Richard Christiansen

The status of Talk, the magazine, is proof once more, as if we needed it, that hype cometh before a fall. Launched last August with all the "buzz" of "celebrity...

- What hath our musical century wrought? Pierre Boulez, modernism's main man, has some answers. The composer and conductor, directing the Chicago Chamber Musicians, will act as tour guide for...

This is Second City month in Chicago, a time to celebrate its 40th anniversary of presenting comedy revues. In the next couple weeks leading up to the anniversary date, Dec....

Dance - Joffrey Ballet of Chicago's "The Nutcracker" is a splendid family show, visually gorgeous and musically rich in performance at the Auditorium Theatre. Lovingly created in 1987 for his...

Like a tree falling in the forest without anyone to hear it, a performance in the theater does not exist unless there is someone to attend it. The players need...

The Jewish family plays of James Sherman are made of the simplest stuff: a little laugh, a little cry, a touch of schmaltz. They're never overwhelming, they're never drop-dead fantastic....

One learns to be a little leery of studies with sweeping titles like "Reporting the Arts: News Coverage of Arts and Culture in America." And, sure enough, in this new...

Theater - If you haven't already noticed that the holiday season is upon us, Goodman Theatre is here to remind you of the fact with its 22nd annual production of...

Jazz - The 4th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday in various venues, will bring local and visiting artists together in intriguing combinations. San Francisco...

`Another fact that must be faced, whether I like it or not, it is perfectly possible that I am out of touch with the times. I don't care for the...