Spotlight: People to watch

Bye-bye Bellie: Circle Theatre of Oak Park is losing its long-time artistic director. Kevin Bellie is stepping down after leading the company for nine years. A company member for 26 years, Bellie plans to continue working as a freelance director and choreographer. Joe Landvick will …

Arts and entertainment calendar for Nov. 22

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

‘Twilight’ saga ends with a thrilling twist

For any Twihards out there, or any movies fans who hate spoilers, it’s best you read this review after seeing “Breaking Dawn Part 2.” The fifth and final installment of the “Twilight” saga movie franchise provides the ending that fans of the book have been craving.

Northlight’s ‘Odd Couple’ a laugh riot

Northlight Theatre’s staging of “The Odd Couple” might have lost some star wattage when George Wendt dropped out of the show to have bypass surgery, but it doesn’t miss a beat with veteran actor Marc Grapey stepping into the role of messy, grouchy Oscar Madison.

Holiday movie season promises plenty of goodies

In less than two weeks, we will pass from the fall movie season into the heralded holiday season.

It’s marked by big-budget extravaganzas, Oscar hopefuls and family films suitable for post-Thanksgiving or early Christmas viewing and for filling that luxuriously open week (for some lucky …

Tiny Tim role a big thrill for local boy

Tiny Tim doesn’t have much to say in “A Christmas Carol, “ but the plucky little Cratchit kid, who — spoiler alert “does not die,” — is central to Dickens’ drama.

In fact, with the exception of Scrooge himself, Tiny Tim is probably the most …

War hero who can’t go home again

You’d think that anyone who risked their life for our country would be considered a hero.

But that’s not what happens if they fought in an unpopular war like Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan.

A U. S. Marine has to deal with that reality, as well …

Family Friendly: Get movin’ before you get to eating

Before you stuff the turkey — and yourself — gather the family for a wonderful workout. The Thanksgiving Day Family Exercise Class will be 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22 at the Park Ridge Community Center, 1515 W. Touhy Ave.

Gobble-gobble through the holidays

Now that election season is over, we can turn to the more pressing issue at hand: Food. First big question, to cook or not for Thankgiving. Then there are all those days of shopping and preparation for the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year celebration that always arrive much sooner than you expect.

New releases on DVD, Blu-ray

A Scottish princess has to figure out how to make her family, country and herself happy in “Brave,” and Chris Rock spends “Two Days in New York” with Julie Delpy and her family.

Bond ages badly — briefly — in ‘Skyfall’

Considering that Sean Connery was 32 when he debuted as James Bond in 1962, the super secret-agent is lucky he’s not on a walker for his 50th-anniversary appearance in “Skyfall.” We’re talking about the movies, though, so instead of geriatric woes, he’s only facing the discouraging onset of middle-age.

A guide to area holiday shows and events

Want to see Sugar Plum Fairy float across stage or Scrooge have his change of heart? Or are you looking forward to hearing all your favorite Christmas carols sung? Here’s our guide to holiday entertainment, from concerts to dance and theater productions to other fun holiday activities.

Arts and entertainment calendar for Nov. 15

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

‘Lincoln’ impresses despite saintliness

Steven Spielberg’s enormously impressive “Lincoln” falters from time to time, but the parts that work are powerful enough to make the ones that don’t seem unimportant.

Movies opening this weekend, still in theaters

Daniel Craig takes another plunge as James Bond in “Skyfall” while Daniel Day-Lewis gets presidential in “Lincoln” — both in area theaters.