Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Steppenwolf announces new ensemble member, Laura D. Glenn “Steppenwold has been my life’s work. I’m excited for this next step” Laura D. Glenn, was named as the latest ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theater. Glenn whose journey with Steppenwolf began as a summer intern in 1988, has worked on more than 100 Steppenwolf productions over 38…
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Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026 Audiences are Invited To Travel “Over the Rainbow” for this Timeless Journey with Familiar Characters and Oscar-Winning Music Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is…
A peek into the new musical Iceboy! with Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman, Grey Henson, Cedric Yarbrough, Sarah Stiles, Alex Goodrich & more Rehearsals are underway for the musical event of the summer:Iceboy! Or, The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O‘Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh. With music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by…
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble performs “Architecture of Memory” May 8 – 23, 2026 CHICAGO – Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) presents the world premiere of Architecture of Memory, May 8 – 23, at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Avenue. The opening night/press performance is Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays…
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EMAGINE THEATRES CELEBRATES NATIONAL POPCORN DAY WITH $5 ANY-SIZE POPCORNS AND PRIZES WITH PURCHASE Purchase any size popcorn for only $5 and Receive a “Pop & Peel” Emagine Lottery Ticket where every ticket is a winner! Monday, January 19, 2026 All Emagine Theatres* in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin are inviting you to Pop In…
ENJOY SPECIAL FILM SCREENINGS, DEALS, AND IN-THEATRE EXPERIENCES AT EMAGINE THEATRES THIS JANUARY This January experience the magic of movies at Emagine Theatres while enjoying on-site activations and deals that you won’t find anywhere else. Emagine offers their guests a luxury, movie-going experience that features leather power-reclining seats, reserved seating, in-seat service, upscale amenities, gourmet…
In-Theatre Experiences and deals continue this August at Emagine This August step into Emagine Theatres and take part in some great activations and deals that you won’t find anywhere else. Emagine offers their guests a luxury, movie-going experience that features leather power-reclining seats, reserved seating, in-seat service, upscale amenities, gourmet popcorn and snacks and a…
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Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests Book up! Theater for the very young (ages 0-5) in 12 Chicago parks (july 23 – aug.10); TJ and Dave improv sensation returns (july 24-26); 4th annual sweetest season gathering of indigenous creativity (august 1-2); and free readings of new plays by Satya Jnani Chávez…
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“The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option If you are looking for entertainment that is unusual, fun, and immersive, The Dinner Detective is a perfect choice to enjoy. Dinner, a murder mystery, and audience involvement, it offers everything. Check it out at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lisle Naperville By Ray Hanania A…
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Inherit the Wind performance extended through Oct. 20 at The Goodman Theatre It’s Opening Night and the verdict from Chicago audience is in: Inherit the Wind extended through Oct. 20 The jury of its peers finds Inherit the Wind at Goodman Theatre worthy of a one-week extension, adding six more performances of Henry Godinez’s major revival of Jerome Lawrence and Robert…
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7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival opens Oct. 11 Subtext Studio Theatre Company’s Que Te Vaya Bien, Part of Destinos: 7th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival Opens October 11th at Greenhouse Theater Center Subtext Studio Theatre Company (SSTC) announces the first production of Season Two: Generations featuring the world premiere play Que Te Vaya Bienby Artistic…
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WHY ENGLAND SLEPT releases “House of Pizza” “House of Pizza,” an eclectic 12-song mix of post-rock, new age, jazz and prog, has been independently released by WHY ENGLAND SLEPT, a musical recording project led by Salem, MA singer-songwriter (and UIC alumnus/former Chicagoan) Don Hammontree. Hammontree, the guitarist, vocalist and chief songwriter for the local band…
Jeremy Piven kills it at Chicago Improv comedy club in Schaumburg By Ray Hanania One of entertainments most absorbing television comedy-dramas series was Entourage, which ran eight seasons from 2004 until 2011. The series portrayed the character-driven world of Hollywood and Los Angeles, and glowed brightly with compelling and must watch entertainment scripts and scenarios….
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Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” delivers an unforgettable night of magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago Andi Gladwin’s new intimate magic show unveils a mesmerizing fusion of storytelling, technology, and your very own deck of cards! An electrifying evening of magic awaits you for this brand-new show, developed exclusively for performances at The Rhapsody Theater….
Was Cleopatra Black or White and why it matters By Ray Hanania It was bad enough when White racists would lie about the physical attributes of African Americans to justify maintaining the dual system of segregation. Just as bad is the reverse racism that grew from the suffering many African Americans faced as a consequence…
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Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania By Ray Hanania I have covered Chicagoland politics since 1975, when I was honorably discharged from active duty service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. I served 12 years in the Illinois Air National Guard and believed strongly in military service. I followed…
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Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard” It’s at once a farewell and a homecoming for Robert Falls, who recently stepped down as Goodman Theatre Artistic Director after 35 years, when his major revival of The Cherry Orchard takes the stage this spring. The production…
Tickets on sale for Christina Anderson’s “The Ripple, The Wave That Carried me home” performance BRIANNA BUCKLEY, CHRISTIANA CLARK, RONALD L. CONNER AND ANEISA J. HICKS CAST IN CHRISTINA ANDERSON’S THE RIPPLE, THE WAVE THAT CARRIED ME HOME, JANUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 12, 2023, IN THE OWEN THEATRE. TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18…