Chicago Lifestyle Podcast & Video Blog
In this episode, we take a look at Rise Above: The Carl Jackson Story—a powerful new documentary by Chicago filmmaker Maryilene Blondell. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or not, stick around to learn what happens when a boy from a segregated Southern neighborhood in Georgia …
In this podcast episode I present my film review as well as share some personal recollections of the Maxwell Street and Halsted shopping district where the music known as Chicago Blues sprang to life. If you want a glimpse at a piece of the not …
This is a film review of “The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells following the Chicago artist’s creation of a monument to the civil right champion and woman’s suffrage leader.
The film premiered at the 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival in 2024 and follows his creative process as an opportunity to showcase each of their contributions to society while doing so within the greater context of the history of the African American experience.
Most of the film festival movies are shown only once or twice so this review is aimed at informing you about a production that has some Chicago significance in the hope that you will look for subsequent screenings at other locations in the future. We also hope that this might encourage you to consider attending the Chicago FIlm Festival yourself next year or beyond.
For festival information visit ChicagoFilmFestival.com
For film information visit http://amonumentforidabfilm.com
The Chicago premiere of Amélie the Musical by Kokandy Productions based on the popular motion picture is a highly recommended musical mosaic, composed by Daniel Messe, whose colorful jagged pieces eventually come together into an enjoyable if not perfectly clear image. Not a musical in …
Buddha’s Birthday, is a story of academic prejudice and unresolved anxiety written by Amy Crider produced by Lucid Theater at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, Chicago through August 17, 2025. Run time 2 hours with no intermission. Visit www.lucidtheater.com for tickets and more information. …
Tom & Eliza is a fairly brilliant example of absurdist theater written by Celine Song, expertly directed by Aileen Wen McGroddy and beautifully performed by Clifton Frei as Tom and Seoyoung Park as Eliza.
EXTENDED: TOM & ELIZA will take a two-week hiatus after its previously announced closing date of August 17 and play an additional 14 performances from September 4 – 28.
Reminiscent of Ionesco and Albee, Tom & Eliza focuses on ideas of existentialism, exploring the psychology of aging, marriage and sexual relationships with an attitude of absurd surrealism.
Playwright Song shows us the arbitrary and bizarre trajectory of life.
Tom & Eliza at Tuta Theatre Chicago through August 16, 2025 is a challenging and thought-provoking presentation that may not appeal to a wide audience, but the entire production is an example of elegant stage craft achieved through the effort of the entire crew and company that will be appreciated by those willing to take a risk to enjoy something a little out of the ordinary.
Note: Address for Tuta Theatre was misspoken. Correct address is Tuta Theatre, 4670 N. Manor Ave.
Podcast review of FOREVER PLAID by Reno Lovison. Presented by MadKap Productions at Skokie Theater, the performance is reminiscent of a nightclub act from the fifties channeling the sounds of singing groups like the Four Freshmen, Four Aces or The Crew Cuts. * * *EXTENDED …
MadKap Productions live up to their name in this production of Stephen Sondheim’s ridiculous musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at the Skokie Theatre outside Chicago, directed by Wayne Mell. The story ostensibly takes place in ancient Rome spoofing the …
Highly recommended. Extended through August 3, 2025
Tragic, hilarious, loud, energetic, fun and heartwarming, The Color Purple on stage at Goodman Theatre is nearly three hours of nonstop entertainment featuring an outrageously talented cast.
This is the level of quality theater you expect to see in a Chicago Loop production.
Be sure to listen to entire podcast review by Reno Lovison.
Full Company of The Color Purple The Musical (in alphabetical order)
Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
Based on the Novel by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
Marta Bady…Swing
Jos N. Banks…Grady
Curtis Bannister…Buster
Sean Blake…Ol Mister
Shantel Renee Cribbs…Nettie
Gilbert Domally…Harpo
Lachrisa Grandberry…Doris
Sharriese Hamilton…Darlene
Daryn Whitney Harrell…Squeak
Nicole Michelle Haskins…Sofia
Ariya Hawkins…Olivia
Reneisha Jenkins…Jarene
Eric Lewis…Bobby
Brittney Mack…Celie
Evan Tyrone Martin…Mister
Michael Earvin Martin…Pa
Juwon Tyrel Perry…Preacher
Aalon Daeja Smith…Ensemble
Richaun Shamar Stewart…Swing
Shelbi Voss..Swing
Aeriel Williams…Shug Avery
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, concludes its 49th Season with Noah Diaz’s whimsical, wild, unpredictable and deeply moving Chicago premiere of You Will Get Sick, directed by Artistic Director Audrey Francis extended through July 20, 2025 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Tickets …
A laugh-out-loud comical attack of geopolitical humor invades Lookingglass Theater in “Iraq but Funny.” Playwright / performer Astra Asdou recalls the history of the Assyrian people through this semi-autobiographical story of five generations of the women in her family. The production has an improvisational vibe, …
Feeling controlled by outside forces, two people on the opposite ends of life are each trying to manage their own destiny in the Chicago Premiere of Charles Smith’s “Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues” at American Blues Theater.
Isolation is a concern that often goes unaddressed.
Details: “Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues” at American Blues Theater, 5627 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago May 23 – June 29,2025, running time 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets at www.americanbluestheater.com or (773) 654-3103.