Entertainment Columns
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Suburban musical theater artists integral to Chicago premiere of 'Gay Card'Aug 24, 2023 6:00 am - Actress Sophie Murk credits her arts-loving parents for her profession. The Elgin native grew up attending theater with her parents. Her first experience was a Chicago p...
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A victory for physical-media collectors: 'Loki,' 'Mandalorian' are coming to Blu-rayAug 24, 2023 6:00 am - Being a fan of Disney's film and television output has more ups and downs than Space Mountain. Earlier this year, a bunch of The Mouse's programs were removed from Disne...
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Broadway, TV star Mandy Patinkin headlines McAninch Arts Center this fallAug 23, 2023 12:00 pm - Tony and Emmy Award-winner Mandy Patinkin ("Evita," "Chicago Hope") is coming to the suburbs. The "Homeland" and "Sunday in the Park with George" star performs his solo...
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On stage: 'Little Shop of Horrors' takes over Paramount stage while Drury Lane celebrates Johnny CashAug 23, 2023 6:00 am - BET salutes soul music Black Ensemble Theater pays tribute to soul music and such seminal artists as Al Green, Gladys Knight, Barry White, and Ashford and Simpson, among...
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'Cast Call: How Chicago's local music scene got me hooked on podcastsAug 21, 2023 5:30 am - When people ask me about whether my husband and I have a “meet cute,” they get one of two stories, and the one they hear depends on whether or not they're in journalism....
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Respect for the material animates Jeff Award-winner Nathaniel Stampley's approach to Marriott's 'Gypsy'Aug 19, 2023 6:00 am - Early on, Nathaniel Stampley knew music would be part of his life. The son of a pastor father and a musician mother, who sang and played the organ at the couple's churc...
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Canine comedy 'Strays' both puerile and tastelessAug 17, 2023 6:00 am - “Strays” - ★ ½ Hey, I'm up for a hilarious assault against good taste any time. Give me the films of John Waters, the Farrelly brothers, even Peter Jackson (who directe...
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Welcome home: Broadway vet returns to the 'burbs to star in Marriott's 'Gypsy'Aug 16, 2023 11:00 pm - As a youngster, Lucia Spina recalled her father advising her and her brother to choose careers carefully. The Broadway veteran's dad told them to choose something they ...
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Fan Expo notebook: Lloyd's love of bulldozers, 'Tulsa King' star's Dr. Seuss scouting missionAug 15, 2023 11:00 pm - The celebrity guests at last weekend's Fan Expo Chicago convention in Rosemont couldn't talk about the films and shows that made them famous because of the ongoing actor...
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Spotlight: Broadway vets take Marriott stage for 'Gypsy' revivalAug 15, 2023 6:00 am - Broadway vets return Broadway veterans Lucia Spina, a North Central College graduate, and Nathaniel Stampley, a Joseph Jefferson Award winner, return for Marriott Theatr...