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‘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’

Play reviews: Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep

“Heat Wave” features, from left to right: Carmen Molina, Claudia DiBiccari, Mykele Callicut, Paula Ramirez, Preston Tate Jr., Deanna Reed-Foster and James McGuire. The show is part of Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Garage Rep 2015. Photo by Anna Sodziak.

Make It Better magazine, March 9, 2015 — Steppenwolf, one of Chicago’s most famous and venerated theaters, brings attention to lesser-known theatrical companies once a year with a festival called Garage Rep… Read my review for Make It Better. Photo by Anna Sodziak

Spring 2015 pop concerts preview

Crain’s Chicago Business, March 7, 2015 — My picks for the season’s top pop music concerts. Read more at Crain’s Chicago Business.

March-April 2015 theater preview

Make It Better magazine, February 25, 2015 — PA celebration of the late, lamented August Wilson dominates Chicago’s theater scene in March and April, while at Victory Gardens, another African-American scribe tells a story inspired by today’s headlines. … Read my story for Make It Better.

Book review: ‘Blood Runs Green’

Chicago magazine, March 2015 — Blood Runs Green Reexamines One of the Most Notorious Crimes in Chicago. The 1889 murder of Patrick Henry Cronin is at the center of this insightful new book by Gillian O’Brien. Read my review in Chicago magazine.

Film review: ‘Hogtown’

Photo: 9:23 Films

Chicago magazine, February 2015 — Go See Hogtown, a Murder Mystery in 1919 Chicago. Our 30-second review of the immersive movie, which screens this week at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Read my review in Chicago magazine. Photo: 9:23 Films

The 10 best Chicago documentaries

Photo: Kartemquin Films

Chicago magazine, February 2015 — Life Itself, Steve James’s tribute to Roger Ebert, comes out on DVD February 17, a good excuse to catch up on other great Chicago documentaries. Read more in Chicago magazine. Photo: Kartemquin Films

Before the car was king

Library of Congress

Chicago Tribune, February 7, 2015 — Almost as soon as automobiles appeared on the streets of Chicago, people wondered whether driving induced insanity. Read more of my Chicago Tribune story.

Play review: ‘White Guy on the Bus’

Make It Better magazine, February 2, 2015 — It’s no surprise that a play called “White Guy on the Bus” is about racism. The white guy in the title—a rich suburban financial wheeler-dealer named Ray—is the only white person on that bus… Read my review in Make It Better. Photo by Michael Brosilow