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“9 to 5: The Musical” playing at the Metropolis Theater in downtown Arlington Heights is a kind of women’s lib version of “How to Succeed in Business.” While his wife is away on a four week cruise a trio of women manage to hog tie and subdue their boss in his home. Signing his name to numerous memos they commence making much appreciated changes and improvements to staff morale and office productivity.It may be difficult for some younger people today to consider that the glass ceiling for women was very real.In some level this show seems archaic and simply a retrospective romp but it also serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder that chauvinist and misogynist thinking still prevails in some circles and there are those who would love to turn back the clock.

Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison of Judgment Day - written by Rob Ulin, directed Moritz von Stuelpnagel, starring Jason Alexander at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through May 26, 2024.  Includes review of Offshore Rooftop Bar at Navy Pier.Bonus content: Rikki Lee Travolta interviews the creators of "Little Orphan Boy - The Musical at the annoyance theatre in Chicago. 

An update of a few events we enjoyed recently and a look to what’s happening soon including an excerpt of Rikki Lee Travolta’s interview with Evan Jackson, artistic director of “What the Weird Sisters Saw” a retelling of Macbeth from the Witches' point of view performed by Idle Muse at the Edge Theater. Also a few shoutouts to some northside Chicago restaurants.

Jersey Boys currently on stage in Chicago features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man.”  Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar. Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024.  For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365.

In this podcast episode Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronni Marmo appearing in “I’m Not a Comedian….I’m Lenny Bruce” under the direction of multi-award-winner Joe Mantegna at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. This production  tells the story of the life and early passing of one of the most legendary comedians of all time. Rikki Lee talks with Marmo about the development of the work and his association with Joe Mantegna who agreed to direct the show.

 “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade. [*Note there is some confusion in the names in the podcast. This is the correction.]This is a podcast review by Reno Lovison Executive Producer at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com and theater reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandArts.com.