I was off yesterday. Not so much cranky as just off balanced. It started with a scene in the laundry room in the wee hours of the morning. In between washer and dryer, my laundry card zero-ed out. I had at least $12 on the card yet when I went to dry my wet clothes, it ...
“The Playboy of the Western World” (Raven Theatre): Tis a Charmer
Raven Theatre presentsTHE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD. The 1907 premiere of this play incited what became known as the ‘Playboy Riots.’ Ireland did not respond well to Playwright J.M. Synge’s work. First, his hero, Christy Mahon, is a lad claiming to have killed his father. Christy, as a fugitive, finds refuge and admiration in a ...
Coping one single at a time
I fell off the wagon on Thursday. Except for a momentary slip at a September funeral luncheon, I had gone a full year without Kraft Singles. On Thursday, in my weakened weather state, I believed the best thaw out would be a Kraft Single. So, I got a pack... a 24 pack. I love the wrapped ...
Pick it up, wipe it up, dust it off
It’s my midweek check in on living mindful. This week’s challenge from “How to Train a Wild Elephant” was ‘leave no trace.’ I selected my office at work as the room to practice this activity. At the end of the first day, I left it pristine. I got rid of some papers that had piled up for ...
“Saint Joan” (ShawChicago): Robust Storytelling
ShawChicago presents SAINT JOAN. There are no villains in the piece. Crime, like disease, is not interesting: it is something to be done away with by general consent, and that is all about it. It is what men do at their best, with good intentions, and what normal men and women find that they must and ...
Sons of the Prophet (American Theater Company): A playwright with a lot on his mind
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. ...