Actor John Charles McLaughlin

Actor John Charles McLaughlin, who originally hails from Hammond, stars this month in the new off-Broadway play "Peter/Wendy" in New York City.

OFFBEAT: Dr. Joyce Brothers, a famed brain, dies at age 85

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: PBS Lakeshore TV celebrating 25, 'Streetlamp' ready for new special

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Star Plaza's 'Streetlamp' singer Shonn Wiley ready for Broadway

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Added New York security

A New York City Police officer watches as people take pictures with the bull statue in the Financial District, Tuesday in New York. Law enforcers say New York City remains in a heightened state of alert until more is known about the Boston explosions. More officers are working around New Yor…

OFFBEAT: Quick return for Chicago stage run of ''American Idiot'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Listen: Podcasting my way through formerly free time

Lee Murdock is a man whose passions are rooted in the everyday world - its natural rhythms and its common people.

OFFBEAT: Goodman's 'Measure for Measure' well executed while slightly distracted

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

James Newcomb as The Duke in a Contemporary 1970s New York City Setting for Goodman's "Measure for Measure"

Actor James Newcomb (center) plays The Duke in a contemporary 1970s New York City setting in Goodman Theatre's Chicago run through April 14.

WTC workers scrawl graffiti of defiance, hope

On most construction projects, workers are discouraged from signing or otherwise scrawling on the iron and concrete. At the skyscraper rising at ground zero, though, they're being invited to leave messages for the ages.

OFFBEAT: Photog Bobby Miller sharing showcase of iconic Studio 54 images for book's re-release

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Fabulous! A Photographic Diary of Studio 54 REDUX"

"Fabulous! A Photographic Diary of Studio 54 REDUX" ($95) is a beautiful 170-page hardcover book that includes 38 never-before-published color images by celebrity photographer Bobby Miller.

Woodworkers praise the many faces of plywood

It's not that fast or dirt-cheap, but it can be that easy, according to woodworking experts who speak fondly of plywood's many merits.

Poll: Fight obesity crisis but keep the junk food

Everyone could use a little help keeping those New Year's resolutions to slim down. But if it means the government limiting junk food, the response is an overwhelming, "No."

Jean Harris with Puppy in 1993, the Gift from Comedienne Joan Rivers

Jean Harris holds a puppy given to her by comedienne Joan Rivers as a gift in 1993, just weeks after she was released from prison and appeared on Rivers' syndicated daytime talk show.

OFFBEAT: Headmistress-turned-murderess Jean Harris dies at 89

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Math is anything but boring at NYC's newest museum

This is how math is presented at New York City's brand-new Museum of Mathematics, the only museum of its kind in the United States and a place where math is anything but boring.

Family dog is on the guest list for holiday dinner

The most prized holiday guests are those that eat with gusto, express their appreciation and lick their plates clean.

The holidays' hottest toys

Not all the testers for Good Housekeeping's annual Best Toys list wear lab coats. Some are barely out of diapers.

Kicking Off Christmas: Rockettes return to Chicago with gift of a new holiday stage show

Even though Emily Blanchard of Chicago has been a member of the legendary high kicking Rockettes dancers for six years, she still feels like "a new face" considering the group's 85-year history.