In today's listings: 5Rabbit beer comes to Fountainhead, swedish fuzz-rock masters Truckfighters at Reggie's and thee Superman story set in the future at Links Hall. more ›

The British Royla National Theatre's production of Frankenstein, directed by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle, has played to sold out houses in London since its February premiere and is set to end its run next month. The production stars Benedict Cumberbatch (captivating in BBC's recent Sherlock that was part of PBS' Masterpiece series) and Trainspotting's Jonny Lee MIller, fresh off a run on Dexter as primary antagonist Jordan Chase. Miller and Cumberbatch alternate between playing Victor Frankenstein and the Creature in this production, giving the production a different dynamic every night between the two prinicpals. more ›

You're the richest woman on the planet, ending a talk show run of 25 years to start your own network (which in itself is a daunting task) and you just told ABC's real life Skeletor, Barbara Walters that you're "not even kind of a lesbian" to refute rumors that you and your best friend are just that. What would you do next? more ›

As the snow gently fell to earth this morning, we here at Chicagoist couldn't help but feel the holiday spirit slowly overtake us, despite the already tiresome barrage of commercials, harried last-minute shoppers and bell-ringers invading our space on the way to the our offices. For a moment we remembered what we love best about the season; gathering around the table with friends and enjoying the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol truly had the spirit of the season in mind when he spoke the famous line, "God bless us, everyone." more ›

Mistakes Were Made, starring the Oscar nominee and currently running at A Red Orchid Theatre in Old Town, has been extended. The remainder of its run had been sold out but now Wednesday evening performances have been added through October 28. Hurry up and get tickets now. Shannon's performance is absolutely volcanic, and at only $30 a pop they won't last long. more ›

Want to interview Oscar-nominee Michael Shannon in Venice? $1500, please. Want to see him star in the world premiere of a new play here in Chicago? $30. Chicago's sure been getting dissed a lot lately. But a recent news item suggests that perhaps you can still get more bang for your buck right here. more ›

"I suppose I should say that all my roots are all in Chicago," Wallace Shawn told us. "Both sides of my family. My parents were very identified with being from Chicago, really. My childhood memories of visiting the relatives in Chicago are central to my being. And all sorts of things that some people associate with New York, I associate with Chicago, like going to hear jazz. I went with my uncle to hear Erroll Garner in Chicago." Shawn is usually thought of as the quintessential New Yorker (in fact his father William was the long-time editor of The New Yorker) but his new book is published by Chicago-based Haymarket Press. Essays is Shawn's first all-nonfiction collection, with pieces about the theater and writing, and impressions of living in post-9/11 America. more ›

Shattered Globe Theatre’s production of Buried Child is the latter. more ›