What’s New

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

Read More

Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a rural Illinois family beset by delusion and dysfunction is brilliantly brought to life by AstonRep Theatre Company.  

Alcoholic patriarch Dodge (Jim Morley, who brought to mind Richard Widmark in a stellar performance) is permanently ensconced on the living room couch yelling to his wife, Halie (Liz Cloud). Few people could be worse caretakers for the ornery Dodge than Halie, who spends most of her days and nights upstairs, wistfully gazing at the fallow fields, remembering (misremembering?) happier days. Characters throughout Buried Child turn on a dime, but Halie is especially brutal when she turns on a dime from foggy, wistful reminiscences to acrid denunciations, thanks to Cloud’s masterful interpretation.   

Buried ChildThrough 11/19: Thu-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PM, the Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, 773-828-9129, astonrep.com, $20

Indeed, Dodge is also under the care of his and Halie’s two sons, the lumbering and highly traumatized Tilden (Robert Tobin) and the psychotic Bradley (Rian Jairell, equally lumbering but electrifyingly terrifying). Halie’s warmth is reserved for her and Dodge’s late son Ansel, whose heroic athleticism, she maintains, warrants a statue in town. When either Tobin or Jairell are onstage, it’s nearly impossible to look away from their characters.

The ghosts of O’Neill, Williams, and Steinbeck are definitely in the air, but Shepard’s thematic preoccupations are front and center as well—decaying family structures, the inherent instabilities within masculine identity, and the expansive emptiness of the American plains. Director Derek Bertelsen and his cast and crew make a complicated drama riveting.

Read More

Read More

Experimental musician Jordan Reyes has dipped his fingers into many genres. His early works display his devotion to the modular synth, but he’s increasingly branched out in unpredictable directions, like flood waters overflowing a creek. The Chicago-based musician (and occasional Reader contributor) delved into dark ambient on 2020’s Fairchild Soundtrack + Border Land (a score for a disturbing indie film combined with an unrelated but similar-sounding EP), while his 2020 full-lengthSand Like Stardust is a masterpiece of western gothic. 

In addition to his own musical projects, Reyes runs the eclectic American Dreams label and performs as a member of long-running, brilliant Chicago avant-garde band Ono. In recent years, he’s also battled anxiety that’s left him with a crippling dread of death—just in time for a lethal global pandemic. Reyes’s struggles to regulate and direct the impulses and phantasms of his own mind led him to explore Zen, and that practice infuses his new release, Everything Is Always. Though he usually records solo, this album features a large ensemble, including cellist Lia Kohl, pedal-steel guitarist Sam Wagster, and vocalist Ambre Sala (who’s married to Reyes). “The Tide” introduces the album’s themes with a rhythmic, repetitive chant that recalls the mindful breathing that can calm a panic attack while also suggesting the torment of experiencing one. 

On the long-form spoken-word piece “Tralineation,” Ono cofounder and front man Travis takes center stage among mounting drones as he shares a campfire story of Black resistance to violent industrialization and capitalism set in a metaphoric landscape. “Kraken” is a massive, metallic incantation to primal fears of the unknown—and to how fear itself can lead to enlightenment. “Maybe I’m the Dust” is a quieter, more intimate song of acceptance. In the haunting world of Everything Is Always, fear must be confronted, and the record suggests that sometimes the best way out is through. 

For this concert at the International Museum of Surgical Science, Reyes will play with an ensemble billed as Jordan Reyes’s Ark of Teeth. It includes Travis, Sala, Will Ballantyne, Patrick Shiroishi, and Eli Winter, though Reyes says the lineup will shift for future performances. Their set will consist of material from Everything Is Always as well as some new songs, and Reyes tells me that they’ve created a theatrical production, complete with handmade art, that will enhance the atmosphere of the already dramatic setting.

Jordan Reyes’s Ark of Teeth Reyes leads an ensemble that includes Travis, Ambre Sala, Patrick Shiroishi, and Eli Winter. Fri 11/4, 7:30 PM, International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N. Lake Shore, $22, 18+

Read More

Experimental musician Jordan Reyes has dipped his fingers into many genres. His early works display his devotion to the modular synth, but he’s increasingly branched out in unpredictable directions, like flood waters overflowing a creek. The Chicago-based musician (and occasional Reader contributor) delved into dark ambient on 2020’s Fairchild Soundtrack + Border Land (a score for a disturbing indie film combined with an unrelated but similar-sounding EP), while his 2020 full-lengthSand Like Stardust is a masterpiece of western gothic. 

In addition to his own musical projects, Reyes runs the eclectic American Dreams label and performs as a member of long-running, brilliant Chicago avant-garde band Ono. In recent years, he’s also battled anxiety that’s left him with a crippling dread of death—just in time for a lethal global pandemic. Reyes’s struggles to regulate and direct the impulses and phantasms of his own mind led him to explore Zen, and that practice infuses his new release, Everything Is Always. Though he usually records solo, this album features a large ensemble, including cellist Lia Kohl, pedal-steel guitarist Sam Wagster, and vocalist Ambre Sala (who’s married to Reyes). “The Tide” introduces the album’s themes with a rhythmic, repetitive chant that recalls the mindful breathing that can calm a panic attack while also suggesting the torment of experiencing one. 

On the long-form spoken-word piece “Tralineation,” Ono cofounder and front man Travis takes center stage among mounting drones as he shares a campfire story of Black resistance to violent industrialization and capitalism set in a metaphoric landscape. “Kraken” is a massive, metallic incantation to primal fears of the unknown—and to how fear itself can lead to enlightenment. “Maybe I’m the Dust” is a quieter, more intimate song of acceptance. In the haunting world of Everything Is Always, fear must be confronted, and the record suggests that sometimes the best way out is through. 

For this concert at the International Museum of Surgical Science, Reyes will play with an ensemble billed as Jordan Reyes’s Ark of Teeth. It includes Travis, Sala, Will Ballantyne, Patrick Shiroishi, and Eli Winter, though Reyes says the lineup will shift for future performances. Their set will consist of material from Everything Is Always as well as some new songs, and Reyes tells me that they’ve created a theatrical production, complete with handmade art, that will enhance the atmosphere of the already dramatic setting.

Jordan Reyes’s Ark of Teeth Reyes leads an ensemble that includes Travis, Ambre Sala, Patrick Shiroishi, and Eli Winter. Fri 11/4, 7:30 PM, International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N. Lake Shore, $22, 18+

Read More

The Chicago Blackhawks came into Thursday night‘s game against the Edmonton Oilers on a four-game winning streak. In order to make it five, they’d have to beat one of the most skilled teams in the NHL which is never easy.

The traits that make the Oilers great are things that the Blackhawks have a hard time resisting. Of course, they are led by the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who are two of the best players in the league. They are two of the top three scorers in the league almost annually.

Edmonton also has other great players too. They finally aren’t just run by those two players which makes them a legit Stanley Cup contender.

In this game at the United Center, these two teams played one of the most entertaining games of the season. It had eleven goals scored in regulation which is very rare for this league.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers put on a show on Thursday.

This was a game that Edmonton’s two stars took over. Connor McDavid had a hat trick and an assist for a four-point night. Leon Draisaitl had one goal and two assists for a three-point effort. His one goal was scored with 38 seconds left in regulation and it broke a 5-5 tie.

Those two guys are capable of doing those things on random nights. It is no surprise to learn that this night put them in a tie for the lead league in points that they likely won’t relinquish for an extended time for the rest of the season. Edmonton is now 25-0-0 when McDavid has four points.

After their last game, a big deal was made about the fact that the Blackhawks have an insane record when both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews score. They both had one in this game which dropped the record to 91-9-5 in this instance.

Max Domi deserves some credit for the way that he has played lately. He is certainly having a resurgent season with Chicago and this one-goal/two-assist game is the latest example. It would be great to see the Hawks get something good for him in a trade so he is helping them by playing well.

It is a tough loss but the Blackhawks were always going to come back down to earth. They don’t have a good roster and it is going to show from time to time. Their next game will come Saturday night on the road against the Buffalo Sabres.

Read More

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

Read More

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

Read More

Before the Chicago Cubs offseason can begin in earnest, the Major League Baseball World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies will need to be concluded first.

Once concluded, teams will prep for the start of free agency and the Cubs are expected to be among the more active teams this winter.

Reading between the lines and taking into account what Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyers told reporters earlier this month during his annual end-of-the-season press conference, the goal for the 2023 season is clearly for the team to return to contention.

“Spending Intelligently” has been the buzzword for the Cubs this offseason and that likely means that the team will be swimming in the deep end of free agency.

NBC Sports Chicago insider David Kaplan did a radio hit on KNVO in Iowa earlier this week and shared some insights regarding the Cubs’ offseason:

Los Angeles Dodgers free agent shortstop Trea Truner is a target.The Chicago Cubs have an interest in free agent first baseman Jose Abreu on a short-term deal if he does not return to the Chicago White Sox.The Cubs will be in play for Japanese starting pitcher Kodai Senga.The Cubs likely will not be in the market for outfielder Aaron Judger nor starting pitcher Jacob deGrom but Kaplan offered that a short-term, high AAV deal would make sense.

This week is not the first time that Kaplan has mentioned Turner specifically in regard to the Cubs’ offseason plan. In September, Kaplan reported that there is mutual interest between the Cubs and Turner.

Trea Turner would be a great addition to the Chicago Cubs roster in 2023.

With the reporting that has surfaced over the last month, it seems as if it would be an upset if the Cubs were not a landing spot for one of the top free agent shortstops this offseason. Turner and Carlos Correa have been the two most rumored names with an emphasis being made on Correa.

Correa does make more sense for the Cubs over Turner considering that he will not have a qualifying offer attached to him this offseason and is a year younger. That doesn’t mean that the Cubs would necessarily be wrong in identifying Turner as their priority.

He has a unique combination of speed and power which was on display during the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers as he had a slash line of .298/.343/.466/.809 with 21 home runs and 39 doubles. FanGraphs had Turner as a 6+ WAR player last season.

The more reports that surface linking the Cubs to players in the top-tier of the free agent class this winter, the more clear it becomes that the words from Hoyer after the season are not just lip service. The Cubs want to contend in 2023 and that plan involves spending money this winter.

Read More

Read More