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Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance
Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...
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Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret
Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...
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THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...
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Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show
On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...
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THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion
Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...
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Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical
Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...
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'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show
In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...
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Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...
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Carisa Hendrix mesmerizes as Lucy Darling in Teatro ZinZanni
Since 2019, Teatro ZinZanni has gathered together amazing performers from all over the world to create an experience in Chicago under the Spiegeltent in the Cambria Hotel building, 32 W. Randolph St. Over the years, ticket ...
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THEATER Dot-Marie Jones talks Goodman production, 'Glee,' 'Bros'
Running through Feb. 18 at the the Goodman Theatre, the production Highway Patrol works with a script conceived entirely from Emmy-winning actor Dana Delany's (TV's China Beach) digital archive of hundreds of tweets and direct messages ...
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Dr. Lady J explains how opera can be a drag
On Feb. 8, Center on Halsted, in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago, presented a lecture by historian, drag activist, podcaster and curator Dr. Lady J. The event, titled "Castrated Superstars, Cross Dressed Divas, and Queer ...
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SHOWBIZ Raven-Symone, women's sports, Wayne Brady, Jinkx Monsoon, British Vogue
In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins ...
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Chicago-based production company to host all-inclusive, LGBTQ-focused Valentine's Day event
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Second Glance Productions will host the LGBTQupid Soiree this Valentines Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The event will be held at the iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St., from 6 pm to 11 pm ...
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THEATER Nostalgic 'Sunsets' still offers a timely reflection of LGBTQ+ community
Nostalgia reigned on a variety of scales this past weekend in Chicago. During her Celebration tour, at a majestically packed United Center, Madonna acknowledged the last 40 years of her career, highlighting her '80s interactions with ...
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The Jeff Awards announces the 50th-anniversary non-Equity theater nominations
--From a press release
(Feb. 6, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the Joseph Jefferson Awards announces its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater during the ...
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DANCE Choreographer Dwight Rhoden talks David Bowie, Alvin Ailey, queerness
In "STAR DUST: A Ballet Tribute to David Bowie," Complexions Contemporary Ballet co-founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardsonbacked by their Alvin Ailey lineageand their dance troupe tackle many of the ...
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Broadway star Chita Rivera dies at 91
Chita Riveraa Broadway legend with more than seven decades of creditshas died at age 91 after a short illness, People Magazine reported. "It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved ...
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Rue-ing the day: Vince Kelley drags out Blanche's charm in Golden Girls spoof
Picture it. Broadway Playhouse. 2024. Four queer men dress in drag to portray iconic women. Murray & Peter present Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue, a parody written by Robert Leleux and directed by Eric Swanson. The ...
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Out truth-teller Jeff Hiller takes his act on the road
Jeff Hiller is an openly gay American storyteller who is bringing his act to the Midwest in February. He's making his way across the United States while filming the third season of HBO's Somebody Somewhere and ...
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Upcoming Lyric Opera performance Champion explores famed boxer's gay identity
Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and Tony Award-winning librettist Michael Cristofer's opera, Champion, is set for its Lyric Opera of Chicago debut Jan. 27. It runs through Feb. 11. This contemporary "opera in jazz" features the ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Laid,' 'Nimona,' Lukas Gage, Lil Nas X, Lily Gladstone, John Waters
Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to the comedy Laid, which is slated to feature queer actress Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Variety noted. Based on the Australian series of the same name, the ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Call Me By Your Name,' awards, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Miss Cleo
The Oscar-winning gay romance Call Me by Your Name is leaving Netflix after Jan. 31, per Out. The coming-of-age romance was helmed by Bones and All director Luca Guadagnino, and stars Timothee Chalamet as 17-year-old Elio ...
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Sam Morrison sashays into the Windy City with Sugar Daddy
Comedian Sam Morrison is coming to Chicago with his show Sugar Daddy. This Brooklyn-based gay writer created the act both to deal with his personal health issues and process the grief of losing his partner Jonathan ...
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Scott Thompson returns with Buddy Cole character in 'KING' stage show
Buddy Cole—the barfly raconteur/provocateur portrayed by gay Canadian performer Scott Thompson for several years on the comedy show Kids in the Hall, is a character who's never been afraid to say what's on his mind. And ...
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SHOWBIZ Kelly Clarkson, Billy Porter and Luke Evans, 'All of Us,' 'Book of Mormon'
Video below
At Kelly Clarkson's "Chemistry: An Intimate Evening" residency show in Las Vegas, two men got married with the help of the singer/talk-show host as a witness, EW.com noted. In an audience video from the show, fans ...
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MOVIES Bill Oliver reflects on a queer couple's custody fight in 'Our Son'
In the compelling, intimate movie Our Son (in theaters and available via streaming), Luke Evans and Billy Porter portray a married couple in which one of them decides to file for divorce. However, this is no ...
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New 'Gods and Monsters' with a race-based focus coming to Chicago
Chicago's Theatre Wit will debut a new stage adaptation of Gods and Monsters, based on Christopher Bram's 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein as well as its 1998 screen version that starred Sir Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave ...
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THEATER 'Dial M' director speaks about stage magic and perils of the closet
A good thriller is always in style for the right audience—but it's paying dividends for Northlight Theatre, which recently opened Dial M for Murder, helmed by queer director Georgette Verdin, to great reviews. ...
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SHOWBIZ Alex Newell, Joe Locke, 'Bad Together,' Raven-Symone, Limelight club
Alex Newellwho made history as one of the first two out nonbinary Tony Award winnerswas named Time's Breakthrough of the Year for 2023, The Advocate reported. Newell won the Tony this year as Best Featured Actor ...
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DANCE 'Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker' running Dec. 20-30
Tony-winning producers David Garfinkle and Dr. Ron Simons announced the world-premiere of "Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker"a holiday dream told in dancewhich will play at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. ...
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THEATER Nelson Rodriguez talks boxing, queerness and his very personal play
On Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Chicago Cultural Center, there will be a reading of New Personalidada play by actor, playwright and former Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree Nelson Rodriguez. The program, part of ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Bodyshop,' Beyonce, Ani DiFranco, Billie Jean King
The Breaking Glass Pictures film Bodyshop will be out on digital on Dec. 5, per a press release. The plot is described thusly: "The ghost of a young soldier sexually assaulted by his lieutenant says goodbye ...
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PERFORMANCE Teatro Zinzanni's Carisa Hendrix talks magic, queerness and Canada
One could call Teatro Zinzanni's newest production, "Love, Chaos, and Dinner," a meal and a show—but that would definitely shortchange this ongoing extravaganza. Taking place at the Loop's Cambria Hotel, there is not a bad seat ...
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'Sleeping with Beauty' serves up naughty holiday laughs
Seasonal British pantomimes have been securing the talents of such known performers as Henry Winkler, George Takei and Sir Ian McKellen for decades now. This inventive recounting of fairy tales, utilizing popular song, comedy and rowdy ...
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Jerry Mitchell bops into Boop!
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell is bringing black-and-white Boop! The Betty Boop Musical into a world of color at the CIBC Theatre this winter. It's a pre-Broadway world premiere for the musical starring Jasmine Amy Rogers ...
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Hell in a Handbag to present 'Peep Show: The Handbag 2023 Benefit'on Dec. 10
--From a press release
CHICAGOHell in a Handbag Productions will present its 2023 benefit: Peep Showa peep through the curtains at the company's 2024 seasonon Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. at The Center on Halsted's The Hoover-Leppen ...
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Sarah Siddons to produce 'Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy'
In a first for the 71-year-old Sarah Siddons Society, it will produce a one-night performance of Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy—a new one-woman play written and performed by Almanya Narula, a 2016 Siddons Scholarship recipient ...
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YEPP 'rises' to occasion at fall fundraiser
Members and guests of Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) gathered Nov. 17 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., for the organization's fall fundraiser, Rise Up: Our Celebration of Resistance. The evening marked both the ...
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WORLD Latvia, nonbinary magistrate, Gay Games end, Israel soldiers
Latvia's parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to establish civil unions, Reuters reported. Said couples now have legal recognitionbut fewer rights than married couples. The new legislation, slated to take effect in the middle of next ...
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THEATER Queer actor Chloe Baldwin talks 'POTUS,' identity and Shakespeare
In the Steppenwolf farce POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, queer actor Chloe Baldwin portrays the president's mistress Dusty, acting alongside a formidable group that includes Caroline Neff ...
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'Jersey Boys' stars reunite as Midtown Men on Dec. 2 in Glen Ellyn
The original stars of the Broadway hit Jersey BoysChristian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencerwill reunite as Midtown Men on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at McAninch Arts Center's Belushi Performance Hall ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions presents world premiere of The Golden Girls Save Xmas, A Lost Episodes Parody
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 10, 2023) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to kick off its 2023/24 season this November with The Golden Girls Save Xmas — A Lost Episodes Parody, featuring an all-new holiday tale ...
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SHOWBIZ Kaytranada, NFL star, Alexandra Billings, video game, George Michael
Out Montreal DJ/producer Kaytranada teased his latest single, "Out of Luck," with Mariah the Scientist, on Twitter, Complex noted. "THIS IS THE ANTHEM!" Kaytra wrote in his quote-tweet of the song playing at a release party. ...
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Charles Busch dishes on life as a storyteller
Performer/writer Charles Busch, who recently penned his autobiography, Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy, said that collecting his most precious and salient memories in a book felt "inevitable." "Storytelling is such an essential ...
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Black Excellence Awards winners named, inaugural Chicago Black Arts Hall of Fame inductees honored
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2023)—The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is proud to announce the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored last night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. ...
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Jeremy Jordan adds third show to Steppenwolf run
Steppenwolf Theatre announced that Broadway star Jeremy Jordan has added a third performance to his much-anticipated Chicago debut this winter. After completely selling out two previously announced performances on Saturday ...
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THEATER 'This Bitter Earth' tackles both political and personal commitments
I have more decades behind me than before me. Thus, my history comes at me in timeless waves. An event from 1986 will often assail my mind while one from last year follows, dreamily, behind it. ...
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In Praise of Sondheim: Theo dedicates the rest of its season to a legendary composer
Evanston’s Theo theater company didn't originally set out to devote the majority of its 2023-24 season to the late gay composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. But then the company's artistic leadership saw a creative Sondheim offer ...
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Chicago International Film Festival rolls into the Windy City once again
The 59th Chicago International Film Festival raced into various theaters across the Windy City from Oct. 11-22. The commute to many of the screenings changed this year with AMC River East's poorly timed construction conflict forcing ...
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About Face Theatre's 29th Season opens with LGBTQ+ theatre stars in a three-week queer theatre workshop
--From a press release
CHICAGO (October 26, 2023) — About Face Theatre's Re/Generation Studio workshop series returns to kick off the company's 2023-2024 season from November 30 through December 16, 2023 at The Den Theatre. Re/Generation Studio will includ ...
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Broadway's Andy Mientus lugs his Jug-Band to Chicago for the holidays
Prepare to reconnect with your inner child through puppetry this holiday season with Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Puppets will play onstage Nov. 15-Dec. 31 at the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Ave., ...
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Billy Masters: Madonna sets her watch to Diva Time
"It is truly obscene what they're charging for tickets to 'Merrily We Roll Along' on Broadway. $500 to $800. PLUS—$40 a ticket 'handling charge.'"—Kevin Chamberlin voices his outrage at the price of Broadway tickets. Imag ...
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'Creepcast' creators discuss their spooky new season
Longtime theater buddies Sylas Dean and the monomynous Stew have hit gold with CreepTime the Podcast, their very fun, very informative look at often unacknowledged stories involving true crime. Loyal fans, known as Creepers, tune in ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Shucked,' Melissa Etheridge, 'Elite,' composer dies, Orville Peck
The Broadway production Shucked has set a closing date of Jan. 14, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, Playbill noted. At closing, the Tony-nominated musical will have played 28 previews and 327 regular performances. A North American ...
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THEATER Oct. 20-21 production to focus on beginnings of house music
A new production about house music will run Oct. 20-21 in Chicago. "In the Beginning There Was House"inspired by the life and work of the late Chicago house-music legend Frankie Knucklesis a new work from Steven ...
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Black Excellence Awards taking place Nov. 6, will feature avery r. young
The Black Arts & Culture Alliance will present the 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Hosted by Melissa Duprey, this year's ...
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THEATER Company of 'Wolves': Redtwist's Dusty Brown on gay Riding Hood retelling, Grindr, gender identity
It's all about Pride in 2023-24 at Redtwist Theatre. The 19th season for this North Side black-box theater includes three very different productions, starting with Wolves, called a "gory, gay reimagining of 'Little Red Riding Hood.'" ...
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Choose Chicago, City of Chicago announce start of 'Theater Season'
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (Oct. 5, 2023) — Mayor Brandon Johnson, Choose Chicago and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the launch of Theater Season, a new campaign to promote local ...
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Glessner House to present A Theater in the Dark's staged reading of The White City
--From a press release. Video below
Immersive staged reading of WHITE CITY - a theatrical thriller surrounding the notorious Chicago serial killer H. H. Holmes, who is said to have murdered more than 20 people during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. ...
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55th anniversary Jeff Awards for Equity theaters announced
--From a press release
(October 2, 2023 — CHICAGO) — At the 55th anniversary celebration of Equity theater excellence, the Jeff Awards recognized 46 award recipients selected from among 214 theater artist nominees across ...
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Beyonce concert film 'Renaissance' debuting Dec. 1
Media outlets have reported that the theatrical release date for Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncea movie chronicling the superstar's most recent world touris Dec. 1. Advance tickets are already available for sale on major theater chains ...
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OPERA REVIEW Lyric's new season at full-sail with debuting 'Dutchman' production
Lyric Opera of Chicago is off to a flying start with its new-to-Chicago production of Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Magnificent performances by the leads and chorusnot to mention masterful work by Lyric's orchestra, conducted by ...
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THEATER REVIEW 'Little Voice' showcases big talents
The Gift Theatre at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee Through Oct. 15 thegifttheatre.org � I kept thinking of Walter, one of the regulars at (late, lamented) Bucks Saloon, when watching The Gift Theatre's current production of ...
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SAVOR Jam-packed Chicago Gourmet; Easy Bar's 'Drag Me to Bingo'
Hundreds of people recently took part in one of the city's annual culinary highlights: Chicago Gourmet. Spanning Sept. 21-24 mostly at the Harris Theater rooftop at Millennium Park, Chicago Gourmet featured, as usual, several events, including ...
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DANCE Deeply Rooted performing Nov. 3 at the Auditorium Theatre
The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., is presenting Deeply Rooted Dance Theatera Chicago-based contemporary dance company rooted in traditions of American and African-American dancein a one-night-only performance ...
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Teatro Zinzanni returning to Cambria Hotel on Oct. 5
Teatro ZinZanni is returning to the Chicago Loop—tucked inside a mirrored spiegeltent within the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph St. The cast features returning fan favorites including Duo 19, a dynamic trapeze ...
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THEATER Mosaic Players revives 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Are suburban Illinois and Wisconsin towns ready to welcome 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche into their churches, synagogues and community colleges? The artists of a Lake County theater company certainly think so. "I was very pleasantly ...
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SHOWBIZ John Waters, Madonna, Miriam Margoyles, Angelica Ross, 'Cassandro'
Openly gay film director John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, Cry-Baby) received his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, The Hollywood Reporter noted. (Actors Ricki Lake and Mink Stole as well as photographer Greg Gorman were ...
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SHOWBIZ Kim Petras, LGBTQ+ movies, TIFF, canceled shows, yachts
Video below
Ahead of her Feed the Beast world tour, Grammy-winning international trans pop singer/songwriter Kim Petras has shared reimagined, symphonic, seven-piece string-ensemble performances of fan favorites from her debut album Feed ...
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THEATER Queer actor Kyle Patrick reflects on leading 'American Psycho: The Musical'
American Psychoboth the Bret Easton Ellis novel and the Mary Harron-directed film led by Christian Balewould seem ripe for a musical treatment, given the omnipresent campy elements (despite, or maybe because of, the gore). And, in ...
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Chicago Opera Theater starts 50th-anniv. season with 'Soldier Songs'
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) is kicking off its 50th-anniversary season with David T. Little's Grammy-nominated Soldier Songs—described as "a haunting, heavy-metal infused theatrical cantata about the psychological impact of war." ...
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Porchlight Music Theatre's announces 29th season
--From a press release
This past Friday at our special event, Porchlight ICONS: Celebrating Ben Vereen, we shared the exclusive announcement of our 29th Season! The new season launches with The Cole Porter Festival - A Celebration of the Man ...
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THEATER Jim Henson production in Chicago on Nov. 14-Dec. 31
A live theatrical adaptation of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is making its Chicago debut Nov. 14-Dec. 31, at the Studebaker Theater at the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Broadway World revealed. ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Sex Education' star, Rotten Tomatoes, Jessica Lange, Queer/Art
Video below
Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa officially came out during an interview with Elle UK, according to Out. "I remember being at Manchester Pride, going through the streets with all my boys, shaking my cha-chas, living it ...
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Theater Review: A Taste of Soul brings music and food center stage
By Brian Kirst
We all know the sluggish quagmire of weekday work mornings. Often the only thing that gets us moving and able to face the day is our favorite songs. While all of the Black Ensemble Theater productions ...
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