Reviewed by Tom Lawler Making its Chicago debut on the heels of a celebrated off-Broadway run that netted several theater honors including the 2012 Drama Critics Circle award, Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet feels most successful in the craftsmanship of its details rather than in its overall construction. Karam is well-served by director PJ Paparelli’s organic, yet sleekly-staged ...
I’m not anti-Olympics. I’m just pro-World Party!
Every two years, I get in a rant in about the olympics. It has nothing to do with yogurt or homosexuality. It’s all about the true nature of the event. It’s a competition. Countries compete to determine the best. To me, it’s like war without the blood. I don’t oppose sports. And certainly, I don’t wish ...
The Barber of Seville (Lyric Opera of Chicago): Figaro, Fig-a-ro….You must go!
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Having never been to the Lyric Opera before, I mentioned how much I was looking forward to the evening’s performance of The Barber of Seville while running an errand at my neighborhood pet store. “Oh sure, Nathan Gunn,” said the storeowner knowingly, as he bagged up my stack of cat food tins. “He can do it ...
“Crime and Punishment” (Mary Arrchie): Concise yet Epic!
Mary Arrchie Theatre presents CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. An intellectual tests his theories on humanity. He surmises crime for a higher purpose is justified. He believes some people can commit heinous acts without repercussion. When he is interrogated by a police inspector, his world starts to unravel. When he is haunted by his dreams, his life implodes. ...
Weather I like it or not
I saw my therapist yesterday. Alright, it was really my hair stylist Anna. We are both in agreement that this winter has beaten us down. During our session, it became apparent that she and I are each suffering the morning blues. Traditionally, we both like to rise at 5:30am. Mornings are our most productive times. ...
Being a turtle
“We began the practice of taking on a new mindfulness tool or task each week at the monastery about twenty years ago. The idea came from a man who had lived in a community that followed the teachings of the mystic Gurdjieff. He explained that it didn’t matter if you succeed with the task or ...
Review “Ain’t Misbehavin'” (Porchlight Music Theatre): Perfectly Jazzed
Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Thomas “Fats” Waller musical revue, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’. Fats Waller was a pianist, organist, composer, singer, bandleader and comedic entertainer. His progressive work pioneered the era for modern jazz. He only lived to be 39 but he lived. His legacy is a robust songbook reflecting the emotions and experiences of African ...
Without yoga, my life would smell differently
I took the advanced heavy weight yoga class at Ganesha last night. I’ve been taking heavy weight yoga for over a year now. The *heavyweight* descriptor is exactly what you might imagine. The class is designed to help good size people benefit from yoga. I love it. I started off going to one class a week. After ...
Along came Phil!
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, but death and taxes. – Benjamin Franklin Yesterday, Philip Seymour Hoffman died. And I did my taxes. I was shocked to see PSH trending on social media Sunday afternoon. I was among the many hoping that it was a hoax. It wasn’t. It was the final role of ...
Review “Plainsong” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): A Story to Savor
The winter continues to plummet us in cold and snow. An attainable escape is within the pages of a good book. And an even better respite is experiencing a good story without reading a word. Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of PLAINSONG. Playwright Eric Schmiedl impressively adapted Kent Haruf’s novel for stage. The heartwarming tale is ...