Chicago Sun-Times

Michael Douglas, Matt Damon shine in captivating Liberace movie

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:09:41 -0500

LORI RACKL: At first lighthearted and campy, HBO's “Behind the Candelabra” turns dark as it tells of the piano virtuoso's romance with the far younger Scott Thorson.

Justin Bieber booed because he’s ‘a whiner,’ music insider says

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:21:00 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: “He should know how to act,” the source says after the mixed response to Bieber at the Billboard awards. Even Jon Bon Jovi says the teen pop star is acting like “an a--hole.”

Chief Keef arrested in Georgia hotel after staff smells marijuana

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:26:04 -0500

Chicago rapper Chief Keef makes no secret of his fondness for marijuana. The staff at the swanky Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter hotel doesn’t share that fondness. Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, was arrested for disorderly conduct, after security at the hotel “observed smoke and a smell of marijuana from a room,” according to police in Dunwoody, Ga..

Taking to the air on the highest trapeze in Chicago

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:34 -0500

Many people in their first trapeze class expect it to be a one-time experience. But for some, it turns into a full-time hobby.

Daft Punk strives to return life to dance music with new album

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:44:20 -0500

THOMAS CONNER: “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk’s first full record in eight years, is not a great collection overall — dull in spots, self-indulgent throughout — but it is valuable and instructive.

‘Company of Men’ hauntingly disturbing, yet irresistible

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:15:15 -0500

HEDY WEISS: Neil LaBute’s revision of his 1997 movie stars an ideal cast at Profiles Theatre.

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson split seems permanent this time

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:14:55 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: A Pattinson friend is convinced the “Twilight” couple is over because he reportedly removed his dogs from Stewart’s house.

Seth MacFarlane: I won’t be Oscar host in 2014

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:33:24 -0500

While thanking Academy Award show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for again asking him back as host, Seth MacFarlane made clear Monday on Twitter that his busy scheduled prevents him from returning next year — joking, “My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix.” — B.Z. …

Chicago River runs through Orbert Davis’ new musical creation

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:53:48 -0500

A book of historical photos chronicling the waterway’s reversal helps steer the composer as he prepares for the work’s premiere by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.

Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio join ‘The X Factor’

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:15:04 -0500

It seems Simon Cowell has signed Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio as “The X Factor” judges, replacing L.A. Reid and Britney Spears. The ex-Destiny’s Child singer earlier judged the U.K. version of “The X Factor,” and Latin star Rubio was on the “La Voz: Mexico” show. — B.Z. …

Billboard awards are Taylor-made

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:34:10 -0500

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.” She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Jeff Perry of ‘Scandal’ was ‘really uneducated’ about politics

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:16:21 -0500

The 57-year-old actor from Highland Park, a co-founder of Steppenwolf Theatre, shares some thoughts ahead of his tribute Monday by the League of Chicago Theatres.

Court’s ‘Misanthrope’ mocks eternal quirks of human behavior

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:42:07 -0500

HEDY WEISS: A skilled and stylish group of actors delivers a scintillating translation of the Moliere comedy.

Summer music preview: With so many stars, Chicago’s too darn hot

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:44:23 -0500

THOMAS CONNER: It’s a season of big money and big names — from Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z to Jimmy Buffett and Bob Dylan — but there are affordable alternatives.

For de Rossi, return to ‘Arrested’ was ‘surreal’

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:44:16 -0500

Portia de Rossi remembers a time when she couldn’t get “Arrested.” To land the role of Lindsay Bluth Funke in the cult hit “Arrested Development,” she pulled out all the stops. “Somehow, I read the first page and thought, ‘I have to be part of this series.’ I had never read anything like that before for TV.” First stop to iconic TV history: discount shopping. “I got a bright coral suit that was super tight, flashy and deliciously inappropriate,” she says with glee. There was only one problem. “Development” creator Mitchell Hurwitz didn’t exactly have a role to cast. “It …

60 Minutes or Less: The Logan Center Cabaret Series

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:17:10 -0500

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