“Start talking turkey, Warren, because the Macy Parade is almost over and grandma is getting drunk.” - Annie in “Community” I woke up yesterday and waded into the day with an episode of “Community.” I had myself a good old-fashioned Serenity Saturday. Chicago was a snowglobe. And I had no plans until dinner and a play ...
Review “The Golden Dragon” (Sideshow Theatre): Schimmelpfenning’s Chop Suey
Sideshow Theatre presents THE GOLDEN DRAGON. In 2012, Sideshow produced their Jeff Award-winning Idomeneus. That innovative, critically-acclaimed play was written by Roland Schimmelpfenning. In The Golden Dragon, Sideshow produces another of Schimmelpfenning’s work. This one is centered in a restaurant. The five member ensemble, Matt Fletcher, David Lawrence Hamilton,Daria Harper, Deanna Myers and Noah Sullivan, are ...
Review “The Tennessee Williams Project” (The-Hypocrites): 3 States of Tennessee
The Hypocrites present THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS PROJECT. Director Matt Hawkins has arranged an evening with Tennessee Williams’ lesser know works. Three of Williams’ one act plays are performed: “And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens,” “The Remarkable Rooming-House of Mme. Le Monde,” and “The Big Game.” The selections are familiar yet unfamiliar. They reflect the ...
Positive energy received! Thank you, MESD & Lilly!
My response to anyone’s misfortune... illness, unhappiness, death of a loved one... is to send positive energy. I focus on the person and send wishes for ‘peace and joy.’ If it sounds like prayer, it’s because to me it is. I believe in a higher power. I believe that Divinity is God. For me ‘sending ...
Review “Rose and the Rime” (House Theatre): Frozen Enchantment
The House Theatre of Chicago presents ROSE AND THE RIME. A story is about a village cursed with a never-ending winter. This play seems perfectly relatable for Chicago audiences, especially this year. Originally developed at Hope College in 2008 ROSE AND THE RIME won the honor of playing the Kennedy Center as Best Original Work in the KCACTF festival. ...
Review “Gideon’s Knot” (Profiles Theatre): Unreal
Profiles Theatre presents "Gideon’s Knot" Reviewed By Sara Eisenbaum The problem with being a viewer is that you need to be open-minded at all costs. Unfortunately, I recognize a bias in myself that when something is meant to imitate a real life situation and in my opinion it doesn’t, I automatically tune out. “Gideon’s Knot” fell prey ...
What is the real state of the union?
Naturally President OBama’s State of the Union speech ignited a passionate response from supporters and opposers. That’s to be expected in a democratic country. What I find disheartening and disconcerting was that Facebook posts called for the execution of the President. What the f*ck? I am in general bipartisan opposition with most politicians for their rhetorical ...
Review “Strangers, Babies” (Steep Theatre): One Riveting Story
Steep Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of Strangers, Babies. Once again, Steep goes darker than imaginable. In its newest production, Steep introduces Chicago to Playwright Linda McLean. This time, instead of an English play riddled with angst, McLean pens a Scottish play riddled with angst. The breakout is Steep’s classic structure: five scenes, two actors in each, one ...
I’m a Lefty this week
Sue James started a mindfulness quest in 2014. She invited me along by sending me the book “How to Train a Wild Elephant” by Jan Chozen Bays, MD. Bays has written a book about simple daily mindfulness practices for living life more fully and joyfully. I’m in! In the introduction, Bays defines herself as a pediatrician, wife, ...
“Luna Gale” (Goodman Theatre): Stellar!
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of LUNA GALE. As a licensed social worker in the State of Indiana, I marveled at how perfectly Playwright Rebecca Gilman’s story reflected ‘the system.’ Gilman pens a complex tale about a baby placed in foster care. The best interest of the child is at the heart of the show. But ...