Kokandy Productions presents ASSASSINS. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and John Weidman (book) immortalized successful and unsuccessful presidential killers in their musical tribute. Based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. , Sondheim and Weidman cleverly focus on the individual historical incidents within this brotherhood of assassins. Each executioner gets a song or monologue to tell ...
What do you do?
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Corinthians 13:11 According to my mom, this is our new family scripture. It spoke to her from a ...
Review “Tyrant” (Sideshow Theatre): The Realities of Ending Homelessness
Sideshow Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of TYRANT. The solution to homelessness is government regulated slavery according to Playwright Kathleen Akerley. She bases her story in the aftermath of the Congress approved Rectification Act of 2015. The legislation outlined provisions for the homeless. They are moved into Centers and trained with a work skill. In ...
Review “This is our Youth” (Steppenwolf Theatre): Okay.
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the pre-Broadway run of THIS IS OUR YOUTH. The play, produced on Broadway by Scott Rudin, opens at the Cort Theatre on September 11th. I was excited about this play solely based on the star power. I’m a huge fan of Arrested Development and Michael Cera. I also have enjoyed performances by indie ...
Balance, breathe, body: B-ing aware
For the last three nights, I’ve gone to sleep circa 10 and woken up alert and refreshed at 11:30. Each awakening, I thought I was greeting the morning. It’s been a bizarre, ritual-like occurrence. I, of course, like to figure what’s going on in my mind-body-spirit to cause the irregular/regular slumber interruption. There is not ...
Review “Orville and Wilbur Did It”: The New Colony Did It…for theatre folk!
The New Colony presents the World Premiere of ORVILLE AND WILBUR DID IT. This is a play about a musical, a touring non-equity musical. Five actors and a stage manager are on a road trip. They are bringing children’s theatre to our nation’s schools. As the troupe sings and dances a Wright Brothers’ tribute in America’s ...
My birthday philosophy
It’s Richard’s and Dan’s birthdays today. Last week, I asked Richard what he was doing for his birthday. He responded, “probably nothing.” Last night, I asked Dan what he was doing for his birthday. He responded, “probably nothing.” Ellen recently tried to let hers pass unacknowledged. What’s up with all the anti-birthday shenanigans? I love my birthday! It’s ...
Hanging with my besties
I hung with my besties this weekend: Advil and Epsom salts. I served three consecutive shifts at Wood. On Friday and Saturday, I went 4pm to midnight. And on Sunday, I did my traditional 9am-3pm. The money was sweet. My body was bitter. I try not to be a complainer but woe is me. My feet, ...
Let’s here it for the boys…
It’s Father’s Day! It’s the perfect day to reflect on the wonderful qualities of men. Although I’m currently not dating anyone, I am blessed with abundant men in my life. I have a lot of guy friends. I grew up with three sisters, no brothers. The major male influence in my life is my dad. ...
Review “Grounded” (American Blues Theater): Whiteside’s Tour de Force
American Blues Theater presents the Chicago premiere of GROUNDED. A fighter pilot goes from Air Force to ‘chair force‘ in nine months. Playwright George Brandt pens the woes of war from a mother’s perspective. Gwendolyn Whiteside plays a daredevil pilot turned loving wife and mother. Whiteside leaves the war to have a baby. When she ...