I worked out with Josh this morning. He quizzed me on my dreadmill homework. His ongoing goal for me is 20 minutes on the dreadmill daily. He wants me to alternate my jogging sprint days with days walking on an increasing incline. Of course, his quizzing took place as I was actually walking at a ...
Review “Titanic” (Griffin Theatre): Brilliantly Epic!
Griffin Theatre presents a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, TITANIC. Onto the fairly small Theater Wit stage, Griffin launches its ‘ship of dreams.‘ The size of the theater works perfectly to connect the audience to the emotionality of the tragic sinking. From each person’s appearance on the gangplank, Director Scott Weinstein uses ...
Review “Devil’s Day Off” (Signal Ensemble): The Key is in the Notes
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the World Premiere of DEVIL’S DAY OFF. Post show, I read Playwright Jon Steinhagen’s note in the program. It described his vision. He indicates his script has no stage directions, no settings, no names of characters. He invites directors to execute with creativity mixing up genders, races and even language. He even ...
“Live like you were dyin'”
I’m less than two weeks out from my annual benefit. The level of detail involved in maximizing people’s fun while raising the most money is my ongoing-minute-to-minute-never-ending-to-do-list. Fall also marks Chicago’s official theatre season opening. If I maximized my scheduling, I could see 9 new shows a week. This is easily the busiest time of ...
Best things in life are free…but I need to save anyway
The view is free after I pay my mortgage, taxes and assessments. One of my goals this year was to pay off all my debt except for my mortgage. I’m on target to do that and still buy a couch. I budgeted for it. And I pick up the occasional extra shift at Wood so ...
Review “Amazing Grace” (Broadway in Chicago): Inspirational Powerhouse
Broadway in Chicago presents the pre-Broadway world premiere of AMAZING GRACE. Songs are more meaningful when the lyrics aren’t just heard, they are understood. And the experience becomes more profound when each word is felt. Christopher Smith (music, lyrics, book) and Arthur Giron (book) deconstruct the words to the song “Amazing Grace” by telling the story ...
Audience Annihilated Part 2 — The Gold Star Sticker: It’s Very Dark in Here
Reviewed by Tom Lawler Dream Theatre Company presents AUDIENCE ANNIHILATED PART 2: THE GOLD STAR STICKER. Brilliantly blurring the lines between a haunted house, multimedia art installation and most of all, a riveting, risky theatrical work, AUDIENCE ANNIHILATED… will surely creep you out for every one of its 15 minutes. Your journey begins on the sidewalk ...
8 ‘easy’ ways to remarkableness
Richard is always sending me life nuggets via articles. This one was particularly good. 8 Remarkable Things to Do with Your Life. It wasn’t about finding the cure for cancer or how to become a billionaire. It talks about finding joy in your life by living joyfully in simple ways. Find your passion: ...
I’d rather be limber than rigid
Reclining pigeon pose...OUCH! LADY IN THE ELEVATOR: You’ve been working out with a trainer. ME: Yes, I have. I love it. LADY IN THE ELEVATOR: I’m been watching you. You’re very limber. ME: I work at it. Two years ago, no one would have called me limber... because I wasn’t. I was very rigidity. I hobbled out of bed. ...
Review “The Art of Falling” (Hubbard Street and The Second City): Brilliant!
Hubbard Street and The Second City present THE ART OF FALLING. This show made me think of H.B. Reese’s a-ha moment; chocolate and peanut butter equals brilliant. It’s ‘two great tastes that taste great together.‘ Hubbard Street and The Second City are two of Chicago’s beloved and famous cultural institutions. Who would have thought to put ...