This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on April 28, 2005. It’s late March, and Mary Zimmerman has one month to go before her newest play, “Silk,” opens at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. The Goodman’s publicists are busy putting out press releases about the Tony Award-winning Evanston resident’s latest effort. Full-page advertisements for “Silk” are… Continue reading Behind the scenes of Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Silk’
Tag: pioneer press
Wilco (The Hubcap)
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on February 10, 2005. An old wheel cover from a Plymouth once sat on the shelves of a store in Libertyville, but now it’s the hubcap heard ’round the world. Glenn Kotche, drummer for the Chicago rock band Wilco, uses the hubcap in his unusual… Continue reading Wilco (The Hubcap)
Tony Bennett Q&A
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on August 26, 2004. Tony Bennett, who will perform a sold-out concert Saturday at Ravinia, talked with Pioneer Press earlier this summer about his career and the art of the song. Q: Are you working on a new album? A: I’m just finishing it up.… Continue reading Tony Bennett Q&A
Film review: ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (2004)
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE *** Director Jonathan Demme keeps up a fever pitch in this delirious nightmare of political paranoia, but despite some compelling action, it’s never as convincing as John Frankenheimer’s version from 1962. The original must have seemed joltingtly surreal when it first came… Continue reading Film review: ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (2004)
Edward Albee interview
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on February 18, 2004. Edward Albee, one of the most famous living playwrights, says he never writes second drafts. “I don’t do rewrites,” said Albee, who will speak Saturday at Dominican University in River Forest. “I don’t do drafts. There’s a danger present in doing draft… Continue reading Edward Albee interview
John Mahoney takes star turn in ‘Salinas’
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on May 7, 2003. John Mahoney is one of the Chicago area’s best-known actors, but he rarely gets the chance to play the lead role in a feature film. Mahoney, who has lived in Oak Park for the past 12 years, didn’t start acting until he… Continue reading John Mahoney takes star turn in ‘Salinas’
Almost famous: The story of the Vertebrats’ ‘Left in the Dark’
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on March 6, 2003. Winner of the Chicago Headline Club’s Peter Lisagor Award. “Left in the Dark” wasn’t a radio hit or a gold record. Its composer, Ken Draznik of Palatine, hadn’t earned a penny in royalties from the 1979 song — until last month.… Continue reading Almost famous: The story of the Vertebrats’ ‘Left in the Dark’
William Gibson Q&A
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press newspapers, including the Oak Leaves, on February 19, 2003. When William Gibson wrote about cyberspace in the early ’80s, it was science fiction. In fact, Gibson coined the term “cyberspace” to describe an imaginary worldwide network of computers in his novel “Neuromancer.” Eight books later,… Continue reading William Gibson Q&A
Richard Price Q&A
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on February 5, 2003. Richard Price’s new book, “Samaritan,” is the third in a string of convincingly realistic novels set in the public housing projects of New Jersey. Price first used the setting in “Clockers,” a story of drug dealers and the cops tracking them.… Continue reading Richard Price Q&A
Rick Moody Q&A
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on September 25, 2002. Readers expecting a straight memoir from acclaimed novelist Rick Moody won’t find it in “The Black Veil.” Subtitled “A Memoir With Digressions,” the new book does include Moody’s account of his battles with depression and alcoholism. But it’s a stranger, more… Continue reading Rick Moody Q&A