CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Rogers Park
Via Zoom: Barry Gifford Appears for ‘Roy’s World’ at Chicago Critic's Film Fest, Nov. 13, 2021
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 12, 2021 - 8:44pmCHICAGO – The Chicago of the 1950s and early 1960s was a different city then what it is now, and to capture that in a documentary is quite remarkable. “Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago” is a look at the city in that era, and it will screen at the 2021 Chicago Critics Film Festival. Click ROY’S WORLD for details.
Podtalk: Morgan Gire, Artistic Associate of The Factory Theater Chicago, on Aug. Silent Auction
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 1, 2021 - 10:59amCHICAGO – It’s time again for live theater in Chicago, and The Factory Theater – in anticipation of their 2021-22 Season – is launching “Quiet Please! It’s A Silent Auction,” an online silent auction through the month of August (the 1st-31st). An amazing array of goods and services are available for bidding, and can be accessed by clicking here.
Podtalk: That’s a Wrap! Filmmaker Michael Glover Smith on ‘Relative'
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 19, 2021 - 9:24pmCHICAGO – Local filmmaker Michael Glover Smith broke through the after-the-pandemic ceiling with his recently completed fourth feature film, “Relative.” The ten day production, shot primarily in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, follows the adventures of a family negotiating the youngest son’s graduation gathering.
Podtalk: Production Crew & Cast of Michael Glover Smith’s ‘Rendezvous in Chicago’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 13, 2019 - 3:53amCHICAGO – Filmmaking is a collaborative art, the melding of technical skill and creative energy. Proving that collaboration on a very high level is the new film “Rendezvous in Chicago,” written and directed by Michael Glover Smith. This passion project, shot in eight days, brought together a production crew and cast who perfectly meshed to create the “romance-in-the-Windy-City movie the world has been waiting for.” For the rest of the 5-Star review from HollywoodChicago.com, click here.
Film Review: Windy City Romance We’ve All Been Waiting for is ‘Rendezvous in Chicago’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 7, 2019 - 5:33pmCHICAGO – In the 30 odd years I’ve lived in Chicago, and in the 10 years I’ve done the Chicago Film Tour, I know Chicago movies. The problem was that most of them didn’t understand the Windy City vibe, especially in the relationships that develop here. Well, writer/director Michael Glover Smith gets it exquisitely right, in his three story anthology called “Rendezvous in Chicago.”
Podtalk: Brent Kado, Founder of Chicago Independent Film & TV Festival, April 28-29, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 26, 2018 - 10:29amCHICAGO – Another spring film festival is blossoming up in the Rogers Park neighborhood, the Chicago Independent Film & TV Festival (CIFF). This is the first one, and its goal is to highlight local, U.S. and international indie films from all styles of creators. The festival takes place on Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th, 2018, at The New 400 Theater and Damen (Loyola University) Cinema, and all the information regarding the weekend fest can be accessed by clicking here.
Podtalk: Executive Director Brent Kado on 7th Chicago Comedy Film Festival From Nov. 9-11, 2017
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 9, 2017 - 7:48amCHICAGO – If you hear the sound of laughter from the vicinity of the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago, then most likely it is coming from the New 400 Theater, the base for the 7th Chicago Comedy Film Festival. The Festival showcases features, shorts and experimental films in all styles of funny. It opens on Thursday, November 9th, 2017, with a program of Chicago Short Films at The Second City, and continues through Saturday, November 11th.
Theater News: Rich Cotovsky at Final ‘Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins’ Fest From Aug. 19-21, 2016
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 19, 2016 - 8:04amCHICAGO – It’s 3am on Saturday night/Sunday morning on August 20th, and you’re just not ready to quit. How about indulging in the 2016 “Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins” Theater Festival? The three-day theater marathon is in its 28th edition, and will be sponsored for the final time by the Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company, and hosted by the “Godfather of Storefront Theater,” Rich Cotovsky. It all takes place at the Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee in Chicago (details below).
Interview: Richard Cotovsky on Abbie Hoffman Fest, Directing & Final Days of Mary-Arrchie
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 17, 2016 - 11:13amCHICAGO – In founding and being an artistic director of a theater company for over 30 years, Richard Cotovsky of Mary-Arrchie Co. has a few stories to tell. In Part Two of an interview with the “Godfather of Chicago Storefront Theater” Cotovsky talks about the annual Abbie Hoffman Died for our Sins Festival, and the various acts of producing memorable stage productions.
Interview: Richard Cotovsky on ‘American Buffalo’ as Last Production
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 28, 2016 - 9:11amCHICAGO – The final curtain is coming for the theatre company known as “Mary-Arrchie.” The Northside Chicago Angel Island playhouse is opening its final production, “American Buffalo” by David Mamet, on January 28, 2016. It also features the company’s founder, Richard Cotovsky, the “Godfather of Storefront Theater.”