If there’s any locally beloved beacon to signal summer’s official arrival in Chicago, Ravinia would be it. Credit the open-air encouragement of wine and cheese, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”-esque environs, or the fact that it’s the longest running outdoor music festival in the country — these suburban concert grounds give music fests nationwide a run for […]
When David Catlin was creating Lookingglass Theatre’s stage version of “Moby Dick,” a sentence in the first chapter of Herman Melville’s novel jumped out at him. The narrator (that fellow who introduces himself by saying, “Call me Ishmael”) remarks: “I cannot tell why it was exactly that those stage managers, the Fates, put me down […]
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the headliner for the Winnetka Music Festival on June 23 and 24 is being announced. Drumroll, please … it’s Wild Belle! The sibling duo Natalie and Elliot Bergman are native Chicagoans and have garnered major press for their protest-inspired music. You might not have heard of them, but […]
Winnetka is getting ready to host its first-ever music festival on June 23 and 24. Make It Better is thrilled to be the media sponsor of this groundbreaking event, which will be jam-packed with a lineup of rising stars in the music industry (and one very special main event). In addition to hand-picked artists, the […]
In 2013, Lisa O’Hare originated the role of Sibella Hallward in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” on Broadway. Now, she’s returning to a character from her past: Eliza Doolittle. O’Hare will play the role in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “My Fair Lady,” which opens April 28. This will be the fifth production in Lyric’s […]
The Chicago theater scene has serious star power in May and June — with Stacy Keach embodying Ernest Hemingway in one drama, while Mike Nussbaum portrays Albert Einstein in another play. “Relativity” May 11 to June 18 The 93-year-old Mike Nussbaum is a marvel to behold, commanding stages with his nuanced performances. After playing Sigmund Freud […]
As spring blooms, local stages are bursting with brand-new works of theater. March and April will be strong months for regional and world premieres. “Linda Vista” March 30 to May 21 Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright Tracy Letts is back at his home theater with another world premiere. His previous play, “Mary Page Marlowe,” was the […]
Shemekia Copeland has dazzled crowds around the world with her soulful voice and raw stage talent, along with her unique blend of soul, country and blues music. The Grammy-nominated singer hails from New York City, though she’s called the Windy City her home for the past 12 years. We caught up with Shemekia as she […]
As the new year begins, the highlights on local stages include the Marriott debut of a mega-popular musical, yet another new version of “Uncle Vanya” and world premieres of dramas at Northlight and Chicago Shakespeare. “Faceless” Jan. 26 to March 5 This venerable Skokie theater company is putting its spotlight on a young local playwright, […]
In the midst of chaos, how do you find peace? This question seems to be written for this particular time — in the aftermath of our election, during an frenetic holiday season. But actually, international opera star Joyce DiDonato penned it immediately following the Paris bombings, more than a year ago. This question also inspired […]
