Keep Talking About the Arts and More Fall News

In Conversation with the Arts

"Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?"

-John Adams, 1776

I’ve been a theater critic for nearly a dozen years. In that time, I’ve heard opining over and over again about the worth of arts writing. Whether anyone cares or needs people whose purpose is to write about the arts rather than create them. Yet, as film, theater, arts, and food coverage continue shrinking all over the country, so too do their ever-expanding footprints.

Before the internet, culture writers played a vital role in the longevity of a piece of art. Reviews were sometimes all that remained after the final curtain—save for a few slightly disheveled posters. Coverage was posterity. That part writer, part historian role has shifted dramatically due to social media and the internet, yet in-depth writing about the arts and entertainment remains essential.

We need more than promotional pieces that tell us what’s going on, but not why we should care. Constructive criticism at its best interrogates the status quo, inspiring work that generates new ideas and carries us forward. Or it introduces the freedom for a restaurant to explore a new recipe.

That doesn’t mean a monolith critic should be the be-all and end-all of an arts scene’s livelihood, though. I don’t think there could be too many people covering arts and entertainment. Whether they’re old-school on-paper journalists, video creators, or make chaotic interpretive dances out of what they’ve experienced. More than once, I’ve been a lone voice of dissent in a sea of praise and received feedback from readers that I represented their truth. That doesn’t happen without a lot of different voices coming together.

Contrary to the critic caricatures of pop culture, arts writers aren’t the bad guys. Even if we have disagreeable or dissenting opinions or make a wrong call, we’re only human. Some of my favorite people in the world are arts writers, and several of them even read this newsletter. But coverage in any form is a crucial piece of an ecosystem. Even audiences or guests reacting on social media can be hugely beneficial for any A&E venue.

We just have to keep talking.

The arts are a lot like the memory of a person. If we stop talking about them, they disappear.

When we stop emphasizing their importance, they stop getting funded.

If we let the powers-that-be remove the power the arts hold, we lose ourselves.

Since I didn’t have a show to feature this week, I just wanted to take a moment to ruminate with you all. We’re on the brink of a bustling arts and entertainment season. Let’s invest what we can (time, money, or resources) to make sure there are endless busy seasons ahead.

And don’t forget to keep reading/watching your local arts writers/creators!

Chicago A&E News

• Drury Lane will begin its 2026/27 season with five productions, including the comedic play Father of the Bride and the musical Nunsense. The lineup also features the classic musical Annie for the holidays, a tribute to a rock and roll pioneer in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, and the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5. The season, which marks the theater's 77th, aims to continue a legacy of providing memorable live theater experiences.

• Goodman Theatre has extended its production of the new drama Ashland Avenue by one week through October 12 due to high demand. The world premiere, which marks the start of the theater's 2025/2026 season, stars Jenna Fischer and Francis Guinan. Directed by Susan V. Booth, the play begins on September 6 in the Albert Theatre.

• Kokandy Productions has added three weeks of performances for its musical Amélie, extending the show's run through Sunday, October 19, 2025. Based on the 2001 film, the Chicago premiere features Aurora Penepacker as the title character, with an ensemble cast portraying the whimsical world of Parisian life. Tickets for the new dates at the Chopin Downstairs Studio are on sale now.

• Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has announced Tiffany Gates as its new executive director, effective immediately. Gates brings 20 years of experience to the role, having previously served as education director and interim executive director. This announcement comes as the center is currently presenting the rock and roll classic Grease from September 17 to October 19.

• Steppenwolf Theatre will host John C. Reilly's acclaimed vaudeville show, Mister Romantic, for three performances only from December 4-6, 2025. Backed by a band of multi-Grammy winners, Reilly will perform songs from the Great American Songbook in a show praised as "fiercely funny" and "always sincere." Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

• Steppenwolf Theatre will present FEAT, an all-new hour of comedy and storytelling from award-winning Chicago stand-up artist Cameron Esposito. Esposito will perform three shows only on October 3 and 4, 2025, detailing her near-death experience from a minor foot surgery. Tickets for the show are currently on sale.

• The Newness is back for its final show of the year! It is a salon that provides a space for artists to share new, meaningful work, including original music, spoken word, and other forms of artistic expression. The final 2025 show will be held at My Buddy's (4416 N. Clark St.) on Tuesday, September 23, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $10 is requested at the door.

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

Email me at [email protected]!

My Other Recent Reviews

Support ShowCago

Below, you will see a “buy me a coffee” link. I do not intend to put a paywall on this newsletter (though bonus subscriber content may be introduced in the future), so I’ve included this little "tipping” button.

Attending shows or events, in addition to my full-time freelance work, comes at a financial cost. Whether it's transportation fares or grabbing coffee after a long day to get me through a three-hour Shakespeare after an eight-hour day, every little bit helps.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this newsletter!

Buy Me A Coffee