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Quiz program 'Wait, Wait' to start taping June 16 at the Studebaker
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program, will resume live audience recordings Thursday, June 16, in a new Chicago home: the historic Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 401 S. Michigan Ave. ...
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Five Worth Finding: Chocolate festival, lesbian sci-fi film, 'Smahtguy'
—The Long Grove Chocolate Festival: The beloved Chocolate Festival will return to the historic streets and parkways of downtown Long Grove for the first time in three years, May 20-22. Chocolate lovers can experience so much—including ...
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Billy Masters
"Why is that so gross? We kiss each other where we pee."—Sarah Silverman responds to The View co-hosts' disgust that she shares a toothbrush with her boyfriend. Even more priceless is Sara Haines' reaction, which you ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer playwright, LGBTQ+ films, BMI Pop Awards, new superhero
Jeremy O. Harris, the queer Tony-nominated author of Slave Play, has been named the presiding playwright for the 2023 Yale Drama Series Prizeone of the theater world's most prestigious playwriting honors, Deadline noted. Harris joins the ...
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TV Writer Joel Kim Booster, director Andrew Ahn take a trip to 'Fire Island'
Based on the classic Jane Austen book Pride and Prejudice, the new Fox Searchlight film Fire Island has an important story to tell LGBTQ+ audiences specifically. In that story, there are plenty of laughs along the ...
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Inaugural Heatwave Music Festival in Chicago on July 16-17
Auris Presents announced the debut edition and artist lineup for the Heatwave Music Festival, coming to Chicago on July 16-17 in Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. According to a press release, the festival will be ...
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BOOKS 'Tinderbox' author to appear in Palatine on June 14
Author Robert Fieseler will discuss his debut book—Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation—on Tuesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. at Palatine's Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, ...
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MUSIC Ty Herndon releasing 'personal' album 'Jacob' on July 15
Out gay Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning country artist Ty Herndon announced the release date of his forthcoming album, Jacob. Jacobcalled Herndon's "most personal album to date"will be out July 15. ...
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Casting announced for 'Queer Eye: The Musical Parody' at Second City
Comedy institution The Second City announced the cast and crew of Queer Eye: The Musical Parody, which will start running Thursday, May 26. (The production will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at ...
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MUSIC Riot Fest to take place Sept. 16-18 in Chicago
Riot Festone of the largest remaining independent festivals in the countryis slated to return to Douglass Park on Sept. 16-18. Festival organizers revealed a jam-packed lineup taking up five stages and performing punk, indie rock, hip-hop, ...
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Peacock to debut horror film 'They/Them' on Aug. 5
Peacock announced that its new original film They/Them (pronounced "They-slash-Them), from Blumhouse will premiere Friday, Aug. 5. The LGBTQIA+ horror film, formerly known as Whistler Camp, is a queer empowerment story ...
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57th Street Art Fair marking 75th anniversary on June 4-5
The 57th Street Art Fair, the Midwest's oldest juried art fair, will mark its 75th anniversary with an in-person celebration on June 4-5 featuring nearly 200 artists, live music presented by Buddy Guy's Legends, and a ...
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Dance for Life returns to Auditorium
-- From a press release
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announces the program for its 31st annual fundraiser, Dance for Life 2022, which takes place Saturday, August 13 at 6 p.m. ...
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THEATER 'The Secretaries: A Parable' running through June 11
First Floor Theater returns to live production with the world premiere of company member Omer Abbas Salem's The Secretaries: A Parable following the script's 2021 development as part of Goodman Theatre's Future Labs. The production will ...
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THEATER Underscore's 'Notes & Letters' running through May 28
Underscore Theatre Company celebrates its 10th-anniversary season with the world premiere of the musical Notes & Letters, which features book, music and lyrics by Annabelle Lee Revak (she/her) and is ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus to present 'Unimaginable' on May 20-22
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will present the spring show "CGMC: Unimaginable," on May 20-22 at three Chicagoland venues. The performances will take place Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m. at Chicago's Athenaeum Center for Thought ...
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FILM 'The Adventures of Priscilla' to show nationwide on June 2
Iconic Events Releasing will kick off Pride Month with a special nationwide rerelease of MGM's classic 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Screenings will take place in select theaters nationwide on ...
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Kokandy Productions to present 'Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical' June 9-Aug. 7
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (May 10, 2022) — Kokandy Productions is launching its 10th-anniversary season this summer with the Chicago storefront premiere of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musicala flirty and fun, nostalgia-packed show ...
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COMEDY Netflix holds 'Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration'
On May 7, Billy Eichner hosted Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival's "Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration" at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The historic celebration featured LGBTQ+ comedy legends and emerging talent. Highlights included ...
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Tonys: Queer-themed 'A Strange Loop' leads nods; 'Paradise Square,' 'MJ' close behind
Nominations for the 75th Tony Awards were announced May 9—and a Pulitzer Prize-winning original musical and a play that recounts the 2008 financial crisis led the nods, CNN reported. Leading the nominations was A Strange Loop, ...
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Billy Masters
"Walt Disney is looking down & he's not happy ok? He said whatever happened to my beautiful Magic Kingdom?"—While I am delighted Mr. Trump is communing with the late Walt Disney, I'd much rather hear an ...
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Lakeside Pride to host 'Sweet Home Chicago' on May 29 [UPDATED]
As part of the 40th annual Pride Bands Alliance Conference, Lakeside Pride will host "Sweet Home Chicago" on Sunday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Chicago's Lakeside ...
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White Party returns to Palm Springs; celebrities make appearances
After a two-year hiatus, the 32nd Annual White Party Global (formerly White Party Palm Springs) celebrated its return with more than 20,000 attendees from around the globe, a press release noted. Recognized as the longest-running and ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Hacks,' 'Love, Victor,' Indy 500, Ariana DeBose, queer singers
Queer, non-binary actor Carl Clemons-Hopkins (they/them and he/him) told Out Magazine he is elated with the warm reception received by the show Hacks and his character. "When I started in this years and years ago, there ...
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'Queen of the Universe' winner Grag Queen in Chicago on June 3 and 19
Grag Queen—the Brazilian drag queen who won the reality-competition show Queen of the Universe, and who just released her first English-language single, "You Betta"—will be in Chicago twice next month. ...
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Inaugural 'River North Live' taking place June 24-26
River North Residents Association announced that its annual festival, formerly Taste of River North, will return with a new venue, date and concept for 2022. Taking place June 24-26, River North Live will feature world-class artists ...
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Giordano Dance Chicago to showcase modern works June 11
The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., completes its Made in Chicago 2021-22 Dance Series with the return of Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) performing its annual summer engagement on Saturday, June 11, at 7:30 ...
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TELEVISION Peacock cancels rebooted 'Saved by the Bell'
Only a month after the reboot of the classic NBC comedy Saved by the Bell won Outstanding Comedy Series at the GLAAD Media Awards, Peacock has canceled the show after two seasons, Deadline reported. The second ...
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MUSIC Madonna curating, releasing dance-music compilation 'Finally Enough Love'
Madonna made history once again when she topped the Dance Club Songs chart for the 50th time, making her the first and only recording artist to have 50 number-one hits on any Billboard chart. To celebrate ...
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Chappelle attacked at Netflix event; man charged with misdemeanors [UPDATES]
Social media exploded overnight on May 3 with reports that comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked at his Hollywood Bowl Show, which was a part of the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, according to Deadline. Apparently, Chappelle ...
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MUSIC Dolly Parton, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie among newest Hall of Fame inductees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its newest class of inductees. The musicians who the Hall's voters chose include Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Eurythmics and Carly Simon, according ...
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THEATER Performers Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young skate into the Windy City
The popular television show American Idol brought Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young together, even though they actually competed on separate seasons. Fate and destiny are also parts of the storyline in the duo's latest project Skates. ...
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THEATER Silk Road co-founders talk about journey from medical setback
Malik Gillani co-founded Silk Road Risinga theater company focused on sharing the life stories of the overlooked and underrepresented people living along the Silk Road in Asia and the Middle Eastwith his husband, Jamil Khoury, almost ...
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Actors 30 and older needed for Bronzeville murder-mystery production
Actors and actresses who are at least 30 years old are needed for a murder-mystery production that revolves around a historical Bronzeville development. Wooley's Place will involve a murder that will take place in Chicago's Bronzeville ...
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DANCE A&A Ballet to offer Family Dance Series starting May 14
A&A Ballet (A&A), under the artistic direction of Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, announced a new Family Dance Series at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., premiering Saturday, May 14, at 3 p.m. Fresh from ...
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Refracted Theatre to launch inaugural Chicago season with queer production
Refracted Theatre Company has announced its inaugural Chicago season, featuring a launch event and a world-premiere queer-themed production where curiosity is rewarded with the unexpected, and an open heart is met with a colorful display of ...
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THEATER 'At the Vanishing Point' running through May 22
The Gift Theatre is welcoming back live audiences with the Chicago premiere of Naomi Iizuka's drama At the Vanishing Point, directed by Lavina Jadhwani. It runs through Sunday, May 22, at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee ...
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Billy Masters
"I'm super-conscious that I'm close to death. And it doesn't really bother me that much. What bothers me is that my body is, you know, basically not mine! My knees are not mine, my hips are not mine, my shoulder's not ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Broadway Rising,' Webby Awards, 'Kinky Boots,' Tom Ford
The upcoming documentary Broadway Rising will have its world premiere on June 13 at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, Playbill noted. The documentary follows theater subjectsranging from stage doorman to actorson their journeys back to the ...
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DeGeneres shares message after taping final talk-show episode
An era has ended as The Ellen Show has officially wrapped its last episode. According to Variety, Ellen DeGeneres announced on an April 29 Twitter thread that her daytime talk show concluded filming its final episode. ...
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TV The CW cancels 'Batwoman,' 'Legends of Tomorrow'
The CW has axed the LGBTQ+-inclusive DC Arrowverse shows Batwoman and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. According to Out Magazine, Batwoman—canceled after just three seasons—introduced the world to lesbian superhero Ryan ...
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Chicago part of Taco Bell Drag Brunch tour
Starting next month, Taco Bell is launching the Taco Bell Drag Bruncha five-stop restaurant tour that aims to celebrate drag culture and the LGBTQ+ community, Food and Wine noted. Taking place at five Taco Bell Cantina ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 'RE/UNION' to take place May 12-15
After reconnecting with audiences this spring at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has announced the program for the company's return to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph ...
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MUSIC Lil Nas X reveals dates for his first-ever tour
Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling queer rapper Lil Nas X will embark on his first-ever traveling showthe "Long Live Montero" tourthis fall in North America and Europe, according to Variety. The North American leg kicks off at The Fillmore ...
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MUSIC Lollapalooza announces line-up by day
Lollapalooza has revealed the Lineup By Day for its 2022 edition and has confirmed that 1-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets will go on sale Wed., April 27, at 10 a.m. CT at www.lollapalooza.com. ...
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'Rasheeda Speaking' now running through June 4 at Theater Wit
Shattered Globe Theatre is now running the workplace production Rasheeda Speaking through June 4 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. The production was supposed to run Feb. 25-April 9 but was pushed back due to ...
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THEATER Otherworld hosting sci-fi drag fantasy cabaret 'Hyperfantasia' on May 11
Otherworld Theatre Company, 3914 N. Clark St., has announced a special one-night-only performance of the sci-fi fantasy drag cabaret show Hyperfantasia, to be staged Wed., May 11. Employing original music ...
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The Other Art Fair returns to the Loop
The Other Art Fair returned to Chicago April 21-24 at Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market, for collectors, artists and art lovers with original works of art from more than 100 emerging artists. Just a few ...
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Billy Masters
"1. Some outfits are never sent to the back of the closet. 2. It's really more of a 'break glass in case of emergency' situation."Lynda Carter reveals that she has her classic Wonder Woman outfit framed ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, 'The Color Purple,' Walter Mercado, Janelle Monae, Loki
Video below
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, legendary actress/comedian Lily Tomlin discussed a variety of topics, including comedy and the Oscars. About the Academy Awards, she said, "I sometimes think they shouldn't be able to tread ...
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The Andersonville Wine Walk returns for its 16th year on May 15
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (April 21, 2022) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in partnership with In Fine Spirits, is pleased to welcome back its annual Andersonville Wine Walk, an afternoon of ...
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Acts for Pride in the Park announced
Taking place the same weekend as this year's Chicago Pride Parade, the third edition of the music festival Pride in the Park will be June 25-26 at Grant Park's Petrillo Bandshell. According to the event's website, ...
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THEATER 'Rock of Ages' at Paramount through May 29
Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Rock of Ages will run through Sunday, May 29, at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., in downtown Aurora. According to a press release, Rock of Ages is ...
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Northlight Theatre announces 2022-23 season
-- From a press release
Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 2022-2023 season, opening with the buddy comedy The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle, directed by Cody Estle; followed by ...
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Steppenwolf Theatre announces 2022-23 season in its expanded campus
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (April 19, 2022)—Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan announced the 2022-23 season today. With six Steppenwolf Membership Series productions ...
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Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival on April 21-24
The multidisciplinary event Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival, produced by Yes Ma'am Circus, will run April 21-24 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Performances from 10 Chicago-based companies include traditional circus acts, avant-ga ...
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Billy Masters
"I'd never done that before—on camera, at least. … I don't think."—Harry Styles discussed shooting sex scenes for his upcoming movie My Policeman (with both Emma Corrin and David Dawson) and Don't Worry Darling (wit ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Glamorous,' Jake Gyllenhaal, Alice Walker, queer singers, trans film fest
Three years after The CW passed on Glamorous, Netflix has picked up the redeveloped series about a young gender nonconforming queer man, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The streaming giant has handed out a 10-episode, straight-to-series ...
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THEATER 'When We Were Young and Unafraid' May 13-June 12 at The Edge
AstonRep Theatre Company will conclude its season with the Chicago premiere of Sarah Treem's drama When We Were Young and Unafraid. Directed by Sara Pavlak McGuire, it will run May 13-June 12 at The Edge Off-Broadway ...
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The Other Art Fair to take place in the Loop on April 21-24
The Other Art Fair returns to Chicago April 21-24 at Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market, for collectors, artists and art lovers with original works of art from 110+ emerging artists. The fair, now in its ...
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MUSIC Lizzo out with new song, will release 'Special' album on July 15
Grammy winner, LGBTQ+ ally and RIAA multi-platinum certified musician Lizzo has shared her long-awaited new single, "About Damn Time," available now via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services, a press release ...
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'Alan Turing,' 'King Roger' part of Chicago OperaTheater's 2022-23 season
-- From a press release
April 14, 2022 (Chicago) — In anticipation of 2023 marking the 50th year of Chicago Opera Theater (COT) producing vital art in the Chicago community, the company proudly announces its 2022/23 season under the direction of ...
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DANCE 'Wired,' focusing on barbed wire, to premiere at MCA on May 5-8
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) will showcase the world premiere of Wired on May 5-8. Internationally recognized disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light will return to the stage to premiere its latest work. The work ...
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Bisexual comedian Hannah Einbinder ('Hacks') now at The Den on July 15
Bisexual comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder has announced a new date for her stand-up engagement at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Originally scheduled to perform on Friday, June 17, Einbinder will now appear Friday, July 15, ...
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FILM/TV New 'Drag Race All Stars' to only feature previous winners
In a watershed moment in "RuPaul's Drag Race" history (or herstory), all eight returning queens on season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars have won previous seasons of "Drag Race" or "All Stars," Variety noted. ...
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THEATER 'Skates,' with 'Idol' alums, to have world premiere May 24
American Idol alums Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the cast of the new musical Skates. The production also features Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Michelle Lauto, Zach ...
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THEATER 'Seagull' opening Steppenwolf's new space April 28-June 12
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will open its new in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zellthe centerpiece of its recently unveiled Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Arts and Education Centerwith ensemble member ...
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Blackhawks lose on Pride Night; White Sox win home opener; Cubs also win
On Pride Night at the United Center, the Chicago Blackhawks (24-38-11) fell to the Los Angeles Kings (39-26-10) 5-2. It was Chicago's eighth consecutive loss, the longest such stretch under interim head coach Derek King. Taylor ...
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Judith Light to receive GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award
GLAAD announced that multiple Tony- and Emmy-winning actress, producer and activist Judith Light will receive the Excellence in Media Award that will be presented by queer performer and Oscar winner Ariana DeBose at the 33rd Annual ...
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Hard Rock's upcoming acts: Trevor Noah, Daughtry, Wanda Sykes and more
Trevor Noah and rock band Daughtry (headed by former American Idol winner Chris Daughtry) are among the upcoming acts at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana's new Hard Rock Live venue. The Trevor Noah "Back to Abnormal" ...
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MUSIC Gay composer's historic 'Emancipation' at Harris Theater on April 29
The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance will present Emancipation, by gay composer Adrian Dunn, with The Adrian Dunn Singers and Rize Orchestra on the Mainstage on Friday, April 29, at ...
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THEATER Tony-nominated 'Hand to God' in Aurora on May 25-July 10
Hand to Godthe Tony-nominated production (with puppets) that's been described as "Avenue Q meets Little Shop of Horrors"will run May 25-July 10 at the new Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., right across the street from ...
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Billy Masters
"George Stevens is making The Greatest Story Ever Told, and Jesus Christ is parting the waters out there on Culver."Lucille Ball discussing one of the various things shot on Desilu soundstages in a 1963 interview. This ...
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SHOWBIZ JoJo Siwa, Indigo Girls, singer Bitch, 'Shahs of Sunset'
The Fox show So You Think You Can Dance unveiled its new judging lineup, and LGBTQ Dancing with the Stars runner-up JoJo Siwa will be part of it, per Out Magazine. Siwa will be joined at the judge's table by Glee ...
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FILM/TV Molly Shannon talks about her gay father, LGBTQ projects and new book
Chicago Humanities Festival is hosting a very special night at Harris Theater with entertainers Molly Shannon and Jonathan Van Ness in two separate appearances. While Van Ness has a Queer Eye, Shannon has played queer and ...
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