Stories by Marc Vitali

The Chicago Sun-Times theater critic gives us her take on highly recommended shows from Court Theatre, Griffin Theatre, TimeLine, Shattered Globe, Drury Lane and Paramount Theatre.

Being labeled "the topless cellist" was a mixed blessing for one American artist of the avant-garde. Charlotte Moorman's occasional nudity in her performances attracted curiosity, but it also may have distracted from the pioneering work she brought to experimental art of the 1960s and ‘70s. A new exhibition looks at the bold life and legacy of this musician, performer and muse.

An exhibition at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston looks at the "haute couture" that has long existed in Native American communities. We revisit that story.

While the start of the Major League Baseball season is still nearly four months away, the Cubs have aleady made headlines in 2016 with plans to beef up security around Wrigley Field. Joining us to talk about the proposed changes is Crain's Chicago Business sports business reporter Danny Ecker.

Eight times a week, Chicago actor Abby Mueller portrays the great songwriter Carole King in the national touring production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." Mueller joins us to speak about the real Carole King and the very musical Mueller family of Evanston. She'll also perform a classic Carole King song live in our studio.

Art and science intersect at an historic – and controversial – look at race. A preview of the new exhibition "Looking at Ourselves: Rethinking the Sculptures of Malvina Hoffman."

For 25 years, Redmoon engaged the community in dozens of neighborhoods. Its exuberant street parades and seasonal festivals brought theatrical magic right to the people. But the twin problems of fallout from its Great Chicago Fire Festival in 2014 and an expensive rental space in Pilsen have brought the respected company to its end. We speak with the company's longtime artistic director Jim Lasko.

In honor of its 150th anniversary, the School of the Art Institute teamed up with the Art Institute for a show that highlights the many influential American artists who received instruction at the school and later became part of the permanent collection of what has been called the "world’s best museum.”

Explore the grand story of the ancient Greeks and their influence on modern culture as we go inside the Field Museum's new exhibition “The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great."

Surrealism is the focus of a show at the Museum of Contemporary Art. We'll get a tour of the weird and the wonderful.

Comedy legend John Cleese talks about the real-life inspiration for "Fawlty Towers" – and tells us why he doesn't think one of his more famous Monty Python skits is all that funny.

Comedy and tragedy blend in a theatrical retelling of an infamous tragedy: the Iroquois Theater fire that struck Chicago back in 1903.

In August 2001, a WTTW11 crew met guitarist Rick Nielsen in advance of a Cheap Trick show at Navy Pier. We had a backstage pass and front-row tickets. This interview and performance haven’t been seen in 14 years.

A spectacular Nativity set blends heavenly drama with earthly delights. “Chicago Tonight” visited the museum and found an elaborate piece of art originally seen in churches in 18th century Naples.

A revealing look at the massive new collection of contemporary art at the Art Institute, where the Modern Wing galleries have been transformed.

See incredible images of combat zones around the world with a woman whose war photographs caught the attention of Steven Spielberg. Meet photojournalist Lynsey Addario.

In 2001, a WTTW11 crew visited Schubas Tavern to interview rising singer-songwriter Neko Case – and to record a performance with her band, Neko Case & Her Boyfriends. In anticipation of Case's upcoming appearance at the MCA, watch exclusive, never-before-seen footage from that shoot.

Triumphing over trash, the Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura emerged from a landfill slum in Paraguay to perform in concert halls around the world.

The Chicago Sun-Times theater critic appraises a true Chicago crime story at Victory Gardens and a double dose of Irving Berlin. Get her take on these plays and more when she joins "Chicago Tonight" for a discussion.

Comedy legend John Cleese talks about the real-life inspiration for "Fawlty Towers" – and tells us why he doesn't think one of his more famous Monty Python skits is all that funny.

Joshua Bell has been a violin virtuoso since he was teenager in Bloomington, Indiana back in the 1980s. He talks with "Chicago Tonight" about his early years, the greatness of the Stradivarius and his favorite collaborators in this encore presentation. He'll also treat us to a live performance with pianist Sam Haywood.

This weekend marks an important annual date on the city’s arts calendar. That's because the art fair SOFA Chicago docks at Navy Pier the first weekend of November. "Chicago Tonight" visited yesterday for the installation of the show and found both local and international connections. Jay Shefsky brings us the story.

Television writer and producer Norman Lear took a lighthearted approach to many challenging social and political issues in groundbreaking sitcoms such as “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” 

Teller, the usually silent half of magic duo Penn and Teller, speaks his mind about the production of "The Tempest" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in which he weaves stage illusions into the story of an exiled duke who uses the supernatural world to protect his daughter.

In honor of its 150th anniversary, the School of the Art Institute has teamed up with the Art Institute of Chicago for a new exhibition called “Homegrown." The show highlights the many influential American artists who received instruction at the school and later became part of the permanent collection of what has been called “the world’s best museum.”