Chicago Broadcasting Network

An interesting, innovative and thoroughly enjoyable theater production, co-directed by Aaron Sawyer and Mary Kate Ashe at the Red Theater that leaves you wanting more - - but in a good way.

A documentary that premiered at the 55th Annual Chicago International Film Festival about Chicago’s mulit-ethnic “street gangs” in the 1960s primarily led by activist Fred Hampton of the “Black Panthers” who endeavored to affect social change by recognizing that all poor people in the city shared a common struggle.

If you are not already a fan of Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy you are very likely to become one after seeing THE TORCH. The nearly two hour documentary features Buddy Guy and young guitarist Quinn Sullivan who Buddy discovered in 2007 when the boy was only seven years old.

Controversial and Thought Provoking “The Merchant of Venice” is presented by Invictus Theatre Company in the words of William Shakespeare but with more contemporary staging. Review by Reno Lovison Note: We regret that in the podcast review we mentioned Joshua Seeger as The Duke (who also did a fine job) when we meant Jack Morosoville as Aaragon. Morosoville was also the composer of the of the music included in this production.

Reno Lovison,Joanne Schochat, and Connie Wilson give their overview and observations including film suggestions for the 55th Annual Chicago International Film Festival. Whether you intend to attend or not you can hear about soon to be released motion pictures and how to plan for this another film festivals.

Love, lust, and quest for power lead to despair and death in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Luisa Miller” at Lyric Opera Chicago. Review by Reno Lovison.

Music Theater Works presents the clever lyrics and memorable mid-century melodies in “Lerner and Loewe’s Greatest Hits” at Evanston’s Nichols Concert Hall. This trip down memory lane starts in the Highlands of Scotland, over the bumpy trails of the American West, through the streets of London, the salons of Paris, then ending up in the woods and palaces of historic old England. Review by Reno Lovison

Featuring two strong performances inspired by true events “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” is onstage through 10/13/2019 at the Steppenwolf 1700 Theater as part of the 3rd Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.

Attorney Helena and Bob a petty thief are not exactly a perfect match, but find themselves thrown together out of desperation and convenience. When confronted with an opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime night of excess they take a chance that leads to an unforgettable “Midsummer” romance. Review by Reno Lovison.

We enjoyed an afternoon listening to some music, eating crepes and bratwurst, drinking a new beer, and talking with a few Chicago artists exhibiting at the 15th Annual Lakeview East Arts Festival on Broadway between Belmont and Hawthorne. Including a guy who makes mosaics with beer caps, a ceramic artist, avant garde artist and more.

You will not be disappointed. A beautiful venue for this production. I definitely recommend this version of “The Fantasticks” for anyone who has never seen the show before or anyone who is in another phase of life since the last time you saw it.

I was curious to see how this epic story that features a soaring gothic cathedral in the heart of Paris would be portrayed on stage but from the moment the curtain was raised, at the Cahn Auditorium in Evanston for Music Theater Works production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” the audience was thoroughly captivated.

A review of Gurinder Chadha's movie "Blinded by the Light" with a Chicago spin. Javed wants to bust out of his working class town in the outskirts of London, and become a writer but feels reined in by an overbearing father whose traditional values are in conflict with Javed’s own desire to experience life on his own terms. After his friend introduces him to the songs of Bruce Springsteen Javed finds the inspiration he has been seeking that helps him discover his own voice.

Classic cars, food, and entertainment at this year's Retro on Roscoe three day festival and street fair. Hear what you missed and what you have to look forward to next year.

Agency Theater Collective and End of the Line Production Presents “International Falls” by playwright Thomas Ward at the Nox Arca Theater in Chicago near Irving Park and Ravenswood through August 31st.