Ken Payne
I’m a Believer in Davy Jones!
I was happy to see that Davy’s set included the great Monkees songs that he is known most for like “I Want to Be Free” and “Valleri”, but was also pleased to hear him sing songs in which Mickey Dolenz sang the leads such as “Steppin’ Stone”, “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”.
“Shock-N-Roll” Frightening to the Last Drop of Blood
Fans dressed in gothic attire and many disguised as bloody nightmares entered the ballroom where a giant six-foot-high chainsaw was sitting atop a stage. Resembling something between The Night of the Living Dead and a Nine Inch Nails concert, the crowd was a big part of the show itself creating it’s own brand of entertainment (for people watchers like myself) before the first act even took the stage.
Avenged Sevenfold and Burn Halo Highlight Huge Night at Allstate Arena
Friday night was a night to remember for music fans that like it hard and heavy, as the Allstate Arena shook nonstop from one thunderous act after another. Burn Halo, featuring singer James Hart (formerly of Eighteen Visions) played as the ticket’s opener and was quick to show they were ready to take on an arena crowd.
The Alan-Bailey Continuum Makes Splash with New Release
The Alan-Bailey Continuum celebrated a new CD Release and their first anniversary at Subterranean on December 10th. The new album, titled Can't Let Go, is a collection of nine of Alan's songs, each unique in their music, lyrics, and inspiration.
Queensryche Tops Heaven and Hell Tour
Queensryche is currently touring their new DVD release, which contains a performance of Operation Mindcrime I & II in their entirety live at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, where the band originated. Pamela Moore, though she did not perform with the band, was on hand at the Sears Center to watch as Queensryche once again...
Christina Aguilera and Pussycat Dolls
As if the fans did not get their fill from the Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera’s “Back to Basics” show was nothing short of a spectacular climax to the evening’s event. Christina entered with class standing atop a lighted stairwell, dressed in white, before being joined by a host of talented dancers that escorted her...
Live Dazes the Riviera
As Live played on, fans reacted with a sea of waving arms while singing along with most of the bands songs. Live’s successful formula of - now we’re quiet – NOW WE’RE LOUD – ssshhh...we’re quiet again – NOW WE’RE LOUD AGAIN – wait, we’re bringing it down again, proved itself in flying colors as the band really seemed...
What is Kinky Notti?
“At times you think there’s progress, but at other times you think that people are on the same shit. It’s just a little bit more disguised now, but overall many people are still on the same vibe. We should be over that by now. Why should we have to continually retro-gress? We need to stop teaching our kids that shit. Peace...
Jay-Z Joined by Kanye West at House of Blues
Still, while plugging his hip hop pal’s new release, Def Jam Record’s president Jay-Z let everyone in the sold-out House of Blues crowd know why he is still the undisputed “King of the Rap Scene” as he aggressively unleashed tracks from his brand new Gangster. With fury and top-notch showmanship, the 37-year-old Jay-Z...
Blizzard Doesn’t Stop Goo Goo Dolls...
Rzeznik’s voice was album perfect, the songs were tight and the two added touring musicians did add a lot to their live sound that I best compare to Bon Jovi meets Eddie Money. For every rock ballad the Goo Goo Dolls dished out they balanced it with a more upbeat, rocking number including three in which Robby Takac...
Detroit ’67: A Basement Becomes a City on the Brink
23 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewDetroit was burning in the summer of 1967, inside one basement, life was still going on. That contrast is at…
Now Boarding: Bonnie’s Last Flight, a Sky‑High Comedy with Real Heart
23 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewRivendell Theatre Ensemble closes its milestone 30th season with Bonnie’s Last Flight, a sly, sky‑high comedy set during a flight…
Step Right Up and Ride the Cyclone (The Musical) at Metropolis Arlington Heights
22 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIf anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if…
Funny ‘Prayer Circle’ Is Loaded With Laughs
22 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewErik Gernand is resident playwright at Redtwist Theatre, and his Prayer Circle is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. The strength of this…
Steppenwolf Presents GRACEFUL WARRIOR: AN EVENING WITH GARY SINISE - Tuesday, November 24, 2026
22 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Graceful Warrior: An Evening with Gary Sinise on Tuesday, November…
Acclaimed Mexodus musical makes Chicago premiere November 7-21 at Studebaker Theater
22 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreStudebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, present the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking, award-winning new hip-hop musical Mexodus, written and performed…
American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
21 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzAmerican Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents Halloween Boo Bash, its annual costumed fundraiser benefiting artists' wages…
Definition's How We Got On: A Mixtape for the Stage
21 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWhat happens when three young people discover hip-hop and realize they might have something to say? Idris Goodwin’s How We…
Open Space Arts Presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY October 23 – November 8
21 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY, a three-week theatrical exploration of LGBTQ+ theater created during and in response to…
Northlight Delivers a Headline-Making, Hilarious Front Page
20 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewNorthlight Theatre opened its new venue with Jeffrey Hatcher’s smart, rejuvenated adaptation of The Front Page. Commissioned by Artistic Director…
Chicago Shakes' Play On!: With a Syncopated Harlem Beat
20 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are some productions you watch, and then there are productions that make your heart swoon and your toe tap.…
Overshadowed's Flame of Fire Finds Humanity, Strength, and Forgiveness in a Tragic Chapter of Missionary History
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewOvershadowed Productions’ Flame of Fire revisits one of the most polarizing true stories in mid‑century missionary history, and the result…
The Attic at Goodman Theatre Redefines Memoir Through Breathtaking Physical Storytelling
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAt intermission, I sent Ken, Buzz Center Stage’s managing editor, a text: “So thankful I made it!! It’s intermission, and…
Class is back in session with Victory Gardens’ World Premiere of The Humanities
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCoincidentally (or not), Victory Gardens’ new play about a controversial campus speaker opens just days after the one-year anniversary of…
Babes With Blades's Announces William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, playing October 22 - November 21
18 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBabes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) announced today new production dates for the final production in its 2026 season, William Shakespeare’s King…
Layered, Lovely, and Lasting; The Joffrey Ballet's Liliom Lights up The Lyric Opera
18 September 2026 in Dance in ReviewSometimes when we reach into the past to resurrect or revive an old story, we find it doesn’t age well.…
Cast and Production Team Announced for Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's THE NICETIES, October 31 – November 15
18 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFleetwood -Jourdain Theatre, an award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over four decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating Black…
Goodman’s centennial is its all‑time most successful year, with 300,000 patrons at 4,000 performances & events
18 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Goodman wraps its 2025/2026 Centennial Season, an unprecedented line-up marking the 100th anniversary of Chicago's flagship not-for-profit theater, as the…
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show - December 6th at Auditorium Theatre
17 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe greatest holiday show south of the North Pole returns for its 9th year with another brand spankin' new wintertide…
Paramount’s smash hit, immersive Million Dollar Quartet returns for its final run at Aurora’s Stolp Island Theatre, October 7-January 3
17 September 2026 in Upcoming Theatre“Great Balls of Fire!” Chicago audiences have just one last chance to catch Paramount Theatre’s immersive musical Million Dollar Quartet, returning more…
Holiday Cheer (and an earlybird discount) come to The Second City November 25th through December 27th
17 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTis' the season for laughter and cheer! The Second City is decking its holiday lineup with shows for every sense…
Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde: A Fearless Reworking Elevated
17 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde, now presented by Broadway In Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse, arrives with the momentum of…
Chicago City Opera presents Chicago premiere of Der Vampyr October 7-11
16 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago City Opera (CCO) presents the Chicago premiere of gothic horror opera Der Vampyr by composer Heinrich Marschner to a…
Full Casting Announced for A Red Orchid Theatre's HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING - October 29 – December 6, 2026 - Chicago Premiere!
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreA Red Orchid Theatre is pleased to announce full casting for its Chicago premiere of Will Arbery's politically-charged drama Heroes of the Fourth Turning, directed…
Chicago Legend Da Brat to Host and MC THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to welcome trailblazing hip hop artist and Chicago legend Da Brat as special guest host…
THE PRINCESS BRIDE to have Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Chicago July 19 - August 22, 2027
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreProducer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Chicago have announced the world-premiere of the new musical THE PRINCESS BRIDE will begin performances in…
American Son - Friendship Community Place - Through October 4th
16 September 2026 in Now PlayingGhostlight Ensemble's production of American Son, written by Christopher Demos-Brown and directed by Ebby Offord, opens on Friday, September 18,…
MARRIOTT THEATRE REVEALS A 2027 SEASON OF SHOWSTOPPING MUSICALS AND BELOVED STORIES
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMarriott Theatre, Chicagoland's longest-running musical theatre, presents its 2027 subscription season featuring five thrilling and memorable musicals: Pippin, A Gentleman's Guide to…
Kokandy Productions Concludes 2026 Season with A CLOCKWORK ORANGE: A PLAY WITH MUSIC November 5, 2026 – January 10, 2027 - Full Casting Announced!
15 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to conclude its 2026 Season with A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music, a live adaptation of Anthony Burgess's dystopian…
Raíces to Roots’ Unpacking Home - Collaboraction's House of Belonging - Through September 27th
15 September 2026 in Now PlayingCollaboraction Theatre Company is thrilled to host a limited run of Unpacking Home by Chicago’s Raices to Roots as part of the 9th Destinos…
Latest Articles
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Detroit ’67: A Basement Becomes a City on the Brink
Written by Wesley DavidDetroit was burning in the summer of 1967, inside one basement, life was still going on. That contrast is at the heart of Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67, now being produced by Pulse Theatre Company in residence at eta Creative Arts… -
Now Boarding: Bonnie’s Last Flight, a Sky‑High Comedy with Real Heart
Written by Ken PayneRivendell Theatre Ensemble closes its milestone 30th season with Bonnie’s Last Flight, a sly, sky‑high comedy set during a flight attendant’s final day on the job - a blend of sharp satire and warm, traditional character comedy that’s genuinely, disarmingly…
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Chicago Shakes' Play On!: With a Syncopated Harlem Beat
Written by Wesley DavidThere are some productions you watch, and then there are productions that make your heart swoon and your toe tap. Sheldon Epps’ Play On! is definitely the latter. Now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this exuberant musical takes Shakespeare’s Twelfth…
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Step Right Up and Ride the Cyclone (The Musical) at Metropolis Arlington Heights
Written by Anne RakowieckiIf anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if they didn’t know it, they were talking about Ride the Cyclone, the musical. When six teenagers die in a rollercoaster…
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