Afleveringen
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An update of a few events we enjoyed recently and a look to whatâs happening soon including an excerpt of Rikki Lee Travoltaâs interview with Evan Jackson, artistic director of âWhat the Weird Sisters Sawâ a retelling of Macbeth from the Witches' point of view performed by Idle Muse at the Edge Theater. Also a few shoutouts to some northside Chicago restaurants.
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Jersey Boys currently on stage in Chicago features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like âSherryâ and âWalk Like A Man.â
Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar.
Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024. For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this podcast episode Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronni Marmo appearing in âIâm Not a ComedianâŠ.Iâm Lenny Bruceâ under the direction of multi-award-winner Joe Mantegna at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. This production tells the story of the life and early passing of one of the most legendary comedians of all time. Rikki Lee talks with Marmo about the development of the work and his association with Joe Mantegna who agreed to direct the show.
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âAidaâ by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade.
[*Note there is some confusion in the names in the podcast. This is the correction.]This is a podcast review by Reno Lovison Executive Producer at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com and theater reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.
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Shortly after the end of the Civil War two former slaves ruminate on their experiences living and working within Monticello, the estate of former President Thomas Jefferson.
The Reclamation of Madison Hemings by Charles Smith featuring Jon Hudson Odom and Manny Buckley is at the American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago through March 24,2024.
Listen to the review by Reno Lovison and find out about places to dine nearby. -
This podcast episode is a discussion with the creators of Flyover Chicago, part thrill ride and part immersive three-dimensional multi-sensory video experience that utilizes cutting edge drone technology featuring impressive aerial views, allowing visitors to see Chicago in a whole new way. The amusement park style attraction is located in the former IMAX theater at Navy Pier.
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For the Love of Dance - An onerous choreographer cajoles a select group of hopeful chorus applicants into revealing some of their deepest secrets. This Madkap Production directed by Wayne Mell is on pointe, tapping into the essence of a story of love and dedication to the art of dance. In the song âWhat I Did For Love,â (music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban) Diana says of the grueling work and unmet promises âWe did what we had to do - - Won't forget, can't regret -- What I did for love.â In this context itâs the love of the craft, the love of dance. Listen to the full review.
CAST: Erin Renee Baumrucker, Elizabeth Bushell, Sean Caron, Luis Del Valle, Emma Drazkowski, Trevor Hendrix, Ben Isabel, Lili Javorka, Khnemu Menu-Ra, Tyler Meyer, Marcela Ossa, Madelynn Oztas, Chandler Paskett, Ben Paynic, Madison Jaffe-Richter, Rae Robeson, Sarah Sapperstein, Jason Sekili, Maddy Shilts, and Whitney Wolf. Directed by Wayne Mell, Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey, Choreography by Susan Pritzker. -
My initial reaction is to characterize Pippin as The Fantastiks meets Godspell, Explaining the plot is about as easy as trying to recall and interpret the details a dream. What happened is not exactly clear. This production is a feast for the senses that makes use of the entire spectrum of theater craft. Music Theater Works is known for musical excellence and they do not disappoint us in this production.
Pippin was co-written and originally directed and choreographed by Chicago native Bob Fosse in 1972 who was at the very epicenter of his highly successful and frenetic career and possibly the pinnacle of his drug addiction that at least partly explains this bizarre tale of young Pippinâs quest for meaning in his
life. His fingerprints (or dare I say footprints) are all over this psychedelic fever dream
Listen to my entire review and editorial comments. -
A light romp with a dark twist followed by a hasty, muddled ending wrapped up in a cloud of very good music all of which is performed by a remarkable cast of actor musicians. There's a lot of good stuff in Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago but also a few things that disturbed me. Listen to my review to learn more.
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For a professional theater experience in Chicago this month you canât do much better than the Lyric opera production of West Side Story. This Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim musical deemed cutting edge and somewhat avantgarde when first introduced is now a classic.
The story by Arthur Laurents is a rather faithful mid-century modern adaptation of Shakespeareâs Romeo & Juliet. Rival teenage street gangs, the Sharks and Jets, battle in New York City streets to maintain what they feel is control of this small piece of Manhattan. Caught in the crossfire of this conflict are Tony (Ryan McCatan) and Maria (Kanisha Feliciano) two tragic lovers from opposite ends of the divide.
Podcast theater review with commentary by Reno Lovison. -
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In this podcast we are going to do a quick overview of some of some ways you can experience the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures represented in Chicago all year long. Included are insights into the various Asian communities and neighborhoods as well as recommendations about things to do and places to eat.
*Correction: Traditional Korean neighborhood is Bryn Mawr between Kedzie and Kimball. Merla's Kitchen is on Kimball and Foster. -
ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com encourages you to investigate the lives and works of some notable Chicago women as well as a specific few who have made a significant impact on Chicago's literary history. Their works continue to inspire us today, and we celebrate them and all women during National Reading Month and National Womenâs History Month.
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We were on hand Friday, January 27th, 2023 at Lighthouse ArtSpace for the sneak peek kickoff of their newest experiential exhibit - - Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius. Before the doors opened to the general public and V.I.P guests I had an opportunity to record an exclusive interview with Maestro Constantine Orbelian, four-time Grammy Nominated, Principal Conductor of the New York City Opera.
Listen to learn more about this interesting exhibit and its interesting Musical Director. Recorded LIVE in Chicago at the Kick-Off Party on Mozart's 267th Birthday. -
Man shot at Broadway and Foster. Too often these days , individuals resort to firearms to settle disputes. Certainly no one wants to be assaulted physically under any circumstances but people seems to turn to the use of deadly force quickly and easily and with little thought or care for the sanctity of life.
Reports of deadly violence permeates our nightly news. Sadly even now itâs found its way into our own news platform which has been dedicated primarily to lifestyle reporting. But sometimes news finds you and we canât turn a blind eye as violence and the threat of violence creeps closer and closer to home.
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A walking architectural tour of the Chicago Old Town / Gold Coast Chicago area conducted by Reno Lovison can be used as a guide or simply enjoyed by anyone somewhat familiar with the area or looking to become more familiar. Included is the House of Glunz, Architectural Artifacts store, Pallette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Ambassador Hotel, several schools, homes and more.
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âFalling for Make Believeâ purports to be âThe Real Story Behind the Music of Rodgers and Hart,â but might more accurately be called the real story behind the suffering of Lorenz Hart. Listen to the entire review. âFalling for Make Believeâ is at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Downtown Skokie through Oct 16, 2022. Running time is about 2 hours including a short intermission. Tickets can be purchased online at SkokieTheatre.org or by calling 847-677-7761.
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The popular musical composed by Jerry Herman based on Thornton Wilderâs hit play âThe Matchmakerâ is a perfect wedding of story and music.
No doubt the original 1964 production was inspired by the feminist movement of its time, reminding women of the limitations their grandmothers endured. âHello Dollyâ is a gentle and entertaining look back at how far we have come and perhaps a cautionary glimpse at where we might return.
âHello Dollyâ is at the Marriott Theatre, in the Chicago suburb of Lincolnshire, IL through October 16, 2022. Running time is two and a half hours with one 15 minute intermission. For tickets and information visit marriotttheatre.com or phone: (847) 634-0200.
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I had a little tongue in cheek melodramatic fun with this review/announcement of the world premiere hybrid radio drama, Orson Wellesâ Dracula onstage at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago through September 25, 2022. Ticket information is available at glassappletheatre.com
The The Glass Apple Theatre cast includes: Andrew Bosworth as Dracula . . . with Connor Brennan, Chris Jensen, Madeline Logan, Sam Martin, Katie OâNeill and Howard Raik.
Note: Music and sound effects are the fabrication of podcast host and editor Reno Lovison and not that of the theater producers who likely have a much higher artistic standard. - Laat meer zien