Recent Articles
Sharp Remy Bumpo’s “Hedda Gabler” Cuts Like A Knife
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano What’s in a name? Remy Bumpo’s “Hedda Gabler”, directed by Marti Lyons, opens the door for us to observe and reflect. Yet it is fast paced – honed, precise, short, emphatic, no nonsense, to the point dialogue that cuts like a knife; I was hooked… Aurora Real de Asua, […]
“Hamnet” Is An Intriguing Peek Behind The Curtain To The Drama Beyond
By Wes Hessel with D’Arcy Mies Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier has once again collaborated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, this time for the U.S. premiere of the play adaptation of the best selling novel by Maggie O’Farrell, “Hamnet”. The drama is penned by Lolita Chakrabarti, award-winning author of such great works as “Red Velvet”, […]
ICA 2026 Gala & Concert – “A Night Of Broadway”
By Wes Hessel The Illinois Conservatory for the Arts invites all to its annual premiere event, “A Night Of Broadway” Gala & Concert, a revue featuring six actors who have shined in theaters on the storied streets, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra, and all hosted by a seventh with the same outstanding credentials. It is […]
Court’s “Miss Julie” Contains Much
By Wes Hessel with D’Arcy Mies Court Theatre’s “Miss Julie” is a provocative period piece about class and gender, taking place in Sweden in the late 19th century. When you enter, one notes the striking, memorable set – a detailed kitchen scene, with a cast iron stove, a large heavy table that will soon be […]
Get Your Irish Up On the History
By Wes Hessel with Beth Tomas Porchlight Music Theatre’s fascinating production of “The Irish…And How They Got That Way” opens with a set having the general appearance of a seaport. The actors start off raising sails, then their voices in story and song. But first, a lively violinist begins playing Irish/Celtic music – she then […]
The Rhythm Will Get You – The Passion Will Keep You
By Wes Hessel & Cate Rees-Hessel Drury Lane’s engaging, high-voltage energized production of “On Your Feet”, the Gloria and Emilio Estefan love story and rise to superstardom in it’s Chicago regional premiere, is not to be missed. For starters, especially for fans like us who had seen the living legend and company in concert in […]
February 2026 @ 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 – […]
Legend LuPone Wows Auditorium Audience
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano Saturday night it felt like below 0° in Chicago, but 100° inside The Auditorium, where a full house audience gave a two minute standing ovation as Patti LuPone entered the stage – when she motioned for them to sit, they whistled and shouted out, “We love you!” Thus started […]
“Little Shop” Is Big Entertainment
By Wes Hessel Marriott Theatre’s sharp production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is the one with the big heart. The 50’s era sci-fi/horror camp classic musical about the alien plant that ate Cleveland (eventually), past the screams (of laughter from the audience), is a cautionary tale with two adages at the forefront: “be careful what […]
Oil Lamp Brings In “The Outsider”
By Wes Hessel with Beth Tomas Oil Lamp Theater is presenting an outright hilarious and painfully funny political commentary play. The Director’s Note in the program begins with the sentence, “The best public servants aren’t necessarily suited for politics and the best politicians aren’t necessarily interested in serving us.” It goes on to talk about […]
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