Features

No Escape: The Endless Dreams of Elgin
by Laurence Gonzales
Holding on – or losing it all – at the state of mental-health center

Dressing Like a Woman
by Brenda Shapiro
After all those mannish suits and “dress-for-success” looks, there was bound to be a revolt. Finally, women are secure enough to reaffirm their femininity.

Del Close
by Lenny Kleinfeld
The brilliant comedian, director, and actor reflects on drugs, demons, and self-discovery.

Almost Carnegie Hall
by Alan Gross
For more than a century, it has served the city’s greatest artists as studio and stage, so why doesn’t the Fine Arts Building get more respect?

Departments

Letters

Upfront
by Henry Hanson
The Year of the Rabbit bounds in; Chicago’s Aspen connection is celebrated; and a new vaudeville features the mother and father of us all.

On the Aisle: Performance as Open Sesame…
by Claudia Cassidy
Orchestral eloquence, theatrical ghosts, the promise of Pavarotti

City: Safe House
by Robert McClory

Paulina House is a home – where young victims of sexual exploitation relearn self-esteem.

Books: Altered Egos
In Morris Philipson’s new novel, the busy underworld of art meets the dizzy real world of self-doubt.
Theatre: Organic Chemistry
by Tom Valeo
Experimental theatre still has a home on Clark Street.
Art: Portraits of Poise
by Henry Hanson
John Singer Sargent’s worldly vision of high – and low – society

The Goods
by Jamie Gilson
Fancy aquariums for people who like stationary pets and art that moves; F.L. Wright revisited; and an old new shop on Halsted
The Best of Chicago: The Words Count, Too
by Karin B. Gordon
Mirella Cimato Smith teaches proper operatic diction.

Dining on the Town: A Classy Italian Dive
by Carla and Allen Kelson
The accent’s on earthy Italian food.

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