Skokie Archives : TRAVEL/FOOD

By Guest Blogger Eloise Marie Valadez

The latest production to hit the stage at Northlight Theatre tells the story of the life of singer/songwriter Donny Hathaway.

“Twisted Melodies,” written by Kelvin Roston Jr., is directed by Ron OJ Parson and associate director Alexis J. Roston. The one-man show, which recounts one day in Hathaway’s life, is superbly acted by Roston, who has previously performed this acclaimed show in the Chicago area.

The production does an excellent job at presenting the life of Hathaway, who was tormented by emotional and mental illness, in a compassionate way on stage.

Hathaway’s struggles with paranoid schizophrenia interfered with his work as a musician and his ability to live everyday life but “Twisted Melodies” shows that his music was a place he could retreat into to find a little peace.

Roston’s acting abilities are strong as he displays the torment Hathaway goes through. Roston’s singing voice is excellent as well. Hathaway, who hailed from Chicago died in 1979 after jumping from his room at the Essex House Hotel in New York City.

The show not only features some of Hathaway’s compositions but also talks about his relationship/partnership with singer Roberta Flack.

“Twisted Melodies” ends Northlight’s 2024-2025 season.

FYI: “Twisted Melodies” runs through Aug. 10 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Visit northlight.org.

By Eloise Marie Valadez, guest blogger.

An important story about the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous is unfolding on stage at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

“Bill W. and Dr. Bob” continues to June 8 at the theater. The show stars Ronnie Marmo as Bill W. and Rick Yaconis as Dr. Bob, the founders of AA. Marmo also directs the show, which is produced by Theatre 68, with locations in Los Angeles and New York. Actor Marmo is also the artistic director of Theatre 68.

The theatrical production offers a candid look at the lives of New York stockbroker Wilson and Ohio surgeon Dr. Bob and how they teamed together to form the organization. The show also focuses on their wives, who founded Al-Anon, a support group for family and friends of alcoholics.

“Bill W. and Dr. Bob” was first performed in Chicago in 2024 where it enjoyed an 11-week run at The Biograph Theatre. Also starring in the show are Katherine Wetterman, Elizabeth Rude, Phil Aman and Maria Seidell.

In a past interview, Marmo said working on this play was important to him. He’s been sober for three decades and said AA saved his life.

The theatrical production, which also has a good dose of humor in it, was written by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey.

In addition to touring with this show, Marmo also stars in “I’m Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce,” which he frequently takes on tour.

FYI: “Bill W. and Dr. Bob” runs to June 8 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets start at $69. Visit billwanddrbobonstage.com.

About Eloise Marie Valadez

Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.