Under the Streetlamp Ready for Second PBS TV Special

Christopher Kale Jones, from left, Shonn Wiley, Michael Ingersoll and Michael Cunio are the singing sensation members of Under the Streetlamp, which returns to Star Plaza Theatre in September 2013 to tape a second PBS TV special.

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

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Nugent 'still believes' in America and his fans

Ted Nugent. The very name of this famous son of the Motor City conjures up different images to different people – hunting enthusiast, NRA spokesperson, TV host, author, American patriot, environmentalist, ultra-conservative, humanitarian, family man – and all of them are accurate.

Crown Point woman chosen for Price is Right showcase

CROWN POINT | Saturday was the second time Theresa Saager and her daughters attended the “Price is Right” traveling stage show at the Star Plaza Theatre.

Take a musical stroll down Sesame Street

Music, beloved characters and feel-good messages will star in the latest Sesame Street Live production coming to Star Plaza Theatre next week.

OFFBEAT: Country music king George Jones dead at age 81

Country music icon George Jones died Friday at 81 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, according to his publicist Kirt Webster. He was hospitalized with fever and irregular blood pressure, forcing him to postpone two shows.

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

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Right 'Price': Stage version of classic CBS game show returns to Star Plaza Theatre

Last year, CBS game show staple "The Price Is Right" celebrated a 40th anniversary to mark its debut on Sept. 4, 1972.

OFFBEAT: Charlie Blum inks deal to bring Frankie Valli back to Chicago Theatre

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Scotty McCreery brings bass sounds to Merrillville

Scotty McCreery captured the music audience's attention while competing on Season 10 of "American Idol" in 2011.

Chess records icon Bobby Rush takes part in Chi-Town Blues Fest

Northwest Indiana will be importing some Chicago blues from across the state line today as Star Plaza Theatre welcomes seven popular purveyors of the sound that first ignited the rock ‘n’ roll fuse in a bunch of British kids who went on to fame and fortune in such groups as the Rolling Stone…

OFFBEAT: Mitzi Gaynor back in Chicago Tuesday for free 'South Pacific' film screening

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Times Columnist Philip Potempa with Parents Peggy and Chester and Actress Mitzi Gaynor in March 2010

Times Columnist Philip Potempa (left) is joined by his parents Peggy and Chester Potempa and singer/actress Mitzi Gaynor backstage at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville in this March 2010 file photo.

Thorogood salutes Chicago's blues icons

As he boogies his way towards his 40th year as a recording artist in 2014, guitarist George Thorogood said no special plans were yet in place to celebrate the anniversary.

A tour through a 'FAB-ulous' time in music

There are Beatles tributes and then there is American English. The latter is unique in that they performed for more than 50,000 rabid Fab Four fans in Liverpool itself and were the only band other than the Beatles themselves to be handled by original Sixties Beatles promoter Sam Leach.

Whiteco Industries sues over performance that resulted in a fire at Star Plaza

HAMMOND | The owners of Merrillville's Star Plaza Theater are suing the New Shanghai Circus and its affiliates, claiming the circus is responsible for a 2011 fire that caused nearly $600,000 of damage to the facility.

Two Openings and A Closing

Stray Dog in New Buffalo and Miller Bakery Cafe on Lake in Miller Beach are hoping to re-open soon and Casey's closed abruptly after 75 years.

Elvis: Timeless and recession proof

If one musical artist has proven to be recession-proof, it’s that shaky-legged kid from Tupelo, Elvis Presley.

On the Line: 'Chorus Line' tour makes a quick step stop at Star Plaza Sunday

Caley Crawford is happy to report the cast of young singers and dancers from the new national touring production of "A Chorus Line" aren't nearly as competitive behind the curtain as their stage counterpart roles.

Star Plaza New Year's Eve Bash 2013

At the Star Plaza in Merrillville this New Year's Eve you can pick your atmosphere: dance party, tropical island, Irish pub or rock 'n roll with food to match.