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Conversations featuring authors and influential leaders in the arts, media and business.
One thing is for sure: 2017 was an amazing year in Chicago for live entertainment. So, with apologies, before we get to the 2017 list, there are a few points to clarify and some other highlights to tell you about.
Read MoreTo hear Bob Doepel reflect on Chicago Scenic Studios, the company he founded almost 40 years ago, you might think that it just happened to come together. In truth, Doepel has elevated the process of making things come together, often under impossible deadlines, on projects that materialize overnight, to an art form.
Read More'Tis the Season! Our conversation this week is with Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres, a service organization that supports, promotes and advocates for Chicago's theater industry.
Read MoreWith 250 theaters serving an audience base of over 5 million, Chicago has one of the most respected and thriving theatre communities in the country. According to the League of Chicago Theatres, the combined budgets total more than $250 million, creating 15,000 jobs in 115 venues which translates to over 64,000 seats. And, the landscape is growing.
Read MoreJoffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns to the Auditorium Theatre December 1st through December 30th. Christopher Wheeldon's reenvisioned masterpiece is featured in a brilliant WTTW PBS special Making a New American Nutcracker available online.
Read MoreRich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra return to the Auditorium Theatre on November 17th for ELLA & LENA: The Ladies and Their Music, a centennial concert celebration of Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. Chicago vocalist and producer Joan Curto will be joined by many of Chicago’s top artists including E. Faye Butler, Beckie Menzie, Tammy McCann, Paul Marinaro, Tom Michael and Sophie Grimm with a 17-piece orchestra featuring songs from the Great American Songbook.
Read MoreThe 2017 Equity Jeff Awards, Firebrand Theatre's LIZZIE, The Importance of Being Earnest at Writers and the Court Theatre production of Belle of Amherst are just a few of theatre openings in the week ahead.
Read MoreOur Conversation this week comes in the form of a letter from Ron Keaton. Ron agreed to step in when business called me out of town. It was a chance for Ron to give his unique point of view on a big night of recognition for Chicago's professional theatre community and share comments from award recipients in many of the categories.
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Glen Shuld kept a journal every day for a year in his life. He happened to be 12 years old at the time and attending an integrated grade school during the Vietnam era.
Read MoreMusic everywhere this fall with Steve Biossat's Sway Chicago on Friday and the Flat Cats on Saturday at the Drake and a full slate at Davenport's
Read MoreThe excitement you feel these days in Joffrey Tower is kinetic energy. It has been steadily pulsing for ten years, since the company moved into their new home, under the artistic direction of Ashley Wheater, who took over the role held only by Robert Joffrey and co-founder Gerald Arpino before him. If that was a pivotal moment in the evolving story of the Joffrey Ballet – a seismic shift of sorts that rumbled across the performing arts world - then the announcement a few weeks ago that the Joffrey Ballet was forming a partnership with Lyric Opera was a bolt of lightning.
Read MoreAshley Wheater joins the conversation this week to talk about his ten years at the Joffrey Ballet, the recently announced partnership with Lyric Opera and the upcoming opening of Giselle.
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