Chicago Broadcasting Network

In this podcast episode Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronni Marmo appearing in “I’m Not a Comedian….I’m Lenny Bruce” under the direction of multi-award-winner Joe Mantegna at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. This production  tells the story of the life and early passing of one of the most legendary comedians of all time. Rikki Lee talks with Marmo about the development of the work and his association with Joe Mantegna who agreed to direct the show.

 “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade. [*Note there is some confusion in the names in the podcast. This is the correction.]This is a podcast review by Reno Lovison Executive Producer at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com and theater reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.

Take a listen to this short podcast to hear first hand from spy movie expert Tom Pizzato about what you will see and experience at "007 Science : Inventing the World of James Bond" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago opening March 7, 2024 and running through March 2024.

Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronnie Marmo who directs and stars in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous onstage March and April 2024 at the Biograph Theater in Chicago.

Shortly after the end of the Civil War two former slaves ruminate on their experiences living and working within Monticello, the estate of former President Thomas Jefferson.The Reclamation of Madison Hemings by Charles Smith featuring Jon Hudson Odom and Manny Buckley is at the American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago through March 24,2024. Listen to the review by Reno Lovison and find out about places to dine nearby. 

This podcast episode is a discussion with the creators of Flyover Chicago, part thrill ride and part immersive three-dimensional multi-sensory video experience that utilizes cutting edge drone technology featuring impressive aerial views, allowing visitors to see Chicago in a whole new way. The amusement park style attraction is located in the former IMAX theater at Navy Pier.  

For the Love of Dance  -  An onerous choreographer cajoles a select group of hopeful chorus applicants into revealing some of their deepest secrets. This Madkap Production directed by Wayne Mell is on pointe, tapping into the essence of a story of love and dedication to the art of dance. In the song “What I Did For Love,” (music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban)  Diana says of the grueling work and unmet promises “We did what we had to do - - Won't forget, can't regret -- What I did for love.” In this context it’s the love of the craft, the love of dance.  Listen to the full review. CAST: Erin Renee Baumrucker, Elizabeth Bushell, Sean Caron, Luis Del Valle, Emma Drazkowski, Trevor Hendrix, Ben Isabel, Lili Javorka, Khnemu Menu-Ra, Tyler Meyer, Marcela Ossa, Madelynn Oztas, Chandler Paskett, Ben Paynic, Madison Jaffe-Richter, Rae Robeson, Sarah Sapperstein, Jason Sekili, Maddy Shilts, and Whitney  Wolf. Directed by Wayne Mell, Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey, Choreography by Susan Pritzker.

My initial reaction is to characterize Pippin as The Fantastiks meets Godspell, Explaining the plot is about as easy as trying to recall and interpret the details a dream. What happened is not exactly clear. This production is a feast for the senses that makes use of the entire spectrum of theater craft. Music Theater Works is known for musical excellence and they do not disappoint us in this production. Pippin was co-written and originally directed and choreographed by Chicago native Bob Fosse in 1972 who was at the very epicenter of his highly successful and frenetic career and possibly the pinnacle of his drug addiction that at least partly explains this bizarre tale of young Pippin’s quest for meaning in his life.  His fingerprints (or dare I say footprints) are all over this psychedelic fever dreamListen to my entire review and editorial comments.

A light romp with a dark twist followed by a hasty, muddled ending wrapped up in a cloud of very good music all of which is performed by a remarkable cast of actor musicians. There's a lot of good stuff in Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago but also a few things that disturbed me. Listen to my review to learn more.

For a professional theater experience in Chicago this month you can’t do much better than the Lyric opera production of West Side Story. This Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim musical deemed cutting edge and somewhat avantgarde when first introduced is now a classic.The story by Arthur Laurents is a rather faithful mid-century modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Rival teenage street gangs, the Sharks and Jets, battle in New York City streets to maintain what they feel is control of this small piece of Manhattan. Caught in the crossfire of this conflict are Tony (Ryan McCatan) and Maria (Kanisha Feliciano) two tragic lovers from opposite ends of the divide.Podcast theater review with commentary by Reno Lovison.

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In this podcast we are going to do a quick overview of some of some ways you can experience the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures represented in Chicago all year long. Included are insights into the various Asian communities and neighborhoods as well as recommendations about things to do and places to eat.*Correction: Traditional Korean neighborhood is Bryn Mawr between Kedzie and Kimball. Merla's Kitchen is on Kimball and Foster.

ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com encourages you to investigate the lives and works of some notable Chicago women as well  as a specific few who have  made a significant impact on Chicago's literary history. Their works continue to inspire us today, and we celebrate them and all women during National Reading Month and National Women’s History Month.

We  were on hand Friday, January 27th, 2023 at Lighthouse ArtSpace for the sneak peek kickoff of their newest experiential exhibit - -  Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius. Before the doors opened to the general public and V.I.P guests I had an opportunity to record an exclusive interview with Maestro Constantine Orbelian, four-time Grammy Nominated, Principal Conductor of the New York City Opera. Listen to learn more about this interesting exhibit and its interesting Musical Director. Recorded LIVE in Chicago at the Kick-Off Party on Mozart's 267th Birthday.

Man shot at Broadway and Foster. Too often these days , individuals resort to firearms to settle disputes. Certainly no one wants to be assaulted physically under any circumstances but people seems to turn to the use of deadly force quickly and easily and with little thought or care for the sanctity of life. Reports of deadly violence permeates our nightly news. Sadly even now it’s found its way into our own news platform which has been dedicated primarily to lifestyle reporting. But sometimes news finds you and we can’t turn a blind eye as violence and the threat of violence creeps closer and closer to home. 

A walking architectural tour of the Chicago Old Town / Gold Coast Chicago area conducted by Reno Lovison can be used as a guide or simply enjoyed by anyone somewhat familiar with the area or looking to become more familiar. Included is the House of Glunz, Architectural Artifacts store, Pallette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Ambassador Hotel, several schools, homes and more.