Richard Pryor Jr. goes drag for his stage show ‘Lipstick Goes on Last’

Richard Pryor Jr. looks like his famous father. But he’s pursuing a much different path as a performer. “When my mother died and when my father died, I felt a release,” says Pryor Jr., who opens Saturday in “Lipstick Goes on Last,” in which he performs in drag. “I can breathe. It triggered something. If my mother was still alive, I know I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing. I would want to be around her. Things are devastating to you, but they are also a blessing.”

• ‘Fast & Furious 6’ turns out to be the best yet in the franchise

  RICHARD ROEPER: Against all odds, the “Fast & Furious” franchise is actually picking up momentum, with “FF6” clocking in as the fastest, funniest and most outlandish chapter yet. Whether we’re seeing stunt work or special effects or a combo platter, director Justin Lin keeps raising the bar, going for intentional laughs and thrilling moments as cars pull off impossible maneuvers and humans keep flying in the air and landing with thuds. “Furious 6” couldn’t be any less plausible if it were animated, but that’s sort of the point.

• Tim McGraw aids military families with HomeFront program

  Thanks to country music star Tim McGraw’s work with the Operation HomeFront program, Sgt, Carlos Cruz and his family have been chosen as the Chicago recipient of a mortgage-free home. Since joining the program last year, McGraw and his team have awarded nearly 30 houses to deserving military families.

• Larry Wert and Jimmy de Castro, Loop alums, reunite at WGN-AM

  The two broadcasting legends, who ruled Chicago’s radio roost back in the ’80s heyday of WLUP, take over the Tribune Co.’s venerable talk station.