Chicago Broadcasting Network

 “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade.  [*Note there is some confusion in the names in the podcast. This is the correction.] This is a podcast review by Reno Lovison Executive Producer at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com and theater reviewer for...

Take a listen to this short podcast to hear first hand from spy movie expert Tom Pizzato about what you will see and experience at "007 Science : Inventing the World of James Bond" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago opening March 7, 2024 and running through March 2024.

Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronnie Marmo who directs and stars in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous onstage March and April 2024 at the Biograph Theater in Chicago.

Shortly after the end of the Civil War two former slaves ruminate on their experiences living and working within Monticello, the estate of former President Thomas Jefferson. The Reclamation of Madison Hemings by Charles Smith featuring Jon Hudson Odom and Manny Buckley is at the American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago through March 24,2024.  Listen to the review by Reno Lovison and f...

This podcast episode is a discussion with the creators of Flyover Chicago, part thrill ride and part immersive three-dimensional multi-sensory video experience that utilizes cutting edge drone technology featuring impressive aerial views, allowing visitors to see Chicago in a whole new way. The amusement park style attraction is located in the former IMAX theater at Navy Pier.  

For the Love of Dance  -  An onerous choreographer cajoles a select group of hopeful chorus applicants into revealing some of their deepest secrets. This Madkap Production directed by Wayne Mell is on pointe, tapping into the essence of a story of love and dedication to the art of dance. In the song “What I Did For Love,” (music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban)  Diana says of the gr...

My initial reaction is to characterize Pippin as The Fantastiks meets Godspell , Explaining the plot is about as easy as trying to recall and interpret the details a dream. What happened is not exactly clear. This production is a feast for the senses that makes use of the entire spectrum of theater craft. Music Theater Works is known for musical excellence and they do not disappoint us in this pro...

A light romp with a dark twist followed by a hasty, muddled ending wrapped up in a cloud of very good music all of which is performed by a remarkable cast of actor musicians. There's a lot of good stuff in Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago but also a few things that disturbed me. Listen to my review to learn more.

For a professional theater experience in Chicago this month you can’t do much better than the Lyric opera production of West Side Story . This Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim musical deemed cutting edge and somewhat avantgarde when first introduced is now a classic. The story by Arthur Laurents is a rather faithful mid-century modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Rival teena...

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In this podcast we are going to do a quick overview of some of some ways you can experience the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures represented in Chicago all year long. Included are insights into the various Asian communities and neighborhoods as well as recommendations about things to do and places to eat. *Correction: Traditional Korean neighborhood...

ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com encourages you to investigate the lives and works of some notable Chicago women as well  as a specific few who have  made a significant impact on Chicago's literary history. Their works continue to inspire us today, and we celebrate them and all women during National Reading Month and National Women’s History Month.

We  were on hand Friday, January 27th, 2023 at Lighthouse ArtSpace for the sneak peek kickoff of their newest experiential exhibit - -  Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius . Before the doors opened to the general public and V.I.P guests I had an opportunity to record an exclusive interview with Maestro Constantine Orbelian, four-time Grammy Nominated, Principal Conductor of the New York City Op...

Man shot at Broadway and Foster. Too often these days , individuals resort to firearms to settle disputes. Certainly no one wants to be assaulted physically under any circumstances but people seems to turn to the use of deadly force quickly and easily and with little thought or care for the sanctity of life.  Reports of deadly violence permeates our nightly news. Sadly even now it’s found its way...

A walking architectural tour of the Chicago Old Town / Gold Coast Chicago area conducted by Reno Lovison can be used as a guide or simply enjoyed by anyone somewhat familiar with the area or looking to become more familiar. Included is the House of Glunz, Architectural Artifacts store, Pallette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Ambassador Hotel, several schools, homes and more.

“Falling for Make Believe” purports to be “The Real Story Behind the Music of Rodgers and Hart,” but might more accurately be called the real story behind the suffering of Lorenz Hart. Listen to the entire review. “Falling for Make Believe” is at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Downtown Skokie through Oct 16, 2022. Running time is about 2 hours including a short intermission. Tickets can b...

The popular musical composed by Jerry Herman based on Thornton Wilder’s hit play “The Matchmaker” is a perfect wedding of story and music. No doubt the original 1964 production was inspired by the feminist movement of its time, reminding women of the limitations their grandmothers endured. “Hello Dolly” is a gentle and entertaining look back at how far we have come and perhaps a cautionary glimpse...

I had a little tongue in cheek melodramatic fun with this review/announcement of the world premiere hybrid radio drama, Orson Welles’ Dracula onstage at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago through September 25, 2022. Ticket information is available at glassappletheatre.com The The Glass Apple Theatre cast includes: Andrew Bosworth as Dracula . . . with Connor Brennan, Chris Jensen, Madel...

Review of "Hala" an indie film written and directed by Minhal Baig, a female Pakistani-American, inspired by her experiences growing up on the far Northside of Chicago.

If you have your own recollections of Maxwell Street or just want a glimpse at a piece of the not too distant Chicago past, I highly recommend the documentary film “And This Is Free: The Life and Times of Chicago's Legendary Maxwell Street” available online at Tubi.tv 

Sighted and visually impaired members of the Chicago Uptown Lions Club  take a special accessibility and inclusion tour of the newly renovated Lion House at Lincoln Park Zoo. The state-of-the-art habitat has been renamed the Pepper Family Wildlife Center and is home to a pride of African Lions.

I got a sneak preview of “Belfast” one of the highlights of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival. This podcast includes my review followed by some pre-movie comments from the writer/director Sir Kenneth Branaugh who was present to introduce his semi-autobiographical film. "Belfast" is told from the viewpoint a nine year-old boy as his world is turned upside down by the 1969 turmoil of Nort...

Connie Wilson talks with Rebecca Hall the the director of "Passing" on the red carpet at The 57th Chicago International Film Festival. 

 “Oscar Micheaux -The Superhero of Black Film Making” is a useful documentary film contribution to the library of Black History subjects placing Micheaux into the pantheon of individuals who contributed to the rise of twentieth century African American culture and ultimately, in a more “woke” sense, to the fabric of American culture as a whole.

The 57th Annual Chicago Film Festival brought together two interestingly similar subjects, Mayor Harold Washington who became Chicago’s first African American mayor and Mayor Pete Buttigieg who was the mayor of nearby South Bend, Indiana who went on to become the first openly gay candidate for United States President. “Punch 9 for Harold Washington” and “Mayor Pete” are each in their own way stori...

Physically debilitated due to a childhood injury purposely inflicted by his mentally impaired father, an aspiring pianist is virtually paralyzed on one side of his body and unable to use his right hand. “For the Left Hand” an inspiring documentary is available for virtual viewing as part of the Chicago International Film Festival.