remember. John Berendt, the author of the best-selling book, was on hand for the curtain call and to see this new musical version written by Taylor Mac come to life. The excitement of the evening spilled out into the street as people chattered about what a great time this was.

At the Goodman Theatre, 70 N Dearborn St, Chicago, through August 11, 2024. For tickets and information visit https://www.goodmantheatre.org

Cast: J. Harrison Ghee, Tom Hewitt, Sierra Boggess, Lance Roberts, Austin Colby, Bailee Endebrock, Shanel Bailey, Jessica Molaskey, Mary Ernster, McKinley Carter, Brianna Buckley, Maya Bowles, DeMarius Copes, Sean Donovan, Jason Michael Evans, Christopher Kelley, Andre Terrell Malcolm, Jarvis B. Manning, Jr., Wes Olivier, Kayla Marie Shipman, Rory Shirley, Calvin L. Cooper, Daryn Whitney Harrell, Kayla Kennedy, Jake DiMaggio Lopez, Justin Thomas Rivers.

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

Podcast Review – ENGLISH at Goodman Theatre

When you cannot adequately express yourself with the nuance and clarity of a native speaker, people do not know that you are actually smart, funny, and kind. Instead, they only hear your imperfect pronunciation and limited vocabulary. You may be easily assumed to be inferior …

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

James Bond Lends Support to CSO at “Shaken Not Stirred” Fundraiser in June

In this “Cracking the Code of Spy Movies” podcast, Raymond Benson (author of 12 post Ian Fleming, James Bond books) joins Spy Movie Navigator hosts, Dan Silvestri and Tom Pizzatto in an enthusiastic conversation with John Morris Russell (a/k/a JMR), conductor of the Cincinnati Pops …

Entertainment, Music, Podcasts & Audio

Exploring Asian Chicago

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. In this podcast we do a quick overview of some of some ways you can experience the Eastern Asian, South Asian, South-East Asian, Central Asian, Western Asian and Pacific Islander cultures represented in Chicago.

Though Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was the inspiration for this podcast you can enjoy exploring Chicago’s Asian and other ethnic neighborhoods and offerings all year long.

This podcast includes ideas for ways to interact with the Asian community as well as things to do and places to eat.

*Correction: Traditional Korean neighborhood is on Bryn Mar between Kedzie and Kimball. Merla’s Kitchen on Kimball just north of Foster and Reza’s and Clark have permanently closed.

For further research and enjoyment take a look at some of these other Asian related podcasts and posts.

Argyle Night Market | Uptown Chicago

The 2024 Argyle Night Market continues EVERY THURSDAY JULY 11 – AUGUST 29 on ARGYLE (between Kenmore and Sheridan).

This is a review of a musical that ran in 2024 but you might still enjoy learning about it and is relationship to the Asian community.

Asian-American rockabilly musical podcast review

The South-East Asia Center’s Senior Golden Diners Program is still going strong five days a week in Uptown featuring largely Vietnamese inspired cuisine.

City of Chicago Golden Diners Program

Look for my reviews here of Blinded by the Light and Hala two South Asian immigrant inspired coming of age movies.

Art, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Music, Podcasts & Audio, Uncategorized

Theater Review of JUDGMENT DAY & Interview with creators of Little Orphan Boy The Musical

Comedy in May. Reno Lovison reviews Judgment Day. “This world premiere comedy is a thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining production with several guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments.” Also a restaurant review of Offshore Rooftop Bar at Navy Pier. Purported to be the nation’s largest rooftop venue. Excerpt …

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio

9 to 5 the musical – Retro Romp or Reminder?

PODCAST THEATER REVIEW by RENO LOVISON In this musical comedy, three overworked, underpaid and unappreciated 1970’s era office secretaries seize the opportunity to kidnap and blackmail their domineering misogynist male boss in an effort to change the power dynamic and improve their working environment. The …

Chicago Theater Reviews & Performance Information, Entertainment, Podcasts & Audio, Uncategorized

Flyover Chicago – Podcast Announcement

Flyover Chicago is a multisensory, multimedia event that includes all of the thrills and excitement of an amusement park ride.

The attraction will be taking over the former IMAX Theater location near the entrance to Navy Pier opened on March 1, 2024.

Before you head off to experience it for yourself sit back and take a listen to the people who designed the attraction including the writer, film director, music director, score composer and others to get a first hand glimpse of what you might encounter and how the whole attraction came to be.

Business, Chicago Film - Movies - Cinema, Entertainment, News & Events, Uncategorized