Items filtered by date: November 2007

Simply put, Christine Sherrill puts on one of the best all around performances I’ve seen in some time. Playing “Norma Desmond” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard”, Sherrill clearly shows why she is a top stage talent with her brilliant use of dramatics, comedic timing and, maybe most of all, her commanding range of vocal finesse. Sung with power and Flair, Sherrill is beyond perfection in numbers “Salome”, “As if We Never Said Goodbye” and “Phone Call”. If for nothing else, “Sunset Boulevard” is worth seeing on Sherrill’s performance alone, but a well-rounded cast and blazing orchestra make this a show that runs on all cylinders.

Taking place in the 1940’s, this film noir-to-stage classic is the story of how Joe, a young writer waiting for his break, meets up with Norma Desmond, an ultra rich silent film star who has been out of the scene for some time, but has delusions of making a strong comeback.  As Joe (who initially stopped by because of car trouble) helps Norma rewrite her script, the two become close and in many ways dependent on each other. Norma is controlling and Joe desperately needs work and though the two are worlds apart emotionally and physically a strange romantic relationship occurs between the two to benefit each other’s needs.

With a slew of songs, mystery romance and even murder, “Sunset Boulevard” is a fully functional musical that evokes emotions of anger, sadness and pity, as the characters are well-defined and the story nothing less than tragic.

Will Ray is fantastic as “Joe”, both acting and singing his way into the hearts of audience members, while Don Richard deserves kudos for handling his role as “Max”, Norma’s loyal, pride and true butler.

Sunset Boulevard is playing at Drury Lane in Oakbrook through March 24^th. For tickets and/or more information, visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks in the 2013 season with a dark comedy that is both engaging and compelling from the opening scene that has “Jackie” finding the hat of his girlfriend “Veronica’s” alleged lover. Just out of prison, “Jackie” takes a big step towards starting his new life by getting himself a job. However, everything takes a turn once “Jackie” is convinced “Veronica” is seeing someone on the side and his “new life” is no longer his priority. Jackie finds solace in talking things through with his sponsor “Ralph D. and “Cousin Julio”.

Written by Stephen Adly Guirgia, fast dialogue and lots of cursing make this story move quickly and with realism. The story has plenty of on edge moments, but also rounds out well with a good amount of funny lines and sexy scenes. The story flows smoothly and never threatens to lose audience interest. Fun twists and turns await around every corner in this witty show directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro.

John Ortiz (“Jackie”) and Jimmy Smits (“Ralph D.”) put forth the dazzling performances that one would expect in a Steppenwolf production. Both are able to take command of the stage in each scene performed, as well as get good laughs from the audience. Ortiz and Smits roll with “Motherf**ker”, have fun with it and kick its ass. “Dynamite” would be the word of choice regarding both of their performances.    

Sandra Delgado, Sandra Marquez and Gary Perez round out the talented cast and each are excellent in their own right. Perez as “Cousin Julio” had some very funny scenes. The cast shows great chemistry together and the story is rich in displaying the different behaviors in humans incited by the circumstances that surround the characters – both good and bad.

The thoroughly entertaining “The Motherf**ker With The Hat” is well worth seeing and is playing through March 3^rd in the downstairs theatre of Steppenwolf (1650 N Halsted St). For tickets and/or more information on “The Motherf**ker With The Hat”, visit www.steppenwolf.org. 

The highly anticipated musical theatre production, “The Book of Mormon”, winner of nine Tony Awards, has made its way to Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe) amidst its second national tour. With a humorous story revolving around young Mormons spreading the word of “Heavenly Father” according to The Book of Mormon, the production is filled with hilarious dialogue and silly musical numbers.

Nic Rouleau, who comes directly from the Broadway production, leads the mega-talented cast as the over zealous, overly ambitious Mormon advocate, “Elder Price” , along with Ben Platt who plays his bumbling partner, “Elder Cunningham”. Price’s dream is to be sent to Orlando to spread the word, but the pair is sent to Uganda, much to his chagrin. A compulsive liar, Cunningham, stumbles his way into a “successful” mission by reinventing The Book of Mormon to the locals, outshining Price and the other existing Mormons sent by the church who have not found any success by preaching the true word of Mormons.

Keep in mind this show was written by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, so humor that pushes boundaries should be expected. There is plenty of R-Rated cursing and, like their famous cartoon, no topic is safe from jabs. Matt Stone and Trey Parker were on hand for the opening night performance in Chicago and were greeted to a standing ovation when they took the stage following the show. “The Book of Mormon” feeds the audience with a steady stream of solid laugh material and is as funny as advertised.

Though high demand for the performance has the show sold out through March 3^rd, “The Book of Mormon” is set to run through June 2^nd. Tickets run from $45-$115 and are available through Ticketmaster retail locations or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.     

I do love all the standard holidays shows and music that come with the season but there comes a point where I feel overloaded by all the sticky sweet extravaganzas and tearjerkers and just want to  laugh my ass off. That is when I head straight to Mary's Attic for a good dose of the campy, mind-opening fare that director/composer David Cerda always serves up in style.

2012 is the fifteenth anniversary of Cerda's camp classic that Chicago audiences have come to know and love that spoofs the 1964 “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” TV special. This prancy Rudolph is a reindeer who wears red hose under his coveralls and is picked on for being neither gay enough for the other gay vogue-ing reindeer, nor straight enough for the bucks who pull Santa’s sleigh. With hilarious yet meaningful songs like "They'll Hate You If You're Different", "Christmas Makes Me Bitter" and "If You Want To Catch A Man, Don't be Yourself! (You've got to HO HO HO it.)" “Red Hosed Reindeer” successfully conveys the message, and makes everyone in the audience feel, that "Being Normal - isn't normal at all!"

Ed Jones steals the show as a sex starved, drunken, Mrs. Claus, desperately eating pills out of Santa's hand and then again later in the show in a mind-blowingly funny Cher impersonation as “The Drag Beast”.  Wide-eyed and lithe dancer/singer Alex Grelle as “Rudolph” is also fantastically funny. The audience never knows whether “Rudolph” is just a cross dressing reindeer or gay, which I like because it shows that there is a lot of hyper-criticism in the gay community, too - pressure from all sides to be "normal". I also loved Santa’s mournful, lusty rendition of “(God) I Miss Her So" when Mrs. Claus finally makes her escape from Santa’s verbal abuse and philandering with female reindeer.

As always, Cerda’s productions comes complete with a large, tremendously funny cast, well-dressed in outrageous costumes, and show stopping musical numbers.

If you are a little tired of all the shows and commercials endlessly pushing the perfect family and picture postcard presentations down your throat - then run, skip or sashay - don't walk - to catch one of the performances of “Rudolph The Red Hosed Reindeer” at Mary's Attic in Andersonville  this year. You will leave feeling like a million “bucks”… have just helped you with your makeup and hair and declared you fabulously ab-normal!!

For tickets and information visit www.handbagproductions.org.              

Merry Christmasukah!

Looking for a fun way to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit?  Look no further – The Radio City Spectacular at Rosemont’s Akoo Theatre featuring the Rockettes pulls out all the stops. From singing Christmas favorites to the dazzling famed  New York chorus line, this show has your Christmas fun covered.

The show begins with the classic holiday hit, “Sleigh Ride”, as the Rockettes are dressed in reindeer leggings and antlers as they prepare to pull Santa’s sleigh. Jumping from one festive scene to another, the show also features the Radio Hall Singers and of course, Santa Claus himself.

The production includes incredibly original and unique versions of many Christmas favorites including “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “The Nutcracker” and “Joy to the World”. Numbers are complimented with magnificent screen displays in the background, amazing costumes and imaginative choreography including “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” where the Rockettes incredible dancing concludes with the illusion of the full line soldiers all collapsing in perfect slow motion into each others arms after a silent cannon blast.

There was a great slide show presentation with the full illustrious history of the Rockettes and how the Radio City Music Hall was saved from destruction by their unwavering popularity with audiences. The current lineup of Rockettes are all amazingly gifted dancers, the caliber of their dancing ability in all forms including tap and ballet is still unmatched par none.

My favorite number was  “New York at Christmas”, which featured a marvelous moving double-decker bus and I Max screen illusion wherein the audience and Rockettes are driven around a  romantic and snowy white New York City at Christmas time. I used to live in Manhattan and it really brought back such beautiful stunning memories of ice skating in Central Park and watching the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center, pure magic!

Also, “The Living Nativity”, which created the illusion of a vast star lit, celestial night sky above the stage while the audience watch the three wise astrologers cross the desert following the brightest star to Jesus birth was brilliantly and reverently performed.

It was also a special delight for me to observe the many little girls in the audience watching these fantastic dancers with awe,  obviously studying dance themselves. I saw the show the same day as the tragic shooting of schoolchildren in Connecticut and found this incredibly entertaining and joyous performance the perfect way to be reminded of the beauty of humanity and the power of dance, singing and  theatre to give  real hope to our nation's children for a safe and peaceful future.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular will be playing at The Akoo Theatre through December 30^th. Be sure to check it out if you can!

Rightfully, proud-to-be Latina, Zandra Rivera, has made quite a name
for herself in the Entertainment industry. The writer, director,
producer and actor has a new film "Making Sex" that audiences are sure
to enjoy thoroughly. I was fortunate enough to interview Zandra, and I
like her following answers immensely.
 
What were you like in grammar school, high school and college?

 "Well, my parents moved around a lot, due to the fact that education was
fundamentally the most important value my parents instilled within us.
 They had 6 children and the moment they made a financial gain it was
time to move to a more affluent area that would provide the type of
education that instilled a firm foundation.  I attended 4 grammar
schools and 3 high schools and surprisingly enough only one
University.  I definitely learned to adapt rather quickly, I can
easily asses a situation and have learned to become a bridge to unite
various, seemingly, opposing forces."
 
 Are there any hair and fashion trends that you were a victim to and
say to yourself now "What was I thinking?"

"Ok, admittedly there is one thing, not that I regret, but that I
kind of cringe in embarrassment at how I actually thought I was
fashionably way cool; I was a HUGE fan of the Puerto Rican boy band
'Menudo' and so my girlfriends and I would dress a lot like their
stylized videos and actually go out in public dressed, like, well
outrageously silly!!!  Despite the fashion fopaux, I look back on it
and literally laugh wholeheartedly at myself!"
 
Could you also please reveal what your
personality was like in school, and how it has changed since those
days? 

"I was always a little nervous and shy when walking into a new
school, a little insecure, you could say.  Now, I actually thrive
talking to new people, getting to know them, their culture or
exploring what makes people tick.  I'm not nervous anymore, I'm
comfortable in my own skin and realize that everyone has something to
say, some new perspective they bring to the table that may differ from
yours.  This means only that, it is merely a different view based on
their personal experiences and they make choices based on this simple
fact.  Some of these choices may affect you in a negative way in your
interaction with such a situation or rather individual but ONLY if you
allow it to.  That's the key, you have a choice to be whoever you
choose to be, always."
 
 Did you know from the ripe old age of 6 or so you wanted to get into
showbiz, and how did you eventually get into it?

“Actually, yes!  I knew at the age of 4 and a half!!!!  I was born in Manhattan, NY, soon
after we moved to Long Island, NY and there I became friends with a
neighbor girl across the way who interestingly enough was a regular on
Sesame Street!!!  From that moment on I was hooked!!!!"
 
If you weren't in showbiz what kind of job would you like to have?  

 "I can't picture doing absolutely anything else in the world, but I will
say that I think I was some sort of scientist for sure, like a
microbiologist, archeologist, astronomer or marine biologist, in a
past life.  I've always excelled in the math and sciences department
and physics was my absolute favorite and still is.  Most people don't
know that I am the BIGGEST geek!  I study something that peaks my
curiosity every single day and if I'm not learning something new,
expanding my mind, I feel off kilter and get a little grumpy.  When I
was a sophomore I was actually the top of my honors biology class, and
I won top student for Geometry."
 
Your IMBD profile shows that you have been an actress in the following
productions: Get Pony Boy, Player in Training, Regretful Decision,
Boricua and Shelflike. I see you not only were an actress in Get Pony
Boy, but were also a producer. Which hat do you prefer to wear,
actress or producer and why?
 
"Great question, thank you.  It depends on the production, really.  If
it's something I wrote, rest assured I'll be directing and producing
for sure.  Although, I saw what Roberto Benigni did with "Life is
Beautiful" and that is definitely a goal to strive for, acting
directing and producing but at the moment I know my limitations and my
goals.  The acting bug will never go away, I'm passionate about it,
just like the directing.  The producing is more my business hat, if
that makes any sense"
 
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?

“Sure, everything I've learned about the entertainment business has
been from experience, tenacity and the simple phrase ‘just do it,’
literally. I had a theater director simply come up to me one day at an
event and tell me ‘You should be an actor, I am a theater director,
if you are interested I would like to work with you,’ and the rest is
history. I had no formal training, I went straight to doing theater
and one thing led to another. Within one year I had 3 plays in my
pocket and began to produce my first original co-written play in
Spanish, where I wore the hats of producer, set and costume designer
and was Cinderella.  I began production of that originally co-written
piece with 18 actors ranging from the ages of 11 to 63 in a 1,300 seat
theater, and signed on with a talent agent. Six months into my second
year I became union, my first radio commercial was for Western Union
and my first Television commercial was an international AOL
commercial. I currently sit on the board for the SAG/AFTRA Chicago.
I've helped with castings for non-union Latino talent for David
O'Connor, the top casting agency of the Midwest and Erica Daniels at
the Steppenwolf Theater Chicago. I worked for Second City as an actor
for a commercial for "Fellowes"
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHjoffTFbk0.) I had an amazing time
writing and producing when I was an ensemble member of Teatro Luna, we
performed our show during the Latino Showcase at the Goodman Theater.
I've directed a documentary entitled, "N.O. immigrates" which takes
an introspective look at the untold story of the undocumented Latino
Immigrants and the issues surrounding the subject in the United
States. I opened up this year with "About Nick and Sam" a short I
directed, wrote and produced working with the fabulous Director of
Photography, Cesar Rios and the L.A. Actress Marisol Doblado and Miami
actor Leandro. Now we are in production for "Making Sex" using
strictly Chicago based actors. For the past 3 years I've researched and
studied the business of Hollywood and thusly with all the years of
experience I've acquired from my advertising and marketing firm
"Hispanica" where I acquired big corporate clients such as Corona USA,
Heineken USA, Miller Brewing Co. and many more as well as acting,
directing, producing and writing I've created MainStream Media Ent. A
production multi-media company focused on producing content for the
"American Latino." please visit www.mainstreammediaent.com.
 

Is “Making Sex” the first film in which you are a director?
If so, what's it like? Do you act and produce in "Making Sex," as
well? 

"Making Sex" (still a working title) is actually my 2nd short
film as Director/Producer/Writer and "N.O. Immigrates" is my first
full feature documentary again as Director/Producer/Writer.  So, no, I
will not be acting in this film."
 

What's everything you would like readers to know about your movie "Making Sex?"

"Making Sex, is an exploration into the human psyche via the analysis
and the juxtaposition of the external world and the internal
conditions we live.  The theory that the state of the world is in
disarray due to the unbalanced nature between our feminine and
masculine aspects while living in the current Patriarchal Society is
placed in a very non-conventional way.  Two Film Directors have teamed
together bringing very different screenplays and elements in a
symbiotic and organic way.  Candy Minx, Canadian Director, explores
the dichotomy of transgender and androgyny in women.  Zandra Rivera,
American Director, explores battle of the sexes and what it truly
means to balance your own masculine and feminine natures as opposed to
the internal battles we are faced with on a daily basis. All human
beings are made of both masculine and feminine, what has happened due
to our society being Patriarchal, male dominant, is absolute
unbalance.  Due to this, we as humans, are not as in touch with our
feminine side, heterosexual men, primarily.  This makes for fear of
the feminine power or energy and sometimes even a loathing of the
feminine occurs because we are so disconnected from this very
fundamental human aspect.  So when the feminine nature asserts her
power we sometimes call it bitch or many other words to describe
courage and the feminine anima or will, simply because we do not
understand it or we have forgotten. A lot like when Mother Nature
asserts her absolute strength over us, we are rendered powerless.
Something important to note when viewing the film is that these
characters are mythos; they represent humanities masculinity and
femininity confronted by a patriarchal society.  Not two humans
playing out drama but it is more of a bird’s eye view of all of us.  We
are unbalanced and not our true self.  This has a tendency to lead to
destruction as our history clearly has demonstrated."
 
 

I know you're friends with Candy Minx (Actress and Director of
Jigsaw) what can you say about the project ("Making Sex") you are kind
of working together on?

"It's interesting that we chose to explore
these two contrasting topics and bring them together in post in a
dynamic and organic way.  I know I have my script, she has hers and we
will bring the two aspects of the human psyche together during
editing, aside from that we don't know.  I love working in an
experimental format such as this, it's like painting without a plan,
simply to let it all flow in that moment, I'm so excited because I've
never worked in this format nor with another director in film"
 
When do you expect your film "Making Sex" to be available for the
masses to see?

"Spring 2013, it is currently in production.”
 
Lastly, what words of wisdom do you have for struggling actors,
directors and producers?

"First, I want to say that if it is your
passion, meaning you live, breath, think it, every moment then go for
it.  If you have a backup plan this is not for you, it is the type of
industry that you need razor sharp focus, intention and passionate
commitment come what may.  Guess what started my career!  I asked
another actor how he did it, he said, "Just Do It!" literally is all
he said, I took it to heart and haven't stopped since then!!!!"
 
"I thank you, Tracy, for the opportunity to have shared my experience
with you and your readers, I wish you all much success!”
 
For more info about sweet Zandra Rivera, please visit the following site:
www.MainStreamMediaEnt.comZandra

*photo credit Art Miller

^{In an ideal society every person, who has not been wrongly convicted of a heinous crime, would be treated with the utmost of respect. And given enough attention, understanding, empathy, compassion plus fairness, while a part from each other and also when face-to-face. People would be free of prejudice, judgment, discrimination and disgrace. Sadly and disturbingly, we know all too well this is not the case amongst our human race.}

^{Chicago resident Candy Minx (actor, writer and director) delves into such issues by creating bold and clever vignettes for the film “Making Sex” that finally gives Drag Kings, instead of Drag Queens, a face.}

1. What were you like in grammar school, high school and college?

CANDY:” All my report cards said the same thing, "Candy would be a good student if she stopped looking out the window and applied herself." I've been a dreamer my whole life. I'm an army brat and we moved a lot so I was shy early on. Once my family settled in the Pacific Northwest I started getting mad social skills as I got older and into high school and art school. I had a correlation between being in drama class and building sets, acting in plays and working hard in art class that gave me currency socially. I decorated the school dance. I drew art on friend’s coats. I organized plays and people. I wasn't good at school but I was socially sophisticated. I can talk to a tombstone.”

2. Are there any hair and fashion trends that you were a victim to and say to yourself "What was I thinking?"

CANDY: “I love clothes. I don't regret anything I've ever worn. I was a punk and a Goth with a misspent youth at nightclubs in New York and Toronto where dressing lively, sexy and outrageous got you past a line up and onto the dance floor. I'm sure my parents may have regrets about how I dressed over the years though, heh heh.”

3. Could you also please tell enormously nosy people, like me, what your personality was like in school and how it has changed since those days?

CANDY: “I said hi to everybody and talked to everybody once I got to high school. I was a "people person" and still am. High school was when I became aware of the joys of hanging out in coffee shops with friends and shooting the shit. It's a pastime I dearly love and still live.”

4. Did you know from the ripe old age of 6 or so you wanted to get into showbiz, and how did you eventually get into it?

CANDY:” Yes. I was shy and quiet as a kid but I was very obsessed with tv, books, comics, movies and dancing. My sister and I would show off and dance when our parents had parties. Somehow performing and being funny and silly seemed easier than speaking in regular conversation or working at academics.”

5. If you weren't in showbiz, what kind of job would you like to have?

CANDY: “Indiana Jones.”

6. Candy, your IMBD profile says you are an actor and director, so the question " Which hat do you prefer to wear: actress, or director and why?" just came off the top of my head.

CANDY: “I prefer directing. I spent many years doing improv in Toronto and those workshops and performances with a troupe (ZU ZU's Petals) gave me a lot of inspiration for building characters. I love improvising, writing characters and dialogue and then bringing them to life in film. I love working on a film set and the collaborative experience with actors and crew. Note-to-self: update my IMDB profile.”

7. Including "MAKING SEX," How many films have you directed?  What else can you reveal about your career to inquiring minds—who truly do want to know?

CANDY: “I've directed several short films. They have been screened in art galleries, bars, and outdoor settings. I am interested in having film and art cross over into non-traditional but community-based venues as well as screenings in commercial theaters. I've always been obsessed with strange people, people on the wild side or living counter-culture to mainstream. My goal is to insert these kinds of fringe, oddball, misfit, flaneur characters into a feature film. You can see one of my short films on YouTube here :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3cRCzvPS4w

8. What's everything you would like readers to know about your movie “MAKING SEX?”

CANDY: “I don't believe we are written in stone. I believe these characters are reflective of this idea that we are mutable, exploring, questioning, thinking animals. I believe these characters are wrestling against what it means to live with cultural taboos and normalness force-fed onto us...how we can be free to find out whom we are...and that it can be an ever-evolving type of self-questioning. Self-awareness can manifest in many ways. If society force feeds gender onto our personal narratives, what happens when we become the storytellers?”

9. What other future artistic works do you have up your sleeve?

CANDY: "I have 3 documentaries kicking around, some in editing and some ready to be shopped around. One of them is titled MIRL and I've been working on it for 4 years, travelled 7,000 miles, interviewed over 30 people and have about 14 hours of tape. I have an EPK I can share with you here too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NfnBrZ2evA&;feature=youtu.be

10. When do you expect your film "MAKING SEX" (that not only includes your ultra-intriguing vignettes but also those of Zandra Rivera) to be available for the masses to see?

CANDY: “Spring 2013, the film is still in pre-production.”

11. Lastly, what words of wisdom do you have for struggling actors, directors and producers?

CANDY: “Be open-minded and kind to others whenever possible. Our imagination is tweaked when we put ourselves compassionately into other people's positions. Learn from friends, from strangers, from school and workshops. Ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to look foolish. Take workshops with people you admire. I have three people that really influenced me and I was lucky to be in workshops with them. Robin Wood, Guy Maddin and Lisa Steel. All three of these artists/teachers had a natural relationship with film. They encouraged me to see that the camera is like a part of our body. It can be an extension of our body and brain, organic and alive. I also made very strong lifetime friends when I was in college. I learned more from my friends than some of the classes! You need to be driven, you need to experiment, argue and explore weird ideas. Don't be afraid to film weird ideas. It’s okay to break rules and it's okay to follow rules. Have fun! And, “Thanks so much for this opportunity to share with you and your readers!”

For more information on the exceptionally likable and true artist, Candy Minx, please follow the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NfnBrZ2evA&;feature=youtu.be  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3cRCzvPS4w   http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com

*photo credit - Stagg

With the Christmas season comes the good guys we’ve come to love so dearly like Charlie Brown, Rudolph, George Bailey and of course Santa Claus, but it’s also the time for holiday nemesis’s such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Mr. Potter, Burgermeister and the Whoville hater himself, The Grinch. Well, the famous Dr. Suess character, along with the Whos, can be seen at Cadillac Palace through December 16^th in “How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical”.

Certainly far more suited for children, “The Grinch” is full of cartoon-like humor, silly songs with redundant choruses, rhyming dialogue, colorful costumes that are colorful and of course, a big, furry green Grinch. Bob Lauder narrates the story as “Old Max”, the Grinch’s faithful dog, and gets to display his powerful baritone pipes in the favorite “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.

Though most songs aren’t very memorable, the couple that were are sure to stick in your head such as the case with “Who Likes Christmas?”. “The Grinch”, played by Stefan Karl, was as boisterous, hateful and conniving as one would expect him to be. An instant attraction once he took the stage, kids faces throughout the crowd lit up, showing awe and excitement, especially during a sequence when The Grinch appeared to be flying on his sled across the snowy banks to snatch Christmas from the Whos.

Though I am not sure which “Cindy-Lou Who” was performing the night I attended since two actors alternate performances, I will mention both names as having been outstanding in the role, Jenna Iacono and Georgia Kay Wise. Kudos of course to Stefan Karl, as well, for the great job he did in bringing The Grinch character to life.

“How The Grinch stole Christmas” is exactly what you would think it is – a big, vibrant show with lots of songs, childish jokes and lovable characters that stays true to the holiday classic that Dr. Suess created. It is a story of change in someone due to an unconditional good that squashes hatefulness.  

For more information on “How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical”, visit www.broadwayinchicago.org. 

I just love Jeff Garlin's work. It was really great to see him in his second  two week run at Steppenwolf Theater here in Chicago titled, "Closer Than I Appear", a year after his sold out run there with "No Sugar Tonight".

Each show started out with Jeff telling the audience they probably expected that since he was appearing at Steppenwolf, a theater known for it's serious, polished dramatic scripts  that his comedy show would be something he had really written out and planned but then he warns the audience  "I have prepared nothing. I'm relying on my wit." Garlin is a Chicago native, raised in Morton Grove and a Second City Alumna so when he relies on wit and improv based off the audience you really get a great taste of the genius underlying his "work in progress".

Half of the meaty 2 hour plus show was devoted to riffing off the audience including one couple he found out had flown in from  Florida just for his show that night. "We call you gold," he said as he took out his wallet and reimbursed the couple for their Spirit air tickets in cash and gave them his own unused carry on bag as a souvenir.

Garlin is a Jew after my own heart when he chummily relates Hollywood insider secrets like how to know who's closeted in Hollywood based on which way the family picture on their desk faces.  "The closeted executive has his family picture pointed outwards to impress his clients with his  "beard"- the straight man wants his family's faces where he can see them all day."

Although Garlin's unique genius lies in his sometimes meandering stories that suddenly wind back and grab you after winding down several corridors you didn't see coming, like his description of all the stores in an absurdist shopping mall where one store would just have an "old man handing out bags of raisins for free". But his one liners still get me like "If Hostess had only gotten behind pot reform, they'd still be in business" or "I wish I could have raised my wife."

Garlin is happily married and I've read his wife  makes him edit his act occasionally. I loved his joke about napping with young women. Garlin says he would never leave his wife but he still has a strong desire to take naps with pretty young women. "Just a nap, that's all I want to do with them - And let me tell you something, once a beautiful woman takes a nap with me, she never wants to nap with anyone else!"  And on his weight, "I think overeating is the least sexy addiction. I mean think about it, if you drink or take drugs, you will still get laid. I've never seen a woman look at a fat guy and say, Oh man, I want that! I want  to just climb on there and just bang the hell out of him - he must like Entenmann's as much as I do."

It is a great pleasure to hear him in this relaxed yet focused Steppenwolf setting performing and talking about the city he knows so well, "I consume everything Chicago!" and "The Reader gave me a bad review. F-ck the Reader." 

There is something indescribably satisfying about the way he sort of rambles around for a bit then out of nowhere reels us back in, sometimes just by saying, "I lost you for about 20 minutes there. It's okay, I'm going to give the audience members with A-D-D a chance to escape early."

Garlin looks and is admittedly much healthier physically than he was last year but still jokes about his appearance wearing black jeans and a t- shirt by saying , I am  the most comfortable comedian in show business, not the funniest- but the most comfortable. Experiencing him bouncing the audience on his comfy  Chicago born lap for over two hours made me feel like I was at home with one of my funny uncles at Chanukah time. It was comfy AND funny, funny as it gets. I genuinely look forward to seeing his "work in progress" progressing comfortably again next year. 

I felt like Charlie Bucket with a golden ticket. Except my Willy Wonka’s factory was the Chicago Fine Chocolate Show and I had 15 tickets, red rather than gold.

Cake pops, cupcakes, confections, toffee, brownies, and confections of every letter lined the halls of the Navy Pier convention hall where the inaugural Chicago Fine Chocolate Show set up shop up on a cold weekend in November. The popular tourist venue had attracted “tourist” vendors from across the nation and around the block. Over 100 choco-businesses provided samples of their tasty delights and hyped their particular take on the decadent treasure of chocolate to the nearly 14,500 attendees. Businesses present ranged from small, local shops with adorable names - Puffs of Doom, Chocolate for the Spirit - to corporate empires like Fannie Mae and Dove.

While chocolate-eating was my primary concern, chocolate-making was also present. Chefs from the French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago constructed intricate sculptures made solely of chocolate, and live cooking demonstrations were a feast for the eyes and stomach. But my most significant take-away wasn’t the inevitable stomach ache, but some wise advice from a man who led a chocolate and beer tasting in the afternoon.

Clay Gordon, the bearded founder of TheChocolateLife.com, has made a career out of encouragin everyone to use their taste buds to create unconventional pairings, including beer and chocolate. As an expert on neither, but a consumer of both, I enjoyed mixing and matching beers and chocolate chips, paying closer attention to the tastes I was experiencing. I learned the percentages on chocolate packages don’t speak to the quality of the chocolate, simply the ratio of cocoa to sugar and cream. It’s labeling that includes the chocolate’s origin - which farm grew the beans were grown on - that can actually shed some light onto the chocolate’s story and history. It’s the story behind the chocolate that can be as important as its taste.

After a few beer samples, I approached Clay for a quick interview. He repeated a lot from his tasting, and firmly believes in letting people discover tastes on their own and not judging less developed palettes, but what was most interesting about our discussion was the “dark side of chocolate.” Throughout his tasting, folks walked through the aisle, snooping around at chocolate, hunting for free samples. Gordon shared that at one show, someone had tried to make off with $1,000 worth of samples. The mentality for consumers at a trade show (which regrettably included me) is to stuff their faces and get their money’s worth. Gordon shared that it’s just as important to meet the people behind the chocolate, hear their stories, and respect the work that goes into starting a business and travelling to a trade show.

By the end of the 3 hours, I had an appreciation for the dedication of chocolate businesspeople and a severe stomach ache. I went home, passed out for 2 hours, and awoke as if it had all been a dream. My only evidence that I had been there was one final unused ticket, and a new appreciation for the stories behind the pieces of chocolate, which can make for the most delicious pairing of all.