Barbara Vitello
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Newcomer Cody Combs excels in Paramount’s stellar ‘Dear Evan Hansen’Feb 18, 2026 1:54 pm - Paramount Theatre’s superb regional premiere of “Dear Evan Hansen” benefits from a star turn by newcomer Cody Combs and insightful direction from director Jessica Fisch.
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Best Bets: Rosemont’s EXP delivers new virtual reality experienceFeb 17, 2026 5:01 pm - Rosemont’s EXP virtual reality venue debuts its new medieval experience, John Mueller re-creates Buddy Holly’s final concert at the Raue Center for the Arts, and Tony Award winners perform at the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts’ benefit concert in Naperville.
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Cary man gets three-year sentence for crash that killed Glenview police officerFeb 17, 2026 2:41 pm - A 24-year-old Cary man charged in the fatal crash last year that killed decorated Glenview police officer Robert Fryc has been sentenced to three years in prison.
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Spotlight: Metropolis revives backstage farce ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’Feb 17, 2026 9:59 am - Metropolis Performing Arts Centre revives the backstage farce “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Writers Theatre produces “Two Sisters and a Piano,” and Goodman Theatre stages the English adaptation of Junot Díaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.”
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Holy hip-hop: Lombard priest dances his way into parishioners’ heartsFeb 14, 2026 11:45 am - When it comes to dancing, the Rev. Matt Nathan is a bit of a late bloomer. But these days the cleric is cutting rugs and dropping beats, in addition to saving souls, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lombard.
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Man charged with killing daughter-in-law at Schaumburg hotel dies in custodyFeb 12, 2026 2:51 pm - A 76-year-old northern Illinois man who authorities say fatally shot his daughter-in-law last July outside a Schaumburg hotel, died last week at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago.
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A bright spot: ‘Holiday’ lights up the Goodman stageFeb 11, 2026 5:39 pm - Goodman Theatre delivers a sly, contemporary version of “Holiday,” adapted by Richard Greenberg from Philip Barry’s classic 1928 romantic comedy.
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Spotlight: Marriott brings to life ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’Feb 11, 2026 8:37 am - Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences revives “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” while premieres include Definition Theatre’s “Black Cypress Bayou,” Shattered Globe’s “Morning, Noon and Night” and Lifeline’s “Kitty and the Beanstalk.”
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Best Bets: Laugh it up with Second City at The MAC, stand-up at the Raue CenterFeb 10, 2026 11:46 am - Get ready for Valentine’s Day laughs when The Second City tours to the McAninch Arts Center and stand-up comedians perform at the Raue Center. Plus, Hey Nonny hosts a Mardi Gras party and The Joffrey Ballet brings “American Icons” to the Lyric Opera House.
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Bold and brassy: Exuberant ‘On Your Feet!’ stars born to portray Gloria and Emilio EstefanFeb 06, 2026 12:28 pm - Drury Lane Theatre’s entertaining regional premiere of “On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan” stars show veterans Gaby Albo and Samuel Garnica, who seem born to play the superstar couple.