I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday. I only felt slightly sorry for myself in realizing it IS Wednesday. After all, only last Tuesday I was in London. I’ve only been back from vacation one full week. I came back ready to pounce back on my workload and push projects forward. I like ...
Review “The Late Henry Moss” (The Artistic Home): Booze-soaked Force
The Artistic Home presents the Midwest Premiere of THE LATE HENRY MOSS. Two brothers fight over the meager remains of their recently departed father. Their argument leads into a series of flashback scenes exploring the life and death of Henry Moss. Henry has been found dead in his crummy home in nowhere, Mexico. His sons try ...
Did he like it? Oh yeah!
I’m in my 6th year of reviewing theatre. With 1,000 plays under my review belt, I definitely feel more confident in critiquing shows. Still, I never studied theatre. And I don’t claim to be an authority. I’m just an opinionated enthusiast. The evolution of my legitimacy was a few years in the making. I started ...
RIP Schmidty!
Me, Schmidty, Tom D I received startling news while I was vacationing in the British Isles. Another college friend had passed away. Last August, we lost Jeff to Lou Gehrig’s disease. This July, Tom Schmidt died unexpectedly of a brain aneurism. What I remember most about Schmidty is his sense of humor. He was always ...
Review “The Qualms” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Debauchery at its Finest
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the World Premiere of THE QUALMS. Playwright Bruce Norris exposes the secret life of swingers. He rips off the lid on sexual taboos and lets the condoms reign. Norris sets the scene with Teri (played by Kate Arrington) and Gary (played by Keith Kupferer) hosting their quarterly sex party. They have invited newcomers ...
Globally speaking…
I like to consider myself a world traveler. It’s a so-so accurate statement. I’ve seen quite a bit but there is so much more to see. And I’m already 50! Traveling is how I’m working toward global peace. The more we understand past and present cultures, the more we realize that we are all the ...
Review “A Small Fire” (Steep Theatre): Ignites Deep Reflection
Steep Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of A SMALL FIRE. Playwright Adam Bock introduces a tough as nails construction manager and then strips her of her power. Emily (played deftly by Melissa Riemer) is afflicted with a mysterious disease. As her condition worsens, the fierce Riemer is forced into dependency. Bock’s story is about self identification ...
Review “Brigadoon” (Goodman Theatre): Enchanting, Aye!
Goodman Theatre presents BRIGADOON. I grew up watching and re-watching the mystical musical “Brigadoon.” The 1954 film starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse made me believe in the power of love. When I saw last night’s show, I already knew the plot and most of the songs. The plot is contrived. Some might even say corny. ...
I’ve been bit!
I was bit on vacation. I had an itch and so I scratched. I thought I could contain it to just my overseas stint. I was wrong. Before we arrived in Scotland, I had purchased a Fitbit . Using the wifi on the bus, I ordered through Amazon.com. I wanted it at my Chicago home ...
To bus or not to bus
Our departure back to the States started with a terminal snafu. Globus had tagged our suitcases for terminal 5. So, we were delivered to terminal 5. Unfortunately, our flight was leaving from terminal 3. Speed bump. Heathrow isn’t big on the signage. We finally stumbled onto the Heathrow Express and trained to terminal 3. Now, ...