Arts & Entertainment
A Southern Film Premiere and ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’: Four Arts Picks For Your Week
Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving in 'Carolina Caroline.' (Courtesy of Magnolia Films)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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Notice the thermometer ticking higher and higher? Did you see a weather forecast of clear skies and sunshine throughout the week? Look out the window and see your neighbors enjoying the great outdoors? If you live in the Chicago area, you’re answering yes to each one of these questions. After a chilly winter and rainy, unpredictable spring, it’s finally feeling like summer. It’s the perfect time to get out of the house and enjoy what the city has to offer, like this small selection of enriching and entertaining cultural events.
Comedy: “Comedy Bang Bang!” — Chicago Theatre
“Comedy Bang! Bang!” is a podcast and talk show hosted by Scott Aukerman that has been airing since 2009. Featuring marquee guests, improv jokes, insider gags and ample charm, Aukerman is taking the long-running show to the stage Thursday at the Chicago Theatre. He’ll be joined by comedian and frequent guest Paul F. Tompkins. Buy tickets here.
Theater: “Jagged Little Pill” — The Lodge Performing Arts Center in Elgin
Yes, this is the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical that was inspired by the Canadian songwriter Alanis Morissette’s landmark album “Jagged Little Pill.” It made its Broadway debut in 2019 and was penned by Diablo Cody, featuring music and lyrics from Morissette and more. On May 29, the production returns to Illinois for the first time in three years to make its debut at the Lodge Performing Arts Center in Elgin. According to the press material, the musical’s story “explores themes including addiction, mental health, identity and consent through the lens of a modern suburban family.” Buy tickets here.
Museum: Groundwaves Generations with MURS — National Public Housing Museum
On select Sundays this year, the National Public Housing Museum will be hosting an all-ages, interactive day party of hip-hop, art and immersive experiences. On Sunday, May 31, West Coast hip-hop veteran MURS hosts the event, which will also feature “a live performance by PHENOM Universal, a Poetry Making Playground Pop Up with Kuumba Lynx, facepainting with Iiimagine, a magic performance by The Spellbinder” and more. For more information, click here.
Film: “Carolina Caroline” — Music Box Theatre
The 2024 film “Snack Shack” was a delightful coming-of-age movie centered around a poolside hot dog stand run by aimless high schoolers during summer vacation. Adam Rehmeier was the director and screenwriter behind that film and has followed it up with “Carolina Caroline.” Starring Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner, it follows a young woman “whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man.” It boasts notable supporting stars like Kyra Sedgwick and a soundtrack of country heavy hitters like Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton. On Monday, Rehmeier will visit the Music Box for a premiere screening and post-film Q&A on Monday, June 1st at 7 p.m. For more information and tickets, click here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
