OFFBEAT: Crown Point young reader is a 'Dr. Dolittle' do-gooder

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Well heeled: Chicago audiences get first look at Cyndi Lauper's 'Kinky Boots' before Broadway

Cyndi Lauper says it's so easy for audiences to connect to her new musical stage project with co-writer Harvey Fierstein and director Jerry Mitchell, because "it's about real people."

OFFBEAT: Stage parody 'Scarrie' back for silly audience fun

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Andy Williams with Times Columnist Philip Potempa and his Parents Chester and Peggy in 2005

Singer Andy Williams with Times Columnist Philip Potempa, right, and Phil's parents Chester and Peggy backstage following Williams' December 2005 Christmas concert.

OFFBEAT: Time for Hospice of Calumet Region's Fall Mums Luncheon

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Chicago audiences get first look at Cyndi Lauper's 'Kinky Boots' before Broadway

When actor Billy Porter joined singer Cyndi Lauper for the August sneak preview of the highly anticipated fall world premiere of Lauper's new Broadway musical Kinky Boots, the duo knew exactly which songs from the show to perform to get the audience excited.

Charlie Blum Starring as Professor Harold Hill in the 2005 Ross Summer Music Theatre Production of "The Music Man"

Charlie Blum (center) stars as Professor Harold Hill in the 2005 Ross Summer Music Theatre Production of 'The Music Man.'

Anderson Cooper

Among the few who ever "got away" from a scheduled Sinai Forum lecture? CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper canceled his 2005 talk because of his spiraling in-depth coverage of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans.

Getting Ready

Goodman Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who was born in Hammond, Ind. and still has family ties to the region, is shown in the Goodman's Albert Theatre during load-in and construction of a set on stage in 2005.

Gold in the Field

Eat your hearts out, Cubs fans. The White Sox 2005 World Series Championship trophy is a highlight of Chicago-centric artifacts on display in "Gold." The trophy stands 2 feet tall and sports 30 gold-plated, hand-furled flags, one for each of the Major League teams. The platform is sterling s…