OffBeat
OFFBEAT: Readers want to know about coverage of Chicago Jeff Awards for stage
I cover a lot of plays during the course of a year.
Nov 08, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Bill Clinton to speak next week at Chicago House luncheon
I received a nice invitation earlier this month from publicist Gina Kremer asking me to attend a luncheon Nov. 11 at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago featuring Bill Clinton.
Nov 07, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Broadway's Chicago bow of 'Young Frankenstein' old, stiff and not too funny
As a "casual" (as opposed to die-hard) fan of Mel Brooks' 1974 film "Young Frankenstein," I was excited to finally see the Broadway musical stage variation opening at Cadillac Palace Theatre this week. It's the first national tour of this…
Nov 06, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Final days to see Steppenwolf Theatre's stage mystery 'Fake'
It might have taken me a while to finally see it, but I enjoyed Halloween by intensely watching Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere mystery play "Fake."
Nov 05, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: National Radio Hall of Fame induction dinner this Saturday in Chicago
The more than 160 inductees into the National Radio Hall of Fame over the decades represent a broad cross-section of individuals and diverse program formats. And this weekend, that group gets to grow a little larger with the latest inductions.
Nov 04, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Anniversary Off Beat column included accurate numbers without sharing reason
Thank you to the many readers who called or e-mailed congratulating about Monday's anniversary Off Beat column.
Nov 03, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Happy 5th Anniversary!
When this daily column first launched on Oct. 30, 2004, it was part of our newspaper's latest new look and redesign. The idea for the column, and even the name, came from one of my previous editors, Theresa Badovich.
Nov 02, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Chesterton's Joseph Maggio stars in Drury Lane's 'Christmas Carol'
Halloween is over and November has arrived, along with the time change.
Nov 01, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: 'Millie' missteps a few moves, but still mildly entertaining
The last time, and only time, I saw "Thoroughly Modern Millie" on stage was when the national Broadway tour played a two-week run at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago following the six Tony Awards the musical took home when it played Broadw…
Oct 31, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Melissa Joan Hart still casts as spell as Halloween hostess
Sometimes I receive very tempting party invitations from publicists on the East and West coasts.
Oct 30, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Soupy Sales was true TV pioneer for 'new' children's shows
As promised on Wednesday's column, today I'm sharing a tribute to comedian Soupy Sales, who died last week at age 83, with some of the best moments from my October 1997 interview with Soupy when he played a double-bill show at the Star Plaza Theatre with …
Oct 29, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Soupy Sales remembered for his fresh and innovative 'funny business'
Despite the span in age difference, one of the pop culture connections I have with all four of my older siblings is we all grew up watching and admiring rubber-faced Soupy Sales, who died last week at age 83.
Oct 28, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Brookfield Zoo hosts Halloween hoopla
I just enjoyed my second weekend as a celebrity judge at Brookfield Zoo's annual Halloween costume parade.
Oct 27, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Florence Henderson helping older generation learn newer technology
Over the years, I've seen singer/actress Florence Henderson attached to a number of product endorsements.
Oct 26, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: South Chicago actress sharing funny journey about desire for motherhood
Chicago southside actress Kathleen Puls Andrade, who hails just across the stateline and is one of our Illinois edition readers, has a new one-woman show now playing in Chicago that uses a dose of humor while sharing her experiences trying to join the ranks of motherhood.
Oct 25, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: HBO series 'Rome' offers rich, intriguing historical drama spin
It was back in 1998 when cable's HBO hit the jackpot with its original series "Sex and the City."
Oct 24, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Singer Shawn Mullins in Valparaiso next month for fundraising event
I received an e-mail from Brian Schafer, business director and executive producer for the historic entertainment venue Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, asking me to tip off readers about a great event next month.
Oct 23, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: New applesauce pouches offer astronaut eating approach
When publicist Michael DeCarlo contacted me about a new kid-friendly approach to applesauce, called GoGo squeeZ, featuring fun foil pouches for a "squeezable" serving option with no mess, I thought of astronaut meals in outer space.
Oct 22, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Ernie Banks helping nuns raise funds Friday with autographed Cubs jersey
Today by 5 p.m. is the final chance for readers to also join me, along with my parents, Chester and Peggy, when we return to the Radisson Hotel's Ballroom at Star Plaza 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 as I host a special dinner and dance event in honor…
Oct 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Favorite Halloween costumes for 2009 include a wide range
I really enjoyed my judging duties as one of the celebrity judges last weekend at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, for their annual Halloween festivities.
Oct 20, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Chicago's Palm Restaurant offers a 'new' happy hour surrounded by celebs
The first time I wrote about The Palm Restaurant was after a visit in February 2004 to the Chicago location.
Oct 19, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Stockard Channing and Timothy Hutton bow out of Chicago 'Christmas Carol'
On Tuesday, the Chicago publicists representing the all-star touring version of "A Christmas Carol" announced a splashy entertainment who's who cast for the holiday stage favorite, which will finish its special five-city tour with a finale string of performance in Chicago…
Oct 18, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Brookfield Zoo ready to welcome guests for weekends of Halloween fun
I've always loved the fun and costumes associated with Halloween.
Oct 17, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: This week's Chicago visit of 'CATS' deserves more lives
The first time I ever saw the Broadway musical "CATS," it was in February 2002 in what was then called The Shubert Theater in Chicago.
Oct 16, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Readers share their own memories of famed former NWI landmarks
Thank you to the many readers who wrote to me Wednesday after my front page nostalgic news feature story "Erased & Replaced: Northwest Indiana Landmarks."
Oct 15, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 'Richard III' chillingly brilliant
Most people are familiar with some of the most famous lines from William Shakespeare's play "Richard III," which is one of the Bard's earlier works.
Oct 14, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Broadway favorite 'CATS' back in Chicago for short run this week
Tug Watson doesn't mind touring with a theater production, especially since he was raised in a military family and is used to being "on the move."
Oct 13, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Celeb favorite Garrett Popcorn returns to Mag Mile
The sweet aroma of Garrett Popcorn streamed through the doors for years down Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue. A long line of fans would trail it back to the store, a fixture on the Mag Mile.
Oct 12, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
OFFBEAT: Larry Hagman aka J.R. Ewing in Chicagoland for autograph show
Actor Larry Hagman, who just turned 78 last month and shot to fame (literally) as Texas troublemaker J.R. Ewing on "Dallas," is among the famed names heading to Chicagoland next weekend for the biggest celebrity autograph show in the Midw…
Oct 11, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…
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