It's been a hard week for Oprah. Seems some peeps are mad that Oprah signed Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (mouthful of a name) to her Oprah and Friends XM radio station. They're questioning how Oprah could sign someone who backs Giuliani when her support is so strong for Obama. Wah? This is why we don't wish for fame. Oh, and this reason: one of the other news stories this week is how Oprah is a traitor for backing a male candidate instead of the female candidate. Damned if, damned if. Oh, and if you're planning a trip to New York so you can see "The Color Purple" on Broadway (we just know you are) you better head out quick, the show ends February 24th after over 900 performances. more ›

It's another big week for Oprah. Oprah has a new reality show in the works. She's planning a film version of the stage version of the film version of the book "The Color Purple." She went to the premiere of her movie, "The Great Debaters" with Denzel, and best of all, Oprah's been fugged. more ›

After a wildly successful run on Broadway that received 8 Tony nominations and 4 wins, including best musical, Jersey Boys toured the country before arriving in Chicago for a six-month stint down at The LaSalle Bank Theatre. more ›

It's springtime and Chicago theatre is blooming again like the tulips on Ashland. For the last few years, in part because of Mayor Daley's plans to make downtown Chicago a major player in the theatre scene, many of the biggest and brightest shows leaving the Big Apple have made their way to the Windy City. The now-sitting Wicked proves the formula can be successful. It outperformed the New York version and is still going strong.... more ›

Bank of America may not get LaSalle Bank, but National City plans to buy the Illinois-based company that runs 82 MidAmerica Bank branches in Chicago and Milwaukee. The Color Purple debuted in Chicago last night. The Brookfield Zoo needs your help naming a 4-month-old polar bear cub. The smallest baby ever born at Northwestern Memorial Hospital finally went home. She was in the hospital for almost two years! These are the best bosses in... more ›

Yawn. That’s our initial response to the free music at the Taste of Chicago this year. We know not every concert should cater to us alone, but should we suffer because of the need to cater to the balding, khaki-wearer’s bland taste in music? Thanks, XRT, for taking this to a new level of disinterest. Who’s having the BBQ? That’s where we’ll be instead of Grant Park. The Taste of Chicago has released the Fourth... more ›

Same-sex couples will be allowed to be joined in civil unions under legislation approved by the Illinois House Committee. Cliff Floyd will start with the Cubs when the season begins. Jimbo's may reopen. The Chicago Dancing Festival is a free, one-night-only (Aug 22 @ 7:30 p.m.) event that is a grand showcase of performers from 7 major international, regional and local companies. Reminder: The Color Purple opens at the Cadillac Palace in a few... more ›

For last month’s Convince Us, we asked you for the worst book you have ever read. We chose Paris Trout by Pete Dexter. more ›

Say what you will about Oprah but the woman is a media genius. more ›

Opes is getting in on the Great White Way. They’ve made The Color Purple into a musical, and it has its Broadway opening in December. Oprah is getting on board as a producer and an investor – to the tune of more than $1 million out of a $10 million production cost. more ›