The Arc Theatre presents TOP GIRLS. At a restaurant, women of historical distinction gather for ladies night out. The hen party crosses continents and centuries as a Scottish explorer, the Japanese Emperor’s mistress, Pope Joan, a present day HR manager and some other gal pals lament over wine. This absurd feast is followed by a scene ...
Review “Keys of the Kingdom” (Stage Left): A religious experience
Stage Left Theatre, in association with Theater Wit, presents the world premiere of KEYS OF THE KINGDOM. A celebrity pastor from an evangelical mega church commissions an atheist lesbian artist to paint his ceiling. He believes she has been chosen by God. And he gives her the creative freedom to paint anything. He trusts her brush ...
I’m ready for my close-up
I walked into Wood last night and was immediately enveloped in the cuddly warmth of my favorite restaurant. Everybody knows my name, knows my story, knows my drink. It’s because over the last 2 1/2 years, I’ve worked the brunch shift and the occasional dinner too. They know me. And I love that! After a ...
Review “The Table” (Chicago Shakes): Moses is back!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes Blind Summit’s THE TABLE to headline the Chicago International Puppet Festival, January 14th through 25th. Moses is back! The little guy is here for the 2015 puppet fest. He brought his table and his mobility crew (Mark Down, Sean Garratt, Laura Caldow). Three performers manipulate and navigate the puppet through his existentialism ...
Review “The Revenants” (WildClaw Theatre): What do you do when your spouse dies…and returns?
WildClaw Theatre presents THE REVENANTS. What would you do if the love of your life turned into a zombie? A). Run B). Shoot him/her and run C). Tie him/her up and stay D). None of the above In their zombie love stories, WildClaw has a husband and wife grapple with his undead wife and her undead husband. The play starts as ...
Want vs Need
Over the holidays, I read an article that European kids are more content than American ones because they know the difference between want and need. It wasn’t an earth-shattering revelation to me. I had an ‘hmmm’ response. It makes sense. Christmas USA always has had a gluttonous flavor. And it feels like it’s just picking ...
Review “50 Shades! The Musical Parody” (Broadway in Chicago): A truly titillating and tickling musical tale
Reviewed by Jeanette Hamel Are you ready for a little R Rated song and dance? Is your middle aged book club ready for a wine-filled evening out? Are you one of the hundred MILLION people worldwide who have purchased the run away hit, “Fifty Shades of Grey” by El James? If so, then 50 Shades!, The ...
“How wild it was, to let it be.” – Cheryl Strayed
Abby and I saw “Wild” last night. It’s the true story about Cheryl Strayed’s adventure along the 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. It took her over 100 days to do it. And she did it alone without any training or experience. Cheryl impulsively took the journey to find herself. Her chronicles are about ...
I’m what’s cooking
One of my 2015 goals is to cook a meal every week. My intention is multi-faceted. First, I’m trying to eat healthier. I’m defining ‘healthier’ as more organic. Obviously, I want to get in more fruits and vegetables. And I’m trying to avoid synthetic foods; items ingested with chemicals for a longer shelf life or ...
EXTENDED Thru Feb 21 “Cookie Play” (Trap Door Theatre): Disconcerting Whimsy
Trap Door Theatre presents the World Premiere of COOKIE PLAY. Stepping into Trap Door is to fall down the rabbit hole. This time, Set Designer Mike Mroch has created a domestic feel. Mroch has a blue backdrop with cut-out clouds suspended from strings. A sloping picket fence lines a row of hedges. The contrived look ...