The Doings Hinsdale

Elmhurst Museum tells sweet side of Chicago history

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:01:34 -0500

It’s going to be a sweet summer for visitors to the Elmhurst Historical Museum. The museum’s latest exhibit, “Sweet Home Chicago: The History of America’s Candy Capital,” offers a colorful look at the role Chicago has played in the nation’s candy industry, contributing treats ranging from Wrigley’s gum to Tootsie Rolls and nearly everything in between. “Chicago was home to some of the biggest names in candy,” said Leslie Goddard, who teamed up with Museum Curator Lance Tawzer to create the collection of memories and memorabilia. Big names Snickers, Butterfingers, Lemonheads, Cracker Jack, and of course, Fannie May, are a …

Frequently hysterical ‘Hysteria’

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:34:03 -0500

HYSTERIA ★ ★ ★ 1/2 The Victorian era is justly famous for many fine developments: railroads, neo-gothic architecture, universal suffrage, the rise of the middle class and inventions such as photography, the phonograph and the telephone. Stuffiness, too. The Victorians developed stiff, stuffy propriety to its greatest height, which may explain why we seldom associate the era with one of its most revolutionary innovations: the invention of the vibrating personal massager. It certainly explains why there’s rarely a scene in Tanya Wexler’s wonderful (and often very, very funny) romantic comedy “Hysteria” that doesn’t prompt a smile of delight — just …

‘Xtreme Bugs’ invades Brookfield this summer

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:34:03 -0500

Family Fun: Gawk at gigantic bugs in Brookfield, listen to bug stories in Oak Brook, bounce and giggle in Burr Ridge and shake things up in Clarendon Hills

Diversions: 4 picks for the coming week

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:37:33 -0500

Looking for fun, fancy or off-the-beaten-path options for the coming week? We present four, for your consideration.

Oak Brook’s Seasons 52 offers fresh flavors year round

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:36:37 -0500

Rising from the shadows of Braxton, Seasons 52 debuted at Oakbrook Center earlier this month, featuring seasonally changing menu of fresh grilled meats and fish, local vegetables, crisp salads and tasting-sized desserts. “Oakbrook Center is an ideal setting for Seasons 52,” said company President Stephen Judge. “The combination of upscale residential living, shopping, dining and entertainment provides a lifestyle environment compatible with the Seasons 52 concept.” Designers set out to create a traditional prairie style décor with layered natural stone and warm woods. Rows of wine glasses, hung by their bases, define the bar area. The bar itself contains a …

Wheaton Drama has its own ‘Scoundrels’

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:36:51 -0500

Although the musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is based on the 1988 movie of the same name, which starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the director for Wheaton Drama’s presentation of the play did not want to refer to the movie for any assistance. “When I found out I was directing the show I refused to watch the movie,” said Steve Schroeder, who is directing “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” for the Wheaton Drama Playhouse. “I love the movie, but I did not want to be a slave to the acting choices that the actors in the film made. And although it is …

Disc golf: Give it a throw

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:40:04 -0500

If you’ve ever happened across a chain-linked basket shaped like an inverted teardrop while out for a nature hike, you may have unwittingly stumbled upon a disc golf course. Disc golf isn’t new — it was formalized in the 1970s — but its popularity has vaulted in recent years. It’s grown from a collegiate pastime to leagues with competitive players, said Cathy Kamm with Midwest Disc Golf, based in Lombard. “It’s a wonderful sport. It’s kind of like golf in that you are playing against yourself on the course trying to beat your last score,” she said. “We play with …

All-American cuisine stars at Bakersfield inWestmont

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:23:58 -0500

Before the clean lines of the architecture and the chic interior attract their attention, visitors to Bakersfield will notice the aroma of the new restaurant’s wood-fired grill. The grill is used to prepare some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, said Ken Tsang, director of marketing for the restaurant at 330 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont. But the grill, he said, is just the beginning here. “There’s quite a variety on the menu,” said Tsang, who described the eclectic mix of dishes as “American.” “This is the way Americans eat,” he said. Among the appetizers, sandwiches and entrees on the Bakersfield menu …

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 24

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:37:50 -0500

Stage “Ah, Wilderness!”, by Eugene O’Neill, May 31-June 10 at Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. In Connecticut in 1906, the Miller family celebrates the Fourth of July as their 16-year-old son goes through the trials of young love. Tickets are $18 and $20. Call (708) 246-3380 or visit www.theatreofwesternsprings.com. “Alice in Wonderland,” presented by Stage Door Fine Arts June 7-10 at The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call (630) 323-7500 or visit www.stagedoorfinearts.com. …

Civil War Days return to Naperville

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:50:01 -0500

Family Fun: Experience the Civil War era in Naperville, get creative with Legos in Clarendon Hills and recycle household items in Oak Brook.

Diversions: 4 picks for the coming week

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:27:34 -0500

Looking for fun, fancy or off-the-beaten-path options for the coming week? We present four, for your consideration.

Oakbrook Terrace kids’ theater stages ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:54:36 -0500

When Jan Barker, head of the Park Players at Oakbrook Terrace Park District, first considered staging “Bye Bye Birdie” with her young troupe, she worried that she might not have enough actors. But, she says, “The kids wanted to do it so badly they dragged their friends out of the woodwork.” So two casts of 23 young performers will take the stage May 17-19 at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District theater. The production is double-cast, at least many principal roles are, says Barker, to give more kids a chance in the spotlight. “Plus, you’ve got a built-in understudy,” she said. …

Lake Bluff singer adds a touch of country

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:08:01 -0500

What would you do if Death rang your doorbell? Lake Bluff folk singer-songwriter David Hawkins, it seems, would write a song. “I love this one Gahan Wilson cartoon in which a man has just answered the front door to see the Grim Reaper standing there,” said Hawkins. “The man is calling over to his wife on the couch, ‘Honey, you’ll never guess who’s here!’” He mixed in a touch of influence from a favorite e.e.cummings poem, “portrait,” and wrote, “Hello Mr. Death (A Love Song), that’s become the title track for his new album, which he’ll release at a concert …

Oak Park actress finds theater magic in ‘Oz’

Sun, 13 May 2012 12:25:52 -0500

For Dara Cameron of Oak Park and Rob Rahn of Lincolnshire, now appearing in Drury Lane’s Theatre for Young Adults “The Wizard of Oz,” this is not the first time over the rainbow. Nor is it their first time in the show together. Cameron portrayed Kansas girl Dorothy Gale five times dating back to high school. Rahn portrayed Uncle Henry in another Marriott Theatre production opposite her. But neither has lost their sense of wonder at the musical that has transported generations, and for many children, is their introduction to live theater. The classic 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, ranked …

Entertainment calendar for May 17

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:56:04 -0500

Historian speaks on Chicago’s candy history

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:04:01 -0500

Historian and author Leslie Goddard speaks on “Sweet Home Chicago: Chicago’s Candy-Making History,” at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 17, the Elmhurst Historical Museum Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave. Goddard has been researching and speaking on the topic of Chicago’s candy history over the last decade, and is the writer and collaborator on the Elmhurst Historical Museum’s new exhibit, “Sweet Home Chicago: The History of America’s Candy Capital,” as well as the author of a soon-to-be-published book, Chicago’s Sweet Candy History. In addition to Goddard’s talk, participants are invited to enjoy special complimentary treats courtesy of Fannie May Candy in …