Podcast

CHICAGO – The Physical Theater Festival in Chicago has one more weekend, and for two of those nights the fest showcases “Marrano A Tale from The Inquisition,” a joint international stage presentation from Israel and Spain. For tickets and info, click PHYSICAL FEST.

CHICAGO – In a manifestation of his most famous catchphrase, filmmaker Alex Winter, also known as Bill of “Bill & Ted” fame, wants us to “be excellent to each other” when it comes to our interaction on a certain online video sharing website. He ponders all the implications in his new documentary “The YouTube Effect.”

CHICAGO – One of the more unique theater festivals in Chicago invites us to “get physical.” The 10th Physical Theater Festival Chicago will take place from July 8th-16th, 2023. For the complete show line-up, including ticket links, click PHYSICAL FEST.

CHICAGO – It’s rare to see a director debut that is nuanced, anarchistic and different, but the high school coming-of-age comedy “The Crusades” – by first-timer Leo Milano – scores with its solid comedic script, unique characters and passionate homage to Chicagoland’s Northwest Burbs, as well as featuring hot actor Rudy Pankow (Netflix’s “Outer Banks”).

CHICAGO – In a fulfillment of his destiny, gay activist Gary G. Chichester was Grand Marshall of the Chicago Pride Parade in 2022, to celebrate his consistent contribution to LGBTQ+ causes, including organizing and participating in the first Gay Liberation March in Chicago on June 27th, 1970. One year later in 1971, he helped put together the first Pride Parade.

CHICAGO – Locally, Jerry Pritikin was known as the Chicago Cubs “Bleacher Preacher.” But Jerry had a more important role in his life … as a photographer who captured 1970s gay liberation in San Francisco, including gay activist icon Harvey Milk. His new exhibit is “When Then Was … NOW!” For more info, click Jerry Pritikin.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – May Pang is an essential part of John Lennon’s history, having been his lover from 1973 to 1975. While with John, she clicked a number of candid photos, collected in the exhibit “The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang” at the Art Post Gallery in Northbrook (Illinois) from June 16th through the 18th, 2023. Pang will appear at the exhibit for all three days, and all of the photos will be available for purchase. For more information, click May Pang.

CHICAGO – What does an actor do after a successful run of a TV series? If you are Wendi McLendon-Covey, late of “The Goldbergs,” it’s an animation voiceover gig for Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Studios latest release, “Elemental.” McLendon-Covey is the voice of Gale Cumulus, a city official in a wondrous mix of elements.

CHICAGO – The poster says, “We Can’t All Die First,” referring of course to the killer/slasher film that regularly murders the black member of friend group first. The film is “The Blackening” and it came from the mind of co-writer and featured actor Dewayne Perkins, who conceived of the idea initially as a sketch.

CHICAGO – In a program that launched during the pandemic, the Chicago/Mexico City Cinema Exchange began highlighting works from Chicago and Mexico City Filmmakers. Continuing forward with in-person screenings, the theme this year is displacement, and one of the curators of the event is Chicago film influencer Raul Benitez. The screenings will take place on three days at three Chicago venues, beginning June 12th, 2023 at (click for tickets) the Gene Siskel Film Center.