Robservations: WTTW doc to spotlight Joffrey's ‘The Nutcracker’

The Joffrey Ballet “The Nutcracker” (Photo: Cheryl Mann)

Robservations on the media beat:

Production is underway on “The Nutcracker Behind the Scenes,” a one-hour documentary on The Joffrey Ballet’s new version of the holiday classic, to air later this year on WTTW-Channel 11 and public television stations nationwide. In addition to revealing how the production was remade in 2016 to incorporate Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the film will explore the history of the ballet and the city. Set to premiere in November, the documentary is being produced by Daniel Andries for the Window to the World Communications station. “The inaugural season of Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘The Nutcracker’ was enjoyed by thousands in attendance at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre last winter,” Joffrey artistic director Ashley Wheater said in a statement. “For those who experienced the magic ‘live’ and those unable, we’re pleased to be able to share his labor of love with audiences all around Chicago and beyond.”

Kelly Davis

New per diem reporter at Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9 is Kelly Davis, just in from KMOV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis, where she was a news anchor and reporter since 2015. A native of Glen Ellyn and a University of Iowa graduate, Davis previously worked in Louisville, Kentucky, and Cadillac, Michigan. “I’m thrilled to officially announce I've joined Chicago's Very Own!!” Davis wrote this week on Facebook. “Reporting in my hometown is a dream come true.”

Tom Kent

This weekend marks the long-delayed Chicago radio comeback of Tom Kent, whose Cleveland-based syndicated show will air from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturdays on Cumulus Media classic hits WLS FM 94.7. First announced in February 2016, the debut of “The Ultimate Party with Tom Kent” was postponed for technical reasons. Kent first hosted weekends and worked as a programming assistant at Top 40 WLS AM 890 in the early 1980s. He also was heard in syndication here on adult contemporary WLIT FM 93.9 and the former WWYW.

Mike Golic and Trey Wingo

Listeners got a “sneak peek” this week at “Golic & Wingo,” the new ESPN Radio morning show hosted by Mike Golic and Trey Wingo. It’s set to launch officially November 27 on sports/talk WMVP AM 1000 and across ESPN Radio and ESPN2. The new show will replace “Mike & Mike,” as Golic’s longtime partner, Mike Greenberg, moves to his own morning show on ESPN TV, starting January 1.

Peter Frost

Peter Frost has resigned as a reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business to join Chicago-based mega-brewer MillerCoors as head of its external news operation. He joined Crain’s in 2014 to cover the food and restaurant beat after three years as a business reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Calling Frost “a top-flight journalist who has produced some amazing work,” managing editor Ann Dwyer said: “Peter has been a joy to know and work with every day. We were sad to learn he’ll be leaving us, but we’re also excited to watch him embrace this new opportunity in a new field. We sincerely wish him all the best.”