Entertainment
Why this Madama Butterfly?
Of all the productions of Madama Butterfly that are possible, why revive this one? That’s what I asked myself as I sat, bored out of my mind, in what should have been a riveting night […]
Articles by Suzanne Magnuson
Entertainment
A Dazzling Beauty and the Beast at the Paramount Aurora
The Paramount’s new production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has everything you could possibly want in a staged version of this show, top talent, lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, and theatrical magic that draws you […]
Entertainment
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar Makes a Lively Debut in Rosemont
The first Midwest location of Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar had its media opening in Rosemont on Thursday November 14th in a high-energy event that was an excellent reflection of what can be expected from the […]
Entertainment
A Magical Mary Poppins at the Drury Lane
Just in time for the holidays, everyone’s favorite Disney Nanny flies to the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, IL in a production that is practically perfect in every way. And it’s going to enjoy a […]
Entertainment
A Thrilling Don Giovanni at the Lyric Opera
With incredible vocal pyrotechnics combined with solid acting performances, it’s fortunate the Lyric’s Don Giovanni is having a relatively long run. You want to see this one. Every one of the principals is splendid in […]
Entertainment
Sunset Boulevard – Truly A Boulevard of Broken Dreams
With 11 Academy Award Nominations and three wins in 1950 (including Best Original Screenplay), the film of Sunset Boulevard, written by the great Billy Wilder and frequent award-winning collaborator Charles Brackett, makes for a wonderful […]
Entertainment
The Barber of Seville – A Masterpiece Production at the Lyric Opera
There’s a reason Rossini’s comic classic is among the most-performed works in opera. It is a delight from the first note of the world-famous overture to the final triumph of love at the end. With […]
Restaurant Reviews
Viva La Honey at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort
By Suzanne Magnuson and Judith Singer On a lovely Tuesday evening, Judith Singer and I were invited to sample the new prix fixe offering at the Three Embers Restaurant at the Marriott Lincolnshire. And the […]
U.S. Attractions
A Wonderful Day in America’s Riviera – Santa Barbara
Knowing I was going to be in Santa Barbara for several days recently, I wisely contacted the wonderful people at Visit Santa Barbara to help suggest ways to fill a spare afternoon for sightseeing. Their […]
Entertainment
Newsies -An EXTRA Good Time at the Paramount Theatre
As someone who saw the oh-so-lackluster 1992 film Disney made back when It first came out, to say that I didn’t have high expectations for Newsies is a massive understatement. And just like Joseph Pulitzer […]