Strawdog Theatre presents CHARLES IVES TAKE ME HOME. In this tight and original piece, Playwright Jessica Dickey orchestrates a father-daughter dance. It’s not to a wedding song. It’s to a life concerto. Dickey explores generational, gender and life passion differences between a father and daughter. Dave Belden (dad) is a violinist. Stephanie Chavara (daughter) is a basketball ...
What the pluck?
I found a white hair yesterday. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, right? UNLESS, it’s sticking straight out of your cheek like a cat whisker and it’s in the middle of your brunch shift. I discovered it, to my horror, during a potty break. And that was in bar lighting that is considered gentle. ...
Review “Henry V” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater): This King Rules!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents HENRY V. William Shakespeare tells the story of a young king’s rise to respect. Harry Judge plays the newly crowned twenty-five year old Henry. In Act 1, Judge assumes the role with dispassionate intellectualism. He turns his back on his drinking buddies. He sentences his closest advisors to death. His rule begins ...
EXTENDED Thru June 29 “Exit Strategy” (Jackalope Theatre): Insightful, humorous and poignant
Jackalope Theatre presents the World Premiere of EXIT STRATEGY. Playwright Ike Holter gives an insider’s perspective on a Chicago Public School slated to be closed. This subject is topical, local, political and ignored by many. At one point, the play zings the city by saying that Chicago is more upset about a hot dog stand closing ...
Sometimes, it’s not what you imagined…
I’ve been looking at the view of Montrose Harbor for ten years. In all that time, I’ve never seen it with so much industrial sized activity. It’s usually just clear water with the occasional boat coming and going from its dock. Lately, there have been 2-3 barges hoisting a variety of machinery. This picture ...
Things I refuse to be too old for…
43 degrees on May 16th sucks. We bought Cubs tickets for yesterday afternoon. I believed mid-May would have cleared the sleet and snow. I imagined myself coatless, drinking beer in the sunshine. I trusted that we had endured enough crap weather this winter that May would bring flowers… mega bouquets of them. NAH! On Thursday, ...
Review “The Doll’s House: Ibsen is Dead” (Interrobang Theatre): A Tight 80s Makeover
Interrobang Theatre Project presents the World Premiere of THE DOLL’S HOUSE PROJECT: IBSEN IS DEAD. Playwright Henrik Ibsen premiered “A Doll’s House” in 1879. The play was about the original desperate housewife. Ibsen illustrated a 19th century woman discontent in a man’s world. His tackling the mores of the day was highly controversial. Although his plot ...
Review “The Passions of Emma Goldman” (ShPIel): More glam than gutsy
ShPIel-Performing Identity presents the World Premiere of THE PASSIONS OF EMMA GOLDMAN. The opening night of Roslyn Alexander’s (Emma) one woman show started 25 minutes late. The curtain was held for a handful of people who had the wrong curtain time. That decision stretched a 90 minute show to two hours. The prolonged captivity definitely influenced ...
Hold my hand, Louis!
I'm falling in love with Louis CK. I mean I thought he was cute when he dated Leslie Knope on Parks & Rec. I liked when he bested Bradley Cooper in "American Hustle." And now he is trending for a seven minute exchange on dating fat women. I believe my life unfolds in sequential order through Divine intervention. ...
I’m Waiting…
This week (actually for the last 2 weeks) in my “How to train a wild elephant” had me focusing on waiting. The challenge encouraged me to use unexpected speed bumps as opportunities to meditate. When I was waiting on something or someone, I was to use the time to be still, be centered, be mindful. ...