OFFBEAT: Steppenwolf's 'Birthday Party' a strange gift with promising debut by Sophia Sinise

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OF NOTORIETY: Steppenwolf Theatre announces 2012-13 stage season of surprises

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

FEATURED BLOG: Phil Potempa examines Steppenwolf's upcoming 2012-13 season

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey announced Wednesday the 2012-13 season, including a Steppenwolf-commissioned world premiere and the work of 15 ensemble members.

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, February 9th

Romantic adventures with NISO's concert of requited (Schumann) and unrequited (Tchaikovsky) tomorrow night and a collaborative work about George Mallory's frustration with Mt. Everest and on Saturday an exhibition by inspiring artist-couples. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, S…

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, February 2nd

Great visuals are coming up, including the Abstract Expressionism of Robert Rauschenberg opening tonight at GRAM; Anthony Droege's paintings at Main Street Galleries in Benton Harbor starting tomorrow and an exhibit for Black History Month at KIA. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Edit…

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, January 26th

CBS Morning Weatherperson Megan Glaros and her brother Matt co-host Shore Bridal event Sunday; Tryon Farm's Eve and Ed Noonan present at Cliff Dwellers next week and Andy Urschel and Justin Treasure direct Albee's 'The Goat' at CTG opening Friday. --- Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Ed…

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, January 12th

Weekend excitement includes a birdhouse auction featuring the work of local artists including Fritz Olsen, Stephen Holkansen, Bruce Niemi, Eric Shaw, Rick Ott and Roger Harvey tomorrow night.--Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore Magazine.

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, January 5th

Cheers for favorite holiday gifts created and brought to us by Rick Kaempfer, Brendan Sullivan, Roger Ebert, Christopher Hitchens, David Mitchell, Woody Allen, Christopher Reid, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson, among others, this year. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, December 29

The special Happy New Year's Eve issue in which we end with a look back at the perfect meal at Chef Jean Joho's LV Eiffel and forward to the major Rauschenberg extravaganza GRAM Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen has planned for 2012.

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, December 22

Happy holidays from the Shore staff! This week, take advantage of some world-class theater, or plan ahead for Winter Delights in Benton Harbor and an extraordinary exhibit in Michigan City.

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, December 1

Two legendary and inspiring patrons of the arts --- Former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley and Grand Rapids' Frederik Meijer --- passed away last week and while we mourn them, we also celebrate the rich legacies they left behind. They were visionaries and pragmatists who made big dreams come true.

Ensemble member Tracy Letts Joins the Cast of Steppenwolf's Penelope

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce ensemble member Tracy Letts will join the cast of Penelope, by Enda Walsh and directed by ensemble member Amy Morton. Penelope also features ensemble members Ian Barford and Yasen Peyankov with Scott Jaeck and Logan Vaughn. Ensemble member J…

OFFBEAT: Jackson 5 talent producer featured in mag; Letts in for Mahoney for 'Penelope'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, November 24

Welcome to our special Thanksgiving Day edition enewser in which all you have to do today is eat well, make plans to shop, (possibly) cook, (maybe) drive somewhere and have fun! Shore Motoring Columnist Jim Jackson's idea of fun is driving Mr. Santa Claus in a red 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee in…

Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, November 17

Don't miss the exciting Dec/Jan issue of Shore magazine full of big ideas and personalities including Herman Miller's Eames Lounge Chair; Three Oaks Journeyman Distillery's Bill Welter; Grand Rapids' George Aquino; Hammond Transformers Karen Maravilla and Raymundo Garcia; Die-Hard Cubs Fan C…

Actor John Mahoney finds his muse

When the phone rings and you see the name "John Mahoney" on the caller ID, it's a no-brainer that you're going to be talking about the actor's memorable roles in television and film and on stage with Chicago's Steppenwolf ensemble. Less predictable, on the other hand, are the topics of Speed…

OFFBEAT: Northlight Theatre's 'Outgoing Tide' a beautiful emotionally driven stage journey

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"The Outgoing Tide" at Northlight Theatre

Thomas Cox (left), John Mahoney (center) and Rondi Reed star in the world premiere stage drama "The Outgoing Tide," which has been extended through July 3 at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Ill.