The Monthly

June 2019

In this edition of The Monthly:
Writer, producer and director Cindy Chupack talks marriage, romance and finding her voice in her new film “Otherhood.”

Further reads:
“Bonding” star Brendan Scannell finds his own path in dark comedy. Dillo Day includes a record number of women in its lineup, but still struggles with issues of inclusion. Reporter Wilson Chapman makes the case for more queer representation in cartoons and children’s shows. The assistant photo editor reviews a documentary following four women who ran for public office, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and a Daily staffer discovers the Midwest’s best bagel.

JUNE

Editor’s Letter: To the ghosts of Monthlies future
The Monthly editor Charlotte Walsh reflects on Monthlies past and looks forward to issues of the future. The Monthly is a celebration of successes despite the stress that goes into putting the magazine together, she said, and celebrations like these make late nights in the newsroom worthwhile.
Writer and director Cindy Chupack talks motherhood, romance and finding her voice
Most known for “Sex and the City,” Cindy Chupack said she thinks the show is still popular today because the issues of romance are “universal and perennial.” Chupack’s first feature film, a comedy entitled “Otherhood,” will be released by Netflix on Aug. 2.
Dillo Day includes historic number of women in lineup, but still faces issues of inclusivity
Three solo female artists have never performed on the Dillo Day main stage in the same year. Mayfest co-chair Molly Dudas said having three women make up the majority of main stage performers has been “a long time coming.” But following three racist incidents, Mayfest is wondering how to move forward.
Five years after ‘The Legend of Korra,’ queer representation in children’s TV continues to evolve
“The Legend of Korra” ended in 2014. Almost five years later, it’s clear the show broke barriers for what children’s television could do for queer representation. Reporter Wilson Chapman discusses the importance of queer characters in animated shows and the ways in which current representation could be improved upon.
‘Bonding’ star Brendan Scannell talks comedy, confidence and making his own path
Before his breakout role in “Bonding,” Brendan Scannell was a Northwestern student pursuing comedy through groups like The Mee-Ow Show, Titanic Players and iO Chicago. Now, he plays a dominatrix's assistant working in a New York City sex dungeon.
Open Tab: Bagel Art Cafe is a New York escape in Illinois
While Bagel Art Cafe serves up a variety of bagels, sandwiches, salads and pastries, along with reliably-good Intelligentsia coffee, the bagels are really what you should be here for, writes Ally Mauch in the most recent edition of "Open Tab."
Reel Thoughts: ‘Knock Down the House,’ featuring AOC, isn’t just another underdog story
"Knock Down the House" tells the story of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and three other women who attempted to unseat career politicians in elections across the country. It’s a testament to the power of grassroots movements, reporter Owen Stidman writes. And, to quote Ocasio-Cortez, it’s a reminder that “in order for one of us to make it through, 100 of us have to try.”
The Monthly is an arts and entertainment magazine that delves into student art on campus and the work of alumni in Chicago and across the country. Read the issue in full here.