Our top five picks for things to do this week: Tracy Letts and Amy Morton sink their fangs into Albee . . . John Waters puts the kitsch back in Christmas . . . the Best New Artist grammy nom Esperanza Spalding splits a swinging bill with Regina Carter . . . 24 hours of sleep-deprived hilarity, courtesy of The Second City . . . plus, a freebie with free beer
Five spinoff groups/collaborations by the members of the beloved band
The renowned orchestra plays without its star conductor, Riccardo Muti
Five great plays that opened in Chicago first
Senior editor Cassie Walker visited the set of ABC 7 The Morning this week to promote Chicago magazine’s 40th anniversary issue, which highlights 40 Reasons to Love Chicago, most memorable moments at the magazine, and more.
The 1996 Northwestern grad and iO alum Seth Meyers on meeting “Saturday Night Live’s frenetic demands—and how Chicago helps make it all happen
Our top five picks for things to do this week: Peter Sagal takes a seat on the Interview Show couch (finally) . . . seasons greetings, Halloween-style . . . Sun Records’ Sonny Burgess, times two . . . plus, what the Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn is doing this weekend
The biggest challenge, by far, of hosting
POCKET GUIDE: A cultural short-list for the month, in order of buzz—including Andrew Bird, John Waters, a dance adventure, and more
SCROOGE SEASON: Ten holiday shows for every taste and temperament
