Barbara Vitello
-
Fractured family: Steppenwolf’s ‘The Book of Grace’ an apt metaphor for a fractured nationApr 09, 2025 6:57 pm - Steppenwolf Theatre’s superbly acted, of-the-moment “The Book of Grace,” by Suzan-Lori Parks, depicts a fractured family, which serves as a metaphor for a fractured nation grappling with xenophobia, immigration and separation.
-
Best Bets: Classical, contemporary music and dance fill local stagesApr 08, 2025 12:36 pm - The New Philharmonic performs Tchaikovsky at Glen Ellyn’s MAC, the United States Army’s Jazz Ambassadors perform a free concert at the Raue and the contemporary New York City ensemble Parsons Dance takes over Chicago’s Auditorium.
-
‘The Outsiders,’ Alicia Keys bio-tuner ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ slated for upcoming Broadway in Chicago seasonApr 07, 2025 4:20 pm - Broadway in Chicago announced its 2025/2026 season Monday. It includes “The Outsiders,” the Alicia Keys bio-musical “Hell’s Kitchen” and the Tony Award-winning play-with-music, “Stereophonic.”
-
Spotlight: Northlight, Theater Wit team up for ‘Prayer for the French Republic’Apr 07, 2025 12:56 pm - Five generations of a French-Jewish family confront tides of antisemitism in Northlight Theatre and Theater Wit’s production of “Prayer for the French Republic,” Improv Playhouse stages its annual production of the “Last Supper Chronicles,” and Steel Beam Theatre premieres a new family drama.
-
Gleefully campy ‘Titanique’ sails into ChicagoApr 04, 2025 10:34 am - “Titanique,” the snarky, sexual innuendo-filled parody of the 1997 blockbuster “Titanic,” isn’t for everyone, but if you appreciate great singers, power ballads, Celine Dion and camp, this is the tuner for you.
-
Raw rock: CST’s ‘Sunny Afternoon’ affirms Ray Davies’ genius, Kinks’ enduring influenceApr 02, 2025 4:24 pm - The folks at Chicago Shakespeare Theater are nothing if not considerate. On opening night of “Sunny Afternoon,” the jukebox musical about 1960s Brit-rockers The Kinks, they thoughtfully provided ear plugs. Fortunately, this zestfully performed, zealously embraced show about the early days of the seminal British Invasion band is neither ear-shattering nor earthshaking. It is, however, hugely entertaining.
-
Challenger defeats 12-year incumbent in Palatine trustee raceApr 01, 2025 10:46 pm - Incumbent trustees in Northwest suburban Cook County prevailed in races to retain their seats with one exception. Challenger Greg Langer defeated incumbent Tim Millar in the race to represent Palatine’s first district.
-
Fox Valley school board incumbents appear headed to victory, early returns showApr 01, 2025 9:46 pm - Early, unofficial election results show incumbents prevailing in many Fox Valley school board races.
-
Best Bets: Violinist Samuel Vargas joins Elgin Symphony Orchestra for Tchaikovsky concertoApr 01, 2025 2:00 pm - Acclaimed violinist Samuel Vargas joins the Elgin Symphony Orchestra to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Giordano Dance Chicago salutes its artistic director, and the CSO collaborates with the Joffrey Ballet.
-
Spotlight: ‘Da Vinci Code’ thriller at Drury Lane, ‘Titanic’ tuner at MarriottMar 31, 2025 2:08 pm - Drury Lane Theatre stages a theatrical adaptation of Dan Brown’s bestselling “The Da Vinci Code,” Marriott Theatre revives the rarely produced musical “Titanic,” and Victory Gardens co-produces the Chicago premiere of David Mamet’s latest, “Henry Johnson.”