In this edition of The Monthly: Director Greg Berlanti shares how his personal coming-out experience affected the storyline of the film “Love, Simon” in this issue’s cover story. Further reads: The Monthly Editor previews the royal wedding as alumna Meghan Markle nears the road up the steps of the palace. A new student-led initiative aims to bring together more music lovers on campus. We take a look backstage at this year’s Waa-Mu Show, “Manhattan Miracle.” Our resident food critic reviews the Smylie Brothers Brewing Co. for the “Open Tab” section.

MAY

For Greg Berlanti, coming out was hard. In ‘Love, Simon,’ he rewrites his happy ending.
Greg Berlanti recalls his time at Northwestern with the fondest of memories: He enjoyed his independence, met some of his lifelong friends and simply loved school. There was just one aspect of his daily life that terrified him — he was gay.
Meghan Markle’s road up the steps of the palace
California-born Rachel Meghan Markle will soon become the newest member of the British royal family when she marries Prince Harry on May 19. Markle, who graduated from Northwestern’s School of Communication in 2003, is the first American to be granted the title “Her Royal Highness.”
Created by and for music lovers, The .WAV Company grows its presence on campus
The .WAV Company’s first concert on Feb. 23 — nicknamed The Juul and Soylent Show — co-president Gibran Wirjawan knew he was doing something right. The show proved to be so successful that even the Evanston police made a surprise appearance at their venue, the infamous Ski House, that night.
The .WAV Company provides platform for campus musicians, music lovers
After forming in Winter Quarter, campus music group The .WAV Company has worked to expand its presence through events like weekly concerts and Lakefill Jams.
Smylie Brothers Brewing Company brings the taste of Texas to Chicago
All of Smylie Brothers’ meats are smoked in house, giving them that deliciously dark, woody and smoky aftertaste that you just can’t get from pre-packaged meat. It’s not an overpowering flavor, though. Smylie finds the perfect balance between a charred finish and an otherwise sweet and surprisingly juicy meat, hard to accomplish with the smoking process.
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 past issues of The Monthly and The Daily Northwestern here.