Items filtered by date: November 2007

As part of their ongoing campaign to fight boredom and encourage super-fun times, Riot Fest announces a series of great shows taking place post-fest nightly as well as a Sunday matinee. Concord Music Hall will host Sublime with Rome and Cobra Lounge has The Lawrence Arms, Against Me! and Quicksand. Andrew W.K. and Rocket From the Crypt will be rocking Double Door along with Peter Hook and the Light, and the Lillingtons will rise with the sun and hit Beat Kitchen for a special brunch show.

Show info is below, ticketing information is here.

Alice in Chains took the stage as the final act of what had already been a full day of rock and roll fun at the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival at the World Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. Kicking it off with the command driven, “Them Bones”, Jerry Cantrell and company put on a show worthy to celebrate former frontman, Layne Staley’s, birthday. Powering their way through what was just a thirteen song set, the band was still able to touch on most of their albums playing songs “Again”, “Would?”, “We Die Young”, “Check My Brain” and “Hollow” from their latest release The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, before capping the night off with an inspired version of “Rooster”.  

This is now the second album tour with the band for singer William Duvall and he couldn’t have had better control of each song performed. Though he may not make fans forget about Layne Staley – not that he would even want to do that – he is sure making a name for himself and has successfully transitioned himself into the shoes of what many thought would be impossible to replace. Duval’s command was impressive and his vocal prowess even more so.

Gloomy and trippy, Alice in Chains, flawlessly drifted from one song into the next aided by a stellar light show and dreamy projected images. With so many bands in the Uproar lineup, their time on the stage was limited. That said, I will look forward to their return to tour the new album to see and hear a more complete set.

Jane’s Addiction also made a noteworthy performance where iconic musical legends Perry Ferrall and Dave Navarro looked to be in prime form. Navarro made his blazing guitar playing look effortless and Ferrall weird antics surrounded his strong and unique vocals. “I love freebase. I love my band. I love the ocean. I love Chicago,” said Ferrall between songs. Ok, so his mid-song banter wasn’t the coolest, but their set was. Songs in their set included “Mountain Song”, “Been Caught Stealing”, “Underground”, and “Ocean Size”. It has been over twenty years since Jane’s Addiction had played at the World Amphitheatre – the site of the very first Lollapalooza, which they headlined.

Alice and Chains were notably that largest acts in the Uproar Festival but it was a full day of loud, rock music starting at 3pm. The talent list was not short as one band impressed after another. The band lineup included Mindset Evolution, Beware of Darkness, Charming Liars, The Dead Daisies, The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show, New Politics, Middle Class Rut, Danko Jones, Walking Papers (featuring Duff McKagen), Circa Survive and Coheed and Cambria.

Bottom Line – The Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival rocked from beginning to end. If you like music on the heavier side that doesn’t lack in quality, there is no reason not to attend such a fun and musically awesome event. I am already looking forward to next year’s lineup.     

For more information on the Rockstar Uproar Fest, visit  http://www.rockstaruproar.com/

Just 30 minutes north of Chicago is a fantastic place to see some really amazing shows in the round. One of those shows is currently playing at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through October 13^th – “9 to 5 the Musical”. Based on the wacky 80s film starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin and Dabney Coleman, Parton has created and score that is as clever as it is upbeat.

It is an age when a woman taking a CEO position was unthinkable, a man’s world where women were merely underlings and often objectified. Welcome to the workplace in the 1970s and the fight for women’s rights. In “9 to 5” we meet three improbable friends who are bonded when they each have to put up with their abusive, sexist and egotistical boss, “Franklin Hart Jr.”. Enough is finally enough when the three kidnap their boss and seize control of the office. When their new ideas are implemented, we see the office change from a sexist and petty rule-ridden atmosphere into a place where employees enjoy coming to work and productivity skyrockets.  

“9 to 5” is funny and flat out entertaining.  The cast features two Jeff Award winners in Kelli Cramer (Violet Newstead”) and Susan Moniz (“Judy Bernly”} and each are as sensational with their impressive vocals as they are with their humorous line delivery. Alexandra Palkovic is also stunning as “Doralee Rhodes” and has just the right amount of country and vocal talent to gracefully pull off the signature role made famous by Dolly Parton.  Of course, for the play to succeed a strong talent would be needed to take on the role of “Franklin Hart Jr.” and they certainly cast well in bringing in James Moye, whose presence couldn’t have been more fitting.  

David H. Bell, who so brilliantly directed “South Pacific” at Marriott Theatre last year, does it again in his creative direction of “9 to 5”. At the same time, Matt Raftery gets big kudos for his wonderful choreography. A charming workplace revenge story, “9 to 5” not only salutes women’s rights but even promotes the legalization of marijuana. This is a fun, toe-tapping show that doesn’t make you think too much. It’s the perfect show to just simply relax and have a good time. Then you can go home and have your own revenge fantasy with your boss.

“9 to 5 the Musical” is playing a Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through October 13^th. Tickets range from $40-$48. For more information, please visit www.MarriottTheatre.com or call 847-634-0200.  

Steppenwolf Theatre

Becky, a 17 year old, played by Rae Gray, is involved with the death of a mentally handicapped friend at a party in Massachusetts. She is sent to visit for one week with her reclusive uncle, Sterling, played by William Petersen, at his cabin in a remote jungle in Costa Rica.

Greg Pierce has written a near perfect two-character play with a brisk 90-minute running time with no intermission. The dialogue is funny and touching in turns but never falls into melodrama or even sentimentality. During the course of the play we learn that Sterling is also struggling to forgive himself for a financial crime that caused a friend to be incarcerated for 15 years, by hiding out in the jungle. Sterling justifies his jungle lifestyle with daily meditation/penance by walking the path of his own man made labyrinth.

William Petersen’s performance is subtle and well crafted at the same time, Petersen acts with his whole body, from head to toe, his every hand gesture is rich with meaning and humor. Even Petersen’s silences onstage resonate passionately with the fullness of a seasoned actor whose senses have thankfully not been dulled by the 10-year stint on his hit TV show CSI.

Rae Gray does a great job of holding her own opposite Petersen in a demanding role. Gray has good comic timing and handles the more difficult scenes with sensitivity and intelligence.

The sound design is wonderful and becomes a sort of third character in the show, as the sounds of the jungle and it’s creatures remind Sterling and Becky about the great power of nature, life and death and destiny that is beyond their control. 

The most rewarding part about this production is the way it unfolds and it’s message about self forgiveness creeps up on you without hitting you over the head like an after school special.

The spaciousness and sparing exactness in which “Slowgirl” was written allows the audience room to consider instances in their own lives that required huge leaps of understanding and compassion to overcome. “Slowgirl” gently and easily leads the audience to feel that forgiveness, no matter what the circumstance, no matter how late, is always practical if not mystical and always possible.

“Slowgirl” is playing in Steppenwolf’s upstairs theatre through September 1^st. For tickets and/or more information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.

(Rosemont, IL ) – “THE RAT PACK IS BACK!,” a tribute to the legendary 1960s stars known as “The Rat Pack,” will play the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, for one-performance-only, Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.  Tickets go on sale Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m.   Photos from the production are downloadablehere. 

All proceeds generated by this performance of “THE RAT PACK IS BACK!”  will benefit Salute Inc., a non-profit organization that provides financial support for military men and women and their families, organized by Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens.  This is the third consecutive year that Mayor Stephens has organized a theater performance to benefit Salute Inc.  To date, the performances have raised more than $80,000.

“THE RAT PACK IS BACK!” takes the audience back in time and space to classic Las Vegas on a balmy night circa 1960 when four show business legends -- Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin -- converged at the Sands Hotel for the first time.  These stars delivered style with substance, swing with swagger and a non-stop party to which everyone wanted access. 

“THE RAT PACK IS BACK!” unites four of the country’s most accomplished singer/actors.  Mickey Joseph (appearing as Joey Bishop); Drew Anthony (appearing as Dean Martin); Kenny Jones(appearing as Sammy Davis, Jr.) and Brian Duprey (appearing as Frank Sinatra).

In “THE RAT PACK IS BACK!,” Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean are back and do it “just one more time.”   What ensues is an uncanny recreation of one of the Rat Pack’s raucous, antic-filled performances, featuring Bishop’s hilarious comedy and performances of such standards as Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and “A Foggy Day,” Martin’s “That’s Amoré” and Davis’ “Mr. Bojangles.”  Backing the singers is swinging 12-piece live orchestra performing period perfect orchestrations.

“THE RAT PACK IS BACK!” is produced by Dick Feeney (“Viva Las Vegas,” “Showgirls,” “The Great Gleason”). 

“THE RAT PACK IS BACK!”  will play the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.   Tickets are priced from $29.50 - $69.  Tickets go on sale Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. and  are available at www.rosemonttheatre.com or all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. For groups of 15 or more, contact GroupTix at 773-327-3778. 

"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.