OFFBEAT: Chesterton actress ready for return of 'Glass Menagerie' in Chicago

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Actor from Hammond ready to play NYC in 'Peter Pan' stage sequel

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Eclipse Theatre's 'Woman in Mind' green envy fun

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: 'Peyton Place' remembered again, this time, on stage

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Brick Wall Design for Play Title "The Mark of a Dog's Foot"

A brick wall design, used as a background for Anthony "Joe" Seed's play title "The Mark of a Dog's Foot" was created to reference his connection as a Hobart High School "Brickie," and the subtle connection to the drama's plot.

"Underneath the Lintel" presented by First Folio Theatre

First Folio Theatre is performing a production of 'Underneath the Lintel' playing March 27 to April 28 at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook, Ill.

OFFBEAT: Victory Gardens Theater new season includes actress Sandra Oh

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Pine Box Theater's Run of "25 Saints" Exploring the Inner Workings of a Meth Lab

Danny Goldring (left to right) plays a "dirty tactics" town sheriff who complicates the lives of confused characters running a meth lab played by Caroline Neff (background) and Drew Johnson, with help from his equally cruel moll played by Molly Reynolds (right) in Pine Box Theater's world pr…

OFFBEAT: Black History Month continues with 'Cadre' at CST

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: 'Teddy Ferrara' a lesson in awareness and editing

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" at Lookingglass Theatre Chicago

"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" is now running through March 17, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago.

Actress Sophia Sinise

Actress Sophia Sinise gives a promising performance in Steppenwolf's new production of "The Birthday Party," in Chicago running through April 28, 2013. The play, by Harold Pinter, marks her debut on the Steppenwolf stage, where her father, actor Gary Sinise, is an ensemble member.

Chelcie Ross and Deanna Dunagan Star as Lyman and Polly Wyeth in Goodman Theatre's "Other Desert Cities"

Chelcie Ross and Deanna Dunagan star as Lyman and Polly Wyeth in Chicago Goodman Theatre's "Other Desert Cities" playing until Feb. 17.

World Premiere Play "Frozen Stiff" at Old Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point

Emily Duncan, center, plays young daughter Caroline, of Crown Point City Councilman Krost in the new play "Frozen Stiff," with Dana Zurbriggen (left to right), as the wife of Mayor Wheeler, Cathy Lincourt as Mrs. Holton and Laura Sauerman as Mrs. Hodson, the latter two cast as wives of Crown…

TV Comedy Writer Marc Jaffe

TV comedy writer-turned-playwright Marc Jaffe penned the new stage comedy "Side Effects May Include..." having its Chicago premiere this month at Greenhouse Theatre.

OFFBEAT: Intimate staging of 'Glass Menagerie' in Chicago is hauntingly compelling

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Parents struggle to find gender-neutral toys

Parents who hope to expose their children to different kinds of play, like science sets for girls and dolls for boys, for example, can find themselves stymied by a toy industry that can seem stuck in the past when it comes to gender roles.

The House Theatre in Chicago Presents "The Nutcracker"

The House Theatre in Chicago began performances Nov. 9 at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St. of their version of "The Nutcracker" and it completes the 2012 run Dec. 30.

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.

'Star Wars' figures, dominoes in Toy Hall of Fame

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia outmuscled little green army men for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. "Star Wars" action figures join centuries-old dominoes in the class of 2012, which was announced by the Rochester hall Thursday.