A hard-hitting ‘A View from the Bridge’

The Chicago Street Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s play “A View from the Bridge” will open May 24 and runs to June 8 in Valparaiso.

Set in New York City’s Brooklyn borough in the 1950s, the play revolves around a longshoreman whose wife’s Italian cousins …

‘Fast & Furious 6’ 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.

Local Buzz for May 24, 2013

Here is a look at music events. Suggestions include Passionate Colors.

The Staves eager to build U.S. fan base

Making their first visit to Chicago, up-and-coming folk trio the Staves aren’t asking for much.

Deliver the three gorgeous girls some Chicago-style pizza and show them where they can find the best vintage dress shops in the city, and they should feel quite at home …

Things To Do for May 24, 2013

Here’s a look at things to do. Suggestions include Memorial Day events.

McGraw pumped for Two Lanes of Freedom Tour

NASHVILLE, TENN. — It’s no coincidence that Tim McGraw’s latest album opens and closes with highway songs.

“There’s a sense of acceleration on this record, a sense of freedom,” the country singer said of “Two Lanes of Freedom.”

“I feel energized, like I’m at the …

Microsoft reveals Xbox One, next-generation gaming

Microsoft thinks it has the one. The company revealed the Xbox One, its next-generation entertainment console Tuesday. The console was demonstrated using voice control to switch among watching live TV, listening to music and browsing the Internet, as well as simultaneously running apps.

Michael Douglas, Matt Damon shine in captivating Liberace movie

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.

‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ turns out to be quite the Enterprise

RICHARD ROEPER: Director J.J. Abrams is a true talent, and he’s also a pop-culture savant who has great respect for the legacy of this franchise as well as a keen understanding of the mega-importance of box-office figures. There’s no better choice to make the best, the purest AND the most accessible big-budget “Star Trek” movie possible. Yet with all the futuristic splendor and the fine performances, “Into Darkness” only occasionally soars, mostly settling for being a solid but unspectacular effort that sets the stage for the next chapter(s).

Chicago Street Theatre’s summer programs for all ages

Valparaiso’s Chicago Street Theatre is now accepting registrations for its summer camp programs. Camps are available for kindergartners to seniors in high school and cover theater games and character development to a playwright program and a William Shakespeare workshop. Several new camps will be offered …

Local Buzz for May 17, 2013

Here is a look at music events. Suggestions include Majestic Star Casino’s Lakeshore Lounge.

Donley’s Wild West Town a return to yesteryear

Go West, young Chicagoans. Go West.

Direct your parents to load up the family car and head on Interstate 90 past Barrington, past Elgin, and through Hampshire. Go west to Union, Ill., the small-town (population: 579) home of Donley’s Wild West Town, a museum and …

Things To Do for May 17, 2013

Here’s a look at things to do. Suggestions include Hobart’s trash or treasure neighborhood garage sale.

Star power — Adler tech revolutionizes sky show

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach.

It’s an illusion created by …

New on DVD for May 17, 2013

Here is a look at what’s new on DVD this week. Many of these titles were released on May 14.