Stories by Dan Andries

The Goodman Theatre marks its 40th year of presenting the holiday classic with some new actors, some new interpretations and new ways to bring in audiences.  

There’s a new floating attraction along Chicago’s Riverwalk. We go for a look.

There's something new to do in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, but it will test the upper body strength of anyone brave enough to try it–and it might put a dent in your pocketbook.

Chef Rick Bayless joins us to talk about the wines of Mexico, his latest restaurant, and new dishes and drinks.

An inside look at the world of pinball machines with the president of the world's largest pinball company, Gary Stern. 

The building that thousands of cars drive under every day will be turned into commercial office space. Looking at the future of a building that's been empty since 1997. 

The site for the Obama Presidential library has been chosen and now community activists tell us what they expect as the project moves forward.

Revisit the wry cartoons of the turn of the century satirical magazine, Puck.

The WTTW organic garden is growing at an astonishing pace, with sweet corn towering over the plot and many vegetables ready for the grill. But if your own garden–like ours–is looking a little too lush, not to worry: There are easy ways to tame it, says Jeanne Nolan, the Organic Gardener.

It's almost official: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is reportedly going to be Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate. WBEZ fills us in on what it means for Indiana and the nation. 

Summer is the time to get outdoors and there's something new to do in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. But it will test the upper body strength of anyone brave enough to try it–and it might put a dent in your pocketbook.

Chef Rick Bayless prepares a drink, makes a dish and talks about his new restaurants and winning the prestigious Julia Child Award.

Why does one crowded CPS school look forward to a multimillion-dollar annex while another, just a few blocks away, fears closure for under-enrollment? WBEZ education reporter Becky Vevea fills us in on a troubling trend.

Arts journalist Victoria Lautman shares the mystery and beauty of India's stepwells, stunning architectural structures hundreds of years old that can be up to 10 stories deep.

Now that it’s clear that “Star Wars” creator George Lucas will be taking his project to another state, what of the small nonprofit group that fell the mighty filmmaker and his supporter, Mayor Rahm Emanuel? Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry joins us.

A day of special session for the Illinois House and Senate ended with no significant action on a budget agreement. Amanda Vinicky shares details of what’s been happening behind the scenes.

We get a tasty sampling of the first harvest of our garden with organic gardener Jeanne Nolan.

The Leave votes have carried the day in what has been called the single most important vote in Europe in the past 50 years. A look at the impact of the referendum which is expected to mark the end of Britain's membership in the European Union.

A father and daughter travel to the far reaches of Alaskan wild and live to write about it in a new book.

The conflict between the U.S. and Vietnam in the 1970s serves as inspiration for a Vietnamese artist collective that now has a show at the MCA.

It’s the final day of the spring session for the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield, and despite maneuvering on all sides to float a solution, the state still does not have a budget. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. 

The Chicago Sun-Times theater critic reviews four plays that address societal challenges and conflicts, including Goodman Theatre’s revival of the rarely staged second play by “Raisin in the Sun” author Lorraine Hansberry.

Excitement on Wall Street as a possible interest rate hike approaches. Why some surprises in the U.S. economy have investors and analysts feeling good.

Last summer, Sean Graney, founder of The Hypocrites, debuted All Our Tragic, his lengthy adaptation of every extant Greek tragedy. As the performance returns to the stage, we revisit our story on the 12-hour play.

Geoffrey Baer's latest documentary exploring the career of the winner of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize at the University of Notre Dame is Street Smarts: Architect David M. Schwarz.We get a preview.

The touring exhibition on the history, music, fashion, art, legacy, and identity of David Bowie landed in Chicago at the MCA. During its 15-week run, 193,000 people saw "David Bowie Is." We revisit the story.