Items filtered by date: November 2007

Most “Rentheads” in Chicago probably thought they’d never get the chance to see “Rent” ever again with its original Broadway cast members. Now, for a limited time, they can. Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart have all rejoined the cast while on its current national tour that can be seen here in Chicago at Oriental Theatre from March 31-April 12^th.

I was happy to see that Davy’s set included the great Monkees songs that he is known most for like “I Want to Be Free” and “Valleri”, but was also pleased to hear him sing songs in which Mickey Dolenz sang the leads such as “Steppin’ Stone”, “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday”.

Insanely funny would be the first words that come to mind in describing New Millennium Theatre’s presentation of Police Academy: Insurgency Emergency. Whether you’ve seen any of the seven Police Academy movies or not, you’ll be sure to enjoy this live adaptation directed by Adam Rosowicz who wrote the script along with Matt Russell.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is extremely funny at times though it remains thought provoking and poignant throughout. Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, director Craig J. Engel calls it one of the best scripts he has ever read – and he might be right. Guirgis masterfully blends humor and witty dialogue with the feelings of loneliness, guilt and heartbreak.

Just before tip off, the singing of the national anthem takes on a more meaningful feeling during wartime. I notice a feeling of pride and determination especially during the last few bars when Bulls fans’ cheers drown out the rest of the song.

Fans dressed in gothic attire and many disguised as bloody nightmares entered the ballroom where a giant six-foot-high chainsaw was sitting atop a stage. Resembling something between The Night of the Living Dead and a Nine Inch Nails concert, the crowd was a big part of the show itself creating it’s own brand of entertainment (for people watchers like myself) before the first act even took the stage.

Friday night was a night to remember for music fans that like it hard and heavy, as the Allstate Arena shook nonstop from one thunderous act after another. Burn Halo, featuring singer James Hart (formerly of Eighteen Visions) played as the ticket’s opener and was quick to show they were ready to take on an arena crowd.

On a snowy Saturday night on a distant back road in quiet West Chicago rock fans gathered in force for what turned out to be a night of partying and mayhem as Winter Fest 2009 tore the roof off Boondocks, a music venue seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

I spent my most recent Saturday at a place called The Spot.  The upstairs area of this venue contained tables and chairs, a bar, and a stage.  I knew what I was here for, yet did not know what to expect.  This place, or Spot as it was, reeked of a casual crowd, all gazing their gawpers on the site of anticipated entertainment.  The stage was small and intensely surrounded by seating.  When the program begins, a woman of impressive bust and brogue introduces our evening and primes us for the main events.  She is soon interrupted and joined by a goofy gentleman claiming to be the "king of mardi gras."

Of course one of my New Year’s resolutions was to cut down on my smoking - it’s the same resolution I make every year! And I have cut down, I probably smoke half what I used to. I hate that sometimes my mind is telling me it doesn’t want to smoke right now, even as my hand is reaching in my purse to light another cigarette.