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The Arts Section
The Arts Section
Author: WDCB's Gary Zidek
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The Arts Section spotlights creative people, events and ideas. Every week, WDCB's Gary Zidek shines a light on arts and culture in the Chicago area. The mission is to focus on stories within the arts community that aren't being told, with additional commentary and discussions on literature, music, film, food, special events and anything else creative.
422 Episodes
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On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes you inside a former 7-Eleven that’s now a music venue on the northside of Chicago. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review the world premiere play HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS. Later in the show, Gary profiles a Chicago arts center celebrating its 50th anniversary. And he’ll visit a suburban oddities & curiosities shop that’s unlike anywhere you’ve been before.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to the director of a new documentary that dives deeper into the story of the Jackie Robinson West little league team that captured the city’s attention for one summer. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new play titled UGLY LIES THE BONE. And later in the show, Gary revisits his last interview with Tony Fitzpatrick. The acclaimed artist passed away last week.
On this edition of The Arts Section, we start to get into the Halloween spirit, host Gary Zidek talks to the celebrated playwright behind a new horror play opening at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new play that imagines a dystopian future with a 26-year old queen. Later in the show, Gary previews Chicago’s 11th annual Arts In the Dark Halloween parade. And we’ll check out some fall color and animal sculptures at the Morton Arboretum.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with Blues Note Records president and music legend Don Was to talk about his new music project. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new play that looks back at how Shakespeare’s works might’ve survived. Later in the show, Gary checks in with City Lit Theater to learn more about the company’s Banned Books Week programming. And Gary visits a new virtual reality attraction in Rosemont.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek sits down with a local opera singer to talk about her unique path to the stage and an upcoming performance with the New Philharmonic. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new production of a play that originally premiered in Chicago in 1938. Later in the show, Gary visits a new exhibit of Tiffany Lamps. Plus, we’ll hear all about a local theater organization that’s been presenting Gilbert and Sullivan works for over 60 years.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek checks in with the executive director of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival to talk about some of the challenges facing the annual event. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to preview the best local stage productions opening this fall. Later in the show, Gary talks to two of the producers behind WTTW’s new season of Chicago Stories. And we’ll hear from the author of a biography of B.B. King.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek profiles a Chicago organization dedicated to keeping the tradition of film projection alive. He’ll talk to executive director of the Chicago Film Society. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review the musical adaptation of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Later in the show, Gary catches up with bestselling author Kerri Maher. And we’ll revisit the Cleve Carney Museum of Art’s Hokusai exhibit before it closes.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes you inside a new exhibit inspired by an old Asian design principle involving borrowed scenery. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, joins Gary to review a world premiere that takes a closer look at the teenage girl experience. Later in the show, we’ll hear about a new art therapy program that just launched in the west suburbs. And Gary profiles a non-profit club that’s been providing women musicians community for 150 years.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with Academy Award-winning composer Justin Hurwitz to talk about a special live score presentation of one of his most popular films. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a politically charged musical comedy. Later in the show, Gary visits the Newberry Library to check out a new exhibit that explores society’s relationship with birds. And we’ll hear from the author all about scents.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up renowned filmmaker Angus Maclachlan to talk about his new movie, A LITTLE PRAYER. Theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel joins Gary to review a new musical revue of Stephen Sondheim’s work. Later in the show, Gary chats with guitarist Nathaniel Braddock about his upcoming performance at the Chicago Jazz Fest. And I’ll look back at 50 years of the northshore’s Marriott Theater.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to the two authors of a charming new book that shines a light on the history and current state of Chicago’s Uptown Theater. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a musical adaptation of the French film AMELIE. And later in the show, Gary catches up with the executive director of a local Puerto Rican arts organization looking to expand.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with award-winning author Rebecca Makkai to talk about a writers festival taking place in Chicago. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join me to review a revival of the Tony Award-winning musical PARADE. Later in the show, Gary talks to the president of Aurora’s Paramount Theater about some funding issues and programming changes. And we’ll hear about a suburban museum’s permanent collection.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek is highlighting the intersection of arts & commerce. He’ll catch up with a local jazz musician who started her own business after the pandemic changed everything. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new one-women play that’s generating a lot of discussion. Later in the show, Gary visits a Wheaton music academy that offers privates lessons to kids through people in their 80s. And he’ll highlight a new west suburban store that offers records and beer.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with the indie folk duo STONE AND SNOW. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review Celine Song’s play TOM AND ELIZA. Later in the show, Gary takes you with to a special summer arts camp that aims to provide comfort to kids who have lost a parent. And we’ll check in with food critic Nick Allen to talk about some of his favorite local summer spots.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes a closer look at a new concert-theater work that explores the history of composer William Byrd’s acts of defiance in 16th century England. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to preview local outdoor theater options, plus we’ll hear about what’s happening this summer at the Stratford Theater Festival in Canada. Later in the show, Gary catches up with the theater artist behind a bio-play that looks back at the life of acclaimed singer Donny Hathaway. And Gary talks to the author of a book all about the hit TV series Ted Lasso.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek visits the Museum of Contemporary Art’s new exhibit, CITY IN A GARDEN, that explores Chicago’s Queer art and activism communities. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new ambitious production of ANGELS IN AMERICA. Later in the show, it’s all accordions, all the time, as the annual Accordions and Teachers Guild Fest returns to the area. And we’ll discuss where to get the best Italian Beefs in the Chicago-area.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek sits down with an award-winning local author who just released her second novel, a mystery set in the northwest burbs. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to talk about the world premiere play DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE. Later in the show, Gary takes you with to Northwestern’s Block Museum of Art to check out an exhibit that explores indigenous traditions. And we’ll revisit a segment about a patriotic outdoor exhibit.
On this edition of the program, host Gary Zidek catches up with the author of a fantastic new book that dives into the storied history of Chicago’s Fine Arts Building. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to talk about the world premiere IRAQ, BUT FUNNY. And later in the show, Gary visits a west suburban museum that specializes in something few institutions around the world do.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to Steppenwolf co-founder and multiple award-winning actor Gary Sinise. The Chicago-area native is coming back home to perform a concert to raise support for a non-profit that helps disabled veterans. Later in the show, Gary visits the Driehaus Museum to learn more about the subject of its latest exhibit, Scottish artist Rory McEwen. And we’ll hear from the author of a book about the world’s two most famous movie critics.
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with local jazz vocalist Isabella Isherwood to talk about some of her upcoming projects, plus an exclusive in-studio performance. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review GOLDEN LEAD RAGTIME BLUES. Later in the show, Gary talks to local theater artist Heather Currie about a new stage adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS. And we’ll preview the Elmhurst Art Museum’s latest exhibit.






















