Stories by Daniel Hautzinger

In the Joffrey Ballet's new Nutcracker,  the main characters aren't wealthy but instead are working class immigrants living on the grounds of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair before it opens. How did the Joffrey reinvent a holiday classic?

Zany as they seem, the family and friends in The Durrells in Corfu are based on real people: a naturalist, a famous novelist, a polymath. Meet some of the illustrious Durrells and the other characters they met during their real-life stay in Corfu.

Michael Kirk discusses his new Frontline investigation, Putin's Revenge, which looks at Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election and what drove Putin to order it. "The ideology of Putin right now is survival of Putin," Kirk says.

Larry's first novel has just been published in England, but no one in his family has read his book, driving a rift between him and especially his mother. Louisa tries to improve as a parent by organizing a reading and finding Gerry a tutor. And everyone gets drunk.

For a brief period, the new Apple Store off the Chicago River looked like a giant Macbook. What other buildings take inspiration from objects, in subtle or outrageous ways? Discover examples from the blatant to the futuristic and inspired.

Need a quick and easy but flavorful dinner? Try this recipe for Burmese Chicken from Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, in which you're saved the time of marinating by using an aromatic paste of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and shallots.

Nature's program Animal Reunions examines the bonds that can form between animals and human caregivers, reuniting orphaned or rescued animals with the people who rehabilitated them. Learn about the work of some of these conservationists.

The Poldark airing now isn't the first adaptation of Winston Graham's historical novels. The BBC produced two extremely popular seasons about Ross, Demelza, Elizabeth, and George in the 1970s as well. How do the characters in the old and new series compare?

The Durrells are back, and they have a fierce new landlord. Louisa attempts to make money at market but attracts only another Brit interested more in her than her wares. Margo wants to become a nun, Gerry wants to breed otters, and Leslie does something dumb.

Chicago Ideas Week wants "to help people process all the tumult in this country by positing questions, giving them ideas, and getting them thinking" by presenting innovative thinkers in conversations and talks, says the director of programming.

Check, Please! always finds some of the best restaurants in Chicago, both well-known and off-the-beaten-path. Can you guess some of the unique places that will be on the show in fall of 2017? The 17th season premieres Friday, October 13.

As Phil Ponce retires from regular appearances on Chicago Tonight, watch him discuss his hobby and the deeper meaning behind it, hear him share some tips, and see the fruits of his labor around his home.

The director of the Frontline investigation War on the EPA discusses the "role reversal" at the EPA under Scott Pruitt, where "the regulated become the regulator," and the importance of battles over environmental regulation in the election of Donald Trump. 

The jazz pianist was an iconoclast in his style, playing, and compositions, which explains why he was so progressive and influential (he is the second-most recorded jazz composer). Vocalist and radio host Dee Alexander discusses the master on his 100th birthday.

During Open House Chicago, which is October 14 and 15, you can see things you've never seen before as more than 200 sites across Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park open to the public for free. So many choices are overwhelming, so we've chosen a few highlights.