I live in fear of wearing white. During the summer, I’m envious of carefree people in their long white linen and gauze. They seemingly stroll in confidence and tranquility on the beach, through the meadow, along a city sidewalk. They move like they are in a Downy fabric softener commercial. Unfazed. Unintimidated. Unconcerned. Why can’t I ...
Review “Much Ado About Nothing” (Midsommer Flight): Something to fall in love with
Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with Much Ado About Nothing. Well, this is much ado about something. The show is a tightly-packed comedy. Director Beth Wolf has actors entering and exiting the makeshift stage by running. The action clips. The barbs fly. The love grows. It’s time to fall ...
Review “Men Should Weep” (Griffin Theatre): A Powerful Tribute to Lassies
Griffin Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of MEN SHOULD WEEP. Playwright Ena Lamont Stewart wrote about working class reality in 1930s Glasgow, Scotland. Lamont Stewart gives a gritty portrayal of a depression era family. Maggie Morrison lives with an unemployed husband, 5 kids, a daughter-in-law and granny in a tiny three room flat. She also ...
Ten Year = Dilly Bars
Today is my ten year anniversary working at the National Runaway Safeline. To celebrate, I bought the staff and volunteers dilly bars yesterday. Someone made a crack that I hadn’t waited to be recognized but went ahead and threw my own party. Yeah?! I don’t need someone else to honor my achievements. I usually make ...
Mid-Summer Reflections
Last night was my first sunset on the roof for the summer. And it’s July 17th! Of course, I blame the weather. Many evenings have been too windy to enjoy the rooftop. I also blame myself. I need to prioritize what’s important to me. I have to choose the meaningful activities I want. I can’t ...
Finding happiness in the doing
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 ...