Barbara Vitello
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Best Bets: Halloween events, Frank Caliendo at Paramount, Ailey II at The MACOct 22, 2025 8:10 am - It’s a jam-packed weekend, with Howlin’ at the Moon in Naperville, master impressionist and comedian Frank Caliendo at the Paramount, Sons of the Never Wrong in Evanston and Ailey II at The Mac.
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Shakespeare in the ’burbs: ‘Merchant of Venice’ at Janus Theatre, ‘As You Like It’ at WritersOct 21, 2025 2:37 pm - Janus Theatre concludes its long tenure at the Elgin Art Showcase with a 90-minute adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” and Writers Theatre stages “As You Like It.”
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Stage frights: Halloween shows dominate Chicago-area stagesOct 17, 2025 9:35 am - This Halloween, suburban and Chicago theaters are serving up thrills, chills and chuckles, including tales of mad scientists, drunken vampires, terrorized wives, imperiled puppets and plucky farm animals.
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Talkin’ ’bout ‘Revolution(s)’: Goodman’s galvanizing funk metal tuner ideal for these timesOct 15, 2025 5:05 pm - Goodman Theatre’s assertive, galvanizing “Revolution(s)” by Tom Morello and Zayd Ayers Dohrn is a funk-metal, hip-hop tuner ideal for our time.
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Best Bets: Paul Reiser at The MAC and Chicago Sinfonietta opens seasonOct 15, 2025 10:28 am - Actor/comedian Paul Reiser headlines The MAC, the Chicago Sinfonietta showcases Indian music at Naperville and Chicago concerts, and Chicago’s MCA hosts a career perspective of artist/activist/musician Yoko Ono.
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Spotlight: Metropolis extends ‘Grease,’ Music Theater Works revives ‘Godspell’Oct 14, 2025 5:00 pm - Metropolis Performing Arts Centre extends its hit revival of “Grease,” Music Theater Works stages the1970 tuner “Godspell,” and Theatre Y hosts a free site-specific theater piece in Chicago.
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Former suspect in Rolling Meadows murder sues over ‘unlawful prosecution and incarceration’Oct 13, 2025 7:34 pm - A Chicago man who supporters say was wrongfully convicted of a fatal 2006 shooting in Rolling Meadows is suing three Northwest suburbs and 11 police officers over allegations they violated his constitutional rights.
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Oil Lamp’s ‘Gaslight’ delivers more melodrama than thrillsOct 08, 2025 10:34 am - Oil Lamp Theater’s revival of “Gaslight (Angel Street)” — Patrick Hamilton’s combination melodrama and suspense tale — has a nicely claustrophobic feel, but requires higher stakes and more tension if it wants to deliver real thrills.
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Spotlight: Dive into Marriott Theatre’s ‘Finding Nemo’Oct 07, 2025 5:27 pm - Openings this week include “Finding Nemo” for young audiences at Marriott Theatre, several world premieres, spooky shows suitable for Halloween and more.
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‘Our goal is goodbye’: Suburban shelters seek forever homes amid surge in surrendered petsOct 06, 2025 5:18 pm - Increasing in the suburbs and across the country, financially strapped pet owners are surrendering beloved dogs, cats and other animals they can no longer afford.