Stealing the Show: Stage veterans paired with 11-year-old for Drury Lane's 'Oliver!'

Actress Heidi Kettenring is enjoying being part of the stage family for favorite family-friendly audience productions.

OFFBEAT: Buddy Holly and Julia Child in 2013 Chicago Broadway season

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Broadway's 'Wicked' musical earns new record

Oz has reclaimed the box office crown on Broadway.

YOUNG VOICES: Show them how you're defying gravity

As my best friend described all of the amazing effects, lighting, and characters dazzling the audiences in Chicago, I couldn't help but feel intrigued. The image I conjured up in my mind happened to be a witch raising a broomstick and hitting a set of powerful notes. Yes folks, the musical w…

Heavy metal

Actor Justin Brill is shown in full makeup and costume backstage for the role of the Tin Man, appearing in Act 2 of "Wicked," which is now on national tour.

OFFBEAT: 'Wicked' actor to teach workshop in Gary

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Las Vegas casinos falling into disrepair as sluggish economy takes its toll

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Broadway's 'Wicked' still bewitchingly entertaining and fun for all

The holiday season wouldn't be complete for many without the annual airing of the Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed film classic "It's a Wonderful Life. Directed by Frank Capra, the 1946 Oscar-winning film has earned a place in the hearts of young and old.

The Green Scene

ON THE RISE - - The young witch Elphaba, played in the national Broadway tour of "Wicked" by actress Jackie Burns, finds herself ascending to power in the Land of Oz in the hit musical which is playing Chicago through Jan. 23 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

A frightening Force

Actress Patty Duke is shown in costume as the bewitching and scheming teacher Madame Morrible in the San Francisco production of "Wicked," a role she played from March 2009 to Feb. 2010.

OFFBEAT: Reader asks if Chicago's 'Wicked' includes Patty Duke

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Broadway's 'Wicked' finally flying in for Chicago holiday stage engagement

GETTING ALONG - - Actress Jackie Burns (left) plays a young Wicked Witch of the West opposite Chandra Lee Schwartz as a novice Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, in the national Broadway tour of "Wicked" playing a Chicago holiday run Dec. 1 to Jan. 23, 2010.

Broadway's 'Wicked' finally flying in for Chicago holiday stage engagement

GREEN ENVY - - Green becomes the embraced color of identity for the witch Elphaba in the musical "Wicked," as she finds her skin and power are eventually both feared by all in the Land of Oz.

Broadway's 'Wicked' finally flying in for Chicago holiday stage engagement

FEELING GREEN - - Actress Jackie Burns plays the misunderstood witch Elphaba, who one day becomes the Wicked Witch of the West of "Wizard of Oz" fame in the Broadway musical "Wicked," which will return to Chicago for a nearly two-month holiday run, opening Dec. 1, 2010.

Broadway's 'Wicked' finally flying in for Chicago holiday stage engagement

It's only been her fourth month traveling with the national Broadway tour of "Wicked," and already, actress Jackie Burns has made green her favorite color.