Barbara Vitello
-
Spotlight: Strindberg revivals at Steppenwolf and Court, plus ‘The Outsiders’ comes to ChicagoFeb 03, 2026 2:41 pm - Steppenwolf and Court theaters revive August Strindberg classics while Rivendell and Story theaters premiere new works and the Tony Award-winning musical “The Outsiders” makes its Chicago premiere, this week in local theater.
-
Lake Park High School dance team earns back-to-back state championshipsFeb 02, 2026 6:34 pm - For the second time, Lake Park High School’s dance team The Lancettes earned back-to-back titles in the IHSA state dance competition.
-
Paramount announces new Copley Comedy SeriesFeb 02, 2026 4:06 pm - Paramount Theatre on Monday announced its new Copley Comedy Series running select Saturdays Feb. 28 through May 2 at the 165-seat Copley Theatre.
-
Best Bets: ESO in concert, Long Grove Cocoa Crawl and Chicago Botanic’s orchid showFeb 02, 2026 1:40 pm - This weekend, listen to the sounds of Barber and Brahms courtesy of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Plus, warm up with hot chocolate during the Long Grove Cocoa Crawl and view beautiful flowers during the Chicago Botanic Garden’s “The Orchid Show: Feelin’ Groovy” in Glencoe.
-
Comedy, compassion and a little terror animate Marriott Theatre’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’Jan 30, 2026 12:22 pm - Fine performances, excellent design and remarkable original puppets elevate Marriott Theatre’s winning revival of the comically macabre musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
-
The making of a smash: Unshakable belief helped propel record-breaking ‘Stereophonic’Jan 28, 2026 4:26 pm - “Stereophonic” director Daniel Aukin reminisces about the unshakable belief he and his fellow theater artists had in David Adjmi’s play-with-music over the nine years it took to bring it to the stage, where it broke the record for most Tony Award nominations for a play.
-
Spotlight: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ opens at Paramount while Drury Lane stages ‘On Your Feet!’Jan 28, 2026 8:24 am - Paramount stages the regional premiere of “Dear Evan Hansen” while Drury Lane produces the regional premiere of the bio-tuner “On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.” Plus, Goodman and Remy Bumppo theaters stage revivals of classic works, this week in Chicago-area theater.
-
Best bets: Morton Arboretum’s Chocolate Weekend, Renee Fleming at Lyric, Kevin Nealon at The DenJan 27, 2026 10:32 am - Morton Arboretum welcomes chocolate lovers, divas Patti LuPone and Renee Fleming headline two Chicago venues, and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Kevin Nealon brings the laughs to The Den Theatre.
-
A game to remember: Chicago Bears fans recall a super day in New Orleans 40 years agoJan 24, 2026 12:00 pm - Forty years ago Monday, the Monsters of the Midway became the kings of the NFL with a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. Fans who made the trip to watch the game in New Orleans share their memories of the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
-
Super Bowl night all work, no play for pizza placesJan 24, 2026 11:30 am - Forty years ago, then teenager Lenny Rago spent Super Bowl Sunday delivering pizzas in the northwest suburbs. Meanwhile, the man who became his father-in-law made a whirlwind trip to New Orleans to watch the Chicago Bears defeat the New England Patriots.