Bill Zwecker News

Betty Buckley, star of stage, screen and television will accept the "Actor of the Year" Award at this year's Sarah Siddons gala fundraiser. Ms.Buckley, who has been called 'The Voice of Broadway,' is one of theater's most respected and legendary leading ladies. 2018 also finds her leading the first national tour ofHello, Dolly!, as Dolly Levi, which will play Broadway In Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) for a limited four-week engagement October 23 through November 17, 2018. She is also currently co-starring in AMC's hit series "Preacher". Among her many illustrious credits, Betty Buckley is a Tony Award winner, Olivier Award nominee and American Theater Hall of Fame inductee.

Betty Buckley, star of stage, screen and television will accept the "Actor of the Year" Award at this year's Sarah Siddons gala fundraiser.

“Totally riveting” (Bill Zwecker, FOX-TV) and filled with “heart pounding excitement” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), the thrilling and eye-popping GHOST IN THE SHELL arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand July 25, 2017

“Totally riveting” (Bill Zwecker, FOX-TV) and filled with “heart pounding excitement” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), the thrilling and eye-popping GHOST IN THE SHELL arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand July 25, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The future comes early on Digital HD July 7.

Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival have announced the winners for the 52nd Chicago International Television Awards.

Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival honor the best in television programming and commercials at the 52nd Chicago International Television Awards April 20, 2016. Capping off a newly programmed three-day event of special screenings and panel discussions celebrating the importance and excellence in work being created for television, the annual awards ceremony will pay special tribute to some of the most respected, acclaimed personalities and entities working in television today. Receiving special awards this year are Director, Playwright and Emmy Award-Winning Actor Regina Taylor; Entertainment Reporter Janet Davies; Entertainment Reporter Bill Zwecker; and HBO. The celebratory evening, hosted by WGN's Dan Ponce and Robin Robinson, begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception at Lucky Strike Lounge (322 E. Illinois St.) followed by the Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

The Sarah Siddons Society's Artistic Director, Dominic Missimi, bestowed on Jessie Mueller the organization's prestigious Actress of the Year Award in a tribute entitled SO BEAUTIFUL! last Monday, April 27 at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Mueller won a Tony award in 2014 for her performance as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The Sarah Siddons Society's Artistic Director, Dominic Missimi, announced plans to bestow on Jessie Mueller the organization's prestigious Actress of the Year Award. Ms. Mueller won a Tony award in 2014 for her performance as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. The tribute, entitled SO BEAUTIFUL!, will take place on Monday, April 27, 7:30 pm at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

The Sarah Siddons Society's Artistic Director, Dominic Missimi, announced plans to bestow on Jessie Mueller the organization's prestigious Actress of the Year Award. Ms. Mueller won a Tony award in 2014 for her performance as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. The tribute, entitled SO BEAUTIFUL!, will take place on Monday, April 27, 7:30 pm at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

On the inaugural podcast of 'The Dinner Party To Go', famed actor George Wendt and host Elysabeth Alfano belly up to the bar at Trenchermen and join Executive Chef Pat Sheerin. Over Burrata, Octopus Posole, Pickle Tots, Ribs and beer, they talk about Chef discovering food by working at Taste of Chicago as a kid, gardening and pickling, Chicago Hot Dogs, favorite junk foods, George flunking out of Notre Dame and his early years at Second City.

On the inaugural podcast of 'The Dinner Party To Go', famed actor George Wendt and host Elysabeth Alfano belly up to the bar at Trenchermen and join Executive Chef Pat Sheerin. Over Burrata, Octopus Posole, Pickle Tots, Ribs and beer, they talk about Chef discovering food by working at Taste of Chicago as a kid, gardening and pickling, Chicago Hot Dogs, favorite junk foods, George flunking out of Notre Dame and his early years at Second City.

Director Diego Luna's biopic of California farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist opens in theaters on Friday. The film stars Michael Peña as César Chávez, America Ferrera as his wife, Helen, and Rosario Dawson as Chávez's National Farm Workers Association co-founder Dolores Huerta. Also featured are Wes Bentley, Gabriel Mann, and John Malkovich.

The inspirational and cherished family film about the most timeless of all stories makes its Blu-ray debut in a 2-disc Combo Pack today, March 5 from Warner Home Video. Available at retail just before the Easter holiday, THE NATIVITY STORY (directed by Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight fame) 2-disc Combo Pack will contain both Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film and will have an SRP of $19.98. Orders are due January 29.

The inspirational and cherished family film about the most timeless of all stories makes its Blu-ray debut in a 2-disc Combo Pack March 5 from Warner Home Video. Available at retail just before the Easter holiday, THE NATIVITY STORY (directed by Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight fame) 2-disc Combo Pack will contain both Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film and will have an SRP of $19.98. Orders are due January 29.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Al Pacino told the publication's columnist Bill Zwecker that he wants to do a play in Chicago and has pitched the idea to a couple of Chicago theaters. As Pacino put it, 'anybody who would have me.' Pacino said he would like to do Shakespeare, O'Neill or Mamet.

Award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him) returns to Chicago with Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein. Combining first-person narrative with the music of composer Bernstein and the artists who inspired him, Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein is the story of the legendary American composer and longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic. Helmed by award-winning director Joel Zwick, Hershey Felder will return to Chicago's Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, where from September 2004 through January 2006, he held residence with George Gershwin Alone and the World Premiere of Monsieur Chopin, culminating in 70 weeks of live performances. Maestro will begin previews on November 1st with press opening November 9th, and will play through December 30.

Appearing in all three of Martin Scorsese's masterpieces - RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS and CASINO - would surely suffice, at least for the artistic quotient of any resume, yet the suave and commanding presence of Frank Vincent as Tony Soprano's arch-nemesis Phil Leotardo on HBO's THE SOPRANOS may very well be his most beloved role to date. Yet, how to even choose? In addition to those four simply masterful entities, Mr. Vincent has also appeared in films for a wide array of highly notable directors, including: Spike Lee on DO THE RIGHT THING and JUNGLE FEVER; Brian DePalma on WISE GUYS; James Mangold on COP LAND; and the recently deceased Sidney Lumet on the 1996 crime thriller NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN. In addition to a thorough discussion of his past roles, new and old - plus, what it was like to act as acting coach to Nas, Method Man and DMX on Hype Williams's BELLY - we also get down to brass nuts and bolts about his riveting new crime thriller CHICAGO OVERCOAT, available this week. In OVERCOAT, Mr. Vincent portrays perhaps his most rich and complex character to date and his powerful performance is something to cherish, cheer - and, surely, cower at; in fear. After all, who does badass boss better than Mr. Vincent? As it turns out, he's also a hell of a nice guy, to boot! Now, to quote Billy Batts in GOODFELLAS, 'Go home and get your shine box!' but, first enjoy his colorful comments!

The young stars of BILLY ELLIOT were cheering on the Blackhawks last night! The ‘Hawks won just in time for Tommy Batchelor to come out for his final bow with his Blackhawks Hat on, too!

Broadway In Chicago Celebrates Billy Elliot the Musical on its Opening Night. Get an exclusive look at the Glitzy Red Carpet pre-show, Sneek peeks at the performance, and post- show party. Special interviews from the Cast, and guest appearances by Rev. Jessie Jackson, and Sir Elton John.