Robert Loerzel – Page 16

Celebrating a Century of Midland Authors

Society of Midland Authors Books Blog, May 5, 2015 — The Society of Midland Authors celebrated its 100th birthday on May 1 and 2, 2015, in Chicago… On Saturday, May 2, the Society held a free daylong event at University Center in the South Loop, featuring speeches by noted authors, panel discussions on literary topics and short… Continue reading Celebrating a Century of Midland Authors

North by Northwest Highway brings three days of music to Edison Park

Pioneer Press, April 30, 2015 — Austin, Texas, is famous for its South by Southwest festival. Now, the Edison Park neighborhood on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side is hosting a weekend of concerts with its own take on the moniker: the North by Northwest Highway Music Fest. Read more in Pioneer Press.

Record Store Day photos

Underground Bee, April 22, 2015 — See my photos of Local H as well as Lasers and Fast and Shit playing Saturday, April 18, at the Reckless Records store on Broadway during Record Store Day; the Polkaholics at Laurie’s Planet of Sound; and the Tweens at Bric-a-Brac. Photo of Tweens by Robert Loerzel

May 2015 theater preview

Make It Better magazine, April 21, 2015 — Putting together a new musical is a big deal. It isn’t easy finding the right combination of words, melodies, characters and spectacle that will win over audiences. But three new musicals are hitting local stages in May… Read my story for Make It Better.

Concert reviews and photos

January to April 2015 concert reviews and photos at Underground Bee: — The Vaselines at the Empty Bottle — DRMWPN and Chicago Psych Fest at the Hideout — Mid-February Concert Recap: Olivia Chaney, Mark Dvorak, Sleater-Kinney, Lizzo, the Western Elstons, Greil Marcus with John Langford and Sally Timms, Swans, Xylouris White — Robyn Hitchcock at Space — A new home… Continue reading Concert reviews and photos

Play review: ‘The Herd’

Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of “The Herd” features, from left, Audrey Francis, Cliff Chamberlain, Francis Guinan, Lois Smith and John Mahoney. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Make It Better magazine, April 14, 2015 — Like so many other plays before it, “The Herd” is about a family gathering that turns into a moment of crisis and confrontation. It’s a familiar formula, but British actor-playwright Rory Kinnear’s drama is an exceptionally well-written take on this scenario. Read my review for Make It… Continue reading Play review: ‘The Herd’

A History of the Society of Midland Authors, Part 2

Society of Midland Authors Books Blog, April 10, 2015 — The authors who gathered at the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago on November 28, 1914, didn’t expect a free dinner. But they were somewhat stunned when the writer who’d invited them, John M. Stahl, picked up the tab for everyone… Read my post at the Society of Midland Authors… Continue reading A History of the Society of Midland Authors, Part 2

A History of the Society of Midland Authors, Part 1

Society of Midland Authors Books Blog, April 2, 2015 — As the Society of Midland Authors celebrates its 100th birthday, we present a history of the organization, starting with this look at its origins. In 1914, Carl Sandburg called Chicago “Hog Butcher for the World.” Edgar Lee Masters, a Chicago lawyer born in Kansas, was giving voice to the common… Continue reading A History of the Society of Midland Authors, Part 1

‘An Issue of Blood’ at Victory Gardens

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Playbill magazine’s Chicago edition in April 2015. Last fall, Marcus Gardley was supposed to be writing A Wonder in My Soul, a play revolving around a group of Chicago soul singers from the 1960s. It was scheduled to make its world premiere in April at Victory Gardens Theatre. But after… Continue reading ‘An Issue of Blood’ at Victory Gardens

Play review: ‘Two Trains Running’

rom left: Anthony Irons, Terry Bellamy and Nambi E. Kelley perform in “Two Trains Running” at Goodman Theatre. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Make It Better magazine, March 16, 2015 — Like any play that seriously deals with the history of race relations in America, “Two Trains Running” has dark moments. Many of the African-American characters in the late August Wilson’s play, who are gathered in a Pittsburgh diner in 1969, feel a sense of grievance over the… Continue reading Play review: ‘Two Trains Running’