Is there anything U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley won't do? It seems carving a penguin out of ice wasn't enough because he also busted out his acting chops on stage at the Goodman. It was part of a benefit production of “A Christmas Carol” for Chicago-area servicemen and women and their families. U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky co-hosted the event and Schakowsky joined Quigley on stage. more ›

It would be fair to say that we’re not exactly “good tidings of comfort and joy” types. We eschew most things of the cheesy variety - excepting actual cheese, of course - and press releases for “fun for the whole family” shows meet our trash boxes more often than they’re flagged for further consideration. Although we’d heard good things, it was with a hearty amount of skepticism that we decided to check out Goodman Theatre’s 32nd annual production of A Christmas Carol. more ›

Remember that really weird production of A Christmas Carol that was supposed to open at the Civic Opera House? Considering all of the drama the show had already endured, we weren't all that surprised to receive this email from the production's marketing people: more ›

It seems like every other day we're reading about yet another theatrical project that makes us wonder if the success of Glee has caused some kind of collective brain short-circuiting. [Ed. note: I can't wait for Glee to die. How has no one else noticed it's just a cross between American Pie and the 4th season of Ally McBeal?!] Read for yourself. more ›

Carole Jo Utech, Chicago Festival Association more ›

In a story that seems like the most dark and twisted Seinfeld episode ever, a Palos Heights family is trying to figure out what to do after someone stole their 4-year-old son's walker, pediatric stroller, and a backpack with a turkey sandwich from his driveway. Stephen Sichak and his mother were waiting for the schoolbus last week, when they left the stuff at the end of the driveway and went inside to escape from the cold. When the bus came shortly thereafter, the things were gone. Stephen's mother Erin thought the bus driver had already put them on the bus, but it turns out that they were stolen. more ›

‘Tis the season for all sizes and flavors of “Christmas Carol” offerings, plus variations on its time-honored (some might say “tired”) theme. Our favorite standby is ye olde Muppets version, costarring a surprisingly tuneful Michael Caine, but our job here is to send you out into the world, not to your sofa zones. Luckily, Chicagoland has plenty of theatrical Scrooges to please everyone, everywhere, over the holidays: For the Purists: “A Christmas Carol” The... more ›

Last time Chicagoist was strapped for cash we looked around us and tried to figure out what we could sell for cash.. and that's just what the city is doing. Facing a great big arts and culture budget deficit, Chicago is turning to eBay to auction off city-related events and emmorabilia. more ›