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The 4th of July is right around the corner, and you know what that means: fireworks. Lots and lots of fireworks. Maybe you're headed to a big show—something elaborate and professional over Navy Pier here in Chicago, or bursting across the sky above Grant Park while a John Philip Sousa march blares in the background. Or maybe it's a baseball game, and the fireworks fly after the final out. That’s all great—classic, beautiful, family-friendly explosions in the sky. Then ther

Straight from a twice-extended Broadway run, Jocelyn Bioh's excellent play "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" is making its regional debut in The Yard space at Chicago Shakespeare Theater  at Navy Pier .   It is easily one of the most entertaining and satisfying pieces of theater you're likely to see all year. Tony-nominated Ghanaian-American playwright Bioh and award-winning director (from Chicago) Whitney White bring a beautiful sense of authenticity to this day-in-the-life sto

My girlfriend Julie and I were very excited to have these tickets to Chicago Shake's current production of "Henry V." Founded and formed in 1986 by Barbara Gaines , Chicago Shakespeare Theater has been consistently doing great work for 38 years. They are celebrating their 25th anniversary at their incredible space at Navy Pier , it is home to year-round presentations of plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical works from around the world. Their la

Yes, as strange as it sounds, there is in fact, a musical based on J.R.R. Tolkien' s trilogy of books, the same books that inspired Peter Jackson's magnificent trilogy of movies. When I first heard about this thing, I was immediately skeptical and expected the worst. I mean, how on earth can you condense Tolkien's sprawling work down to three hours? And still have time for musical numbers? And, who the hell wants to see Frodo and Gandalf sing and dance? I know I didn't. Well,