BTL Staff
A pair of queens that's hard to beat
By Martin F. Kohn Think of "Mary Stuart" as the history play Shakespeare could never write. It takes place in England in 1587; all of its characters are Shakespeare's contemporaries, including Queen Elizabeth, the villain of the piece and as the [...]
Aching realism makes 'The Last Five Years' a heartbreaker
By Bridgette M. Redman "The Last Five Years" is a show that punches you in the gut and leaves you in an almost speechless state with roiling emotions. Indeed, in the bathroom immediately following the show there were more than a few people with [...]
No wardrobe malfunction at The Gem
By John Quinn Rarely does a play's title sum up its theme as succinctly as does "Love, Loss, and What I Wore," a satisfying bit of satin and lace by the formable author-playwright-screenwriter sister act of Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron. Their [...]
OutCenter Celebrates Black History Month with Brother Outsider Film Screening
Benton Harbor, MI – The OutCenter of Benton Harbor announced that it will be screening the film Brother Outsider at the Citadel Oak Room, February 24, in celebration of Black History Month. The film follows the life of Bayard Rustin, an important [...]
Petitioning for change
By Jim Larkin HOLLAND – An 18-year-old Hope College freshman is trying to accomplish what groups of influential alumni, students and community leaders could not: Convince Hope College officials to become more accepting and supportive of its LGBT [...]
Spring Awakening' warms up dull winter
By John Quinn The creative minds in musical theater have drawn inspiration from many odd sources. But in a realm of Demon Barbers and Jellicle Cats, "Spring Awakening" is one of the oddest. German playwright Frank Wedekind's 1891 play by the same [...]
Superior Donuts' is fresh, satisfying treat
By Judith Cookis Rubens Superior Donuts isn't bustling with hipsters and their laptops or grande mocha-chinos, like nearby Starbucks. In fact, the deteriorating Uptown Chicago donut shop in Tracy Letts' compelling comedy isn't even open some [...]
Taylor-Made Advice
Across 1 One that may be beaten 5 Demonstrated heterosexuality 9 Answer to "Who's there?" 14 Coin on the Continent 15 It was gauche, for Debussy 16 Henri's boyfriends 17 St. Patrick's land 18 Tight-assed 19 Taco topping 20 Start of a quote from [...]
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente 'Downton Abbey' matriarch cage match! The only thing that could possibly be better than watching "Downton Abbey"'s Maggie Smith, as the Dowager Countess, stop the rest of the cast dead in their tracks with withering glances and [...]
Meditate, Pisces!
By Jack Fertig Q Scopes The planet of dreams and mystery, Nepture, fresh into his own sign Pisces, will take a year or two to get used to. Logic's no help here; trust your intuitions and open up to the magic. ARIES (March 20 – April 19): There's [...]
