For Kathy Talan, a second-grade teacher at Albany Park’s Volta Elementary School, watching her students write and perform an opera was an experience in her career that will be hard to top. For 16 weeks, her students — a diverse group including non-English speakers, dual-language students, students with special needs, and academically gifted students — […]
After 37 years of marriage, four kids and a mortgage, longtime Evanston actors Jill Shellabarger and Roger Mueller still feel the heat. “We are each other’s biggest fans,” says Shellabarger. “We respect each other’s artistry; we don’t talk shop a lot, but we can go to each other when we are wrestling with a part.” […]
Winter is rough, especially for parents looking to keep cooped-up kids entertained. Don’t let freezing temps keep you at home, though. Instead, catch one of these children’s shows coming to Chicago. “Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic” Jan. 20-24, Allstate Arena Jan. 27 to Feb. 7, United Center More than 50 of your […]
Expect lots and lots of Shakespeare on Chicago stages in 2016, with a yearlong festival celebrating the Bard’s works. Meanwhile, the Marriott is trying something a bit more daring than usual, and the Goodman is creating a five-hour epic about evil. Shakespeare 400 Chicago Throughout 2016 Chicago Shakespeare Theater is spearheading this big festival honoring […]
Listening to opera is not for everyone, this much is true. But far too many people exempt themselves from the glitz and glamour of a live opera performance because they’re afraid they won’t like it — or worse, won’t understand it and risk looking like a hayseed. Use this helpful guide to find out which […]
As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the Wilmette Theatre relies on donations and support from the community and local businesses to continue its mission of providing quality, educational and entertaining programs to the community. This year, we owe special thanks for major contributions from the Jerome Mirza Foundation, Make It Better Magazine, and North Shore Community […]
Not every great love story is conventional. Take, for instance, the story of Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, who met and fell in love in the 1930s in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. They shared a passion for art and architecture — and each other, as it turns out. “Ten Dollar House,” the moving story of the […]
The definition of daunting: the chance to sit down with one of your favorite living authors. I was lucky enough to have that opportunity recently when award-winning author Ann Patchett was in town for the Dec. 7 world premiere of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Bel Canto,” an original opera based on her luminous 2001 book. It […]
Eighteen years after opening on Broadway, “The Lion King” is still roaring through theaters around the world. Broadway’s highest grossing musical, it’s been translated into eight different languages and seen by more than 80 million people. Leading the current national tour is Chicago native Aaron Nelson, who plays Simba. Nelson shared his thoughts about acting, […]
The Second City theater company (yeah, the one that spawned stars like Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Steve Carell and countless other amazing comedy stars) has opened its 104th revue. “Fool Me Twice, Déjà Vu” is exactly what you’d expect from this comedy giant: uproarious. There’s one big twist though — this show is über-feminist, […]
