Author: philippotempa

7 Questions with Christopher Kale Jones

7 Questions with Christopher Kale Jones

Posted by | Dec 10, 2018 | | 0 |

Christopher Kale Jones is now starring opposite Santa and young Stella Rose Hoyt as the dashing lead in Theatre at the Center’s holiday hit “Miracle on 34th Street –The Musical” through Dec. 23. A familiar face and talent who draws audience applause, Christopher returns to the TATC stage in 2019 performing in concert with Michael Ingersoll April 6 for “Lean on Me: The Brotherhood of Rock and Roll.” I caught up with Christopher between shows for a Q&A to share his latest highlights in the spotlight… Your stage resume includes both extended schedule performances that range from Broadway’s “Jersey Boys”...

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REVIEW: Betty Buckley in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Broadway tour brings stage classic to new generations

REVIEW: Betty Buckley in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Broadway tour brings stage classic to new generations

Posted by | Nov 13, 2018 | , | 0 |

Betty Buckley in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Broadway tour brings stage classic to new generations by Philip Potempa It takes a special talent to step into the heel-kicking shoes of that legend of stage, the irrepressible Dolly Levi. Throughout the decades, the title character role of Broadway‘s “Hello, Dolly!” has been played by everyone from Pearl Bailey, Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable and Phyllis Diller as well as Barbra Streisand cast to play her for the 1969 film version. And of course, Carol Channing, a larger-than-life personality both on and off stage and camera, started it all. Channing, who will celebrate her 98th birthday in January,...

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REVIEW: Broadway tour ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ deliciously satisfies audience cravings

REVIEW: Broadway tour ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ deliciously satisfies audience cravings

Posted by | Oct 13, 2018 | , | 0 |

Broadway tour ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ deliciously satisfies audience cravings by Philip Potempa I grew up with “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” as one of my favorite childhood movies. It was released in 1971, just one year after I was born, and just having the word chocolate in the film title was enough to get most any child’s attention and admiration for this story with so many lessons, all originally shared in author Roald Dahl‘s delicious 1964 book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I’ve spent the past few years eagerly following the recipe for long-awaited release for...

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REVIEW: Funny and likeable ‘Tootsie’ dressed and ready for New York Broadway bow

REVIEW: Funny and likeable ‘Tootsie’ dressed and ready for New York Broadway bow

Posted by | Oct 11, 2018 | , | 0 |

Funny and likeable ‘Tootsie’ dressed and ready for New York Broadway bow by Philip Potempa When the 1982 film “Tootsie” showed up on the big screen in movie theaters, with larger-than-life funny characters mixed-up in screwball comedy life situations, I remember my parents taking myself and my siblings to see the box office hit. It had an all-star cast with Dustin Hoffman as the title character joined by Teri Garr, Jessica Lange, Bill Murray and Dabney Coleman. Broadway In Chicago and Scott Sanders Productions have united to welcome “Tootsie” back as a new Broadway comedy musical to introduce this...

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REVIEW: ‘Legally Blonde’ at Paramount Theatre is pink perfection

REVIEW: ‘Legally Blonde’ at Paramount Theatre is pink perfection

Posted by | Sep 26, 2018 | , | 0 |

‘Legally Blonde’ at Paramount Theatre is pink perfection by Philip Potempa Paramount Theatre in Aurora has launched its eighth Broadway Series season with a pink perspective beaming with audience appeal. “Legally Blonde – The Musical,” which had original bows in New York on Broadway when unveiled in 2007, is playing through Oct. 21 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., now billed as the most heavily subscribed theater in Chicago and the second largest in the nation.” This new production is reimagined with some clever “accessorized” updates by Trent Stork, a veteran of 15 productions and casting director at...

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Of Notoriety

Philip PotempaOfNotoriety.com covers the latest in theater news and reviews, entertainment, movies, stage performances, exhibits, museums, travel destinations, trends/shopping, dining and more.

Philip Potempa, a 25-year Chicago veteran journalist, writes about what others are talking about to keep readers informed about the hottest tickets (and topics) in town and beyond.

His Of Notoriety columns and feature stories can also be read in print in his flagship newspaper The Post-Tribune, one of the daily newspapers in the Chicago Tribune Publishing Media Chain.

You can contact Philip Potempa at philip@ofnotoriety.com

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