Bailiwick Chicago presents the Chicago Premiere of DESSA ROSE. Dessa Rose is a runaway slave. Ruth is a desperate farmwife. Dessa Rose is black. Ruth is white. Their lives collide. Their characters clash. This isn’t a one-sided rescue. This is all encompassing liberation of lives. Both women must confront their childhood beliefs before they can find individual ...
Puberty in the 1900s, Crone zone in 2000s
I went to the vagina-cologist today. It was that time of the year. This is the only appointment I was a little excited for. I was holding on to some monumental news. After the preliminary doctor-patient welcome banter, she asks *the* question. Dr. Rose: When was your last period? ME: August!!!! (pause) I looked at her in anticipation. I thought ...
Review “The Gospel of Lovingkindness” (Victory Gardens): Gentle and Uplifting
Victory Gardens presents the World Premiere of THE GOSPEL OF LOVINGKINDNESS. For a play about violence, this one is surprisingly gentle and uplifting. Playwright Marcus Gardley pens a tale based on real people. His play compares the trials and triumphs of two young black men. Both men have strong and loving mothers raising them. One is a ...
Review “The Wild” (Steppenwolf Garage Rep): Marveling
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Fifth Annual Garage Rep. Three theatre companies have been selected by Steppenwolf to perform in rotating repertory for ten weeks: *Walkabout Theatre, “The Wild” *The New Colony, “reWILDing Genius” *Prologue Theatre, “Saturday Night/Sunday Morning” THE WILD is synchronized chaos. The press release describes this world premiere as ‘what happens to people when institutions crumble and deities ...
I’m booked!
I lost an hour last night. Even after twenty years in Chicago, the whole moving clocks back and forth is still odd to me. I grew up in Indiana and we didn’t play with time like that. (Indiana, the national holdout, has since joined the country in daylight savings time.) My natural body rhythm is pretty scheduled. ...
Review “Les Parents Terribles” (The Artistic Home):
The Artistic Home presents LES PARENTS TERRIBLES. Playwright Jean Cocteau coils family dysfunction around love triangles. The result is some kinky threesomes. Michael has grown up with loving parents. His mother loves him… to obsessive levels. When Michael falls for Madeline, he’s ready for his happily ever after. What could go wrong? Well back at home, his ...
When it’s over, it’s over
I broke it off yesterday. I had been planning it for awhile. I had not been ‘all in’ since the summer. Originally, it seemed like the perfect arrangement. Then, it just started getting harder and harder. The things I found charming began to annoy me. The benefits weren’t very visible. And if I’m being honest, I ...
My kingdom for a spring break
Once upon a time, I believed my life would parallel Cinderella’s. I would work hard. My prince would find me. The shoe would fit. And I would live happily ever after. The reality is I have flat feet. I rarely wear heels. I’ve met many a prince charming. They are gay or with another princess. ...
“La Clemenza di Tito” (Lyric Opera): Music aficionados, listen up!
The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a new-to-Chicago production of LA CLEMENZA DI TITO. Mozart composed a robust Roman drama. The premise has the emperor, Tito, ready to take a bride. Vitellia believes she is the rightful empress. She coerces Sesto, her love-sick suitor, to instigate a revolt. Meanwhile, Tito picks Sesto’s sister, Servilia, as his betrothed. ...
Eat, drink and be wary!
Do over! My week of mindful eating went a little awry. So, resorting to a well-known childhood protocol, I’m calling for a ‘do over.’ I’ve spent the last several weeks implementing a weekly activity from the book “How to Train a Wild Elephant.” It’s all a part of the practice to live more mindful. A life lived ...