The North Shore Weekend, May 4th, 2024

Chicago Red Stars owner Laura Ricketts is a major booster of women’s professional sports.

-Serena Williams

This summer, venture beyond the shoreline and find hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

ROSE HOFFMANN

Rose Hoffmann has been a Real Estate professional for the past 20 years. She prides herself in getting results and is 100% committed to protecting her clients’ equity. She is your competitive advantage. Knowledge, dedication and service are priceless qualities she provides. Negotiating with all parties, Rose is dedicated to getting your home sold or purchased and facilitating a cohesive process. The focus is YOU and giving you the highest degree of informed service. Her experience is with all types of clients: first time home buyers, move up buyers, those looking to downsize (SERS designation) or investors. She supports the highest standard of service and representation.

Call Rose for all your Real Estate needs at 847.627.0039

COMMMUNITY DAYS

Residents of Highland Park and Highwood can purchase up to four (4) General Admission Lawn tickets for $5 each while supplies last to all Community Day concerts.

JOIN OUR PET WELLNESS PLAN

SEE LIST OF SHOWS HERE

Pets4Life offers various wellness plans for every stage of your pet’s life. Our plans are tailored for your pet and can include: -vaccines -lab work -wellness exams -spaying and neutering -dental cleaning -and for a limited time, nail trims! Call our vets at (847) 434-2745 to find out how we can set up a plan to meet your pet’s needs.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Since the Ricketts family purchased the Chicago Cubs nearly 15 years ago, a lot has changed at Wrigley field.

There’s the expansion of the footprint of the Wrigley Field property, including Gallagher Way, the addition of hotels, such regular blockbuster concerts by the likes of Pearl Jam and The Grateful Dead, and that little thing called a World Series Championship in 2016—the team’s first in 108 years.

You can add another historic event to the list.

On June 8, Wrigley Field will play host to a match between the Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC, the first women’s professional soccer match played at the friendly confines. And tickets are selling at a pretty good clip.

Wilmette resident and Red Stars owner Laura Ricketts, who also owns a share of the Chicago Sky Women’s WNBA franchise as well as her stake in the Cubs, says the match is an opportunity to showcase the growth of women’s sports and the quality of play in the NWSL, but also to promote the city to a global audience. Soccer is a global sport, and she’d love for the world to be watching.

“It will be really making a great point. It’s going to be great entertainment for everybody there and it will be nationally televised,” Ricketts says. “If you come out, you’ll be glad you did.”

Women’s athletics are having a bit of a renaissance at the moment. There’s the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, and the fact the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final between The University of South Carolina and University of Iowa received higher television ratings than the men’s final.

But, according to Ricketts, there’s a lot of work to do to draw investment to women’s sports. It was reported a few weeks ago that Clark, the first pick in the WNBA draft,

in her first year will make a fraction of the rookie salary that men in the NBA are paid their

It really comes down to investment, Ricketts says. Men have had the luxury of building stadiums with public support, while women have had to fight for good venues in which to play.

There is currently only one professional stadium in the country solely dedicated to a women’s professional team, the home of the Kansas City Current of the NWSL. The project only received a modicum of public financial support—$6 million in tax credits for a $117 million stadium. The average NFL stadium was built with 50 percent

Baltimore Ravens secured public support totaling billions of dollars over the past few years.

It’s a glaring inequity.

Ricketts says if you build a good women’s sports venue in a good location, fans will come.

“It’s something we want to have for our city and our state in terms of promoting women’s sports, but also promoting the city and state globally,” she adds.

The Red Stars currently play their home

rookie years.

public dollars. According to the sports business publication Sportico, the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and

The Red Stars currently play their home games at SeatGeek stadium in Bridgeview but are hoping to build a stadium in Chicago.

With soccer being a global sport, Ricketts believes there is a genuine opportunity to bring international attention to both the Red Stars and the city of Chicago. Photography courtesy of the Chicago Red Stars

games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, which is not an ideal location to draw large crowds because of its lack of accessible public transportation. And while the Chicago Fire, the men’s professional soccer team, moved their home games to Soldier Field a few years ago, the team still trains in Bridgeview, so the Red Stars must fight for field time. The team is also one of few NWSL teams in the Midwest, so its fan base is much larger than just the Chicago area.

“We are the Chicago Red Stars, not the Bridgeview Red Stars. That star comes from the Chicago flag. Our colors come from the Chicago flag. The culture of our team has very much been a Chicago culture— gutsy and gritty and getting it done,” says Ricketts. “We should have a stadium in Chicago where it’s accessible to our national

the Cubs since 2009 and everything that we’ve learned over the years, everything I’ve learned about sports and the power of sports, and the management are really key in my decision to invest in both the Sky and the Red stars,” she says. “I believe in the future of women’s sports. It’s not a civic investment for me. It’s not a charitable investment. It’s a business investment and it’s very much aligned with my passion for women’s sports and for equity for everyone.”

The current success of women’s sports, if not investment-wise, received a big boost from the public sector. Ricketts points to the federal civil rights law Title IX— which went into effect more than 50 years ago— afforded her and girls across the country the opportunity to play little league with the boys.

Women’s sports are starting to see the real benefits from that legislation now.

our club, but there are bigger ramifications.”

city and the state,” she says. “These are some things we can argue for that the other men’s

Ricketts credits her experience as a Cubs’ co-owner for her approach to running the Red Stars and even her involvement in the Sky. There’s perhaps no better pressure cooker to learn the professional sports business than owning a team that has as dedicated a fan base as the Cubs.

“Having our family be the stewards of

“It’s been this evolution since Title IX and now we’re starting to see a cosmic change in that with all the talent we’re about see now coming into the WNBA and NWSL,” says Ricketts. “We’re seeing a moment in time and now is a good time to invest and capitalize on that.”

The Chicago Red Stars host Bay FC on June 8 at Wrigley Field. For tickets, visit chicagoredstars.com.

Red Stars President Karen Leetzow (left) pictured with owner Laura Ricketts.

Chef Thierry Lefeuvre

NORTH SHORE DOINGS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

MAY 4

HOPE WALK AND MUTT STRUT

WHERE: Gillson Park

Join Rotary Clubs of Wilmette, Winnetka/Northfield, Evanston Lighthouse, and Glenview Sunrise for the organizations’ 5k Walk/ Mutt Strut. All proceeds will benefit groups that provide for unhoused people living in the Chicago area. This 5k is for families and dogs alike and will go from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will start at the Wallace Bowl and traverse around Gillson Park. Afterwards, everyone will meet back at the Bowl for refreshments and announcements. Get tickets online. secure.givelively.org

MAY 4

SPRING GARDEN FAIR

WHERE: Lake Forest Market Square

Join Lake Forest School

District 67 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a fun morning of garden and spring activities. The event includes a shop filled with items grown, made, or crafted by District 67 students along with other engaging opportunities to learn about nature. It will be a wonderful chance to pick up some seedlings to start your own garden, some special gifts for Mother’s Day, and perhaps even some homemade dog treats. Activities include face painting, making upcycled floral crafts, rock painting, and playing yard games. All proceeds from sales will go directly to supporting Gardening 2 Grow, its mission, and the District 67 garden clubs. Admission to the event is free. lakeforestschools.org

MAY 4

STAR WARS WEEK

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Celebrate the Star Wars franchise the week leading up

to “May the 4th.” The Youth Department will be holding themed activities and crafts all day. This event is free and open to the public. lakeblufflibrary.org

NOW THROUGH MAY 5

ANNUAL SPRING DAHLIA SALE

WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden

Central States Dahlia Society is holding its annual spring sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fundraiser will include awardwinning varieties from previous dahlia shows. All plants are $9. Any that aren’t sold through the weekend will be sold online on May 7. Flowers will be selling quickly. Admission tickets are available now. centralstatesdahliasociety.com

NOW THROUGH MAY 12

MONSIEUR CHOPIN

WHERE: Writers Theatre

Storyteller, musician, and Chicago favorite Hershey Felder makes his Writers Theatre debut with an original script and live performance of Chopin’s gorgeous masterpieces. Days after the February 1848 revolution, Frédéric Chopin is teaching a piano lesson in Paris. Set in the Polish pianist/composer’s intimate salon, Chopin shares secrets about the piano and himself with his students—as well as playing some of his most beautiful and enduring compositions. In a tour de force performance, Felder brings to life the romantic story and music of the man once called the “Poet of the Piano.” writerstheatre.org

NOW THROUGH MAY 19

GUIDED BIRD WALK

WHERE: Gillson Beach

Join Go Green Wilmette for morning bird walks starting at 8 a.m. on May 5, May 12, and May 19. Learn how to identify different types of birds

and get tips on how to attract more birds to your yard. Beginners and children are welcome. Groups will meet at the martin house by the Coast Guard station at the south end of Gillson Park. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather. wilmettepark.org

NOW THROUGH MAY 31

AMIE CAMPBELL’S GALLERY

WHERE: Vivid Art Gallery

Amie Campbell is this month’s featured artist and her pieces will be displayed in an exhibit till the end of May. Her newest, striking work explores the beauty of botanicals and architecture through a translucent lens. She works in various media including acrylic paints, watercolors, gouache, caran d’ache, and colored pencils. vividartgallery.net

NOW THROUGH JUNE 30

TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION

WHERE: Westfield Old Orchard

Experience the story of the Titanic in an exhibit featured

at Westfield Old Orchard, running Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests will be able to traverse the Grand Staircase, see recreations of the ship’s interior, view artifacts from the ship, and more. The Discovery Gallery will give a glimpse at what archaeologists saw when they discovered the wreck of the Titanic. This exhibit also pays homage to the SS Eastland Disaster, which is the largest loss of life in a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Tickets are on sale now.

thetitanicexhibition.com

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7

CIRCUSVILLE: PLAY UNDER THE BIG TOP

WHERE: Chicago Children’s Museum

Bring your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum to play at the circus! Children can try their hands at all of the vital roles in a circus: star of the show, ticket taker, acrobat, hot dog vendor, and more. Props and costumes for families will be provided.

exhibit that chronicles the evolution of residential development in the village. The homes featured in this exhibit were built between 1889 and 1924. kenilworthhistory.org

MAY 5

TOUCH A TRUCK

WHERE: Kohl Children’s Museum

Enjoy a fun-filled family day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. where kids will learn about trucks, cars, and other vehicles by climbing and playing on more than 40 vehicles. This event will include music, train rides, food trucks, photo ops, and more. Tickets are required for everyone age 1 and older. kohlchildrensmuseum.org

MAY 8

LAURIE VICTOR KAY: INTERSECTIONS

chicagochildrensmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 13

“SHTETL IN THE SUN”

WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

In the late 1970s, photographer Andy Sweet took numerous photos of Holocaust survivors living hopeful and joyous lives in South Beach, Florida. Through his images, it provides a poignant display of life after tragedy. The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s exhibit, “Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980,” celebrates Sweet’s work as a tribute to those who lived during that time. The exhibit will run through October 13. ilholocaustmuseum.org

NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2025 “KENILWORTH CENTENNIAL HOMES”

WHERE: Kenilworth

Historical Society

Explore the history of Kenilworth’s oldest homes and celebrate its architectural significance with a dynamic

WHERE: Anne Loucks Gallery

Celebrate the Laurie Victor Kay Gallery from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a talk and reception. The gallery will feature Kay’s photography depicting placing, settings, and natural elements that she finds intriguing and moving. This exhibition includes 12 large-scale photographs representing her Tree, Kaleidoscope, Graffiti, and Musee series. It will be held at the Winnetka gallery through June 10. loucksgallery.com

MAY 8

SENSORY SHENANIGANS

WHERE: Northfield Public Library

Enjoy an hour of interactive play for children up to 4 years old from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The activities will foster fine motor skills and concepts through play. This program will be a bit messy and very fun so please dress accordingly. Adults must accompany children for this program. No drop-offs permitted. wnpld.org

The Orion Ensemble

MAY 8 AND 22

GARDEN TASK FORCE

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Take an afternoon with Lake Bluff Library to help start their Learning Garden. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., participants will start seeds, plan the garden for the summer season, and enjoy watching the plants grow, change, and produce. This program is open to children, adults, and teens. lakeblufflibrary.org

MAY 11

TEA AND COOKIES

WHERE: Junior League of Evanston-North Shore Thrift House

Celebrate the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore’s 100th Anniversary. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., tea and cookies will be served and there will be a walk through decades of fashion. Donations of teacups and mugs are suggested. jle-ns.org

MAY 11

NAMI CCNS SPRING GALA

WHERE: Sunset Ridge Country Club

One of the most notable events in Chicago celebrates its 18th anniversary with an annual gala starting at 6:30 p.m. NAMI CCNS’s Gala will benefit core mental health programs, courses, and support groups for 19 communities in the North Suburban Chicago area. This year’s keynote speaker is Meg Kissinger, who will speak on her memoir delving into her experiences growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s. She will also discuss family dynamics and mental health challenges. Tickets are $250. eventbrite.com

MAY 11

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION RITA

HAYWORTH GALA

WHERE: The Old Post Office

For more than four decades, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan has inspired millions with the story of her mother, Rita Hayworth,

the Hollywood legend whose life was cut short by Alzheimer’s disease. This year's gala will celebrate the strides made by the Alzheimer’s Association and a future filled with hope. The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing to the music of The Party Faithful. Susan and Jim Draddy will receive the prestigious Philanthropy Award for their outstanding contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association over the last15 years. The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $1,000 per person or $500 for guests under 40 years of age. alz.org

MAY 11

ANNUAL SPRING DINNER

WHERE: Church of the Holy Spirit

Enjoy an evening of bluegrass music, a live auction, and a low country boil prepared by a private chef. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. and dinner and the live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person, $1,500 per table, and are available while they last. Casual dressy attire is suggested. All proceeds go to the church’s Mission and Outreach fund. chslf.org

MAY 11

MUSIC MATTERS

WHERE: Ravinia Festival

The Ravinia Associates Board hosts its Music Matters fundraiser, featuring an open bar, live music, and silent and live auction. Proceeds benefit Ravinia and its Reach Teach Play music education programs. ravinia.org

MAY 11

HANDPRINT SHRINKY

DINKS

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Have a crafty afternoon making a Shrinky Dink handprint keychain. These creations can make great Mother’s Day gifts or a gift for a loved one. This program will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is for children and teens and free to all participants. highwoodlibrary.org

MAY 11 TO MAY 12

MOTHER EARTH MARKET

WHERE: Brushwood Center Brushwood Center’s third annual Mother Earth Market returns 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 11 and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 12. Bring the special mom in your life to this Mother’s Day celebration. The market will feature local artists, makers, vendors, and organizations inspired by Mother Earth and working towards a sustainable future. There will be fun events taking place both days of the market. brushwoodcenter.org

MAY 11 TO MAY 12

NORTHBROOK ART IN THE PARK

WHERE: Northbrook’s Village Green Park

Art in the Park returns for its fourth year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Mother’s Day weekend. This year there will be more than 80 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, and more. There will also be live music, selfie stations, and crafts for kids. Food booths and restaurants are nearby so no one will go hungry. Admission is free and leashed dogs are welcome. This event is stroller and wheelchair friendly. amdurproductions.com

MAY 15

MYRA RUBENSTEIN HEALTH RESOURCE

CENTER LUNCHEON

WHERE: Exmoor Country Club

The Myra Rubenstein

Weis Health Resource Center (MRW) will hold its 27th Annual Benefit Luncheon at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park. The benefit will include a silent auction and raffle. The event begins at

10:30 a.m. Tickets are $160 per person and tables start at $2,500. This year, Karen Kaul, MD, PhD, will be speaking on the topic of personalized medicine and genomics. foundation.northshore.org

MAY 17

SONS OF THE NEVER WRONG

WHERE: Studio5

Sons of the Never Wrong is closing Studio5’s spring season. This Chicago-based alt-folk trio have been playing whimsical songs with soaring harmonies since 1992. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 for general admission and $45 for cabaret seating. studio5.dance

MAY

17

THE HOME TOUR

WHERE: North Shore homes

The Community House Woman’s Board is hosting its annual Home Tour. This showcase takes participants through several houses in Wilmette, Winnetka, and Glencoe. Check in starts at 9:15 a.m. and the home tours begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Community House, which will benefit from all proceeds. Now through May 16, tickets can be purchased for $125 and raffle tickets are $25. On May 17, any remaining tickets can be purchased at the Community House. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early as this event sells out each year. mycommunityhouse.org

MAY 17

CATTAILS & COCKTAILS

WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve Celebrate “Camp LFOLA” at the Cattails and Cocktails event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy comfort food, camp-like games, live music, and the evening will end with s’mores at the campfire. Tickets are limited and have different prices. “Campers” are $110 for members and $160 for non-members. “Glampers” are $250 for members and $300 for non-members. All proceeds benefit Lake Forest Open

Lands Association’s mission. This event will happen rain or shine and guests are encouraged to dress accordingly for the weather. There is no public parking at Mellody Farm, but there will be a shuttle system from Christ Church of Lake Forest. lfola.org

MAY 18

SPRING PLANT & TREE SALE

WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve

Plant native plants and trees in your yard this spring. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mellody Farm Nature Preserve will be selling plants and trees native to the Lake Forest area. These plants can go into “problem spots” where the ground is too saturated, sunny, or dry and replace invasive species. Pre-orders for plants will be open through May 15. lfola.org

MAY 19, 22, & 26 ORION CONCERTS

WHERE: Aurora, Chicago, Evanston

The Orion Ensemble concludes its 31st season with three “Tribute to Paquito D’Rivera” concerts in May. The Ensemble will welcome guest jazz pianist Bradley Williams for a program featuring works by D’Rivera, Dvorák and de Abreu. The performances will be held in Aurora on May 19, Chicago May 22, and Evanston May 26. This concert series will serve as a tribute to Cuban-American jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera. Tickets are $30 for general admission,

MAY 22

$25 for seniors, and $15 for students 13 and older. Children 12 and younger are free. orionensemble.org

ANIME & MANGA CLUB

WHERE: Lake Bluff Library

Join this month’s Anime and Manga Club meeting in the Makerspace. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., participants will be trying a variety of ramen. This club meets once a month to discuss anime and manga and is directed towards teens. highwoodlibrary.org

JUNE

3 THROUGH AUGUST

FOOD TRUCK MONDAYS

WHERE: Kenilworth Park District

Enjoy Food Truck Mondays weekly starting June 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by Billy Bricks & Rio Bamba Food Trucks. Music will be provided by The Heavy Sounds and there will also be cornhole league, bocce ball league, margaritas, and family fun. kenilworthparkdistrict.org

JUNE 23

WINGS NORTH SHORE LADIES LUNCHEON

WHERE: Westmoreland Country Club

Support the WINGS nonprofit by attending the third annual North Shore Ladies Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are at a discounted price of $175 until May 13, after which prices will be $200. WINGS makes a difference in the eyes of families suffering domestic abuse and all proceeds will fund its future work. wingsprogram.com

To submit your event for consideration, please email events@ nsweekend.com.

Laurie Victor Kay: Intersections

Kohl Children's Museum's Touch A Truck

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COMEDY OF REDEMPTION

Legendary Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander makes his Chicago stage debut in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Judgment Day, a deliciously devious world premiere.

EDITED BY SHERRY THOMAS

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Award-winning actor Jason Alexander began his career in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along and went on to win the 1989 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway

However, that same year, Alexander landed a recurring role in a hit TV sitcom that would change his career forever.

His portrayal of self-sabotaging loser George Costanza in Seinfeld, which ran through 1998, somehow continues to upstage almost everything he’s done since—from Pretty Woman to Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Until now, possibly, when Alexander makes his Chicago stage debut as morally bankrupt lawyer Sammy Campo in Judgement Day, an irreverent comedy written by Golden Globe Award winne Rob Ulin and directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel.

Alexander, who has been nominated for seven consecutive Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards over the course of his TV career, leads a stellar cast that features Tony Award nominee Daniel Breaker (last seen in Chicago as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, a role he subsequently performed on Broadway) as Father Michael and Broadway veteran Candy Buckley as the Angel.

Making its world premiere in The Yard at

self, Sammy forms an unlikely bond with a Catholic priest who is having his own crisis of faith. Filled with razor-sharp wit, this deliciously devious comedy rollicks through the timeless questions of Western philosophy— “morality,” “faith,” and “are people any damn good?”

Breaker—who also performed in the

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Judgment Day tells the story of Sammy Campo, a staggeringly corrupt man who's threatened with eternal damnation by a terrifying angel after a near-death experience.

In a desperate attempt to redeem him-

TV actor, Michael Kostroff, as the Monsignor. Kostroff is best known as Maury Levy on HBO’s The Wire, in addition to recurring roles on The Blacklist, Billions, The Good Wife, and Law and Order: SVU.  Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel has equally impressive credits, including the Broadway productions Bernhardt/Hamlet,

original Broadway cast of Shrek The Musical, originating the role of Donkey—plays the conflicted Catholic priest Father Michael. Maggie Bofill, a prolific writer and actress, has been perfectly cast in the role of Sammy’s wife. They are joined by another prominent

sional comedy writer with the legendary Norman Lear, has written and produced acclaimed sitcoms such as Ramy, Young Sheldon, Malcolm in the Middle, Roseanne, and Dinosaurs Judgment Day, which opened this week and runs through May 26, is the latest opportunity for Chicago Shakespeare audiences to be the first to experience thrilling new theatrical events. A celebrated incubator for new work development, CST has commissioned more than 30 world premieres that have gone on to productions on hundreds of stages around the world.

There are currently three Chicago Shakespeare Theater productions on Broadway—Illinoise, which made its world premiere in February; CST’s world premiere musical The Notebook; and CST’s North American premiere of the Tony Award-winning blockbuster hit, SIX

Present Laughter, Hand to God, for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Director, and most recently, I Need That starring Danny DeVito.

Rob Ulin, a Golden Globe and Peabody Award winner who got his start as a profes-

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is located at Navy Pier in Chicago. Ticket prices start at $45 and are on sale now. For more information, including special discounts, call 312-595-5600 or visit chicagoshakes.com.

Jason Alexander, who famously played George Costanza in Seinfeld, makes his Chicago stage debut in the world premiere comedy Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Photography by Liz Lauren

EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

I am re-reading my friend Louise Knight’s books on Jane Addams (Citizen: Jane Addams and the Struggle for Democracy and Jane Addams: Spirit in Action). I’ve learned so much from Jane Addams’ life and work—her early feminism, her ability to organize, the issues she worked on—labor immigration, children and families, and peace. Hull House continues to be a model for all settlement houses and social services.

SUNNY FISCHER is a well-known Evanstonian and former teacher at North Shore Country Day and Lake Forest Academy who has dedicated her life’s work to philanthropy, preservation, and pioneering change throughout Chicago. Her commitment to serving others has been passed on to her children, who regularly thank her for raising them in Evanston where the focus on service—and plethora of things to do—comes with the zip code. Fischer’s career working on women’s issues started at the Evanston Y’s domestic violence program, eventually leading to her work as co-founder and Interim Director of The Chicago Foundation for Women, and as an early leader in both the Women’s Funding Network and Chicago Women In Philanthropy. She currently sits on several boards, including the National Public Housing Museum and Driehaus Museum, where she was the Honoree at the Museum’s 2023 Gilded Gala celebrating its 15th anniversary on the Gold Coast campus. Fischer tells us about what inspires her today—and every day—to build more just and joyous communities.

#ON MY MOBILE

I believe in the arts’ power to create a civil, empathetic society, and my appreciation for the arts grew deeply during my time as director of the Driehaus Foundation. I am a frequent theater goer and follow many of our city’s great theaters to see what they’ll do next.

#IN MY EARBUDS

I love to cook to Nina Simone’s music. Not only cooking but doing anything! Nina Simone was a magnificent musician, and she has a song for every mood, from very personal to funny life experiences to tragedy and to her fierce work on civil rights.

All are invited to attend an upcoming informational “Brunch-n-Learn” at the Abbey Resort:

SATURDAY, MAY 18 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 1 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

All REALTORS® are invited to attend an upcoming informational “Brokers Only Event” at the Abbey Resort Fire Pits: THURSDAY, MAY 23 4:00 - 6:00 PM Space is limited. Please RSVP to maria@RGLfontana.com to make your reservations!

For information, please contact Yvette Howard at 262-729-2801 or howard@RGLfontana.com. For information on spring Grand Opening events, please email maria@RGLfontana.com.

ONE LIFE

Anthony Hopkins provides a magnificent centerpiece to this life-affirming, true story about a man who saved hundreds of Jewish refugee children during World War II.

BY REX REED

ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

RUNNING TIME:

RATING: 3.5 stars

Of all the recurring themes at the movies, none is less constant or more prolific than the Holocaust. Every year introduces a few new ones. But although the subject is forever a sober and thoughtful one (to my knowledge no comedy has ever been made about it, unless you count The Producers and other well-deserved political pokes by Charlie Chaplin, Jack Benny, and Mel Brooks as Adolf Hitler—a subject ripe for ridicule if ever there was one) it’s worth remembering that not every film about the Holocaust (or, for that matter, World War II movies in general) is depressing beyond despair.

Many are educational, historically illuminating, and life-affirmingly positive. Into that category, add One Life , a noble, restrained, and admirable footnote to history about Nicholas Winton—a mild-mannered British stockbroker with no driving political interests who saved hundreds of Jewish refugee children from Nazi extinction during the war without any military experience or otherwise personal knowledge about how to fight bureaucracy to improve a world in lethal danger of destruction.

In another in a long line of memorable, effective and inspired performances that resonate with truth, Anthony Hopkins is a magnificent centerpiece. In 1938, when skies over Europe were beginning to darken and the British were getting their

first serious threats of German invasion, Winton started reading something in the daily papers besides the financial news.

Increasingly unsettled by reports of innocent children killed in the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, Winton made a spur-of-the moment decision to join a group of British friends in Prague for a first-hand look at the fates of children victimized by their German invaders. Appalled by what he witnessed, the young Winton (played impressively in the first part of the film by Johnny Flynn) returned to London a changed man, determined to aid helpless refugees escape their cruel fates with decency and courage.

Conscripting his indefatigable mother Babette (Helena Bonham-Carter) herself a German refugee, as his partner in what became years of raising funds, acquiring visas, and breaking British laws to transport 669 unaccompanied children from Prague to the safety of the UK and keep them there.

The film’s most harrowing scene occurs when the ninth train miraculously scheduled to arrive from Poland was destroyed and hundreds of children were forcibly removed, returned to their families, and destined for the concentration camps.

Despite his phenomenal accomplishments, “Nicky” Winton remained humble and almost anonymous into his retirement years during the 1980s, when his

ever-patient wife Greta (wonderful Lena Olin) finally pleaded with him to clean out the aging files gathering dust in his office. For the first time in years, he decluttered their home, and one by one, discovered long-buried folders containing the names of all the children he saved, sparking memories of his forgotten wartime efforts.

The revelations in Winton’s scrapbooks had the inadvertent effect of reviving public interest in his heroism four decades earlier, culminating in a long-delayed celebration of his life-saving achievements on the BBC attended by scores of survivors from the war, now with children and families of their own, each compassionate tribute a cause for rejoicing.

Well-written by Lucinda Coxson and Nick Drake, and a finely detailed debut feature by James Hawes, the film is so full of eye-opening information about England’s contribution to World War II that it’s surprising how doubly impactful it is in our own time.

As we continue to grapple with today’s issues of war, refugee crisis, and growing antisemitism, the film’s relevance is so troubling that you cannot fail to be moved by it. But to a greater and farwidening degree, One Life is a timeless reminder of how much farther we have to go and what a difference a single life can make.

MATERIAL PURSUITS

This weekend’s curated luxury trends

THE LIBERATED GARDEN

The Garden Liberated: An Evolution of Italian Garden Design brings together 10 Italian gardens created by Italy’s most respected garden architect, Paolo Pejrone. The gardens are located in different regions of Italy ranging from the wetlands of Piedmont to the gentle hills of Tuscany to the lush Riviera to the sunny coasts of the South, reflecting Italy’s extraordinary biodiversity. When designing gardens, Pejrone tackles the task with great humility, placing himself at the service of nature and never vice versa. In full harmony with the rhythm of nature, Pejrone’s gardens are a manifesto of sobriety and sustainability. The partnership between Pejrone and the book’s photographer, Dario Fusaro, started many years ago. In addition to documenting the transformations of the ever-changing gardens over time, Fusaro photographs every new intervention by Pejrone. This book is a visual feast for lovers of greenery and the Italian landscape. For more information, visit rizzoliusa.com.

PAPIER FRANÇAIS

Founded by Laurent Chapuis in 2019, the French wallpaper brand Papier Français is defined by the rediscovery, restoration, and revival of iconic wallpapers dating back to the French “Golden Age of wallpaper” of the 18th and 19th centuries. Fueled by his passion for architecture and design, Chapuis combines the historical and modern to create iconic, fantastical, and timeless patterns. In his own words, “Papier Français is giving new life to the hidden treasures of the archives in the most prestigious institutions—with a mix between iconic, timeless patterns and the best technology.” As the sole supplier of Papier Français wallpapers in the United States, Eerdmans carries all four collections: Bibliothèque Nationale de France N°1 and N°2, Créatonne 1975, and Murmur. For more information, visit en.papierfrancais.com.

UN-TEA AFTERNOON APÉRO

French-inspired, luxury hotel Sofitel Chicago presents a refined culinary and playful experience combining the sophistication of afternoon tea service with an array of French treats and Champagne. The Un-Tea Afternoon Apéro features a delightful menu prepared by the hotel’s culinary team, led by Executive Chef Daniel Höfler. Indulge in choux puffs with truffle cream, French onion and gruyere scones, assorted macarons, foie gras tea sandwiches, and more alongside a selection of fine French Champagnes including Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon. Guests will feel as if they have been transported to Paris via this trendy and vibrant twist on the traditional tea service that is perfect for celebrations, an afternoon out with your girlfriends, or treating a loved one. The Un-Tea Afternoon Apéro is the ultimate experience for locals and guests alike. For more information, visit sofitel-chicago.com.

HOOPING IT UP

More than two months after helping the girls’ basketball team at Loyola Academy net a state title, senior guard

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Diederich Park in the village of Golf (pop. 514) does not feature a sign that reads PAIGE ENGELS DRIBBLED BASKETBALLS HERE, but it should.

Engels, a Golf resident who prefers aiming shots at rims with nets to clubbing shots at greens with flagsticks, honed her three-point shot at Diederich Park and helped the girls’ basketball team at Loyola Academy capture the Class 4A state championship in early March.

“It’s an awesome community,” Engels says of Golf, which is located a mile from Glenview. “One of my favorite times of year is when neighbors hold parties to celebrate the Fourth of July.”

The village of Wilmette, Loyola Academy’s home, had 38 legitimate reasons to stage a fireworks show (though it did not) on March 2. That was when Engels, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, and her teammates won their 38th game of the 2023-2024 season—against zero losses—in the last game of the season at CEFCU Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.

The Ramblers’ 44-40 defeat of Nazareth Academy’s Roadrunners in the championship game marked the program’s third state title and first since Loyola Academy won its second straight Class AA championship in 1998.

“Our goal was to win state,” says Engels, who will major in Hotel Administration and continue her basketball career at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. “Going undefeated was the cherry on top. We all put the work in during the offseason, lifting and conditioning and working hard together in camps. It never felt like a chore. We found ways to win games, even on days when we weren’t clicking.”

Among teammates, Engels finished second in scoring (14.4 points per game) to junior guard Aubrey Galvan (16.4 ppg) and first in rebounds (5.7 per game) and assists (3.4 per game). In Loyola Academy’s 43-40 defeat of Fremd High School in a 4A state semifinal at CEFCU Arena on March 1, Engels produced a phenomenal set of statistics: 17 points, 12 re-

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Gilbert Bailey. “We always knew what our opponent would try to throw at us. Our coaches set such a wonderful tone from the start of the season, reminded us of their expectations, and demanded that we play good, clean basketball at all times, even when we were up by a lot in

Loyola Academy’s relentless, scrappy defense exhausted teams. Turnovers forced by the Ramblers often resulted in easy transition buckets and usually broke a foe’s collective soul. Opponents scored 29 or fewer points 11 times this past winter, with one tallying only 12 in a playoff game on

“We were fast and pretty small compared to many of the teams we played,” says Engels, who served as the squad’s co-captain with senior guard

Going undefeated was the cherry on top. We all put the work in during the offseason, lifting and conditioning and working hard together in camps. It never felt like a chore.

2023-2024 season had more to do with the Ramblers’ dedicated coaches and the players’ unwavering resolve to compete as selfless hoopsters than it had to do with a certain senior’s splendid stats and her clutch efforts in big games.

“Our coaches were awesome and made sure we were well-prepared for each game,” Engels says, referring to head coach Jeremy Schoenecker (now 384-121 after 16 seasons at Loyola Academy) and assistant coaches Susan McGovern, Sean Batti, Jonathan Wolfe, and

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Kelsey Langston. “Our full-court pressure and constant hustle frustrated teams. So did our stamina. And our bench players always kept us energized.

“Some of our players’ moms,” she adds, “described us as ‘pests’ on defense.”

The third of parents Andy and Christina’s four children, Paige Engels began playing basketball in either kindergarten or the first grade. It was love at first bounce. Or maybe love at first swish. She played soccer, as a centermidfielder, until seventh grade and dabbled in

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flag football, volleyball, golf, tennis, swimming and lacrosse.

“A few dads ran weekend basketball clinics,” recalls Engels, whose dad, along with four uncles, graduated from Loyola Academy. “A ton of kids showed up, including many of my friends. I played the guard position then, and I’ve been one ever since.”

Engels earned a spot on Loyola Academy’s varsity her sophomore year and began developing her game with the AAU club Full Package around the same time. In her junior season, the Ramblers fell to Maine South High School’s Hawks in a Class 4A sectional final and avenged the loss with a 53-47 victory on Maine South’s home floor in Park Ridge February 22.

Four days later, Loyola Academy secured its Final Four berth with a 53-44 defeat of host Libertyville High School in a supersectional.

Loyola Academy led Fremd 28-25 after three quarters in its state semifinal against Fremd. Engels poured in seven of her team’s 15 points in the fourth frame, including four free throws in the final 48 seconds.

In the championship game, Loyola Academy trailed Nazareth Academy 27-15 at halftime.

“We were calm in the locker room at the break,” Engels says. “We had confidence and trusted all of our teammates. Coach Schoenecker told us, ‘Attack their zone more and put more pressure on defense.’”

Nazareth scored only two points in the third quarter to Loyola Academy’s 15. With her team up 43-40 in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, Engels hauled in a lengthy inbound pass from Galvan, got fouled, and stood at the free-throw line as the decibel level of cheers from the Ramblers’ fans turned players’ game faces into joyful faces.

Golf’s very own then drained a free throw to complete the scoring.

“That was the best feeling, being on the court at that moment and knowing the state championship was ours,” Engels says. “Our team was such a special one.

“Loyola Academy is such a great, wonderful school,” the state champion adds. “I couldn’t imagine a better place to attend high school. I’ve grown so much in four years at Loyola Academy.”

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Glencoe

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Please reach out to Glo or Zack for more information on this gorgeous home.

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