What’s New

St. Patrick’s Timaris Brown (30) shoots the ball Notre Dame’s Sonny Williams (12). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

This season’s players to watch.

Guards

Darrin Ames, Kenwood, 6-0, Jr.

Timaris Brown, St. Patrick, 6-5, Sr.

Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows, 6-4, Jr.

Ryan Cohen, Glenbrook North, 6-1, Jr.

Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook, 6-1, Jr.

Deandre Craig, Mount Carmel, 6-1, Jr.

Dalen Davis, Young, 6-0, Jr.

Jaylen Drane, Simeon, 6-3, Sr.

Will Grudzynski, Barrington, 6-6, Sr.

Davontae Hall, Hyde Park, 6-1, Sr.

Ahmad Henderson, Brother Rice, 5-10, Jr.

Nojus Indrusaitis, Lemont, 6-4, So.

Javon Johnson, Proviso East, 6-3, Sr.

Tavari Johnson, Lyons, 6-0, Sr.

Jeremiah Jones, Marian Catholic, 6-2, Sr.

Sam Lewis, Oak Park, 6-5, Jr.

Lane McVicar, DeKalb, 6-5, Sr.

Bryce Moore, Carmel, 6-4, Sr.

Cooper Noard, Glenbrook South, 6-2, Sr.

Yosef Oliff, Niles North, 6-2, Sr.

Trey Pettigrew, Kenwood, 6-4, Sr.

Cade Pierce, Glenbard West, 6-5, Sr.

AJ Redd, St. Ignatius, 6-4, Sr.

Patrick Robinson, Oswego East, 6-4, Sr.

Owen Schneider, Prospect, 5-10, Sr.

Jaden Schutt, Yorkville, 6-4, Sr.

Kaiden Space, St. Rita, 5-10, Jr.

Asa Thomas, Lake Forest, 6-6, Jr.

Ben VanderWal, Timothy Christian, 6-7, Sr.

Damari Wheeler-Thomas, Larkin, 6-0, Sr.

Forwards

Xavier Amos, Young, 6-8, Sr.

Richard Barron, St. Ignatius, 6-5, Jr.

AJ Casey, Young, 6-8 Sr.

Emondrek Ford, Bloom, 6-8, Sr.

Kolby Gilles, St. Rita, 6-5, Sr.

Braden Huff, Glenbard West, 6-11, Sr.

Daniel Johnson, Young, 6-6, Jr.

Morez Johnson, St. Rita, 6-9, So.

Davius Loury, Kenwood, 6-7, Jr.

Ethan Marlowe, St. Charles North, 6-8, Sr.

Nick Martinelli, Glenbrook South, 6-8, Sr.

Christian Meeks, Homewood-Flossmoor, 6-6, Sr.

Justin Mullins, Oak Park, 6-5, Sr.

Ty Rodgers, Thornton, 6-7, Sr.

Centers

Dylan Arnett, DePaul Prep, 6-9, Sr.

Robbie Avila, Oak Forest, 6-9, Sr.

James Brown, St. Rita, 6-10, So.

Owen Freeman, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6-9, Jr.

Conrad Luczynski, Bartlett, 7-1, Sr.

Jackson Munro, New Trier, 6-8, Sr.

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Leila Rahimi debuted at NBC 5 Chicago on Nov. 7, co-hosting “Sports Sunday” with Jeff Blanzy. | Provided

The native Texan shows that the medium is less important than the talent. She has a unique two-way game in the male-dominated sports-broadcast industry.

Leila Rahimi had a modest goal for the first Tuesday in August 2020. She planned to go to CVS because there was a sale on home cleaning supplies. It was an ordinary Tuesday, like so many before.

Until it wasn’t.

Rahimi had just ended a call with her mother in Texas when text messages began popping up on her phone. Lots of them. News had broken that Rahimi was part of wide-ranging layoffs at NBCUniversal, the parent company of her employer, NBC Sports Chicago.

That trip to CVS never happened.

“It was incredibly unexpected,” said Rahimi, who had worked at NBCSCH since 2015. “The first thing you’re trying to do is figure out how you’re gonna make ends meet. The hardest part was that I couldn’t see my family. I remember calling my mom, and she said, ‘I wish I could hug you right now,’ and that’s all I wanted.”

The tentacles of COVID-19 touched Rahimi at each turn. The pandemic forced the cutbacks and kept her from family. But it couldn’t stop the groundswell of support she received.

“It was awful to get laid off, but the memory is paired with the feeling of appreciation for how many people reached out,” Rahimi said. “To have the feeling of people saying they appreciated your work or friends and colleagues saying they heard the news, that meant more to me than anything.”

That work and those relationships helped Rahimi recover faster than even she thought was possible. In January 2021, The Score made her the full-time midday co-host with Dan Bernstein. And just last week, Rahimi returned to local-affiliate TV as a part-time sports anchor at NBC 5. That’s a unique two-way game in the male-dominated sports-broadcast industry.

“I’m just really grateful,” Rahimi said.

Here’s how it happened.

* * *

Though she began in Chicago as a TV anchor, Rahimi’s career started in radio. Growing up in the Dallas area, she began calling into the Cowboys postgame shows at 14. Rahimi eventually scripted her calls and recorded them, thinking they might come in handy for college.

As a high school senior and college freshman, Rahimi interned at KLIF-AM, then a Mavericks affiliate. At 19, the North Texas alum began working at The Ticket (KTCK-AM/FM), where she gave updates until she was 23. She began in TV at Fox Sports Southwest, where she interned as a junior before being hired and working her way from production assistant to associate producer to sideline reporter.

Rahimi was inspired by metroplex sports media types such as Dale Hansen, who recently signed off after more than 40 years at the anchor desk, and Randy Galloway, who was an institution in the printed and spoken word.

“I thought that’s how you do it,” Rahimi said. “You master all of the skills that you can, and that’s how you end up succeeding in sports media.”

She not only did all she could, she seemingly did it everywhere. Rahimi worked in Austin, San Diego, Houston and Philadelphia before coming to Chicago. Rahimi estimated she has moved 20 times, and though the experiences have made her the talent she is, they’ve taken a toll personally.

“I was married from 25 to 30,” she said. “It’s hard on personal relationships, of course. As a single woman, I can safely say that part of the reason that I haven’t had a long-term relationship of significance since my marriage is because I’ve moved so often. The schedule is hard on relationships, working nights and weekends. I’ve had a couple relationships in Chicago that lasted around a year, year and a half.”

But professionally, Rahimi has exceeded her own expectations. She fulfilled a goal by working at MLB Network, and she was part of NBC’s coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018. Rahimi never thought she’d be on that stage.

She’s now on multiple stages in Chicago, and barring another unforeseen event, she figures to be in the spotlight for a long time.

* * *

Growing up in Texas didn’t stop Rahimi from loving the Bulls. She was handed down copies of Sports Illustrated and saved all of the issues with Michael Jordan on the cover, lugging them around the country with each move. So becoming the Bulls sideline reporter before the 2019-20 season was a special assignment. But it ended up costing her.

“It’s never been a question of her talent and fit,” said Kevin Cross, president and general manager for NBC 5, Telemundo Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago. “NBC had challenges when it came to COVID as to using talent the same way that we used it in the past. At that moment, Leila was a sideline reporter for us mostly with the Bulls. That role ceased to exist, and we didn’t know when it was coming back.”

Days after being let go, Rahimi heard from Mitch Rosen, operations director and brand manager at The Score. Rahimi had appeared on the station before, and Rosen asked if she was interested in returning.

After filling in on the morning show, Rahimi began joining Bernstein on Wednesdays. She agreed to it before then-afternoon co-host Dan McNeil was fired mid-September for an insensitive tweet about former ESPN reporter Maria Taylor. Rahimi then filled in with afternoon co-host Danny Parkins, as well.

On Jan. 4, Rahimi joined Bernstein full-time, and while she says she’s learning on the job, the ratings say she’s a quick study. In Nielsen’s summer ratings book, The Score ranked third in the market in total listening from 9 a.m. to noon, during “Bernstein and Rahimi,” among men 25-54. The show’s 5.9 share was the highest at the station.

“Leila connects with the audience, is so knowledgeable and understands how to have fun in this format,” Rosen said. “The fit with Dan has been very good. Her history in Chicago being one of the most visible and respected sports personalities on TV made the transition to a daily radio show more adaptable.”

TV had called her back for shows on Marquee Sports Network and Stadium, and about a month ago, Cross called her back, too. But this time, he wasn’t only in charge of NBC Sports Chicago. In June, he was put in charge of all three NBC properties in Chicago.

“I just thought that Leila was talented enough that we should find a place to put her,” said Cross, who hired Rahimi at NBCSCH. “We had a need, but it wasn’t really so much about the need. It was about the opportunity to go after a talented individual, and we wanted to find a way to make it happen.”

NBC 5 ended up having a bigger need when lead sports anchor Siafa Lewis left to return home and work in Philadelphia. Cross already had been talking to Rahimi, who returned to the air Nov. 7 on “Sports Sunday” with co-anchor Jeff Blanzy. She generally will appear Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Wherever she appears, Rahimi has proved to be adept at the job.

“I think the medium or the platform is less important than the talent,” Cross said. “Leila’s authenticity helps her relate with the audience, she’s always prepared and she’s got a personality. That definitely translates to TV and radio.”

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Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa in “Frozen.” | Deen van Meer

There’s plenty to see and do online and in-person in the week ahead.

Theater

The Broadway musical version of the wildly popular Disney film “Frozen” comes to town just in time to make many wish lists come true. Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna in the story of two sisters, one with magical powers to freeze objects and people, a skill she doesn’t know how to control. Features the songs from the movie plus new numbers written by the film’s Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Michael Grandage directs. From Nov. 19-Jan. 22 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $33+. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Based on the classic 1942 film, “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn” follows a retired song-and-dance man’s attempts to bring entertainment to his small Connecticut town where he has opened an inn and plans to put on shows celebrating the holidays. Includes a hit parade of Berlin’s songs including “White Christmas.” From Nov. 19-Jan. 9 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $54-$74. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.

Liz Lauren
Larry Yando is back in the Scrooge suit in “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre.
Larry Yando returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 44th annual staging of the classic Charles Dickens holiday story “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Tom Creamer. After co-adapting and directing the 2020 audio streaming version, Jessica Thebus returns to direct the play’s return for the holiday season. From Nov. 20-Dec. 31 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $25+. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
Spike Manton and Harry Teinowitz’s world premiere comedy, “When Harry Met Rehab,” features Dan Butler (“Frasier”) and Melissa Gilbert (“Little House on the Prairie”) in a humorous yet poignant look at an alcoholic on the edge of clueless annihilation. Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Teinowitz, a Chicago sports radio personality. Jackson Gay directs. From Nov. 24-Jan. 30 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $42-$85. Visit whenharrymetrehab.com.

Kamille Dawkins.
Christopher Thomas Pow (from left), Morgan Lavenstein, LaKecia Harris and Rebecca Marowitz in “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.”

“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” is Michael Dailey’s stage adaptation, with music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, of Eric Kimmel’s classic children’s holiday book about a traveling troupe of actors who must put on a show to save the holiday. The Strawdog Theatre production is directed by Hannah Todd. From Nov. 20-Dec. 12 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge. Admission is free. Visit strawdog.org.
Theatre Above the Law presents the world premiere of Ryan Stevens’ holiday play “Eb & Belle,” a unique spin on Dickens that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his first love Belle, before he became the curmudgeon we know today. Directed by Tony Lawry. From Nov. 18-Dec. 19 at Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis. Tickets: $23. Visit theatreatl.org.
The Second City’s “Best of the Holidays” celebrates over 60 years of sketches, songs and comedy as the next generation of comedy superstars performs the company’s greatest holiday hits. From Nov. 22-Jan. 1 at Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North. Tickets: $39-$70. Visit secondcity.com.
Black Ensemble Theater presents Jackie Taylor and Rhonda Preston’s “Ladies, Living and Loving Life,” a musical story about two 80-something sisters, YaYa and Raya, each of whom has owned her own Chicago nightclub for 40 years, one on the South Side, the other on the North Side, where they are still the main attraction singing jazz, standards, pop, rock and more. At 8 p.m. Nov. 19, 3, 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark. Tickets: $45. Visit blackensembletheater.org.

Dance

Todd Rosenberg
Hubbard Street dancers perform “Jardi Tancat.”

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to the stage with “RE/TURN,” a program of premieres and audience favorites. Included are a new work by Jermaine Maurice Spivey making his Hubbard Street debut, Nacho Duato’s “Jardi Tancat” and Aszure Barton’s “BUSK.” At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Nov. 20 and 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $15-$110. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Comedy

Gersh
Comedian Janeane Garofalo will perform at The Den Theatre.
Comedian-actress Janeane Garofalo began her career as a stand-up before breaking into television and movies. Garofalo was a cast member on “The Ben Stiller Show, “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Saturday Night Live” among many others. She would go on to roles in more than 50 movies. Also an outspoken activist and spoken-word performer, Garofalo brings her acerbic wit to town for four stand-up performances. At 7 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19-20 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $18-$48. Visit thedentheatre.com.
Venus Cabaret Theater presents a monthly comedy series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The “Comedy at the Cabaret” line-up includes comedians Abi Sanchez, Victoria Vincent, Tyler Fowler and Casey Larwood. The evening ends with an open mic. Hosted by Scott Duff. At Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport. Admission is $15, plus a two-drink minimum. Visit mercurytheaterchicago.com.

Music

Jason Thrasher
North Mississippi Allstars

North Mississippi Allstars tour in advance of the new album “Set Sail,” due out Jan. 28 on New West Records. The songs continue the band’s tradition of creating roots music that displays remarkable variety, including an appearance by Stax Records legend Will Bell on the album standout, “Never Want to Be Kissed.” The Dickinson brothers — Luther and Cody, sons of legendary producer-musician Jim Dickinson — founded the band in 1996 and they continue to combine their two aesthetics to create the band’s unique style. Cedric Burnside opens the show at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $38. Visit evanstonspace.com.

Chicago Philharmonic presents “Simply Serenades,” a program including works by Brahms (“Serenade No. 2 in A Major”) and Dvorak (“Serenade for Winds”). Also performed is a serenade in one movement by Jonathan Bingham, recently selected as one of three winners of Chicago Philharmonic’s first Donna Milanovich Composer in Residence program. At 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $10-$75. Visit chicagophilharmonic.org.

Provided
Silver Synthetic
New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll minimalists Silver Synthetic tour behind a self-titled debut album. The band — composed of members of Bottomfeeders and Jeff the Brotherhood — has carved a niche for itself in a city where music is a life force. Relix magazine has praised the group for its “effortless, economical pop-rock songs.” Glyders and Constant Smiles open the show at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. Tickets: $10, $12. Visit emptybottle.com.

Bella Voce (formerly His Majestie’s Clerkes) presents its intimate-scale “Messiah.” The 24-voice chamber chorus is accompanied by the Bella Voce Sinfonia, presenting the full score similar to the way in which Handel would have overseen it in his day. At 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams, and 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman, Evanston. Tickets: $10-$65. Visit bellavoce.org.

Lauren Dunn
Kacy Hill
Kacy Hill has toured with Kanye West and Vanessa Beecroft as part of the YEEZUS tour, as well as collaborated and shared stages with Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver, Francis and the Lights, Cashmere Cat and countless others. Hill’s 2020 sophomore album, “Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again,” has been called “dazzling, heartbreaking and endlessly listenable.” She’s now in the midst of her first solo tour in support of her new album “Simple, Sweet and Smiling.” Jack Larsen opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets: $16. Visit lh-st.com.

Museums

Robert Wedemeyer
“Pass The Dream Act (Barbed Wire),” by Andrew Bowers (2012). Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles.
A new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art is the first major retrospective of Los Angeles-based artist Andrea Bowers. It highlights two decades of her wide-ranging work focusing on pressing social and political issues of our time ranging from women’s and workers’ rights to climate change and immigration. Bowers has built an international reputation for her large-scale installations, detailed color pencil drawings, neon works and impactful videos. From Nov. 20-March 26 at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago. Admission: $15. Visit mcachicago.org.

“Anthro-obscene: What We Choose Not to See” features the work of photo-based artist Stefan Petranek, who works in a variety of media including historic photographs and video sculptures. Focusing on subjects that range from genetics to climate change, his work explores how contemporary culture, especially through advances in science and technology, affects our perception of nature. To Dec. 8 at Northwestern University’s Dittmar Memorial Gallery (inside Norris University Center), 1999 Campus Dr., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit northwestern.edu/norris.

Family holiday fun

DCASE
The ice rink at Millennium Park.
The holidays get underway at Millennium Park (Michigan and Randolph) with the 108th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony (6:30 p.m. Nov. 19) and continue with the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Nov. 19-March 6), an Art Market (3-8 p.m. Nov. 19, noon-8 p.m. Nov. 20, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 21) and the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along (6 p.m. Fridays Nov. 26-Dec. 17). All events are free. For more information, visit millenniumpark.org.
The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon opens Nov. 19-March 13 with something new and unique for skaters to enjoy. The Chicago Park District and the popular “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibit team up for “Gogh Skating,” which features static designs inspired by the Dutch artist’s iconic works (“Starry Night,” “Sunflowers”) embedded in the ice. Reservations are recommended and available online. Admission: $5-$20, skate rentals available. Visit maggiedaleypark.com.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights returns for its 27th annual holiday display with the zoo grounds transformed into a land of twinkling lights. There are also photos with Santa, a light maze, an enchanted forest and much more. From Nov. 19-Jan. 2 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark. Tickets: $5 with some free nights. Visit www.lpzoo.org.

Magnificent Mile Association
A double-decker bus in the 2019 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
Michigan Avenue gets in the holiday spirit with the 30th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Nov. 19-20). The festive, free weekend is filled with family-friendly fun and culminates with a parade (5:30 p.m. Nov. 20) featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and the illumination of more than a million lights on 200 trees along Michigan Ave. For a complete list of events, visit themagnificentmile.com.
The always popular Christkindlmarket returns this holiday season with two locations. Fans will find the usual traditional European feel and a wide array of gifts and food. From Nov. 19-Dec. 24 at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington; Nov. 19-Dec. 31 outside Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison. Admission is free. For more information, visit christkindlmarket.com.
Children will enjoy the Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, a charming puppet show starring Peter Rabbit and his favorite animal friends. There also are photos with the cast, coloring activities and cookies and cocoa. From Nov. 20-Dec. 24 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine. Tickets: $42+. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Rosemont’s AMAZE Light Festival features more than a million holiday lights, train rides, a holiday market, a tubing slide, Santa’s Workshop, holiday craft making, a candy shop, food and more. From Nov. 19-Jan. 2 at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral, Rosemont. Tickets: $23, $18 for children 2-12. Visit amazerosemont.com.

NOTE: For COVID-19 safety protocols, visit the venues’ websites.

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Five Points tavern owner Nelly O’Brien (Joaquina Kalukango, left) kicks up her heels with sister-in-law and helper Annie Lewis (Chilina Kennedy) in “Paradise Square.” | Kevin Berne

Powerful music, meaningful dances contribute to the emotionally intricate storytelling, set in 1863 Manhattan.

Before its scheduled March opening on Broadway, “Paradise Square” has a bit of revising to do. A very small bit.

Conceived by Larry Kirwan, directed by Moises Kaufman and running only through Dec. 5 at the Loop’s Nederlander Theatre, the new musical is shaped by visually lush, emotionally intricate storytelling largely created through Bill T. Jones’ vivid choreography and Jason Howland’s gripping score. Both music and movement effectively draw on influences from Africa to Ireland, including the U.S.A. of 1863 and 2021. The artistry spans the globe and plumbs the centuries in creating the world of Lower Manhattan’s impoverished, racially mixed Five Points neighborhood in the thick of the Civil War.

Remembered mostly as a slum, Five Points was also a comparatively integrated place, the musical tells us. The riots of 1863 showed how fragile the neighborhood was. The rioters were primarily poor white immigrants who first burned first government buildings and then Black-owned businesses in protest of unemployment and President Lincoln’s recently instituted draft.

At one point, the spotlight goes fully to Nelly O’Brien (Joaquina Kalukango), the daughter of enslaved parents and owner of Five Points’ Paradise Square bar. She tells the audience that living in Five Points was like living in a future you’d never think could be realized. (That’s a paraphrase). There’s pride and prescience in the words, intersected with tragedy and optimism.

“Paradise Square” has a lot of plot cover before the riots. We learn Nelly married Willie O’Brien (Matt Bogart), a white man enlisted to fight the south. Willie’s (white) sister Annie Lewis (Chilina Kennedy) helps at Nelly’s bar and is married to the Rev. Samuel Jacob Lewis (Nathaniel Stampley), a free Black Abolitionist Protestant.

Complications pile on: Annie’s fresh-off-the-boat Irish nephew Owen Duignan (A.J. Shively) arrives at Nelly’s needing a room at the same time as Washington Henry (Sidney DuPont), newly escaped from a plantation and separated from his beloved Angelina Baker (Gabrielle McClinton). Finally, there’s Lucky Mike Quinlan (Kevin Dennis), a white Irishman back from the war and increasingly embittered when he’s unable to find work.

Kevin Berne
Sidney DuPont plays Washington Henry, newly arrived after his escape from a plantation.

Evil politico Frediric Tiggens (John Dossett) is one-note, but it’s not an inaccurate note and it doesn’t stop the production from laying bare one of the world’s greatest magic tricks: Convincing people that their allies are their enemies because of their skin color. Dossett’s message is that the only way to get your piece of the American Dream, in this version, is to kill the roots instead of trimming the branches that stopped blooming long ago.

Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare’s lyrics capture sweeping issues and personal dilemmas alike, even when the book (by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Kirwan) is overshadowed by projection designer Wendall K. Harrington’s yellow-journalism-tinged newspaper clippings. Of larger importance than an over-reliance on projection design: “Paradise Square” shows how wealthy white Yankees used race to instigate and fan racial tension. Fear is a slick, effective conduit to hatred, and “Paradise Square” shows precisely how it becomes weaponization via a grooming process thick with misinformation. It’s impossible miss the fact that the same dynamic still thrives.

In the final third of the two-hour-and-35-minute staging, the telling part of storytelling headlines of fires, riots, unemployment and the draft dwarves the actors. Still, there’s not a significantly clunky scene as the plot plays out on set designer Allen Moyer’s “Hamilton”-meets-“West Side Story” flexible scaffolding. The music and the lyrics cover the ground like rain, the story flourishing in Jones’ collaborative dances (Garrett Coleman and Jason Oremus are credited with Irish and Hammerstep choreo).

The score includes scorching anthems (“Burn”) and reclaimed Stephen Foster minstrels (“Oh! Susanna”), taken back to their origins among the enslaved of the American South, all while white bar pianist Milton Moore (Jacob Fishel) is moving to monetize them for himself. From ballad (the incandescent “Breathe Easy”) to uptempo banger (“Ring, Ring the Bango”) the score doesn’t have a weak number. In all, it’s a rich, relevant world inside an outlier bar in the eye of a maelstrom, star turns by Kalukango and DuPont at its center. It’s also a production that deserves an audience that will cheer for it, loudly.

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Glenbard West’s key players. Left to right: Graham Pierce (42), Bobby Durkin (33), Louis Amabile (23), Ryan Renfro (45), Paxton Warden (24), Jack Cardwell (25), Andrew Dauksas (12), Braden Huff (34), Cade Pierce (3). | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

A look at this season’s top teams.

It’s usually controversial when a suburban school opens as the No. 1 team. That’s the case this season. There are plenty of Glenbard West doubters around the Public League, but Simeon coach Robert Smith isn’t one of them.

“Glenbard West is the best team,” Smith said. “A lot of people in the Public League get mad at me when I say that. But they are the best team, hands down. I don’t know why they get mad, it’s the truth.”

The Hilltoppers had a dominant summer. But they won’t play the high-level national schedule that Young, the other elite Class 4A team, does.

“Just because you are the best team in the preseason it doesn’t mean you are going to win [state],” Smith said. “Right now they are the best and you have to give them their credit. A lot of people don’t want to. If we played right now they would beat all of us. Just like they did in the summer. Now, in February or March? I don’t know how that is going to look.”

It’s a long road from Thanksgiving week to the state finals in Champaign. Here’s a look at the preseason Super 25.

1. Glenbard West

The Hilltoppers’ strengths are now well known. Braden Huff, a 6-11 Gonzaga recruit, is a star. Cade Pierce, Bobby Durkin, Ryan Renfro and Paxton Warden form a tall, excellent shooting starting lineup. The defense is a game-changer. The only issue might be the lack of a natural point guard. There seems to be enough to overcome that, but time will tell.

2. Young

All the pieces seem to fit for coach Tyrone Slaughter. AJ Casey, Daniel Johnson and Xavier Amos are dynamic, scoring wings and junior Dalen Davis is a natural lead guard. There’s plenty more length and experience with 6-6 Matt Somerville, 6-8 Marcus Overstreet, Marcus Pigram and Kanye Smith.

3. Kenwood

Senior Trey Pettigrew steps into the spotlight now that JJ Taylor has transferred to California. Two juniors, guard Darrin Ames and forward Davius Loury, are expected to be two of the best players in the state. Jaden Smith, a 6-9 sophomore, transferred from Lincoln Park and Darius Robinson joined from St. Rita.

4. St. Ignatius

One of the state’s most experienced, cohesive groups. Guard AJ Redd does it all, Richard Barron and Kolby Gilles provide scoring, rebounding and size and 6-8 junior Jackson Kotecki is loaded with potential. Guards Noah Davis and Miles Casey will be solid contributors for the most hyped team in school history.

5. Simeon

Don’t underestimate the savvy, skilled backcourt of Jaylen Drane, Action Morris and Jalen Griffith. Miles and Wes Rubin, 6-7 junior twins, transferred from Homewood-Flossmoor. Senior guard JayQuan Adams has impressed early in practice. More size with 6-8 Steve Turner and 6-7 Lance Rodgers.

6. Glenbrook South

Phil Ralston has elevated expectations since taking over the Titans a few years ago. Senior Nick Martinelli, a 6-7 Elon recruit, is one of the state’s most unstoppable all-around forces. Guard Cooper Noard, a Cornell recruit, is one of the state’s best shooters.

7. Curie

The Condors don’t have a star this season, but Phoenix Bullock, Jeremy Harrington and sophomores Carlos Harris and Taevion Collier all impressed in the short February season. There are some questions, but Mike Oliver’s teams have overachieved the last several years.

8. St. Rita

A lot of talented players transferred away, but the excellent sophomore core is still here. Illinois recruit Morez Johnson and James Brown, a pair of 6-9 sophomores, will be expected to produce this season. Sophomore Jaedin Reyna and junior Kaiden Space, are talented, future Division 1 guards. Is it a year too early to expect this much of the Mustangs? Maybe.

9. New Trier

This may be a bit low for the Trevians. Jackson Munro is one of the state’s best, most versatile big men. There is depth and experience all over the roster. Junior Jake Fiegen is an excellent shooter. Noah Shannon and Karlo Kolak are experienced seniors that will add scoring and grit.

10. Thornton

Illinois recruit Ty Rodgers is so productive and dynamic that he instantly made the Wildcats a contender when he transferred from Michigan. He joins 6-7 Kelsey Tarver and guards Montreal McCullough, Vincent Rainey and Wadell Bell.

11. Brother Rice

Junior Ahmad Henderson emerged as one of the city’s best guards last season. Khalil Ross, a 6-5 junior, transferred from Lincoln-Way East. Nick Niego could be primed for a big year. This group will be together the next two seasons.

12. Bolingbrook

Leading scorer Mekhi Cooper is back and big 6-4 junior Michael Osei-Bonsu is one of the area’s best rebounders. There’s plenty more size with 6-6 Keon Alexander and 6-8 Donaven younger. As always, the Raiders will run and most teams will have trouble keeping up.

13. Orr

Coach Lou Adams has reloaded for his final season. Guard Martez Jackson transferred from DeKalb, Davion McCarthy from Uplift and 6-5 Kelley Okoroh joined from New Jersey. They join 6-8 senior Caleb Hannah, Cam Lawin and Leonte Lilly. The Spartans are one of the state’s best in Class 2A.

14. DePaul Prep

The Rams lost all five starters from last season’s Chipotle Classic championship team, but there is a new group ready to emerge. Senior Dylan Arnett, a 6-9 Milwaukee recruit, will be the foundation. Senior guard Alex Gutierrez is experienced, Trevon Thomas opened eyes over the summer and sophomore Payton Kamin is an excellent shooter.

15. Bloom

Emondrek Ford, a 6-8 senior, is one of this season’s breakout candidates. Junior guards Raeshom Harris and Jordan Brown are experienced and there’s more size with 6-7 junior Michael Garner. This is an under the radar group that could surprise.

16. Oak Park

The Huskies only played six games last season, so this is still the early stages for coach Phil Gary. The talent is intriguing with 6-4 Denver recruit Justin Mullins, and junior Sam Lewis. Keep an eye on 6-9 John Vincent.

17. Mount Carmel

Junior guard Deandre Craig is one of the best players the Caravan has had in years. He’s one of the city’s most exciting players. Elijah Joiner, a 6-6 senior, had a nice summer and senior guard Myles Griffith returns.

18. Barrington

Four starters return for the Mid-Suburban League West champs. Seniors Will Grudzinski and Nathan Boldt have size, skill and experience. Daniel Hong gives the Broncos a true point guard.

19. Clark

Terry Head has had this group for awhile and this should be their big year. Senior Darrius Perryman is a high-scoring lead guard. The big, skilled brothers Mikqwon and Mikell Jones are the rocks everything will revolve around. Senior Sulaiman Agiste, a 6-9 center, could be a difference-maker.

20. Rolling Meadows

Cameron Christie takes over from his brother. Orlando Thomas and Foster Ogbonna return after breakout seasons and keep an eye on 6-5 freshman Ian Militec.

21. Tinley Park

Experienced guards Keon Richardson and Malachi Haythorne have been joined by two transfers, Nick Harrell from Brother Rice and 6-5 Martell Webb from Westinghouse. It’s the most talent the Titans have had in years.

22. Hillcrest

AaReyon Munir-Jones transferred from Tinley Park to give the Hawks an excellent lead guard. The rest of the team is inexperienced but has great potential. Marcus Glover, a 6-6 senior, is a physical power, 6-7 junior Matt Moore has shown flashes of potential and 6-7 junior Darrion Baker transferred from St. Rita.

23. DeKalb

Losing Jackson to Orr hurts, but Lane McVicar, Tyler Westberg, Demarria Davis and Darrell Island make the Barbs the favorites in the DuPage Valley.

24. Hyde Park

Davontae Hall is fun to watch. The Thunderbirds return almost all of their scoring, assists and rebounds from last season. Camron Williford, Damarion Morris, Malik Jenkins are back and 6-5 Byron Hobbs Jr. transferred from Lindblom.

25. Yorkville Christian

The Class 1A favorites. Duke recruit Jaden Schutt is a Player of the Year contender and he’s surrounded by experienced scorers KJ Vasser, Tyler Burrows and Brayden Long.

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The Chicago Bulls are so good. They got off to a 10-4 start before heading up to Oregon to play the Portland Trail Blazers. Everyone has a lot of confidence in this team as they make their way through the first half of the season because of the way they have played a solid team […] Chicago Bulls suffer worst loss of the 2021-22 season – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

Sun-Times file photo

Inbound traffic was diverted during the morning rush near Damen Avenue after the man was shot and killed on a ramp to the northbound Kennedy, Illinois State Police said.

A 60-year-old man was killed and another man injured in separate shootings Thursday morning on Interstate 55 near DuSable Lake Shore Drive and on a ramp to the Kennedy Expressway.

Inbound traffic was diverted during the morning rush near Damen Avenue after the 60-year-old was shot and killed on a ramp to the northbound Kennedy, Illinois State Police said.

The man was shot around 5:40 a.m. in the inbound lanes of the Stevenson and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Walter Schroeder. His name hasn’t been released.

A little over two hours earlier, a 19-year-old man was wounded in a shooting on the inbound lanes of the Stevenson near DuSable Lake Shore Drive around 3:15 a.m., state police said.

The teen was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition, Schroeder said. State police said he was expected to survive.

State police did not say if they believed the shootings were connected.

The state police asked anyone with information on the shootings to call (847) 294-4400 or email [email protected].

Shootings on Chicago-area expressways have more than doubled over the last year. There have been 213 reports of shootings or shots fired so far in 2021, according to state police. In the same period in 2020, there were 101 reports of gunfire.

Expressway shootings this year have already eclipsed 2020’s year-end total of 128 shootings.

State police have said they increased overnight patrols in Chicago by diverting troopers from other areas in the state.

“We have not previously confronted the concentrated levels of gun violence we have faced in 2020 and 2021,” state police director Brendan F. Kelly said in late September while announcing the increased patrols.

Officials announced earlier this year that state police would be getting $12.5 million to install high-definition cameras to help investigate and deter expressway shootings.

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It is officially a four-game win streak for the Chicago Blackhawks. After dropping 11 of their first 12 games, it is finally looking up. They have beaten some weaker opponents but it is hard to say who is actually weaker than a team like this. What we do know, is that their 4-2 victory over […] Chicago Blackhawks: Alex DeBrincat’s big night leads to win – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

Kenwood’s Darrin Ames (4) drives the ball past Clemente’s Trey Spires (2). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Broncos coach Mike Irvin has assembled plenty of talent. Loury and highly-regarded junior guard Darrin “Dai Dai” Ames are back from last season.

JJ Taylor has left for California. His former teammates at Kenwood say they are proud of him and wish him well. And they don’t think his departure has altered their goals for the season one bit.

“We can win city and state this year,” junior Davius Loury said. “We are ready to go. We had some team bonding and we have plenty of chemistry.”

Broncos coach Mike Irvin has assembled plenty of talent. Loury and highly-regarded junior guard Darrin “Dai Dai” Ames are back from last season.

Senior Trey Pettigrew, a Nevada recruit, has transferred in from Arizona. He spent two years at Fenwick previously. Senior guard Darius Robinson has arrived from Thornton, rebounder Solomon Mosley transferred from St. Rita and 6-10 sophomore Jaden Smith transferred from Lincoln Park.

That’s a lot of new pieces to blend together with Loury, who arrived from Simeon last year and Ames, who transferred from Bloom last year. Irvin is not concerned.

“Everyone fits my style,” Irvin said. “We get up and down. It’s showtime. Throw it off the backboard but then go play defense. I haven’t met too many guys that don’t like my style.”

Jumping jack Calvin Robins, a 6-5 sophomore, will get a chance to contribute immediately. The entire city has already heard of freshman Bryce Heard. Irvin says Heard is special and has the potential to be one of the best players the city has ever produced if he continues working hard.

“We have it all,” Irvin said. “There’s star power, athleticism, size and three-point shooting. We probably have the best three-point shooting in the state. It’s exciting. This is one of the most exciting teams I’ve been around.”

Kenwood will play a national schedule, with games at major events in Massachusetts, South Dakota and more.

Pettigrew was very impressive at Fenwick as a sophomore. He should be one of the state’s best players.

“He flies,” Irvin said. “He’s jumping even higher now than he was in the summer. He’s probably the most athletic guard in the class.”

“I have a lot to prove this season,” Pettigrew said. “I’m just going to play the best I can and prove a lot of people wrong.”

Ames and Loury have received rave reviews on the summer circuit but haven’t had a chance to make an impact yet in high school. Ames can’t wait.

“The bigger the game is, the more I come out and play my game,” Ames said. “I like the big games.”

Irvin is the head coach of the Mac Irvin Fire club basketball team and was an assistant to his brother Nick at Morgan Park for many years. This will be his first full season as a high school coach, but he’s spent his life around Chicago high school basketball so nothing will be new to him.

Kenwood is undoubtedly talented and capable of beating any team in the state. But it’s hard to lose the nagging feeling that basketball fans missed out on something special when you imagine this group with Taylor as the headliner.

“It was a big loss for the whole state,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said. “People think it was just a loss for Kenwood but it was a loss for the whole state. We’re constantly losing our better players to prep schools. I thought Taylor was one of the best players in the Public League in a long time.”

Irvin and his players are used to things changing quickly, used to new faces and new places.

“Losing [Taylor] wasn’t what we planned,” Irvin said. “But I haven’t been around many teams where you can lose a top national kid and then still have two of the best players in that class [Ames and Loury]. That’s special.”

Listen to the season debut of the No Shot Clock high school basketball podcast. Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen break down the preseason Super 25:

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