Items filtered by date: November 2007

"And baby It’s amazing I’m in this maze with you, I just can’t crack the code, one day you screaming you love me loud, the next day you’re so cold...."

Holy Grail

It was going to be hard for “The Legends of the Summer” tour to actually top the ultimate anticipation and expectations surrounding its build up, however when that tour includes the number one pop artist and the number one artist in rap, not to mention said artist both promoting new albums, you can see why expectations were high.

Here’s what you should know: Justin Timberlake is a tremendous pop artist. He’s a showman, a song and dance king. He’s been doing this thing before even he remembers. Justin can sing and dance and entertain in his sleep. Where he begs and pleads for approval, his tour-mate Shawn Carter basically demands it, un-apologetically. Trying to find a common comfortable ground, both played wingman throughout the night for each other. With large band in hand and a tremendous stage setting, the show opener “Holy Grail”, echo’ed throughout the 60,000 plus packed Soldier Field like anew generation sing a long anthem…and it’s fitting, in a music industry so fickle and built on stars who rise and fall within minutes, both artists were here, in this moment, with the biggest albums in the world, staring in the biggest concert tour of the year.

So let’s get to the show: Over 30 songs, all full of energy, had the crowd singing and dancing all night long. Their difference in styles comes off more as an Alpha/Omega relation, where as in past concerts Timberlake plays the same, he’s all over different instruments, commanding the crowd, and interjecting some very cool dance moves. Put him next to Jay Z however, and you notice how Jay commands a stage, while Justin fits easily into the sideman role. Jay Z has become one of the better live performers in music. While not built on movement or running and dancing around stage, Jay Z makes every move mean something, every verse, wether he emphasizes a line, a word, his voice…it commands the crowd.

There were the typical show-stoppers: Timberlake’s “Tunnel Vision”, “Pusher Love Girl”, “Mirrors”, “Love Stoned”, and “Cry me a river” put the crowd in the palm of his hands. Plus you’ll rarely find another song that gets a crowd moving and chanting like “Sexyback”. And while Justin was tremendous, it’s Jay Z who dominated the night. Commanding the Chicago audience to sing along to his NYC anthem “Empire State of Mind”, Jay Z rocked the crowd with hits such as “PSA”, “U Don’t Know”, “99 Problems” and “ Ni**as in Paris”.

After nearly three hours, as the clock approached midnight the two kings of music brought this epic night to a close, dominating the nights with hits, living up to most of the expectations fans had been counting on for months and months. Great show, great night.    

In a posh French flat in the Parisian neighborhood of Belleville, Abby walks in on her new husband Zack masturbating to porn. The Americans are living the dream: she teaches yoga in her fantasy city, he saves lives with Doctors without Borders, and the two couldn't be more in amour. But this discovery is the first in a series of cracks which erupt in a shocking climax that warns against perfection, lies, and living for others.

Amy Herzog's "Belleville," commissioned and premiered by Yale Repertory Theatre where she received her M.F.A, powerfully closes the Steppenwolf's "The Reckoning" season. Directed by Anne Kauffman, who helmed the premier and Off-Broadway incarnations, the 100-minute play is raw, funny, and startling. Herzog's contemporary-set script still creates a traditional playground for the Steppenwolf design team. Greek and Shakespearean imagery – blood, water, daggers – appear alongside cell phones and a luxurious French apartment with plenty of natural light to expose the wounds within.

The wounds are suffered by four characters, breathed by life by a talented ensemble – Kate Arrington and Cliff Chamberlain shock, move, and scare as the destructive couple Abby and Zack. Chris Boykin and Alana Arenas entertain, ground, and reveal as Alioune and Amina, the couple who live a few floors down who own the building. While the landlord couple cares for a newborn, have a thriving property management business, and seem to make their relationship work, Zack smokes weed, Abby pops pills, and the pair fight and torture themselves and one another. At opposite ends of the alphabet, A and Z shouldn't be together; meanwhile, Alioune and Amina are A synchronized pair.

"Belleville" is an edgy, existential thriller, brilliantly brought to life by powerhouse performers, designers, and a director. It's not a feel-good play, although I did feel good as I left – impressed by its execution, haunted by a Herzog's warning, and glad to be single.

"Belleville" is a tenant in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre from June 27 – August 25, 2013. For more information and tickets, visit steppenwolf.org.

I wanted to throw tomatoes at the weatherman, after having heard it was going to only be in the 50-something degrees on a Chicagoland’s summer’s eve, for Ravinia’s Saturday performer, Melissa Etheridge. I pouted and pictured my mom and I continuing to go would make us feel as though we were locked in an ice-cold fridge. And I would have wished I invited my mom, and some friends over to my home to play a game of Bridge.

But then I got knocked upside the head, and on the way to see thee Melissa Etheridge at the gorgeous outdoor venue Ravinia, I was getting more and more excited about seeing her. I had never seen her perform before, and she is a Grammy, Academy and other Award’s winner!

Besides, some of Melissa Etheridge’s friend’s were to play (Jessie Payo, Paula Cole and Joan Osborne), so how in the heck could I have been previously torn?

The first act was Jessie Payo, who served lyrics such as “I smell like whiskey,” that would be neat drinking music for a few nights a week or so. She sang pretty loudly, and her vocals didn’t always sound the best though. Plus the voice of Jessie Payo is not as smooth as mayo.

Paula Cole also performed and has the clap (not the S.T.D. one) down pat—she clapped her hands together during most of her time onstage, and the majority of the audience looked really into that.

Plus, Paula Cole very obviously expressed during her stage time she is an especially emotional soul. The Theme song for the smash hit TV show “Dawson’s Creek,” was written and played by Paula Cole. Yet, she said on the Ravinia stage, that the song was just supposed to be for her grandpa —not a TV show.

Paula revealed, too, that she loves Dolly Parton, and she did a rendition of the Country Superstar’s “Jolene,” with an ending that included her masterfully b-boxing! Subsequently, she got seated peeps to rise to their feet, standing tall and clapping.

Joan Osborne sang some pleasurable new bluesy tunes, and cover songs, but her not doing more of ones from her recently Grammy-nominated album was a tad lame. However, she did sing “One of Us,” to which my bus rides have never been the same!

All of the talent deservingly received a standing ovation, which brings me to thee Melissa Etheridge’s performance being an incredibly lengthy and admirable duration.

But first, if you do not know already, you may be wondering why Melissa Etheridge has recently made News’s headlines galore? According to Perez Hilton, “Melissa Etheridge once again pinky promises she never meant to light a fiery feud by calling Angelina Jolie’s mastectomy “fearful” even if she and Brad Pitt aren’t bestiez anymore (www.perezhilton.com 2013.”)

Melissa Etheridge has also been in the media more lately because of her almost brand-spanking new and happy marriage. When on Ravinia’s spectacular stage, Melissa Etheridge said “I am proud to be an American today” and later spoke of the importance of what we put into our body, and how we should have faith in our body, all while appearing ever-so passionate about helping people by spreading her knowledge.

The best part of Melissa Etheridge’s show was when she played her Cancer Anthem “I will Run for Life.” It looked like everyone in the crowd got extra revved up, singing along, dancing, shouting praise, waving their arms in the air, some shedding tears, and my mom and I receiving goose bumps, and smiling from ear to ear, via experiencing such enormously impactful moments with each other, as well as with thee Melissa Etheridge and other concert-goers deeply feeling life.

The audience acted in the manner, described above, during most of Melissa’s show since she was exceptionally heart-warming, inspiring, good-humored, animated, plus an extraordinary force and talent in every other way onstage. There was not one dull moment throughout Melissa’s performance, she put the audience through some hoops, played most of her biggest songs, and was a humongous ball of energy for over 2 and a half hours, despite her 50-something age!

Also, Melissa said during her show she already knew how to play guitar, so she decided to teach herself how to play the piano at the age of six. And her mom came into her room one day when she was practicing, and said “Melissa, now you’re just making stuff up,” and she did so while living in the sticks, a small town named Leavenworth, Kansas. (Is Leavenworth worth leaving?)

On an ending note, I darn well know for certain now I would be extremely upset to miss a Melissa Etheridge show. Whether, cold and rainy, or even a snowstorm, if thee Melissa Etheridge is to play, it is a sure go!

Melissa Etheridge’s Latest Album is: 4^th Street Feeling

Joan Osborne’s: Bring It On Home

Paula Cole’s: Raven

Jessie Payo’s: (Single—no album yet, “Heaven Help Me.”)

For more information on shows at Ravinia, please visit Ravinia.com

RAVINIA WEEK FIVE WILL FEATURE:

MATCHBOX TWENTY AND GOO GOO DOLLS

BERNSTEIN’S SONGFEST

DAVID BYRNE AND ST. VINCENT

RSMI ANNIVERSARY

SARAH CHANG

MATTHIAS GOERNE

JUSTIN ROBERTS AND THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS

MATCHBOX TWENTY AND GOO GOO DOLLS

• Music legends and chart-toppers, Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty will appear at Ravinia for the first time on a double bill for three performances, July 2-4.
• Matchbox Twenty made a splash with their diamond-certified debut album Yourself or Someone Like You. Their biggest hits include “3AM,” “Push” and “If You’re Gone”.
• The Goo Goo Dolls’ breakout single “Iris” spent a year on the Billboard charts including 18 weeks at number one. Over its career the band has earned four Grammy nominations and sold over 10 million albums.
• They are joined by singer-songwriter Kate Earl in her Ravinia debut.
• Tickets are still available for the July 4 performance. 

Tuesday and Wednesday Tickets: SOLD OUT / Park opens at 4 p.m.

Thursday Tickets: $125-$105/ Lawn $38/ Park opens at 4 p.m.

BERNSTEIN’S SONGFEST

• Bernstein’s commission for the United States Bicentennial set to music the work of 13 nationally treasured poets.
• In collaboration with the Poetry Foundation, Ravinia presents the world premiere of the chamber orchestra version of this work with arranger Alexander Platt conducting the Ensemble Dal Niente and singers from the Lyric Ryan Opera Center.
• The original poems will be read by players from Writers’ Theatre.

Tickets: $60-$40/ Lawn $10/ Park opens at 1 p.m.

DAVID BYRNE AND ST. VINCENT

• Ravinia announces the festival debut of rock musician pairing David Byrne & St. Vincent on Saturday, July 6, part of their first U.S. tour together.
• After a couple semi-chance encounters, David Byrne and Annie Clark, who records and performs as St. Vincent, created their collaborative debut album, Love This Giant, over three years.
• An Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe award-winner, Byrne was the lead singer and principal songwriter of Talking Heads and continued a solo career that has spanned over 30 years including theater and film composition.
• St. Vincent began her music career as a member of The Polyphonic Spree and launched a solo career in 2006 with the release of her debut album, Marry Me.

Tickets: $65-$55/ Lawn $27/ Park opens at 5 p.m. 

RSMI FACULTY IN CONCERT

• The world-class soloists who share their talents each season leading the conservatory will team for an extraordinary concert of their own on July 5.
• Violinists Miriam Fried and Mihaela Martin, violists Atar Arad and Paul Biss, cellist Frans Helmerson and pianist Jeremy Denk—himself a Steans alumnus—will be performing Mozart’s Viola Quintet K. 406, Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3, and Franck’s Piano Quintet in F Minor.

Tickets: $60-$40/ Lawn $10/ Park opens at 5 p.m.

SARAH CHANG

• Sarah Chang is recognized as one of the world’s great violinists. Since her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 8, she has performed with the greatest orchestras, conductors and accompanists internationally in a career spanning more than two decades.
• Chang’s most recent recording for EMI Classics, performances of Brahms and Bruch violin concertos, received critical and popular acclaim and was her 20th album for the label.

Tickets: $75-$50/ Lawn $10/ Park opens at 4 p.m. 

MATTHIAS GOERNE  

• On July 1 baritone Matthias Goerne and pianist Alexander Schmalcz will be performing works by Mahler and Schumann in the Martin Theatre.
• Matthias Goerne is one of the most internationally sought-after vocalists and a frequent guest at renowned festivals and concert halls. He has collaborated with leading orchestras all over the world.

Tickets: $60-$40/ Lawn $10/ Ticket & Dining Package $75/ Park opens at 5 p.m.

JUSTIN ROBERTS AND THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS

• Grammy-nominated kid rocker Justin Roberts recently released his first collection of original nighttime songs for families in November 2012.
• Lullaby is a calming set for those hours just before bedtime and features members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Poi Dog Pondering, along with the Not Ready for Naptime Players.
• Roberts will be performing on Sunday, July 7 as part of the Kraft Great Kids Concert Series.

Tickets: $10/ Lawn $5/ Park opens at 12 p.m.

Ravinia is located at Lake Cook and Green Bay roads in Highland Park. Tickets are available by visiting Ravinia.org or calling the Ravinia Box Office at 847-266-5100. A $7 service fee is added to all online and phone ticket orders. Ravinia welcomes all fans to follow, connect and interact online at backstage.ravinia.org, facebook.com/RaviniaFestival and twitter.com/raviniafestival. Ravinia is a not-for-profit organization.

Buddy! The Buddy Holly story, playing at Cadillac Palace, is a bright, breezy jukebox musical that really succeeds at bringing the musical genius of Buddy Holly back to life.

Although the book by Alan Janes which has run successfully for 15 years in London’s West End needs a little perking up in the opening scenes between Buddy and his manager, the show overall is still a very enjoyable and touching tribute to the original rock and roll nerd that so many young artists today owe a debt to.

The scenes that show how quickly Buddy wrote and recorded new music, incorporating tiny details like a random piano notes played impromptu by his manager’s wife during a lunch break were absolutely fascinating.

Andy Christopher stars as Buddy (alternating with Kurt Jenkins) is brilliant in this very challenging role both theatrically and musically.

Christopher doesn’t just imitate Holly or impersonate him, he becomes him.   Christopher’s voice captures all of the eclectic and subtle intricacies of Holly’s voice without moving into caricature.

Also, throughout the show I kept trying to tell if Christopher was actually playing lead guitar or if an orchestra or track was playing the leads for him. During the finale Christopher put the guitar behind his neck and played a rip-roaring solo that was impressive proof he was not only singing and acting the role but has impressive musical talent as well. I also was impressed by the enormous energy and spunk of the actors/musicians playing his band “The Crickets” Joe Cosmo Cogen and Jerry Allison.

I learned some interesting facts about Holly from this show. I did not know Holly was only 22 when he died. I did not know he married his wife Maria Elena after a whirlwind 5 hour engagement, or that while pregnant with his child, she had warned him multiple times about not going on the fateful winter tour because of visions of a “fireball in the sky” that she had experienced.

All of these interesting facts about Holly’s all too short, but pioneering and spectacular musical career make me wonder if Holly himself had some inner knowledge of his own fate that propelled him to create so much music and love in such a brief 18 month period at such a young age.

I highly recommend seeing Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story to audiences young and old who appreciate a good night of fifties rock n roll with a music history lesson thrown in about one of the greatest musical talents this country has ever seen.

Drury Lane Theatre has big time summer fun this year. Presenting a revival version of the Tony Award winning comedy, Boeing Boeing, this is a show is filled with laughs with one hilarious scene to the next.

Taking place in a 1960’s Paris, this is the story of Bernard, a swinging architect who manages to manipulate three fiancées, each of whom lives with him in his luxury flat. All three fiancées are flight attendants so Bernard is able to schedule his life around their flight schedules, making sure more than one are never home at the same time. However, after an old friend, Robert, shows up – and Bernard aptly boasts about his scheme – everything goes haywire and his life is quickly turned into uproarious sequences of attempted cover ups and hijinks.

Boeing Boeing features Saturday Night Live alum Nora Dunn as “Berthe”, Bernard’s housekeeper who grudgingly helps her employer in pulling off his juggling act of the three fiancées. Though Dunn is terrific, Stef Tovar as “Bernard” and Daniel Cantor as “Robert” highlight this production along with Katherine Keberlein as “Gretchen”, drawing the biggest laughs from the audience.

If you are in the mood to laugh and see something that is light and fun, Boeing Boeing certainly makes a fine summer treat.

Tickets for Boeing Boeing range from $35-$49 and dinner packages are also available from $50-$74. Boeing Boeing is playing at Drury Lane in Oakbrook (100 Drury Lane) through August 4^th. For more information visit www.drurylane.com or cal 630-530-0111.        

Welcome back to Chicago, Bob Newhart. Returning to the city where he had grown up, Bob Newhart returned in style, this time anchoring an already terrific TBS Just for Laughs Festival at the Chicago Theatre. The veteran comic showed that he is still as funny as ever with a collection of material that had the packed theatre laughing with little reprieve.

Presenting his angle on televangelists among many other things, Newhart showed why he is considered one of the best comedians with his humorous storytelling ability, his finesse and perfectly timed punch line delivery.

“So this televangelist, Oral Roberts, mentioned in his third book that he had actually met Jesus… I don’t know. That seems like a pretty big deal. I mean, the guy met Jesus. Wouldn’t that be something you would bring up in your first book? Maybe his wife reminded him one day of his meeting with Jesus and he said, ‘Oh yeah, I should mention that in my next book somewhere.’”

He included a classic war story where he suffered a paper cut, a collection of “true” stories, one of which included a chicken being fired at a train as a test weapon in which when told to NASA it went through the front windshield and embedded itself on the back of the cab, they replied, “Well…defrost it.” Newhart also included the legendary bit “Driving Instructor” from his bestselling comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart”, an album that outsold Elvis Presley and ranks 20^th bestselling all time on Billboard’s charts.  

Newhart strolled onto the stage to the theme of The Bob Newhart Show, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and one that was based in Chicago (the apartment building in the opening credits is located in Edgewater on Sheridan Avenue). Audience members ranged from teens to seniors and no one was without hearty laughter. Newhart narrated a video montage of the history of the Newhart’s in America that was just hilarious. Coverage started in the late 1700’s and went all the way to the final episode on “Newhart” where he wakes up from a crazy dream and Emily is in the bed – one of the greatest sitcom endings ever. Newhart then said his goodbyes, walked off the stage and returned shortly explaining that he just did a phony walk off. “This is something that entertainers call a “phony walk off”. We walk off the stage and then count somewhere between four and twelve seconds then return. Of course, there is a gamble there that if we count to high, we might return to an empty auditorium.”

It was a true thrill to see Bob Newhart perform and I can only hope there’s more Bob to come in the next couple of years.      

It was standing room only at the Vic Theatre Thursday night, as one of the Just for Laughs Festival heavyweights, Nick Swardson, gave the crowd an evening to truly remember. With an arsenal of jokes that touched on everything from cats vs dogs to the Virgin Airlines “rave plane”, Swardson barely allowed audience members to catch their breath between laughs.

In a very funny bit, Swardson speculated on what it must have been like to be the first person to ever suffer from a brain freeze - this being of course the inventor of ice cream. “Here you go kids. I have created a tasty treat called ice cream (as he pretends to sample). Come everyone, try this tasty treat.  It’s very delicious (as he samples faster and faster). I am eating this delicious treat faster and faster now”. Until, “Arrrrggggghhhhh! Oh my God!!!! What the f**k is this!? My brain is being eaten alive!” Of course the pain goes away moments later. “What the f**k was that?”

Swardson’s material was nothing short of brilliant, but I had hoped to see a longer set. He left the crowd with a humorous story where he was flying first class only to have Liv Tyler sitting next to him. Somewhat nervous and not knowing what to say, he opted to say nothing. He leaned his seat back to sleep and Liv Tyler followed suit, wherein he was “sleeping with Liv Tyler”. Swardson explained that they were baking chocolate chip cookies in first class and he groggily awoke to “What’s that smell?” only to have Tyler smile and whisper from her sleep excitedly “cookies”. “Is there possibly a better way to wake up?” asked Swardson to the crowd. Of course, he then explained how lucky he was to have Liv Tyler sitting next to him instead of say, Gary Busey, or it could have been, “What’s that smell?” with a reply of “COOKIES, MOTHERF**KER!!!”

Nick Swardson was simply hilarious and showed Chicago why he is considered one of the top comics in the circuit.

After Swardson’s show at the Vic, I scrambled over to Stage 773 just a few blocks west on Belmont. Stage 773 is TBS Just for Laughs comedy hub during the festival where a variety of super funny comics take on four stages all week long. While there, I was lucky enough to catch The Urban Comedy Hour, which featured a slew of great South Side Chicago comedians, including its hysterical host, Brian Babylon. Afterwards, Ari Shaffir took on the late night slot with his storyteller series “This Is Not Happening” to round off a perfect night of comedy.   

The 2013 TBS Just for Laughs Festival is underway and there are a bevy of terrific acts to catch throughout the week. With multiple shows each evening at various Chicago venues, one of Wednesday’s shows had the Park West Theater hosting The Whitest Kids U’ Know - and they did not disappoint. One of the top sketch comedy teams since their early Manhattan days in 2003, the hilarious quintet had the crowd roaring from their opening sequence where they slammed George Lucas for destroying the original Star Wars trilogy.   

Comprised of members Trevor Moore, Sam Brown, Zach Creggor, Timmy Williams and Darren Trumeter, The Whitest Kids U’ Know performed several sketches including one that had two rival monster truck drivers unexpectedly meeting at a party setting up a hysterical confrontation. Other sketches touched on a warped version of The Dating Game, four girls whining about having their periods, a boss who voyeurs one of his employees while having sex and a twisted séance. Trevor Moore also presented a couple funny music videos had had done - the first, a portrayal of a money hungry Pope likened to a street thug and another - “Tom Hanks Is an Asshole”.

The Whitest Kids U’ Know certainly showed audience members why they are a worthy addition to the TBS Just for Laughs Festival and also showed just how white they really are. At the end of the show, the comedy troupe led the crowd in a festive rendition of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”. Asking everyone in the audience to raise either a lighter or cell phone and wave it back and forth, they plan to edit footage from each city into a montage for their website just so people can ask, “What the hell is their show about?”   

TBS Just for Laughs Festival is the where to be this week. With such talented performers as Russell Brand, Seth Meyers, Nick Swarsdon, Dylan Moran, Todd Barry, Bill Maher, Artie Lange, Bob Newhart and so many, many more, you can see why this event is the hottest ticket in town.  For a complete rundown of the Just for Laughs schedule, click here.   

The Oriental Theatre is hosting West Side Story for one week only. Playing from June 11^th-June 16^th, this classic musical still holds up to the test of time. Laced throughout with dazzling choreography reproduced by Tony Award nominee, Joey McKneely, West Side Story is a visual spectacle that rivals any dance filled show.

The modern take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is the story of two rival gangs in New York – the Jets, a collection of white street hoodlums, and the Sharks, a group of Puerto Ricans trying to make their stake in America. Like the Shakespeare tale, everything becomes complicated when a boy and girl from opposite sides fall in love. Ignorance and violence turns what could have been a breakthrough between rivals into senseless tragedy.  

As definitive the dance numbers are the assortment of songs performed – and incredibly well, at that. The audience is truly treated to one classic number after another including, “Tonight”, “Somewhere”, “Cool”, “Gee, Officer Krupke” and “I Feel Pretty”. Addison Reid Coe is just stupendous as “Tony” and really gets to display his vocal prowess in a shining rendition of “Maria”. Other standouts in the talented cast are Michelle Alves as “Anita” who sings and dances her way into everyone’s hearts in “America” and Mary Joanna Grisso who plays an amazing “Maria”. My only complaint during the entire production is that “Bernardo’s” Puerto Rican accent annoying slips in an out to the point of distraction.

Overall, the dancing and singing make this construction of West Side Story a memorable experience. The dance numbers are simply astounding to watch, the costumes colorful, the set creative and the singing elegant.  

For more information on West Side Story at the Oriental Theatre, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.