Cowboys, New Seasons, and Food News

Giddy Up Little Cowpokes

A home depicted on stage, its furniture muted by red shrouds. Dozens of clocks on the walls and tables, ever-present reminders that time stands still for no one—especially Mary. Mary knows this. Mary (Rachel Katz), who is always late, has been perpetually in a relationship with Crick (Wyatt Delair) since they were kids. Life is a well-practiced routine for her.

Until Red shows up.

Red (Alexandra Chopson) is a school friend of Mary’s. Now, Red is a cowboy in charge of her own fate and time. This disruption of Red returning to Mary’s life creates tension for her and Crick, creating even more shadows in their home than there already were.

Late, a Cowboy Song is an early play by Sarah Ruhl. It’s often described as “whimsical,” but I wouldn’t use that term for it. “Mercurial” is probably more accurate. The constants in Mary’s life are both the fleeting nature of time and Crick’s temperamental nature. We, the audience, are caught in this tempestuous relationship like a tumbleweed in a dust storm.

The only balm is Red. Ready with quick wit and a song, Red’s character isn’t comic relief; she is a calm in the storm. Chopson’s charming crooning to original music written for Couch Penny Ensemble’s production by composer and music director Evren Page is, without a doubt, the best part of the show. Even the band (Page on guitar, Lou Stockmeyer on keys/harmonica, and Zay Alexander on percussion) is like a group of roaming cowpokes lending an ear.

Audiences shouldn’t walk into this show expecting In the Next Room. This is far from Ruhl’s most well-known work. It’s messy, abstract, and (frankly) too long. But Couch Penny Ensemble’s unique aesthetic, combined with Page’s soothing music, makes it a memorable show.

Late, a Cowboy Song is running now through August 17th at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614. Tickets are available online, $18-$35.

Chicago A&E News

• The Chicago Magic Lounge announced the return of Walter King Jr.'s hit show, Diary of a Black Illusionist, for a limited run from October 2 to December 17, 2025. The show combines magic and storytelling as King, also known as The Spellbinder, shares his personal journey and how his West Side Chicago roots influenced his unique style. Praised for its heartfelt narrative and offbeat magic, tickets for this acclaimed production are now available online and at the box office.

• Cornerstone Restaurant Group and Executive Chef Matt Eckfeld have opened a new Italian-American restaurant, Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian, in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The restaurant, located at Armitage and Seminary, offers a modern take on classic red-sauce dishes, including handmade pastas, tavern-style pizzas, and reimagined nostalgic plates. The menu also features creative cocktails and a curated wine list, all designed to create a warm, family-style dining experience.

• Goodman Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two world-premiere productions to kick off its Centennial 2025/2026 Season. The season opener is Ashland Avenue, a new play by Lee Kirk starring Jenna Fischer, and the musical Revolution(s) by Zayd Ayers Dohrn with music by Tom Morello. The theater will also bring back its annual holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, directed by Malkia Stampley and starring Christopher Donahue as Scrooge. Tickets are currently on sale for all three productions.

• Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy is set to open its first new shop in five years in Winnetka, marking the first expansion under its new parent company, Hoffmann Oberweis Dairy, LLC. The new location will feature a refreshed, nostalgic design, including a full-service ice cream counter and a whimsical waffle cone ceiling installation. This opening is part of a larger plan to open more than a dozen new stores across Illinois, Missouri, and Florida over the next two years.

• The Factory Theater is presenting three world premieres for its 31st season. The season includes The Sporting Life by Marjorie Muller, Kubrickian by Zack Peercy, and Two Out of Three Falls by Bill Daniel. Season Flex Passes are currently on sale for the shows, which will run from October 2025 to July 2026.

• The League of Chicago Theatres and Arts Alliance Illinois announced the continuation of the Non-Profit Theatre Production Tax Credit, a state program designed to make producing live theater more financially viable. This credit allows eligible non-profit theater companies to receive a tax credit for a portion of their production expenses. To help organizations navigate this new program, a free webinar will be held on August 26, 2025, to provide guidance on the application process, eligibility, and working with tax credit brokers.

• The Newness is back at My Buddy’s—4416 N. Clark St.! The next showcase of performances is on August 19th at 7:30. This salon’s artists include Kelsey McGrath, MacKenzie Shapiro, Gabby Diaz, Bide Akande, The Transjester, Jordan Gleaves, Cal So, Morgan Leigh, and Pardi B.

  Do you have Chicago-based A&E news to announce?

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