THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO || WRITTEN BY AND STARRING MITCHEL BISSCHOP,
DIRECTED BY STEVE SCOTT, TO PLAY IN CHICAGO FOR A LIMITED RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29th

“Bob, could you review the opening night of “South Pacific” at The Skokie Theatre?

“I’ve seen it 1000 times (I never exaggerate) from NYC to Chicago and you want me to see it again?”

So, on September 6, I went to see the opening of “South Pacific” for the 1001th time, and I am glad that I did. I am, again, reminded why this show is in its 77th year, has received 10 Tonys and is one of only two musicals to receive a “Pulitzer Prize”. 

**** The Paramount Theatre’s production of "The Full Monty" is a rowdy, risqué and totally fun show.  The ensemble is terrific – the men are sexy-ish (you know they’re trying), the ladies are whooping it up!  Kudos to the cast and crew on a great job! My friend Helen and I loved it. 4 Spotlights

Jason Lyle Black to Perform “100 Hits of Stage & Screen” at Highland High School Auditorium on September 22nd || Live On Stage, Inc. and Lakeshore Community Concerts announce internationally-acclaimed pianist as part of their 2024 - 2025 Concert Season

Chicago will continue to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this Fall. Offerings from the city’s more than 250 producing theatres include a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as comedy, dance, festivals, and more.

LIAM CULLAGH AND ‘MY MOMMA TOLD ME’ PODCAST COME TO THE DEN THEATRE IN OCTOBER || Artists Join Previously Announced Shows, Including Chris Redd, Straightiolab Podcast, Ryan Sickler, Fahim Anwar, Nataly Aukar, Annie Lederman, Learnmore Jonasi, Samuel Comroe, Clint Coley, Jarlath Regan and Adam Ray

“Revolution, Love, Freedom: Exploring the sacrifice of love and defiance of tyranny in Beethoven's Fidelio and Paër's Leonora” || Opera of Chicago and Chicago Opera Theater join forces for free panel discussion on pair of timely political operas to be staged this Fall ||
Saturday, September 21st, 1:00 pm || The conductors and directors of both productions–Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola and Chief Artistic Administration Officer Matthew Ozawa, Conductor Dame Jane Glover and COT General Director Lawrence Edelson–discuss the two operas based on the same 18th century libretto, moderated by WFMT’s LaRob K. Rafael, in this partnership between COT and Lyric Unlimited

“Through its commissions, MOR has increasingly underscored the relevance of the past to present-day threats to human rights.” –Seattle Times || Music of Remembrance 2024/25 Season: ART & DEFIANCE

Wild Bulletin: The inside scoop on what's outside September 2024 || September's outdoor fun: fishing, hunting, and hiking

City Lit to perform excerpts from the top 10 challenged books of the year in its annual BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK, in conjunction with Banned Books Week, September 22nd - 28th || The American Library Association reports the number of titles targeted for censorship reached the highest levels ever documented in 2023, with LGBTQIA+ content particularly targeted