‘Brutal prog’ maestro Weasel Walter debuts a Chicago lineup of the Flying Luttenbachers by J.r. Nelson and Leor Galil

Guitarist and drummer Weasel Walter, the “brutal prog” purveyor best known as longtime leader of the Flying Luttenbachers, left Chicago in 2003 for San Francisco and later moved to New Y…

A skateboarding symposium, drag performances, and art talks by Kerry Reid, Micco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julin

Happy days are here again with these upcoming events and things to do in the week ahead! FRI 5/27 This weekend the Martin (2500 W. Chicago) is hosting an exhibition by Tigray Art Collective …

Blair Underwood Wants to Return to Broadway by LIVE with Kelly and Ryan

Blair Underwood talks about wanting to get back onstage on Broadway and his desire to do a musical. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2HFUeAK Website: https://kellyandryan.com/ Facebook: https://…

Who’s left out of the casino? by Tonia Hill and The Triibe

Cabrini-Green’s displaced residents aren’t being included in Chicago’s casino plans. The post Who’s left out of the casino? appeared first on Chicago Reader.

Gaten Matarazzo Is Going to Be in "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway by LIVE with Kelly and Ryan

Gaten Matarazzo announces he'll be joining the cast of "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway in July. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2HFUeAK Website: https://kellyandryan.com/ Facebook: https://www.f…

The Pride Bands Alliance celebrates 40 years with a symphonic-band blowout and two world premieres by J.r. Nelson and Leor Galil

In October 1982, members of seven LGBTQ+ concert and marching bands from across the U.S. met in Chicago and formed the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. Though the LGBA changed its name to t…

Sheila Head by Women and Theatre

Meet actor and writer Sheila Head! We talk about the power of comedy, the importance of persistence in creative work, the need to take care of ourselves and each other, and more…

Sales, sanctuaries, giardiniera, and Mortified by Micco Caporale, Salem Collo-Julin and Kerry Reid

Looking for some things to do? Consider these options! We found some happenings all over the map this time around, including Evanston, Back of the Yards, downtown, Logan Square, South Shore,…

Josh Gad Says the “Central Park” Cast Is the Avengers of Musical Theater by LIVE with Kelly and Ryan

Josh Gad talks about the Broadway talent working on "Central Park." Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2HFUeAK Website: https://kellyandryan.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveKellyandRya…

Broadway Set Designers on Their Appealing Sets by Laura Collins-Hughes and Vincent Tullo

Live theater summons energy no digital performance can match. Set designers for five of this season’s plays explain how they built eye-catching environments that crackle with it.

Against All Odds, Broadway Rose to the Occasion. Mostly. by Jesse Green and Maya Phillips

Decoding the Tony nominations, our critics review a season of bold productions that met audiences often craving the familiar.

Emma Hospelhorn of Ensemble dal Niente releases a scintillating solo debut as Em Spel by J.r. Nelson and Leor Galil

Gossip Wolf always likes to hear about a new solo album from a member of Ensemble dal Niente—the long-running local contemporary-classical corps has built a spotless reputation for adventu…

Kathryn Markey by Women and Theatre

Meet director, actor, and writer Kathryn Markey! We talk about the intersection of ageism and sexism in theatre, the importance of diverse perspectives and diverse pursuits, and more…

Revenge is sweet: the music, TV and theatre about getting your own back by Jason Okundaye, Jessica Kiang, Miriam Gillinson, Hugh Morris and Sam Jordison

From Shakespeare’s dithering Dane to Desperate Housewives’ steely-eyed Bree, our critics serve up the coldest revenge dishes In Desperate Housewives, when her gay son, Andrew, sleeps wit…

ORLANDO Jermyn St theatre WC2 by Libby Purves and Friends

WOOLFING ROUND THE GENDER BEND A bit of a conversion experience for me, this. Disliked Woolf for years, Lighthouse and Waves and all, and therefore never read Orlando. Thought of it as a bit…

OKLAHOMA Young Vic, SE1 by Libby Purves and Friends

A DARKER HAZE ON AMERICA’S  MEADOW Traditionally, audiences don’t go to Oklahoma to be unsettled . On the other hand you don’t go to the Young Vic to have your expectations cosily met…

Broken Nose, American Writers Festival, and a Crystal Ball by Kerry Reid, Micco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julin

Looking for some mid-month fun? Check out the following events and ideas. FRI 5/13 Broken Nose Theatre continues its season with the Chicago premiere of Zoe Kazan’s dystopic drama After th…

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ to Close on Broadway, a Month After Reopening by Nicole Herrington and Michael Paulson

The musical, which shuttered temporarily in January as the Omicron variant spread, has struggled with the slow return of tourists to the theater.

THE BREACH Hampstead Theatre NW3 by Libby Purves and Friends

TEENS FALLING, UNPROTECTED     An empty basement in a working class Kentucky neighbourhood in the mid 70s.  An offstage adult world is preoccupied with unemployment,  the mained young c…

ShotSpotter’s deafening impact by Grace Del Vecchio and Matt Chapman

Chicago has quietly expanded the surveillance technology’s footprint—but it’s still disproportionately listening to Black and Brown communities. The post ShotSpotter’s deafening impa…

CHINESE BOXING Touring by Libby Purves and Friends

A SCRUTABLE TAKE ON CHINA     This is a beguiling  70-minute solo show from the actor, writer, wandering maverick entrepreneur  and China pundit Mark Kitto.  He plays three parts in seq…

People in performing arts twice as likely to have depression, Equity finds by Harriet Sherwood Arts and Culture Correspondent

Actors’ union says Covid exacerbated contributory factors such as job insecurity and low pay People working in entertainment and performing arts are twice as likely to experience depressio…

Mystery Actions debut a new blast of anti-war punk rock by J.r. Nelson and Leor Galil

Local four-piece Mystery Actions remind Gossip Wolf of the cool, slightly intimidating kids from the Chicago street-punk scene in the late 80s and early 90s, when it centered on Clark and Be…

What a Time to Be a Woman by Women and Theatre

In this post, we weigh in on last week’s leaked Supreme Court decision. We talk about the importance of bodily autonomy and the power of collective rage.

Giant puppet Little Amal to meet Ukrainian refugee children in Poland by Harriet Sherwood Arts and Culture Correspondent

Model of 10-year-old Syrian girl that has become symbol of compassion will visit border town of Przemyśl Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates After last year’s 5,000-mile journey across Eur…

Most Broadway theaters have ended vaccination checks as coronavirus cases are rising. by Matt Stevens and Rachel Sherman

Tony Nomination Snubs and Surprises: Daniel Craig, ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Paradise Square’ by Michael Paulson and Scott Heller

Several stars, including Daniel Craig and Sarah Jessica Parker, were not nominated for their performances, while “Paradise Square” became one of the season’s most-nominated shows.

THE CORN IS GREEN Lyttelton, SE1 by Libby Purves and Friends

VOICES FROM THE VALLEYS       It is a curious feeling to be half charmed and half irritated by a production: one moment absorbed in a confrontation and engaged with a character, the next…

Most of Broadway Ends Vaccine Checks as Cases Rise in New York by Matt Stevens and Rachel Sherman

While for-profit theater owners and operators agreed to stop checking proof of vaccination this week, several nonprofit Broadway theaters continue to require it.

Most of Broadway ends vaccine checks as cases rise in New York by Matt Stevens and Rachel Sherman

The industry hopes that ending vaccine checks will make theatergoing more attractive, and that the remaining mask mandate will help keep audiences safe as cases have risen.

MARYS SEACOLE. Donmar, WC2 by Libby Purves and Friends

NURSING ACROSS CONTINENTS      Kayla Meikle, stalwart in Victorian dignity and Caribbean matriarchy, addresses us firmly at the start of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s manic, sometimes  chao…