Happy Easter. On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to a Chicago-based magician Dennis Watkins about his efforts to keep his long-running show going after the pandemic started. Plus, a little over-the-air magic. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to talk about Strawdog Theatre’s timely new virtual play. And Gary catches up with Chicago sports journalist Julie DiCaro to discuss her new book SIDELINED.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to Chicago artist Adrian Stein about his new immersive installation that encourages visitors to do some reflecting. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new musical review that celebrates “rock & roll Broadway”. Later, Gary takes a closer look at a Chicago theater company that’s making its name for itself by focusing on sound and atmosphere. And Gary catches up with Chicago magazine dining editor Amy Cavanaugh for a conversation about some new wave Jewish delis.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with WTTW host Geoffrey Baer to learn more about a new Chicago-focused quiz show that’s set to debut this week. He puts Gary to the test to see how he stacks up when it comes to local trivia. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to discuss a new radio play adaptation of the Herman Melville classic MOBY DICK. And Gary talks to the co-directors of a new documentary about revered American author, Flannery O’Connor.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with jazz master Wynton Marsalis for conversation about his latest project, THE DEMOCRACY SUITE and what the past 12 months have been like for him. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to discuss Steppenwolf Theatre’s latest virtual play. DUCHESS! DUCHESS! DUCHESS!, which was inspired by Megan Markle and her relationship to the Royal Family, is coming out at the exact right time. Later, we’ll get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit when Gary takes you along to one of the region’s most well known Irish dance studios. And we’ll revisit a segment on a giant immersive FRIENDS pop-up that’s reopening. Plus, Gary previews the Grammys.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek checks in with the Donnelly Foundation to learn more about the results of a survey that asked how local arts organizations feel about virtual programming. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, stop by to review a unique new theatre experience that’s designed for an audience of one. Gary reviews the much-anticipated Eddie Murphy sequel, 30 years in the making, COMING 2 AMERICA. And later Gary talks to the founder of a North Shore youth music conservatory that’s had to adapt to survive over the past year.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes a closer look at the new Immersive Van Gogh experience that just opened on Chicago’s near northside. Tickets for the digital art/film exhibit are selling fast. Gary sits down with Jonathan Abarbanel for a conversation about the Dueling Critic’s 30-plus year career writing and talking about the arts. Later, Gary checks in with author David Witter about his book Oldest Chicago. And Gary previews tonight’s Golden Globes ceremony, which will be a lot different than any of the previous 77 editions of the show.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek checks in on the Hyde Park Art Center as it prepares to reopen to the public. The southside institution is hoping for a brighter 2021, after being closed for much of 2020. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review the new radio play, THE CABINET, and discuss the latest developments regarding the sale of Second City. And later in the show, Gary catches up with acclaimed puppet artist Tom Lee to talk about his Lunar New Year-inspired puppet show, THE GREAT ZODIAC ANIMAL RACE.

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to author Mark Harris about his new biography on the multi-talented and somewhat mysterious, Mike Nichols. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, stop by to review a new virtual production titled HERE LIES HENRY. Gary checks in with League of Chicago Theatres executive director Deb Clapp. And Gary catches up with pastry chef Dobra Bielinski to talk all things Paczki.

The deep freeze has arrived in Chicago. On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with Deb Clapp, the executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres to talk about the various ways local theater companies have adapted during the pandemic and look ahead to what 2021 might hold. Later, Gary sits down with longtime theatre critic and one half of the Dueling Critics, Jonathan Abarbanel. And Gary revisits a feature on the Elmhurst Art Museum’s WRIGHT BEFORE THE LLOYD exhibition. The west suburban museum is open to visitors again, meaning people have another chance to see the exhibit before it closes.

On this edition of The Arts Section, the theme is the written word. Host Gary Zidek checks in with the president of the Chicago-based American Writers Museum to find out how the institution has adapted since the beginning of the pandemic. Then, Gary revisits a couple of his favorite author interviews from the past few years. With SEX AND THE CITY back in the news, Gary pulled up his interview with Candace Bushnell. And Gary brings back a conversation he had with best-selling author Colin Dickey, who wrote about our obsession with the “unexplained”. And later, we’ll get to know the Dueling Critics a little better, Gary catches up with the Chicago Reader’s Kerry Reid to talk about her journey to becoming a theater critic.