Recent Articles
Uptown Soul Brings Bold
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel “Uptown: A Celebration of Motown and Soul” was a concert event by the band Uptown – they are an stunning American music band from New York City. Three world class soloists – Ali, Alfred, and Derrick – came together and put on a show that brought the house down […]
March 2025 @ the Franklin Park Library
Franklin Park Public Library District We are located at 10311 Grand Avenue in Franklin Park, IL and offer a range of services and programs for children, teens and adults. Further information is available at www.fppld.org or by calling 847-455-6016. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required for ALL library programs. Hours of Service: Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 […]
Guys and Dolls Excels
By Cate Rees-Hessel Music Theater Works’ production of the classic “Guys and Dolls” is an upbeat and fun show. The set design by Ben Lipinski is completely charming – the moment you walk into the house you are in mid-century modern New York City. Neon signs to the right and left of the stage realistically […]
Get on the Bus…
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire’s children’s offering for spring brings an beloved classic book series to life – “The Magic School Bus: Lost In The Solar System” is live on stage. This show has a lot of magic going, with performers of high caliber who can act, sing, and dance in […]
Chicago Tap Very Live at the Den
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel Chicago Tap Theatre at the Den was a ideal marriage – their most recent performance in a breathtaking old Chicago style theatre complex stepping back in time with so much architectural detail and a lounge right next to it, in an arts performance entertainment neighbourhood nestled in what may […]
Team Deakins Speaks on Latest Endeavors
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel “Team Deakins”, the power film cinematography couple comprised of Sir Roger Deakins and his wife James Ellis, are taking on new ventures of a podcast dedicated to cinematography, and a book of still photographs with original prints by Sir Roger. The pair spoke in a more than 30 minute […]
The Legend Returned…
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández is a first-class ballet company whose repertory is focused on saving the richness of traditional folklore tales and movement across the many regions and states of Mexico. This exuberant group, with about 32 dancers on stage and a 10-man mariachi folk music […]
Any Dream Will Do
By Cate Rees-Hessel Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire began their fiftieth anniversary season with a stellar production of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s marvelous biblical musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. I have had the pleasure of seeing various companies perform this show over the decades and Marriott’s production is my favorite. Aside from a brief disconcerting moment […]
“Cygnus” Looks at the Forming of One’s Truth
By D’Arcy Mies with Wes Hessel “Cygnus”, performed at Filament Theater by The Gift Theatre, is a very adult look at coping with trauma can be about picking your own perspective to avoid a more realistic truth. Three actors carry this hour and 45 minute no-intermission, no-reseating show. The set is contemporary-ish – the living […]
“Kitty James” is on the Trail of a Medallion and Love
By Nick Nicholas with Wes Hessel The Factory Theater, in its 30th year creating new plays and entertaining audiences in Chicago at 1623 W. Howard St., is paying homage to classic adventure films with a new play “Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon” through March 29, written by Phil Claudnic and directed by Jennifer […]
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