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Filmmaker Peter Jones tells an 'International Male Story'
Out and proud Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jones has a new project that will resonate with many gay men. All Man: The International Male Story is a documentary covering the popular mail-order catalog and ...
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Turner's book details a life-journey beginning 'When the World Didn't End'
Screenwriter-actor Guinevere Turner has published a new memoir, When the World Didn't End. The book describes both her childhood spent within the Lyman Family cult, and the emotionally-wrought adjustments her family made when Turner's mother left ...
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GALECA reveals winners of inaugural Dorian Theater Awards
--From a press release
Thursday June 1, 2023 - The 35 members of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' theater wing announced the winners and finalists of its inaugural Dorian Theater Awards, honoring the best in Broadway and Off-Broadway ...
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SHOWBIZ Romance films, Megan Thee Stallion, Keith Haring, Cher, George Maharis
Video below
Instinct published an article on five gay romance films that the writers feel are especially emotional. They include the 2022 British film In From the Side, about two gay rugby players; the 2019 production Monsoon, starring ...
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THEATER 'Star Wars' burlesque parody at Logan Auditorium
"The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody"—featuring an unmistakable Star Wars theme—is at Chicago's Logan Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave., for an open-ended run. Featuring parodies of the classic fan-favorite ...
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Billy Masters: 'Vegas loves Manilow' and Mary's sues Florida
"I always go back to Divine. Also I was always a big fan of Varla. There's such a wink and a poke." —Melissa McCarthy, who plays Ursula in the live-action film "The Little Mermaid", talks about ...
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Billy Masters: And Anderson doesn't makes three
"We could have some good threesomes, me and Anderson." —Andy Cohen's response to Sherri Shepherd's question about his sex life, threesomes, and why he doesn't just date Anderson Cooper. Andy quickly added, "Because, by the way—excuse ...
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Hair coming to Skokie Theater June 23 - July 30
Madkap Productions has announced the cast and creative team for the inaugural show of their 2023-24 season, the rock musical HAIR, with book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, and music by Gail MacDermot. ...
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SHOWBIZ Cynthia Erivo, 'Next Level' winner, 'All Out,' Madonna, Omar Ayuso
LGBTQ+ actor Cynthia Erivo will star in a film adaptation of the theater sensation Prime Facie, Variety noted. Oscar nominee Erivo will take on the role originated on the West End (and, currently, on Broadway) by ...
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Belting for Life returns for an 8th edition
On May 15, Jeff Award-winning director and activist Christopher Pazdernik celebrated his birthday with the eighth edition of Belting for Life, his annual Chicago-style theatrical concert and fundraiser for AIDS ...
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Filmmaker Laura Moss brings 'birth/rebirth' to life
Non-binary filmmaker Laura Moss, who uses they/them pronouns, likes to tackle projects that break away from societal norms. Moss' first feature, titled birth/rebirth, and tells the story of a single mother and a morgue technician bound ...
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Doug Plaut serves up The Sixth Reel
Performer Doug Plaut's career highlights the queer side of life. From the breakout role of gender-fluid Terry in Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to the upcoming third installment playing Rex in Hurricane Bianca: All Roots of Evil, ...
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Foo Fighters, The Cure, and Tegan and Sara to perform at Riot Fest
Foo Fighters, The Cure and Death Cab for Cutie are among the headliners at this year's Riot Fest, taking place Sept. 15-17 in Douglass Park. Some of the other acts include queer twins Tegan and Sara, ...
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Trace Lysette: Film festival hit 'Monica' brings a story of trans resilience to the screen
Trans performer Trace Lysette grew up in Dayton, Ohio before moving to New York City to pursue a new life. Her television debut on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2013 made her one of the first trans people to ...
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Writer Sarah Gailey crosses paths with Black Cat for Marvel Voices: Pride #1
Publishing company Marvel Comics has been showing its true colors, with Marvel Voices: Pride #1 returning in 2023 for its third year in June. The comic book series features a wide range of out and proud ...
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Billy Masters: Has The Kelly Clarkson Show gone all Ellen on us?
"That's really hard, because Brad was the sort of major chemistry, love of your life, at the time. And then Ben was, like, technically excellent." —Gwyneth Paltrow compares Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck in bed. Sounds ...
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MUSIC Billy Porter talks 'Mona Lisa,' authenticity and activism
Billy Porter certainly seems to have it all. The actor/singer/director received numerous awards—including two Tonys (for his role in Kinky Boots and as a producer of A Strange Loop), a Grammy (for Kinky Boots as well) ...
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Gigi Gorgeous Spills The T Guide at Chicago Humanities Festival
Chicago Humanities Festival has created events that bring artists and audiences together for one-of-a-kind experiences in the Windy City for years—and 2023 will be no different. Programming slated for this year includes LGBTQ+ favorites such such ...
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ATTRACTIONS Lose (and find) yourself in The Exhibit House
Walking into Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.) was an experience, for sure. After all, it's not what it used to be. Marshall Field's and its successor, Macy's, are gone—as well as scores of other ...
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Warhol exhibition to open June 3 at College of DuPage
Following the success of 2021's "Frida Kahlo: Timeless," the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage will open an exhibition of the works of legendary artist/photographer Andy Warhol ...
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Chicago Opera Theater announces new General Director Lawrence Edelson
--From a press release
May 12, 2023 (Chicago) — After a three-month nationwide search, the Chicago Opera Theater (COT) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that veteran artistic leader and stage director Lawrence Edelson has been named the next ...
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SHOWBIZ Nathan Lane, Marvel, 'Guardians,' Deborah Cox, Provincetown film fest
Wanda Sykes' 'I'm an Entertainer' trailer below
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics named Nathan Lane its Timeless Star for 2022-23, per a press release. "Nathan Lane is an icon of stage and screen, a master of both drama and comedy, and ...
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Lyric Opera of Chicago introduces first-ever Artist-in-Residence program with soprano Whitney Morrison
--From a press release
CHICAGO (5/11/23) — Anthony Freud, General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced the launch of a new Artist-in-Residence program. Developed by Lyric Unlimited, the company's learning ...
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South Chicago Dance Theatre to debut 'Memoirs of Jazz' on June 10
--From a press release
(May 8, 2023) Through the 1960s and '70s, Jazz in the Alley on Chicago's South Side was a hotbed for jazz and a meeting place for some of the country's prominent musicians, visual artists, poets, activists, ...
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Chicago theaters hold memorial, will dim lights in honor of Frank Galati
--From a press release
CHICAGO (May 8, 2023) — Several major theatres across the Chicago-area will dim their marquees or lobby lights on the evening of Saturday, May 13, in tribute to late playwright, director, actor and educator Frank Galati, ...
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Sophie B. Hawkins swoops into City Winery this May
Sophie Ballatine Hawkins is a talented Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter currently out on tour. Her roots in music began at an early age as she attended the Manhattan School of Music for percussion. She found commercial ...
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Billy Masters: Carrie Fisher's family declare Walk of Fame star wars
"Days after Billy Masters revealed he spent time with Darren Hayes on the final stop of his tour (and talked about his butt), Darren announces his marriage is over: Coincidence?" —A fan wrote this to "Ask ...
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Kayla Boye's 'Call Me Elizabeth' to run at Venus Cabaret on June 16-18
--From a press release
Chicago—"Call Me Elizabeth," a one-woman show about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor, will be presented June 16—18 by KB Productions at Venus Cabaret Theater. Kayla Boye stars in and wrote the production; Michael Weber directs. ...
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SHOWBIZ Barry Manilow, 'The Kardashians,' gay Marine drama, Tonys, 'Unleashed'
The Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman production Harmony will make its Broadway bow in the 2023-24 season, beginning performances Oct. 18 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, with opening night on Nov. 13, according to Playbill. The musical—featuring music ...
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LGBTQ+ movie 'The Conformist' to open at Music Box on May 13
Kino Lorber will present a new 4K restoration of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1970 LGBTQ+ masterpiece The Conformist—and it will open Saturday, May 13, at Chicago's Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., for one weekend only. The ...
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ARC Music Festival expands artist line-up with local acts
The organizers of the Sept. 1-3 house/techno event known as the ARC Music Festival—which will take place in Chicago's Union Park—has expanded its line-up of artists. ARC's phase-two lineup additions include Monnom Black label head an ...
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Artemis Singers presents June 10 "Better Times Will Come" Pride Concert and Dance
--From a press release
CHICAGO─Artemis Singers, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Better Times Will Come" Pride Concert & Dance, Saturday, June 10, at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. ...
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SAVOR Omi Hopper takes it to the 'Next Level' on reality-competition show
Omi Hopper knows all about changing one's life. During the COVID pandemic, she decided (out of necessity) to create a social-media presence involving her cooking Puerto Rican dishes. Since then, Hopper (best known as @CookingConOmi) ha ...
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Pansy Division marks 30th anniversary of album with tour that hits Chicago
Pansy Division—one of the first openly LGBTQ+ rock bands—is marking the 30th anniversary of its debut album, Undressed, by performing at several spots across the country. "Pansy Division started in 1991 because we knew there were ...
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George Michael in 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class
The late gay singer George Michael was among the seven individuals receiving impending inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The other inductees include Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, ...
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Tony nominations are out
The 2023 Tony nominations are out. With 13 nominations, the musical Some Like It Hot led all productions, with & Juliet; New York, New York; and Shucked tying for second with nine nominations, per Deadline. Kimberly ...
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Billy Masters: Darren Hayes is bummed out
"Don't fuck it up!" —Glenn Close's bit of advice over the Paramount+ series based on "Fatal Attraction". Darren Hayes has a nice bum. I hate to start in such a coarse way—not that I have firsthand ...
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Chaz Bono talks about bringing the chills in horror movie 'Bury the Bride'
"I've seen this movie before. It ends bad." The above line is uttered by one of the characters in the Tubi original movie Bury the Bride. However—even though the film features some horror-movie constants like young, ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, Daniel Craig, Lizzo, 'Noah's Arc,' Maurice Jamal, 'Heartstopper'
Video below
The Peabody Awards announced that Lily Tomlin and Issa Rae will receive honorary awards at the June 11 ceremony, to be held in Los Angeles for the first time in Peabody's 83-year history, per the Hollywood ...
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Ballet review: Joffrey's Little Mermaid returns to darker original, a complex reflection on desire
The Little Mermaid Choreographer: John Neumeier; Score: Lera Auerbach. At: Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: 312-386-8905 or Joffrey.org; $36-$200. Runs through April 30 It's likely that many parents bringing small ...
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MUSIC Sawyer Fredericks talks 'The Voice,' artistic freedom, coming out as bi
Life has been a whirlwind for Sawyer Fredericks, who won season eight of the NBC show The Voice at age 16 several years ago. Since that triumph, Fredericks (who explores various aspects of folk music in ...
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OBAMA-OLOGY coming to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in June
--From a press release
Evanston, IL — Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the cast for the company's season-opening Chicago premiere of OBAMA-OLOGY by Aurin Squire. The play is about a young gay African American college graduate ...
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GALECA to also honor achievements in theater
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced it is expanding its mission to honor Broadway and off-Broadway productions, across various inaugural categories, beginning with the current 2022-23 theater season. ...
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Singer/actor/LGBTQ+ ally Harry Belafonte dies at 96
Actor/singer/civil-rights icon Harry Belafonte died at age 96 of congestive heart failure, according to Yahoo! Among the most honored performers of his era, Belafonte won two Grammy Awards (and the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in ...
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Billy Masters bids adieu to Dame Edna
"I was born with a priceless gift—the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others." —Dame Edna Everage The world just got a bit duller with the death of Dame Edna Everage. Her creator, Barry Humphries, ...
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SHOWBIZ Janelle Monae, 'SNL,' EDM pioneer, Culture Club, Kim Petras, Wilson Cruz
Videos below
Janelle Monae has re-entered the musical realm with the release of her single, "Float," featuring horns by Seun Kuti + Egypt 80, a press release announced. The song was first heard late last year as the ...
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EXPO Chicago wraps up 10th-anniversary edition
EXPO Chicago: The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art concluded its 10th anniversary edition on April 16. Approximately 32,000 visitors viewed and/or purchased works by more than 80 curators ...
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Steppenwolf premieres a queer work of art with Last Night and the Night Before
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is premiering a new production called Last Night and the Night Before, with plenty of queer representation both behind the scenes and onstage. The story centers around a relationship between two sisters with ...
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House History: World-premiere musical was inspired by the early days of '80s house music
Gay composer Scott Free can rattle off the names of several documentaries celebrating the Chicago origins of house music. This style of electronic dance music was pioneered by Black DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard ...
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PASSAGES Charles "Chuck" Williams was founder of the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Law, Public Policy
Charles "Chuck" Williams—the founder of the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy, a think tank at the UCLA School of Law—passed away April 11. Williams Institute Executive Director Brad Sears ...
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Good golly, Miss Cortes honors Little Richard in a big way
The new documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything held a big one-night-only premiere at Gene Siskel Film Center on April 13, the first 2023 film screened for the Doc10 Film Festival, Chicago's only all-documentary festival. Known ...
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Billy Masters: Davidson answers some inseam-ly speculation
"You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night and this?"—Drake Bell addresses someone reporting him to the police as "missing and endangered". The size of Pete Davidson's penis has long been ...
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City of Chicago, DCASE announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season
--From a press release
City of Chicago and DCASE Announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season April 13, 2023 Free Concerts, Films, Workouts and More at the Midwest's #1 Attraction DCASE Communications dcase@cityofchicago.org Download Photos ...
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Artemis Singers to present 'Better Times Will Come'
--From a press release
Kick off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with Artemis Singers' next concert, Better Times Will Come, a celebration of hopefulness after this long global slog of fear and separation. Enjoy an uplifting experience highlighting opportunities to create a ...
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SHOWBIZ Big Freedia, Hannah Gadsby, Billy Porter, Matthew Camp, 'League' ending
Video below
Netflix released a music video with rapper and "Queen of Bounce Music" Big Freedia remixing Netflix's Strong Black Lead series "Hey, Queen" in time for the release of Netflix and Shondaland's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, ...
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'Belting for Life' returns in May with new partnership with AIDS Foundation Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO—Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 8th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on Monday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston, ...
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Billy Masters: Heklina remembered, and Judy Gold inspires
"Swallowing is really a good thing. It's got a lot of protein. There is something to be said for it after you put in the hard work." —Christina Aguilera. I think my work here is done. The word "legendary" is tossed ...
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Christopher Rudd's ballet Touche explores dynamics of gay love
Jamaican-born dance creator Christopher Rudd premieres his powerful choreography for Chicago audiences at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, on April 14, 2023. The all-male partnering piece titled Touche is part of the ...
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SHOWBIZ Trans musicians, NHL, 'Queen Charlotte,' Jinkx Monsoon, Anderson Cooper
The Face published an article about five trans musicians who should be on people's playlists. British queer nightlife legend Mya Mehmi said that those musicians include New York's Ms Boogie, London-based Harve, Arca, Ms. Carrie Stacks ...
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Chicago Academy for the Arts meets million-dollar challenge with gala
The Chicago Academy for the Arts held its "Inspire: Red Carpet Gala" on April 1 at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The event, according to an email from school head Jason Patera, raised more than $400,000 ...
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Pride Film Fest announces streaming features, shorts, in-person screenings for April, May
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Pride Film Fest has announced its slate of LGBT-themed feature, mid-length and short films through early June. In making the announcement, Pride Film Fest Director David G. Zak said, "This spring, Pride Film Fest ...
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Billy Masters: Brokeback to break a leg on the West End
Last week, I went to Boston's Museum of Science, which is actually located in Cambridge. As a kid in grammar school, we'd take field trips there every year, so I knew every inch of the museum—including ...
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Why this Passover drag show is different from all other drag shows
Drag performer Merriam Levkowitz—billed as "Chicago's premier drag bubbe"—entertained a capacity crowd at Graystone Tavern, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave., for a Passover-themed brunch on April 2. Levkowitz performed Jewish-themed covers ...
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Jade McLeod swallows a Jagged Little Pill
Non-binary performer Jade McLeod has one hand in their pocket as Jo in Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. The other hand is giving a peace sign now that the past controversy is finally settled following the ...
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SHOWBIZ Coming-out film, James Baldwin, Madonna, 'White Lotus,' women's soccer
Director/co-writer Shariff Nasr's intimate coming-out drama El Houb will be out on Digital and DVD on April 4 via Dark Star Pictures (and in L.A. theaters on April 7), per a press release. The film's decorated ...
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House Musical: Coming of Age in the Age of House, celebrating the house music scene, to run April 20 - 30
--From a press release
Chicago, Illinois (March 30, 2023) — Campsongs Productions today announced the on-sale of world premiere musical House Musical: Coming of Age in the Age of House, celebrating Chicago's famed house music scene at the legendary Warehouse ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions premieres intergalactic queer extravaganza 'I Promised Myself to Live Faster'
--From a press release
Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 21st season with the Chicago premiere of I Promised Myself to Live Faster, an intergalactic queer extravaganza ...
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Book of Mormon's Sam Nackman knocks on Cadillac Palace door
The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago on a mission to convert new followers into the musical fold. The masterminds behind the satirical cartoon series South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker created a smash ...
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Sasha Velour pulls back the curtain for The Big Reveal
Gender-fluid drag queen Sasha Velour is hitting the road with The Big Reveal Live Show! This 90-minute extravaganza will be staged for two nights at Broadway Playhouse on April 29 and 30, and features an evening ...
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The Jeff Awards announces recipients of 49th- anniversary non-Equity theater honors
--From a press release
MARCH 27, 2023 — CHICAGO — In its 49th anniversary celebration of non-Equity theater excellence, the Jeff Awards recognized 35 award recipients selected from among 167 theater artist nominees across 28 artistic and technical categories. Awar ...
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Billy Masters
"This makes me happy for the OG Charmed fans. What a gift!" —Alyssa Milano captions a photo of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan at 90s Con. No word on why Alyssa missed this ...
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Being BeBe documents life of first RuPaul's Drag Race winner
On the evening of March 9, the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University presented a screening of Emily Branham's documentary Being BeBe, the story of Nea Marshall Kudi Ngwa, a.k.a. Benet, the first winner of ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Joy Ride,' Cynthia Erivo, David Bowie, March Madness, Kevin Bacon
Video below
The first trailer for the upcoming comedy Joy Ride has been released, Out noted. The movie stars Ashley Park, queer Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once), bisexual comedian Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) and ...
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Kokandy Productions announces 2023 Season
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 22, 2023) — Kokandy Productions is thrilled to announce its 2023 season, including two fully produced musicals, plus plans for the return of the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. This summer, Kokandy will dive into ...
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Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Diplo and more to headline Lollapalooza on Aug. 3-6
--From a press release
(Chicago—March 21, 2023) Lollapalooza has unveiled a powerhouse lineup for the 2023 edition, featuring first-time headliners Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish along with Red Hot Chili Peppers, ODESZA, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, who will make ...
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