Haven Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of SEMINAR. How do writers learn to write? Playwright Theresa Rebeck explores her profession in this tale of 4 wannabe novelists. Rebeck’s characters share their writings and desires during their weekly group. Their work and lives are scrutinized and berated by an unconventional instructor. Rebeck uses witty wordplay in this story ...
Spirituality and Donald Duck
In both my travels to Morocco and Thailand, I marveled at the locals’ commitment to their spiritual life. In Morocco, on a regular basis, people were summoned to pray. ‘The call to prayer‘ was at specific hours of the day (including before dawn). The request came from a loud speaker. The first time we heard it, ...
The deep, deep sleep of the unburdened
I had a great night sleep last night. I woke up late. I’m not refreshed. I’m sluggish. I’m still trying to shake off the slumber. My hair is all kinds of wacky bedhead. My face is creased and puffy. I had the deep, deep sleep of the unburdened. In yoga, we get a 5-10 minute shavasana ...
Review “The How and The Why” (Timeline Theatre): Fierce Female Foursome
TimeLine Theatre presents THE HOW AND THE WHY. Playwright Sara Treem masterfully intertwines the female reproductive system around a meeting of the minds. Two evolutionary biologists meet for the first time. They each have questions that only the other one knows the answers to. Treem lets the story unfold naturally. The professional banter turns personal as the ...
Review “Leveling Up” (Steppenwolf): Too Real
Steppenwolf for Young Adults series presents the Chicago premiere of LEVELING UP. Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer tackles video game addiction. Laufer pens a cautionary tale of the real danger of virtual reality. Her twentysomething roommates spend the majority of their time competing in pretend worlds. They effectively avoid dealing with adulthood as they focus on getting to ...
The best Oscars are edible
I took home several Oscars last night. Jen makes these delicious Oscar cookies for her high holiday. And she always packs a take-home pack for me. Cate Blanchett is not eating her prize with coffee this morning. This year was a great one in film. I saw all but two movies (“The Wolf on Wall Street” ...
Hemingway on Facebook
The Roaring 20s Book Club met yesterday. Our assignment was “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway. We had selected it at the conclusion of our robust discussion on “The Great Gatsby.” I highly anticipated reading it because I had just completed “My Paris Wife.” WIFE is historical fiction of Hemingway’s stint in Paris from his first ...
“Miss Marx” (Strawdog Theatre): Extraordinary Tribute
Strawdog Theatre presents the World Premiere of Philip Dawkins’ MISS MARX: OR THE INVOLUNTARY SIDE EFFECT OF LIVING. Eleanor is a socialist, an actress and an intellectual. She is a modern woman. She speaks seven different languages. And has even been contracted to translate, among other things, Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary and the plays of Henrik Ibsen. She is the daughter ...
“Rusalka” (Lyric Opera): Enchanting Spectacle
Lyric Opera presents RUSALKA. The water nymph Rusalka falls for the prince of her dreams. She decides to coerce the local witch into making her human. Jezebaba will conjure up the spell with a few conditions. First, Rusalka must give up her power of speech. Second, if Rusalka fails in her love quest, she and the prince ...
If I get a knee replacement, I want the bionic version
Yesterday, I woke up with a bum knee. I’d like to say I blew it out scoring the winning goal in that night’s soccer match. Alas, somehow I just twisted it in my sleep. I imagine I was kicking someone’s ass in my dreams.... You should see the other guy. I’ve been living on borrowed knee ...