Chicago Music and Theater
Chicago, Illinois
Previews and Reviews by Joseph Cunniff
At Chicago Music and Theater, we offer a wide range of music and theater previews and reviews. Our shows are specifically curated by Joseph Cunniff to cater to the diverse entertainment needs of individuals who have a passion for music and theater. We provide insightful and comprehensive previews and reviews, connecting with the audience and increasing brand awareness. Our unique discussion points include promoting music and theater performances while providing a unique and engaging experience for our audience. Joseph Cunniff has taught popular interdisciplinary arts courses for decades, and writes regularly on music, theater, and travel. He is in demand as an Art Institute guide and speaker.
Music and Theater Previews and Reviews
JUNE IS BUSTIN’ OUT WITH MARVELOUS MUSIC AND THEATER
By Joseph Cunniff
FCHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: The CSO was mightily cheered and critically praised at the Mahler Festival in Amsterdam. They were the only American orchestra represented in the festival. The other renowned orchestras included the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Japan’s extraordinary NHK Orchestra.
Jaap van Sweden led the CSO in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 and 7, before the orchestra traveled to Prague for their first ever performance in the Czech Republic.
Now back home at Orchestra Hall, their June performances will include Riccardo Muti leading Berlioz’s “The Damnation of Faust June 19, 21, and 24 at 7:30. (312) 294-3000. cso.org.
GRNAT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL: One of Chicago’s greatest treasures, the festival spotlights an outstanding professional symphony orchestra, made up of pros who except in the summer play in symphony and opera house orchestras throughout the U.S. and a Europe.
Then from mid-June through mid-August they join top conductors and soloists to play at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Lakefront Millennium Park, usually on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 and Saturdays at 7:30.
Admission for the lawn and for the seats toward the back of the pavilion are free. Seats closer to the stage and in the member section can be purchased by calling (312) 742-7647 or online at gpmf.org. Passes for most concerts start at $27.
The festival will open Wednesday June 11 at 6:30 when conductor and pianist Andrew Litton leads a program including Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Manuel de Falla’s Suite from “The Three-Cornered Hat.”
Christopher Bell leads a program including Holst’s “The Planets” June 13 and 14, and the new Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero conducts a program including Leonard Bernstein’s Suite from “On the Waterfront.” June 18 at 6:30. (312) 742-7647.
SECOND CITY: Called the world’s most influential name in live comedy, Second City is presenting their113th Mainstage Revue, “This Too Shall Pass.” A wild sketch comedy show, sometimes a bit raunchy and often hilarious, the show is said to “Spin the familiar into the absurd, and make the absurd feel oddly familiar.”
Jen Ellison directs an all-star ensemble that can act sing and dance with glee, and includes Adonis Holmes, Hannah Ingle, Jordan Stafford, Aisa Williams, Bill Letz, and Leila Goldstein.
“This Too Shall Slap” plays Tuesday-Thursday at 8, Friday-Sunday at 7, and Friday-Sunday at 10. Located at 1616 N. Wells. Tix start at $29, and are available at the box office, at (312) 337-3992, or at www.secondcity.com.
STEPPENWOLF THEATER will conclude its 49th season with Noan Diaz’s “You Will Get Sick,” described as “whimsical, wild, unpredictable, and deeply moving.” Famed ensemble member Amy Morton returns to Steppenwolf for the first time in nearly a decade, and is joined by Cliff Chamberlain, Namir Smallwood, Jordan Arrendondo, and Sadieh Rifai.
The play runs June 5- July 13, and tix start at $20. 1650 N. Halsted. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.
COURT THEATER presents “An Iliad,” a retelling of Homer’s epic poem by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, directed by Charles Newell, and starring the amazing Chicago actor Timothy Edward Kane June 11-June 29.
Court Theater, 5535 S. Ellis on the campus of the University of Chicago. Free parking is available in the garage just north of the theater. (773) 753-4472. info@courttheater.org.
DANCE: The DePaul University school of Music presented “Turning Toward the Other with Movement and Music,” a fine dance program choreographed by Lin Batsheva Kahn and Miram Engel. There was remarkable dancing to music including that of J.S. Bach, Leonard Cohen, and Samuel Barber.
The music was beautifully played by DePaul students as well as professionals including former CSO cellist Stephen Balderson.The concert was held at the modern and comfortable Mary Patricia Gannon Hallat 2230 N. Halsted St. on DePaul’s Lincoln Pak campus.
DePaul is now offering a dance minor for all majors. For info contact Lin Kahn, Director of Dance, at LKAHN1@depaul.edu.
St. Ita’s Church is often described as one of the most beautiful in Chicago. Patterned on two Gothic churches in France and built in the 1920s, the church’s downstairs Jubilee Hall was the site of an intimate and subtle evening of jazz presented by singer Terry Sullivan, quietly swing bassist Clark Sommers, and the astonishing Romania-born guitarist Gabriel Datcu.
Influenced by jazz vocalists Anita O’Day and Blossom Dearie, Terry Sullivan blended standards with lesser-known gems with a group that showed you don’t have to be loud to be terrific. They’ll probably play somewhereagain in July. Contacttsullivan@midtown-metro.org.
JAZZ SHOWCASE: Fiery jazz and blues drummer Isiah Spencer leads a group June12-15. The popular Sunday matinees at 4 feature discounts for students and seniors. 806 S. Plymouth Court in the Dearborn and Polk former train station with the big red-brick clock tower. (312) 360-0234. jazzshowcase.com.