Patty Wetli | For the Sun-Times

The shops in Uptown and Lake View are Chicago’s main source for the distinctive sticky bun topped with cheese.

Though the events portrayed in “The King’s Speech” occurred more than 80 years ago, the play is more topical today than anyone could have anticipated.

During the 10 to 12 weeks the show is in rehearsals, the cast is essentially workshopping new material nightly, often based off director Ryan Bernier’s homework assignments.

To mount the show, which dramatizes the clandestine back-channel diplomacy that led to the historic 1993 Israeli-Palestinian Oslo peace accord, TimeLine is working with quadruple its normal budget and has swapped its Lake View storefront for the 550-seat Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

Silly as it is, the locally made sitcom could lighten up the world’s view of black Chicago, its creators say.

There’s nothing like a frozen treat to beat the summer heat. We’ve rounded up the best places to enjoy an icy delight, weather it’s served atop a cone, on a stick or in a cup, plain or smothered with toppings.

Chicago’s outdoor dining and drinking scene is as diverse as the city itself, from swank spots to casual hangouts. We rounded up this year’s best newcomers, including plenty of rooftops.

Whether you’re looking to take it easy or get your adrenaline flowing, there are tons of awesome ways to have fun in the area this summer.

What might be Chicago’s largest dog park is now open on the North side. Watch dozens of dogs and their owners enjoy the new space.