Review: The Ally at Theater Wit Relies Too Much on Volume, Rather Than Drama
The Ally, a play now on stage at Theater Wit, is a diatribe more than a drama. The script by Itamar Moses (book for The Band’s Visit) puts a university […]
Review: Amy Wurtz Celebrates Women’s History Month with Daily Livestream Performances and a Closing Recital
For the fourth year running, pianist/composer Amy Wurtz has celebrated Women’s History Month with livestream performances of music by women composers in each of the 31 days of March. While […]
Review: Mournful with a Sweet Melancholy—Colin Meloy at Thalia Hall
He ambles onto the stage to the roar of the crowd. Within minutes—no, sooner—they are eating out of his hands. On a cold Saturday night in Pilsen, Colin Meloy, lead […]
Retrospective: The Who’s Tommy Has Its 50th Anniversary; IMAX Screens Crisp 4K Scan
This article was written by Lauren Weiner. The late ‘60s were a glorious time for music. A big force in that gloriousness was the UK. Said nation produced dozens of […]
Review: Aether & Iron Is a Gorgeous Noir Tale Stuck in Turn-Based Traffic
Also seen on CultureCombine.com. As much as video games have tightened up as safe, corporate products over the years, it’s still awesome to see developers taking chances and swinging for […]
Review: Mike Doughty Rocks Garcia’s with Wit and Warmth
In 2024, after a 25-year hiatus, Soul Coughing, one of the wildest and weirdest bands of the ’90s, reformed for the “We Said it Would Never Happen” tour. Much like […]
Review: Raiders of the Lost Ark at 45 Is Still a Thrill—Live With the Chicago Philharmonic
The Chicago Philharmonic returned to play a live soundtrack in the Philms at the Auditorium series, with guest conductor Thiago Tiberio on Saturday night. The occasion was the 45th anniversary […]
Review: Ulrika Spacek Finds New Ways to Perplex and Delight the Empty Bottle Crowd
What is it with the UK and art rock? Seemingly every year, some group of university students stumbles into each other at a pub or cafe and decides to start […]
Review: Brunch at The Dearborn Is Festive, Fun, and Best Enjoyed with Friends
In the rush of St. Patrick’s Day merriment, my friends and I headed downtown to enjoy brunch at The Dearborn. The founders, Amy and Clodagh Lawless, have incorporated their Irish […]
Review: Benjamin Beilman, Wu Han, and David Finckel Perform in Chamber Music Program Both Dark and Light
Following last weekend’s excellent performances at the Sun Valley Music Festival, violinist Benjamin Beilman joined pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel at Harris Theater on Thursday evening. This was […]
Essay: In Chicago, Banks Street Isn’t Named for Ernie
I drove down Cuyler Avenue the other day, and, as usual, I was reminded of Kiki Cuyler who played outfield for the Cubs from 1928 through 1935 during a 19-year […]
Review: Time Traveling, Mafia Crime and Romantic Affairs in a Messy but Entertaining Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
When your script is in doubt, add a time-travel plot line. That’s what it feels like writer/director BenDavid Grabinski (Happily) deduced could save his decidedly average crime comedy Mike & […]