Articles by Andrew DeCanniere

Introducing Divvy - The City of Chicago's Bike Sharing System

In late April, I learned of the City of Chicago’s plans to launch a new bike share program called Divvy. Aware of how this kind of system has already taken off in other major cities around the world, I was eager to learn more...

"Stella & Lou" Review - An Intimate Look at Second Acts

Recently I had the opportunity to see a play that I’ve been anticipating for some time now, Stella & Lou (written by Bruce Graham and directed by BJ Jones) at Northlight Theatre, located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts...

"Stones in His Pockets" Review - When Hollywood Comes to County Kerry

Last week I had a chance to see another play that has been on my radar for some time now, Stones in His Pockets (by Marie Jones; directed by J.R. Sullivan). The story is centered around a former video rental store owner, Charlie...

The Chicago Green Office Challenge: Encouraging Sustainability in Business

Earlier last month I found out about the City of Chicago's "Chicago Green Office Challenge," designed to engage the City of Chicago's business community and encourage them to consider what they could do to operate in a more environmentally conscious

"Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness" - In Conversation with Susannah Cahalan

Late last year, I came across what is, in my opinion, one of the most important books of 2012, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (Free Press, 2012). In it, the New York Post reporter chronicles her harrowing battle with a rare...

"Other Desert Cities" Review - A Must-See If Ever There Was One

Last week I finally had the chance to see a play I’ve been anticipating since last summer, when I was first made aware that Other Desert Cities (written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by Henry Wishcamper) would be a part of the Goodman Theatre's

"Sweet Bird of Youth" Review - An Engaging Classic

Last week I finally had the opportunity to see a play I have been anticipating for quite some time, Tennessee William's "Sweet Bird of Youth" at the Goodman Theatre

In Conversation with Crystal Grover & Linsey Burritt of Indo

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Crystal Grover and Linsey Burritt, the design duo behind Indo, a company in Chicago’s West Loop that creates window displays and installations out of reclaimed materials. Read on to learn more

French Market at Westfield Old Orchard Review - Old Orchard's Newest Addition

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to stroll through the newest addition to Westfield Old Orchard, the French Market, operated by Bensidoun USA, located between the north entrance of Macy’s and the Old Orchard Professional Building

Northlight Theatre: "Ten Chimneys" Review

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World Environment Day at the Chicago Botanic Garden Review - Unite for a Sustainable Chicago

Recently, I had the opportunity to join in activities at the Chicago Botanic Garden for World Environment Day (June 2nd), the theme of which was “Unite for a Sustainable Chicago”

"[title of show]" Review - Original, Innovative, Engaging

Last week I had the opportunity to see what I feel is easily the best show of Northlight Theatre’s 2011-2012 season, [title of show]

"Ten Chimneys" Review - An Up Close and Personal Look at the Lives of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne

Continuing Northlight Theatre’s 2011-2012 season is Ten Chimneys (written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones) at the center of which are Broadway legends Alfred Lunt (V Craig Heidenreich), Lynn Fontanne (Lia D. Mortensen)

Uncommon Ground Review - The Greenest Restaurant in America

If you are looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat, complete with warm atmosphere and eco-conscious practices, look no further than Uncommon Ground, with it’s two Chicago locations: 1401 W. Devon Avenue (Edgewater) and 3800 N. Clark St. ...

"Season's Greetings" Review - Northlight Theatre's Holiday Offering

Just in time for the holiday season comes Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s "Season’s Greetings" at Northlight Theatre, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. Though the play, centered around an English family’s Christmas get together...

"Snapshots" Review - Can this Marriage Be Saved?

"Snapshots" with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by David Stern and directed by Ken Sawyer opens Northlight Theatre's 2011-2012 season

Primrose Valley Farm and The ARK Review - Sharing the Earth's Bounty

Primrose Valley Farm, an organic farm in Wisconsin and The ARK, a social service agency in Chicago have a connection that is win-win for all

Jordan Margolis Interview - EXCUSEMAN

If you knew me, then you'd probably know that while I have an interest in film, somehow none of what I've watched thus far (with the exception of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) has been based on a comic book. And, while I love to read...

"Chinglish" Review - Witty and Fascinating

At the center of Chinglish (written by David Henry Hwang and directed by Leigh Silverman), currently running at the Goodman Theatre is Midwestern businessman Daniel Cavanaugh (James Waterston), who sets off to China, hoping to save his family's...

"The Last Act of Lilka Kadison" Review - A Powerful Performance

In The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, Holocaust survivor Lilith Fisher (Marilyn Dodds Frank) is haunted by her past -- or, more accurately, ghosts from her past, those of her then-boyfriend Ben Ari Adler (Chance Bone) and her younger self (Nora Fiffer).

"Life Rules" Review - An Interview with Author Ellen LaConte

We all hear about climate change on a seemingly daily basis, but just how can climate change really impact us? How did these environmental crises come to be? Is there anything we can and should be doing to assure a sustainable future?

"The Outgoing Tide" Review - An Important Subject for Our Time at Northlight Theatre

While I have seen a number of enjoyable plays lately, I can’t really think of one that is more timely than The Outgoing Tide, currently running at the Northlight Theatre...

"Stage Kiss" Review - Sarah Ruhl's Exploration of Fantasy, Reality and the Impact Each Has Upon the Other

In Sarah Ruhl’s latest play, Stage Kiss, two ex-lovers are thrust together after not having seen each other for two decades, when they both audition for -- and get a starring role in -- a long-forgotten 1930s melodrama, The Last Kiss.

Grant Lawrence Interview - CBC Radio 3's Grant Lawrence on "Playlist for the Planet"& "Adventures in Solitude"

As many of you already know, not only was April 22nd Earth Day, but the entire month is Earth Month, the perfect time to take a moment and really think about the impact that we all have on the planet we all share -- and that we all rely on...

Circle Mirror Transformation Review - Clever and Engaging

From the time I first heard about Annie Baker’s "Circle Mirror Transformation" when it premiered in New York City, I have been eagerly awaiting it’s Chicago arrival. This past week I had the chance to see the Chicago premiere

826 Chicago Review - An Interview about the "Boring Store" and More

I was fascinated when I learned about "The Boring Store" and "826 Chicago", which it houses and I wanted to know more

In Conversation with Ian Hanington - Sharing Additional Information About Our Earth

Following an article I wrote about davidsuzuki.org, the official website of The David Suzuki Foundation, I had the chance to pose questions to Ian Hanington, the foundation's Communications & Editorial Specialist

The David Suzuki Foundation Review - Spotlight on Climate Change

With all of the information (and, unfortunately, some misinformation)out there regarding climate change, which is arguably one of the more serious issues we currently face, how can one to find information that is certain to be reliable?