Arts & Entertainment
A Film Festival and a One-Man Show From a ‘Ted Lasso’ Star: 4 Arts Picks for Your Weekend
“Romería” (MK2)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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Every May, the Chicago Critics Film Festival happens at the Music Box Theatre and I always try to catch at least one screening every year. It’s where you can watch some of the most acclaimed and likely award-winning films months before they hit theaters. There’s even a chance the director or cast will show up for a Q&A. While I have had many great memories there, one time I screwed up. I was late leaving work and had tickets to an early evening premiere screening of “Past Lives,” with director Celine Song in attendance. I left as quickly as I could, but I didn’t realize there was a Cubs game happening nearby. I circled around for parking and realized I would have had to cut my losses and head back home. The Cubs are back in town this time, but that should in no way discourage you from attending the Music Box this week. Just leave a little early. Below, you’ll find that week-long event and three more must-see activities for your arts and culture needs.
Theater: “The Movement You Need” — Steppenwolf Theatre
You might recognize Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard from the hit Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso.” (Hunt co-created the show, too.) He’s also a Chicago native who attended Illinois State University, developed his comedy chops at Chicago’s Second City and Amsterdam’s Boom Chicago and is back in town for a one-man show at Steppenwolf. It’s going to be funny, self-aware and full of many anecdotes from the actor and writer’s life growing up in Chicago and his career. The press copy states it’s “fueled by bittersweet memories of his Chicago childhood, a love for The Beatles that got him through it and the tongue-tied moment he met Paul McCartney.” Buy tickets here.
Film: The Chicago Critics Film Festival — Music Box Theatre
From Friday, May 1, through Thursday, May 7, the Chicago Critics Film Festival returns for its 13th year at the Music Box. During the festival, film fans will have opportunities to see debut screenings, archival presentations of classic movies, new short films, documentaries and Q&As with filmmakers and cast. Opening night features the debut of Olivia Wilde’s new film “The Invite.” She’ll be in attendance. Other highlights over the week include the Willem Dafoe-starring “Late Fame,” the John Early comedy “Maddie’s Secret” and the latest feature from Carla Simón, “Romería.” Full festival passes are $225, but individual tickets for each screen start at $18. For more information and tickets, click here.
Art: “Barbara Nessim: My Compass Is the Line” — DePaul Art Museum
The DePaul Art Museum closes on June 21. It’ll be a huge loss for the city’s arts community but you still have time to take in the remaining programming at the Lincoln Park institution. One of its last exhibitions highlights the multitudinous career of designer and illustrator Barbara Nessim, who for the past six decades has explored sexuality, justice and femininity through various media: ink drawings, watercolor paintings, computer art and collage. This work is on display until June 21. For more info, click here.
Music: Orion Ensemble — Venues in Aurora, Chicago and Evanston
For 35 years, the classic music quartet the Orion Ensemble has been a Chicago-area staple, bringing intimate and expressive chamber music to audiences and stages both in the city and worldwide. They’re calling it quits, but ending on the right note with a series of performances in Aurora, Chicago and Evanston from May 3 through May 10. For tickets to the May 3 Aurora show, the May 4 Chicago performance and their final concert in Evanston on May 10, use this link.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
