Myrna Petlicki

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

The Lake Forest Civic Orchestra was named Community Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. (Ian McLeod)

Lake Forest Civic Orchestra recognized as Community Orchestra of the Year for 2026

April 13, 2026 at 3:06 p.m.

The 37-year-old Lake Forest Civic Orchestra is celebrating a well-deserved honor. It has been named Community Orchestra of the Year for 2026 by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.

Over 8,000 people typically attend the annual Art in Wilder Park, produced by the Elmhurst Art Museum, in partnership with the Elmhurst Park District. This year's event will feature a new Emerging Artists Pavilion. (Elmhurst Art Museum)

Elmhurst’s Art in the Park adds effort to help get new artists established

April 13, 2026 at 10:01 a.m.

Elmhurst Art Museum’s annual Art in Wilder Park is adding a new attraction in May: an Emerging Artist Pavilion.

Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre’s new musical satire explores how far an actor will go for a role

April 4, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

More than one actor has been heard declaring that they would kill for a role. It’s not just a figure of speech for 8-year-old Tina Denmark in the hilarious musical...

Animal acts may have gone by the wayside, but the Triton Troupers Circus continues the circus tradition of showcasing circus skills such as acrobatics. (Fonso Orozco)

Triton Troupers teachers, performers reflect on changing nature of circus arts

April 2, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Animal acts have mostly gone away, but the show must go on for the Triton Troupers Circus this month at the college in River Grove.

Producer/actor Guy Nardulli (center in brown jacket) and other cast members film the climax scene of “Dirty Hands,” which was filmed in Norridge and Harwood Heights. (Jess Choragwicki)

Norridge native actor brings movie production to shoot in the community where he grew up

April 2, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Home is where the heart is for actor Guy Nardulli. So, when he became coproducer of the film, “Dirty Hands,” he couldn’t think of a better location to set the...

Rendering of the new home for Northlight Theatre at 1012 Church St. in Evanston. (Eckenhoff Saunders)

Drama is mounting as Northlight theater construction progresses in downtown Evanston

March 20, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.

Construction of Northlight's theater building in downtown Evanston is about 82% completed; tours start in July, shows in September.

Soprano Meghan Kasanders will perform “Coming Home — A Benefit Concert” at the Westchester Community Church on March 28 to benefit the Westchester Food Pantry. (Meghan Kasanders)

Meghan Kasanders returning to her roots with benefit concert in Westchester

March 15, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Soprano Meghan Kasanders was active at the Westchester Community Church throughout her childhood and is returning to perform in March.

Four Carmel Catholic High School seniors were honored as Eagle Scouts at a Court of Honor on March 7 at the Crawford Warming House in Libertyville. Pictured (left to right) are Charlie Zidek, Troop 60 Committee Chair; Eagle Scouts, James Willemsen, Ryan Frels, Nick Vortherms, and Marcos Monroe; and Troup 60 Scoutmaster Patrick Emmons. (Jim Willemsen)

Four close Libertyville friends honored after each reaching the rank of Eagle Scout

March 12, 2026 at 4:33 p.m.

Twelve years ago, four six-year-olds joined the Cub Scouts. The close friends, now seniors at Carmel Catholic High School, moved through the ranks of scouting, reaching the highest level on...

Rendezvous Arts will present eight members of the renowned St. Charles Singers on March 13 at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest and at Dixon (March 11) and Chicago (March 15). (Courtesy of the St. Charles Singers)

Rendezvous Arts presenting first choral performances in its chamber music concerts

March 2, 2026 at 2:34 p.m.

Rendezvous Arts usually presents seven chamber music concerts each year but they are going in a different direction for their March 13 concert at the Gorton Center at 400 E....

Elmhurst native Andrew Scoville, talks with the cast of David Byrne’s “Theater of the Mind,” which opens March 11 at Goodman Theatre in Chicago. (Boris Martin)

Elmhurst native Andrew Scoville returns to Chicago to direct David Byrne’s ‘Theater of the Mind’

March 2, 2026 at 12:50 p.m.

Elmhurst native Andrew Scoville returns to Chicago to direct David Byrne's 'Theater of the Mind' at the Goodman Theater in March.

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