Best things to do in Chicago in April
A cultural short-list for April, in order of buzz
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On opera’s rising star Andriana Chuchman
The rising diva has that rare combo of theatrical attributes: She can play smoldering or slapstick
On the life and work of photographer Beatrice Tonnesen
Camera Obscura: As the Victorian age gave way to the 20th century, a beautiful young Chicago photographer named Beatrice Tonnesen made her mark with a brilliant idea: using live models in advertisements. But Tonnesen’s pioneering role, like her artfully composed images (which often were usurped by well-known illustrators), faded into history—that is, until an inquisitive collector rescued Tonnesen from obscurity
Matisse Returns to the Art Institute—This Time to Cheers, Not Jeers
As winter gave way to spring, Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917 settled in at the Art Institute of Chicago for a three-month stay. The city immediately embraced the exhibit: its gala grand opening on March 19th lured enough of the “beautiful people” to raise $500,000 for the museum. Chicago, however, did not always welcome Monsieur Matisse so cordially…
'The Celebrity Apprentice,' Episode Four: Blagojevich Fired!
Last night’s episode started, as it always does, with Donald Trump asking each team to choose its project leader, but, in a twist, he did not describe the task first. Michael Johnson snapped to the opportunity, immediately nominating Rod Blagojevich for the men…
Tonight on TV: New Medical Drama from the Cast-Out Creator of 'Lost'
The other night, I got an out-of-the-blue e-mail from Jeffrey Lieber. A couple years ago I wrote a story about Lieber, the Evanston native and University of Illinois grad who penned the original pilot that would eventually become the television series mega-hit Lost…
Love It or Hate It? Dog & Pony Stages Another Promenade-Style Show
When Dog & Pony Theatre Co. premiered As Told by the Vivian Girls in 2008, I had little experience with promenade staging. The action moved around the performance area and the audience moved with it. But that’s not all…
The women behind "Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex"
For their new book, out March 16th, the Chicago residents Anne Coyle and Ellen Rakieten polled more than 100 women about things men do that turn women off. Spanning minor offenses (pleated pants) to major transgressions (spray tans and Speedos), the book has inspired a five-part VH1 series of the same name, which premieres in April
Good News for Jazz Fans: Ahmad Jamal and Brad Mehldau Coming to Town
On Tuesday, the city announced the lineup for this year’s Made in Chicago jazz series at Millennium Park. Included on the impressive slate is an 80th birthday fete for the legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal…
Lip Shtick
Our top five picks for things to do this week: Black Lips at Logan Square Auditorium, Hannibal Buress and Kid Sister at the Hideout, Frank Gehry at the library, and more