You will never hear the blues performed better than in Northlight Theatre’s world premiere of “Low Down Dirty Blues.” We’re not talking about “Stormy Weather” or “The Man That Got Away.” Nope! “Low Down Dirty Blues” makes those mainstream songs sound like nursery rhymes. Mississippi Charles Bevel, Felicia P. Fields, Gregory Porter and Sandra Reaves-Phillips […]
The cast of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” tear up the stage in a new production of this drama at Glencoe’s Writers’ Theatre. The performance, directed by David Cromer, is packed with raw emotion and sexual energy, but at the same time is tender, painful and even beautiful. From the minute Natasha Lowe appears […]
The Goodman Theatre’s production of “The Good Negro” rarely cackles on its own but it soars on the strength of its actors. Set in Birmingham, Alabama in 1962 in the early days of the American civil rights movement, Tracy Scott Wilson’s play is a thinly disguised drama about the challenges and successes achieved by Dr. […]
Theater fans will love the opera “Three Decembers” with Jake Hegge’s beautiful music, its straightforward story, and a strong, touching performance by American mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. This intimate, three-person opera is the story of a self-centered theater star and her two needy children in a drama that unfolds with charm, conviction and humor, without […]
“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a very silly show providing wacky merriment to Marriott Theatre audiences in Lincolnshire. This over-the-top send-up of Broadway musicals, old and new, however, is so wild that gales of laughter are the only response. Set in 1928, during Prohibition but before the Depression, the musical revolves around a Broadway star played […]
A mother and three daughters face broken family bonds, first gingerly and then fiercely in “Independence,” a domestic drama by Lee Blessing at Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre Company. Strong performances make this witches’ brew of a dysfunctional family a memorable evening in an intimate theatre setting. Set in the spring of 1983 and Evelyn Briggs, […]
Some moms cringe at the thought of allowing their teens to attend a concert with friends, but when Denise Ashurst‘s daughter asked to go see Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber live at the Rosemont Theatre, the Winnetka mom had no qualms at all. “I knew she would be fine, since she’s probably been to at […]
The Joffrey Ballet’s spring program “Eclectica,” delights the eye like a bouquet of fresh flowers. The unifying theme is lyricism, with each number capitalizing on the strength and grace of Joffrey dancers. The evening opens with “Reflections”, a timeless and sparkling piece by the late Gerald Arpino, who co-founded the company with Robert Joffrey in […]
Did you know you can help Haiti just by listening to some brand new tunes? Valslist, the Winnetka-based website that helps busy adults keep in touch with the latest music trends, has created two downloadable playlists full of fresh songs and all the proceeds go to the Haiti relief efforts. Here are the playlists, which […]
Q2, the terrific little bar next to Quince Restaurant, is ringing in the warm weather with a fresh new jazz series. Top Chicago-area jazz artists will perform on the first and third Thursday of the month in the intimate venue. Amazingly, there is no cover charge. Emmy-winning composer and musician Steve Rashid is curating […]
