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Black History Month show in Schaumburg to address bullying Feb 3, 2014 12:00 AM
As it has annually since 1999, Schaumburg-based Powerhouse Productions will present an original play this month demonstrating the relevance of Black History Month, particularly for young people. This year’s presentation, “The Detention Club,” tackles the universal issue of bullying by relating it to inspirational chapters from American history, fourth-time writer-director Maurice Proffit said.
Weekend picks: Monster Jam crushes the Allstate Feb 3, 2014 12:00 AM
Monster Jam roars into the Allstate Arena this weekend, leaving crushed cars and mayhem in its wake. If you prefer vehicles that are more ... er, put together, check out the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Rosemont. Indie rockers The Damn Choir play Chicago's Hideout Friday night. And comedian David Alan Grier headlines Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase this weekend.
Sunday picks: Woodstock celebrates 'Groundhog Day'Feb 2, 2014 12:00 AM
Laugh along with Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day," which will be screened Saturday and Sunday at the Woodstock Theatre. The Beatles tribute band The Cavern Beat headlines at the Vernon Area Public Library District in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' first performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February of 1964. Meet with fellow fans of uniforms, weaponry and more at the Military History Fest Reenacting and Trade Faire ending today at Pheasant Run Resort's Mega Center.
Weekend picks: Professional bullriders buck into townFeb 1, 2014 12:00 AM
Sears Centre Arena plays home to the Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour. Laugh along with Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day," which will be screened Saturday and Sunday at the Woodstock Theatre. Dave Attell, host of Comedy Central's "Insomniac," brings his stand-up comedy to Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase for a weekend of gigs. And Local Natives make an appearance at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel.
Too young for Super Bowl? Mars calls it an honor Feb 1, 2014 12:00 AM
Bruno Mars says he feels honored the NFL is letting him perform at the Super Bowl halftime show even though he’s still a budding artist. The “NFL is such a prestigious stage ... and I’m so grateful for that,” Mars said at a press conference Thursday.
'A turning point:' Events mark Beatles' anniversary Jan 31, 2014 12:00 AM
Louise Harrison is among the lucky few who can say she was there when her “kid brother's band” (better known as the Beatles) made its smashing debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. And next week, when fans mark the 50th anniversary of that iconic moment, she'll be in the suburbs to make sure they can get a glimpse of what it was like. “The excitement was tangible, really,” recalled the sister of late guitarist George Harrison. “You could almost touch it.”
More at stake than custody in engrossing ‘Luna Gale’ Jan 31, 2014 12:00 AM
Between a rock and a hard place. That is where playwright Rebecca Gilman’s veteran social worker Caroline finds herself in Gilman’s exceptional, engrossing new play “Luna Gale,” in a perfectly-cast, superbly acted world premiere at Goodman Theatre.
Northlight’s rollicking ‘Tom Jones’ offers many delights Jan 31, 2014 12:00 AM
Watching Northlight Theatre’s Chicago-area premiere of “Tom Jones” opening weekend, I found it hard to tell who was having a better time: the audience or the actors. The laughter from the house suggested William Brown’s sexy, high-spirited romp might have been the remedy audience members needed to cure the midwinter blues. As for the actors who make up Brown’s first-rate ensemble, they appear to be having the time of their professional lives.
Sister act stirs laughs for Fox Valley Rep's 'Nunsense' Jan 30, 2014 12:00 AM
Dan Goggin's hit 1985 musical comedy “Nunsense” has rarely seen much love from theater critics. Many of the Catholic puns are groaners, and there's little-to-no dramatic tension in the haphazardly structured show. Yet “Nunsense” consistently proves to be crowd-pleasing catnip for audiences. Two phrases I consistently overheard during intermission at Fox Valley Repertory's current production of “Nunsense” in St. Charles were along the lines of: “The nuns I grew up with weren't like this!” or “I wish the nuns who taught us could have been like this!”
Kevin Costner among recently announced Arcada shows Jan 30, 2014 12:00 AM
Kevin Costner, Vince Neil and others will be heading to the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles in the next few months. Tickets are now on sale for a number of new shows.
Drury Lane's 'Frankenstein' packed full of life, funJan 29, 2014 12:00 AM
Drury Lane Theatre stitches together a talented cast of deliciously demented characters for the Mel Brooks musical "Young Frankenstein." You might not walk away singing the show's songs, but you'll likely leave smiling thanks to a cast that gleefully embraces Brooks' deliciously demented characters — humps and all.
Music notes: Cheap Trick rocks the Arcada Jan 29, 2014 12:00 AM
California indie-rock band Local Natives will bring its folk-tinged pop sound to Wheaton this weekend, and next week the power-pop legends from Rockford, Cheap Trick, will play in St. Charles.
Weekend picks: Dave Attell plays the Improv Jan 28, 2014 12:00 AM
Dave Attell, host of Comedy Central's "Insomniac," brings his stand-up comedy to Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase for a weekend of gigs. Sears Centre Arena plays home to the Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour. And Local Natives make an appearance at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel.
Best bets: Bullriders test their mettle at Sears Centre Jan 28, 2014 12:00 AM
See daring men and women brave bucking bulls at the Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour Finale VIII, which also features country star Tracy Lawrence, this weekend at Hoffman Estates' Sears Centre. Bundle up for ice-sculpting displays, snowman contests, ice skating and more at an Inaugural Winter Carnival Friday in Hawthorn Woods. Help out in the creation of “Broadway's Next H!T Musical” with this interactive and improvised musical comedy show Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre.
Sunday picks: Can you beat the Frozen Zucchini 5K?Jan 26, 2014 12:00 AM
Get moving with The Smart Farm of Barrington's annual Frozen Zucchini 5K Snowshoe Adventure. John Heffron plays Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase for a weekend of gigs. ANd the nine-voice male ensemble Cantus perform works from the Renaissance to the 21st century in a concert at the CLC's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake.
Weekend picks: Comedian Erik Griffin takes stage at ZaniesJan 25, 2014 12:00 AM
Erik Griffin (Comedy Central's "Workaholics") brings his stand-up to Zanies in Rosemont for two shows Saturday. John Heffron plays Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase for a weekend of gigs. And Lake Villa's Ribfest will be serving up grilled deliciousness Saturday afternoon.
Diverse music highlights Elgin piano concert Jan 25, 2014 12:00 AM
With piano players of all age and skill levels performing a diverse catalog of songs that included Lady Gaga, Beethoven, Woody Guthrie there was something for everyone at the American Grands XIX concerts Saturday in Elgin. Organizers arranged the program by ability, which meant there were some interesting combinations onstage. “You literally might have a 6-year-old sitting next to somebody who’s 76 and for me, that’s one of the joys of the program,” said Colin Holman, the American Grands conductor.
Marriott's 'Cabaret' packs a dramatic punch Jan 23, 2014 12:00 AM
"Cabaret" is a seedy and ultimately sad tale in Marriott Theatre's fine production of the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical set in Berlin during the rise of the Nazi Party.
Tickets for 2015 ‘Marvel Universe LIVE!’ going on sale Monday Jan 23, 2014 12:00 AM
Tickets for the 2015 "Marvel Universe Live!" shows at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont and Chicago's United Center go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27.
Old favorites join Arcada lineup Jan 21, 2014 12:00 AM
The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles has added a number of shows to its 2014 lineup, including longtime musical favorites Three Dog Night and Gordon Lightfoot.