State commits to renewing signature health coverage program; asks for historic waiver

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Every once in a while, whether an average theatergoer or devoted patron, you are fortunate enough to discover something truly remarkable upon the stage. When all of the key elements -- script, acting, direction and design -- magically coalesce into an evening in the theater which stuns you with its immense power and delves deep within your heart and opens your mind with its staggering brilliance, well, then you know that you have witnessed something miraculous. One such production is "Kill Move Paradise" in its Chicago premiere at TimeLine Theatre Company. This is easily the most insightful, stimulating and essential play presented in Chicago thus far in 2020.  4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS

***RECOMMENDED*** Invictus Theatre Company, the fledgling theatrical company that aims to promote a better understanding of language, has chosen to produce Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" for the second production of their first full season. Thanks to some articulate direction and very strong performances, Hansberry's classic -- presented here in its entirety, unlike the original 1959 Broadway debut that excised one character and deleted another scene entirely -- reminds us just how greatly talented of a writer Hansberry truly was and proves that we really haven't progressed very far in the more than 60 years since it was written. 3 AND 1/2 SPOTLIGHTS

The Shops at North Bridge announced that luxury travel goods and accessories brand MCM (Modern Creation München) has opened its first Chicago retail location at the shopping center. The Chicago location will mark the brand’s 21st location in the United States.

The Chesterton Art Center will be hosting a membership drive during the month of March titled, "March Membership Madness". It will include an open house on Saturday, March 14 from 10-2. Prospective members, current members and curious guests will be invited to tour the building, partake in some treats, win a few prizes, meet the current teachers, shop for art/gifts, learn more about the organization, and sign up for membership.

Leona Jurincie will be teaching a 6-week Prismacolor Pencil class starting Saturday, March 21 from 9-12 at the Chesterton Art Center.

Leona Jurincie will be teaching a 6-week Oil Painting class starting Saturday, March 21 from 1-4 at the Chesterton Art Center

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" is not the esteemed Russian composer's most popular opera. That distinction probably belongs to "Eugene Onegin" which had its premiere eleven years earlier. It is, however, a much more complex and challenging work which has not been presented by Lyric Opera of Chicago in twenty years. That initial performance, in 2000, was the first chance that local opera lovers got a chance to experience Tchaikovsky's late-career masterwork on Lyric's stage and also coincided with the inaugural season of Sir Andrew Davis as its music director. Fittingly, as Davis approaches the end of that tenure -- he will step down as music director at the conclusion of the 2020/2021 season -- he is once again on the podium to lead a brilliant and haunting new-to-Chicago production of "The Queen of Spades." 4 SPOTLIGHTS

*** Recommended ***  Decisions, decisions, decisions!  Why do people make decisions?  They make them for lots of reasons, both personally and professionally.    They probably have the best intentions, they might think about possible outcomes, but they’re positive everything will come out the way they expected.  The elephant in the room – all those unforeseen consequences.  A decision and its ultimately devastating consequences proves to be the crux of the story in “Roan @ the Gates”, American Blues Theater’s intense new production.   3 ½ Spotlights

Club reveals its 2020 promotional calendar, theme nights and giveaway items