Items filtered by date: November 2007

For many, Ann Landers, the famous advice columnists behind the ever popular “Ask Ann Landers”, was thought to have the perfect life. After all, how could one dishing out advice to so many on so many subjects have any problems of her own? Well, after years of writing marital advice for countless who sought her advice – and millions who read it, “Eppie” Lederer, a.k.a. Ann Landers, was facing her own divorce after a 33-year run. Her toughest assignment to date - writing a column to her loyal followers, the many that revered her as a marriage authority, that her own marriage had fallen apart.

“The Lady with all the Answers” performed at Munster’s Theater at the Center stars Janet Ulrich Brooks as the edgy, but very together, columnist. Set in her Chicago apartment on Lake Shore Drive in 1975, the audience is invited into Eppie’s living room as the famous columnist shares stories about the advice she has given over the years – some from questions quite funny such as which way the toilet paper roll should be dispensed – over the top or from under. Brooks talks to us as though we are her personal guests, interacting with crowd members from time to time. Five minutes into the one-person play, we feel as comfortable as we would in a friend or family member’s home. The play centers around Landers' own conflicts while addressing a letter to her own readers on her marriage failure while holding on to her reader's trust of a relationship guru. Throughout the two-act play, we not only see Landers' compassion for others, but also the honesty that has held her in such high regard. 

“Eppie” talks to us about the many years of providing advice but also touches on her stances, considered unpopular at the time, as a proponent of pro-abortion and gay rights. Likeable, direct, and humorous Brooks commands the stage as “Ann Landers”, who wrote the column “Ask Ann Landers” from 1955 through 2002. Brooks is so engaging as the columnist I could have personally listened to her for hours, never a dull moment to be had, her stories as charming as their delivery.

“I’m tickled I get to play this wonderful woman who devoted a career to understanding people and doing her absolute best to help them,” Brooks said. “I feel as though I grew up with Ann Landers in my home through my mother’s sharing of columns she found funny or helpful or as a conversation starter at the dinner table. She was always very informative.”

Larry Wyatt directs this truly entertaining event wherein Brooks gives an inspiring performance as the advice columnist who was never afraid to weigh in on taboo subjects such as sex. “The Lady with all the Answers” also provides outsiders with a terrific insight as to Landers personal life so that we can appreciate not only her humor and with, but also her genuine desire to heal relationships in need and provide comfort and guidance to those who desperately sought her help. Yes, Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer, a.k.a. 'Ann Landers' was an extraordinary woman and Brooks is nothing less than outstanding in giving us the gift of being her confidants for 90 thoroughly enjoyable minutes.

Janet Ulrich Brooks is magnificent in every sense of the word and is a joy to watch as the beloved, cutting edge advice columnist. At the same time, the creative team of Angela Weber Miller, Denise Karczewski and Michael J. Patrick bring Eppie’s LSD apartment to life with the perfect touches of the 1970’s while Brenda Winstead and Kevin Barthel leave no detail unattended in putting together America’s household name columnist.

Highly recommended.

"The Lady with all the Answers" is being performed at Theater at the Center through August 12th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.theateratthecenter.com.

Penelope Skinner’s latest play, Linda, now receiving its United States Premiere at Steep Theatre, begins with the title character’s plea that attention must be paid…to women of a certain age. The seemingly inconsequential references to King Lear, Death of a Salesman and other tragic male protagonists become progressively more resonant as Linda (rivetingly portrayed by Kendra Thulin), accustomed to being the protagonist of her of life, fights for relevance and “visibility” as she finds herself being pushed to the margins both professionally and personally. Meanwhile, several characters make the case for irrelevance and invisibility. The questions raised by Skinner’s play are both timeless and timely, and she covers a lot of ground in its two and a half hours. Under Robin Witt’s direction, Linda is a scathing examination of the values of contemporary society and the impact that success has on those who strive for it. Linda is both entertaining and infuriating, Shakespearian in scope, and painfully human to its core. In a Chicago theater season that features several plays with middle aged characters trying to remain consequential in a youth-focused society, Linda confronts the issue through an unsparing lens that may make you want to look away, but if you don’t, your attention will be rewarded.

Linda is a senior brand manager at a cosmetics company called Swan Beauty Corporation, not to be confused with another company with an avian appellation, which is rolling out a new anti-aging cream. The author of the highly successful earlier “Real Beauty” campaign, which combined beauty products and self-esteem program, Linda’s marketing idea is “Visibility,” which would focus on women over 50. 25-year-old Amy has a counter-proposal based on her own experience, targeting women in their 20’s and 30’s who may be seeing, and fearing, the first hints of lines and crows’ feet: “Hi, Beautiful.” Amy has been inspired by Linda, but also sees her as a hurdle on her way to achieving her well-mapped life goals: marry by age 26, career well underway by age 29, two children shortly thereafter (because any later and neither her body nor her career will ping back). Amy is pragmatic, ruthless, terrified and terrifying. Making decisions about both of these women’s futures is Dave, who condescends, cuts off and mansplains while extolling his understanding of women. Drifting in and out of the office is Luke, a cheeky, gossipy temp, biding his time before running off to join an intentional community of people who share his belief that everything is an illusion. Linda’s hard-earned reality also includes two daughters. Alice, 25, is struggling to get over a viral photo incident that left her too visible and derailed her plans for a career in engineering. Bridget, 15, has a big audition for a drama academy coming up, and is trying to figure out how to stand out from the crowd, to say nothing of getting noticed by her career-obsessed mother and internet-surfing father. Husband Neil has just started a band, with a younger, attractive frontwoman, Stevie.

Director Robin Witt again demonstrates her ability to let no one off the hook, in a production that ranges from hilarious to heartrending to queasy. As we watch the events of Linda spiral out of control, the layers of complicity become almost nauseatingly clear. On a sleek set by Joe Schermoly (nothing comfortable or homey in this home that Linda has worked so many decades to create), under the harsh, sharply-focused lights by Brandon Wardell, and immersed in the portentous sound design by designer/composer Thomas Dixon, there is no softening of the realities the characters face. Costume designer Izumi Inaba perfectly captures the generational and motivational differences of the players. Props designers Emma Cullimore and Derik Marcussen add the minimal trappings of lives lived in spaces focused on mind and body—no one is responsible for the creation of anything tangible in this world, though they are capable of building and destroying lives.

As Linda, the award-winning executive who is about to be confronted with her legacy in a way she never anticipated, Kendra Thulin delivers a remarkable performance, teetering on the knife edge of a breakdown as she struggles to hang on to everything she has worked for since her early 20’s. Her Linda is certainly not always likeable—she is deliberately unapologetic and sometimes cruel as she tries to be the parent she believes her daughters need, and she is as relentless as those who are trying to unsettle her. As her nemesis and successor Amy, Rochelle Therrien is deliciously awful, but also reveals the fear that propels Amy as she claws her way to the top, belittling others to make herself look better. Destini Huston captures the pain that Linda’s daughter carries from being trapped in a past that she is not allowed to forget, and from being told to “get over it” when no one else is held accountable. Watching Huston’s Alice find another way to deal with her viral fame is both excruciating and hopeful. Caroline Phillips deserves credit simply for her performance as spectator, as 15-year-old Bridget watches the adults around her struggle to maintain their grip on their lives, but she goes well beyond this as she struggles to find her role—literally and figuratively--and get noticed by her parents and the auditors at the drama school where she is auditioning. Peter Moore’s schoolteacher Neil conveys the nice guy qualities that all the other people around him admire while showing his discomfiture with the rock and roll life he is trying on. Lucy Carpetyan’s Stevie, the lead singer/groupie in Neil’s rock band, is coming to terms with not being either Linda or Neil, as she tries to become relevant in her own life. Omer Abbas Salem is maddening and thoroughly charming as Luke, who proves that, with the right attitude, consequences can be for others. As he glibly touches the lives of those he meets, exacerbating their existential struggles, his idea that “everything is just as it should be” if one just lets go of one’s data becomes more than a little compelling. Finally, belying Linda’s belief in her “changing the world one girl at a time” campaign, is evidence that change is a long time coming, in the smug, self-satisfied and casually menacing portrayal by Jim Poole of company president Dave, who still holds all the cards, even if a few women have breached the board room.

Linda is a startling and pointed indictment of first world problems, from the need to remain visible and relevant even if one is not Helen Mirren, to the superficial measures of success that we choose, to the right to privacy that is too easily invaded. Playwright Penelope Skinner offers no easy answers for the mess people have gotten themselves into as she throws the spotlight onto Linda, who at first appears to be the apex of a new social order but ends up being vulnerable to the forces she helped unleash. The play touches on the many ways people find to diminish each other—age, gender, class, career, beauty—and ultimately suggests we may be focusing on the wrong things. Robin Witt and a uniformly strong ensemble, led by a poised yet emotionally raw Kendra Thulin, tackle the layered text with intelligence and wry humor, capturing the unmet potential and alienation of our ultra-exposed, ultra-networked modern lives.

Linda runs through August 18 at Steep Theatre, 1115 West Berwyn, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. For more information and tickets visit www.steeptheatre.com or call 773-649-3186.

*Extended through September 1st

Everybody dies. In fact, Somebody will die very soon. That is not only reality, but also the premise of Everybody, a contemporary take on the Medieval morality play, Everyman. Each night, Somebody will be chosen randomly from the cast to go on the final journey. According to the press materials, this means there are 120 permutations of the cast list, chosen by lottery from a group of actors of different genders, ages and races. For this to happen, the actors playing Somebody have learned all of the lines. In Everyman, first published in 1508, a man is called to account for his life by Death, on orders from God, though he is allowed to bring a companion on the journey to his reckoning. Everyman asks a number of allegorical characters to accompany him, but they all balk, except Good Deeds, which is the only thing that goes with him to the grave. But this is not that play, as the extremely officious and informative Usher tells us. Brown Paper Box Co.’s regional premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Everybody is an engaging, often clever, reflection on what it means to live, and a reminder that Death will come for us all and now is a good time to think about how we are living our lives.

Despite the Usher’s assurance that we are not watching Everyman, Jacobs-Jenkin’s play adheres pretty closely to the source material in structure, except that Good Deeds are nowhere to be found (though Evil is there to the end), which makes the moral a bit less comforting. The reason may lie in the Buddhist origins of the source material, which this reviewer was unaware of until the Usher mentioned it. The play begins, as the original, with “God’s” frustration at the disintegration of humanity. The quotations are added by the actors every time God is mentioned. Death in turn is frustrated at having to figure out what exactly God wants, though he does figure it out, explaining to Somebody that God demands that they go with him, never to return, and prepare an accounting of their life’s work. Somebody is rightfully flustered by this assignment, as so much of their life has slipped from memory and God and Death have not prepared them for this moment. All of this happens before the plot actually gets set in motion with the selection of roles via lottery. The actor chosen to portray Everybody must take the ominous journey to the grave and God’s reckoning, and, as one would expect, it is a grueling and painful journey. But, for the evening, it is somebody else’s journey, so the audience can just sit back and enjoy.

Erin Shea Brady does not shirk from the meta-theatricality of the script. We are in a theater, as we are often reminded, and roles can be cast randomly. This conceit requires absolute commitment from the cast, and they throw themselves into their shifting parts wholeheartedly. The set by Evan Frank offers hardly any place to hide at the outset, and even less at the end. Samantha Corn’s costumes reinforce the allegorical nature of the characters and allow the actors to slip into their different parts. Intimacy Designer Charlie Baker deserves mention for easing the actors into an uncomfortably vulnerable encounter with Love. Sound designer Blake Cordell reinforces the otherworldly proceedings and choreographer Mollyanne Nunn contributes a real danse macabre. Ultimately, because the setting is minimal, it’s all on the performers.

Chelsea David, as guide, catalyst and comforter (Usher/God/Understanding) does a remarkable job ushering both audience and actors, delivering God’s insecure fury at the mess of humanity, and finally as a compassionate Understanding releasing Everybody to their death. David nearly conquers the streams of words she is tasked with through sheer force of will; this is to say that in lesser hands, there may have been a lot more looking at watches in the opening. She also makes it all look effortless. Kenny the Bearded is perfect as the sometimes petulant, always bombastic, and strangely sympathetic Death. Nora Fox plays Time with the certainty of youth, and just the right amount of youthful ‘tude. As neglected Love, Tyler Anthony Smith balances wounded ego, cruelty and ultimately touching loyalty as he demands abnegation from Everybody in return for his presence. The rest of the cast will presumably take turns at the other roles in the play. On the night being reported here, Alys Dickerson made the journey from terrified disbelief to calm resignation feel as wrenching as Everybody’s slow realization of the hopelessness of her situation would. Donovan Session was hilariously fickle as Friendship in this age can be, running through reasons why Everybody might feel depressed, commenting on their many passing connections (how many times they must have liked each other on Facebook), and swearing to stay with her to Hell and back, back being the operative word. Cousin (Hal Cosentino) and Kinship (Francesca Sobrer) offered enough comfort to make their rejections all the more painful. As Stuff, Alex Madda relished her role in ruining another human. The actors returned at the end to play Understanding’s team of Strength, the Five Senses, Beauty and Everybody’s Mind. No need to mention that these attributes fade as Everybody enters the grave.

There are a lot of pointed observations in Everybody about the way humans find to avoid real connections and dodge responsibility for others and the world, but despite all of the cleverness, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins does not seem to have a firm handle on the point of the journey. Unless that is the point. Despite the shortcomings of the destination, Everybody’s journey does remind us to perhaps be a bit more conscious of our lives and the people that pass through them. Director Erin Shea Brady and her game team of actors and designers, led by the indefatigable Chelsea David, have created an immersive and thought-provoking Everyman for the internet age. Though the play sometimes wanders into the philosophical weeds, the sincerity of the company in trying to untangle the mysteries and meanings of this existential journey, and Everybody’s dawning consciousness, is worth at least one visit.

Everybody, presented by Brown Paper Box Co., runs through August 12 at the Buena at Pride Arts Center, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago. For tickets and information visit www.BrownPaperBox.org and https://dime.io/events/EVERYBODY.

When Million Dollar Quartet hit Chicago, it was only scheduled for a month-long trial run at the Apollo Theatre. MDQ was the fascinating story about that historic night when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis met together at Sun Records Studio, the place where they all got their start. They had some laughs and jammed the night away, never to reunite again. Well, we all know what happened. Million Dollar Quartet became a staple show in Chicago and ran for multiple years before finally closing its doors. The show’s writer and director, Floyd Mutrux, now takes us to the beginning when Elvis Presley met Sun Records owner Sam Phillips (Matt McKenzie) as we watch a musical career blossom like we have never seen before and will most likely never see again. The show, Heartbreak Hotel, could very well have a similar success than its predecessor, because it is packed with all the right ingredients to be another smash hit.

Performed at the Broadway Playhouse, Heartbreak Hotel gives us a glimpse to the future success of Presley, starting the show with a scene from the 68’ Comeback Special. Then we go back – to the beginning – where a young, shy Elvis (Eddie Clendening) sheepishly walks into Sun Records to record a song that he’d like to give his mother for her birthday. Prior to his visit we overhear Sam Phillips saying how if only there was a white young man who could capture the essence of the blues and make it his own – he’d become a sensation! Timing is everything. Not overly impressed with him, Phillips assistant asks Elvis what kind of music he likes to sing. Gospel – and thankfully, some blues. But Phillips sees potential after he hears him. After a few sessions of Elvis trying to get his sound at Phillips direction, it is during a break when Elvis and the studio musicians monkey with the blues tune “That’s Alright Mama” by speeding it up and adding a “rockabilly” sound to it, that heads turn, and it is realized they might just have a rising star on their hands.

The story takes off from that point as we see Elvis’ popularity take off, his record more in demand by radio listeners and a slew of sold out performances while touring, including his time with the Louisiana Hayride, a traveling show with several acts that included the likes of Johnny Cash, Johnny Mathis, Hank Williams and even Willie Nelson. Local disc jockey Dewey Phillips (played with precision by Colte Julian) can hardly keep up with the requests to play Elvis’ records. Elvis quickly outgrows Memphis. Of course, the smell of success attracts those who would like to take advantage of such. Enter Colonel Tom Parker (Jerry Kernion). Parker, a former carnival promoter, is as sleazy as they come, but he does have some big ideas and an endless supply of promotional gimmicks up his sleeve. Elvis, now too big for Sun Record’s distribution, is on the verge of being bought out by RCA – and Parker wants to manage him – for 50% of the profits. Well, Elvis does decide to go with Parker, and the rest is history as he becomes the most popular entertainer of all time.

Heartbreak Hotel mimics the style of Million Dollar Quartet in the way the songs are performed to be larger than life, capturing the excitement of the era. A highly animated, slap-happy stand-up bass player (Zach Lentino tearing it up as Bill Black), a twangy guitar with tasty fingerwork (Matt Codina as Scott Moore), big backing vocals and dancers, and, of course, a whole lot of Elvis make for plenty of electrifying action. Many numbers are co-performed by the song’s original artists, Geno Henderson very impressive in multiple roles of B.B. King, Jackie Wilson, Ike Turner and many others. By doing so, we admire, and appreciate, the origin of many songs and the artists that wrote them, and we marvel at Elvis’ creative vision to which he took those songs to a place unimagined at the time. The play hints that Sam Phillips coined the phrase “rockabilly” regarding the music of Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys, though his music traveled to places far beyond as his career matured.

Heartbreak Hotel is packed with early Elvis hits such as “Jailhouse Rock”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “All Shook Up”, but also contains other greats like Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene”, Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” and The Drifters “Money Honey”. Eddie Clendening does a really nice job in capturing the essence of Elvis from executing the moves we know so well to exuding the boyish charm and naivety the future King of Rock and Roll displayed in his younger days. The cast as a whole is well worth the wait and the band just as sensational, Zach Lentino the oft scene stealer with his happy-go-lucky bass antics. Other standouts include Katherine Lee Bourne in multiple roles, Erin Burniston as Elvis' girlfriend, Dixie Locke and Andrea Collier also in multiple roles.

Heartbreak Hotel is the extraordinary, energy-driven prequel of the highly successful Million Dollar Quartet, giving us not only a fun fact-filled history of the beginning of rock and roll, but also an exciting ride from beginning to end thanks to one power-packed musical performance after another. It is a show that can be enjoyed over and over again and is sure to stick around for a lengthy run. Clap along, laugh and enjoy what is sure to be Chicago’s next big show. This show is not just a must see for Elvis fans, but for all rock and roll fans alike.

Highly recommended.

Heartbreak Hotel is currently being performed at Broadway Playhouse. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Music Theory is often a touchy subject in the guitar world. A high percentage of players will tell you it isn’t necessary. I am one of those who clearly disagree with this philosophy. The more you know about music, the better. If all you do is learn a song, you mic the analytical process which helps you digest the music a whole lot better.

The first thing to understand is harmony. Some people will say scales. They are really both the same actually. Scales are merely the link of notes that are related harmonically. A scale is just a harmony. That’s where studying the circle of fifths comes in really handy. There are twelve notes which gives you twelve keys. That means there are twelve points that can be considered the root of the harmonic structure. Key and scale are almost interchangeable. Think of key as a set of notes that can be called upon within a certain harmonic framework. The scale just puts them in ascending and descending order.

Harmony is what explains how scales and chords are connected. The note that the key is named for is the center of activity. The whole thing is based on a pattern discovered by Pythagoras. It is all mathematics. The way frequencies are related. Frequency is the speed at which the air is moved through vibration. That is why some notes sound better than others when played together. Actually, that is subjective but there are harmonies that are considered more pleasant than others. When Pythagoras figured this out the notes were not equally spaced. Some keys were more dissonant than others. Later musicians developed the idea of equal temperament. That means that all twelve tones are the same distance apart. There is not hierarchy. This comes together clearly when you study the circle of fifth’s.

This may be a bit of a difficult concept to understand. Having said that, a little bit of knowledge goes along way. You don’t really need to understand the exact math to understand music. Knowing how keys relate is, in my opinion a must know piece of the musical puzzle. The nice thing is that theory applies to all instruments, not just the guitar. This helps with arranging songs for your band, writing, learning new material, etc. If you have any questions about this or have any other topics for future episodes of For the Guitarist drop me a line. My e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks for reading and don’t be afraid to think while you play.

"Like a cat on a hot tin roof” in English. UK old-fashioned “like a cat on hot bricks”. The phrase is used to describe someone who is in a state of EXTREME nervous worry.

Think about the above definition of the saying "cat on a hot tin roof". It really is descriptive of a type of animal cruelty to watch a cat struggling while its tender feet burn on a metal roof heated in the hot sun of the South. It is really quite extraordinary, the fact that gay playwright Tennessee Williams used this analogy so long ago to describe his character "Maggie the Cat's" precarious position in life having been born without money and being forced to kiss up to her husband, and her father in law, day and night due to their sexist selfishness. 

In Williams personal favorite piece of work, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” focuses on a wealthy Southern family as the story goes behind closed doors to expose their deceptions, insatiability, sexual wants and superficiality. The 1958 film of the same name starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives and Madeleine Sherwood, quickly made William’s tale of dysfunctional familyhood one of his most popular, and one that has made waves on the stage ever since its premier date on March 24th, 1955. Drury Lane Theatre is the latest to mount this classic work and they do it just right. I thoroughly enjoyed this lavish and forward-thinking production from start to finish.
 
Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge does a fantastic job reviving this widely known, classic Tennessee Williams play so that it resonates with modern audiences on many levels. 

In the past, set in 1955 Mississippi, interpretations of the play seem to concentrate on whether or not Brick, the handsome but deeply depressed, alcoholic and unemployed ex-football star is a homosexual because his best friend killed himself over accusations that he might be "in love" with Brick.  

This energetic, fast moving production with the bright breezy, less tormented, "Maggie The Cat" played by Genevieve Angelson with a great sense of humor and normalcy, shows that the REAL issue here is that all of the women characters are equally devalued and left financially dependent in the most worrisome way. See the above definition of the saying " cat on a hot tin roof" whereas a woman such as Maggie is put into such a compromised position by the men in their lives whether it be their husbands, or, in this case, their father in law Big Daddy, played with real menace and ferocity by Chicago actor Matt Decaro. 

Big Mama, Big Daddy’s wife is played by Cindy Gold. Gold does a magnificent job of showing the audience that her character has been demeaned over the years by the completely selfish, ego-maniacal Big Daddy, who refuses to allow his wife of forty years one iota of control over their money, plantation (land) or life choices, even when faced with the prognosis that he has incurable cancer. 

Anthony Bowden has much of the sexy, languid appeal needed for the role of Big Daddy's favorite son, Brick, one who can do no wrong yet sometimes comes off as too young to really convey the desperate nature of his position in life, having no money, no heir and no job prospects. 

I really liked that Angelson’s portrayal of "Maggie the Cat" is played to show that Maggie the cat is NOT evil just because she does not want to have a brood of children like her sister in law with her "five screaming brats with no necks". Nor is her "Maggie" a raging nymphomaniac just because she keeps urging the husband she loves, Brick, to let go of his morbid preoccupation with his friend’s death and make love to her again.  

A wonderful scene which I had not really noticed before occurs between Big Daddy and Brick wherein Big Daddy tries to tell Brick that even if Brick did have relations with his best friend, it doesn't mean he is gay (as if that will comfort him) and Brick finally makes it clear that he is not angry with Maggie so much as he is with himself.

The real reason for Brick's depression and withdrawal from life is that when his friend called him in distress, obviously suicidal over the fact that Maggie called him out on whether or not he was "in love" with Brick or not, Brick does the unthinkable and hangs up on his best friend - just hangs up the phone without a word. Brick feels that his final cold betrayal of his friend’s urgent plea for understanding that day was what prompted his best friend’s suicide - and he may just be right. 

I highly recommend this production for those who enjoy the beautiful, ageless Pulitzer Prize winning writing of Tennessee Williams and for the well thought out performances of many of Chicago's great character actors and actresses. 

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is currently being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through August 26th and carries with it as much heat as Chicago’s 90-plus degree summer days. Full of engaging exchanges, powerful performances and a brilliantly designed set of a dilapidated plantation mansion interior that subtly predicts its occupants impending doom, this play entertains from Maggie’s opening monologue to its very end. For more show information, visit www.drurylanetheatre.org.

“Victims of Duty” starts with Madeleine (Karen Aldridge) sitting aside a clawfoot tub where she knits silently as her husband, Choubert (Guy Van Swearingen), reads the newspaper from his chair. Breaking the silence, she finally asks if there is anything knew in the news. There is not. Same old, same old. Their conversation centers on the humdrum of society. We sense a strong boredom between the two. Madeline enjoys the theatre, but Choubert points out how mysteries are so predictable – crime, detective (Michael Shannon), solved. It is then a knock is heard at their neighbor’s door. The two make little of it. Not much longer, the knock is heard at their own door. Enter the detective. This excites Madeline. She asks him to come in, but at first he says he can’t stay. He’s running late, he shows them his watch. He then comes in. He just has a few questions to ask them. When the two are asked about a missing neighbor, “Mallot with a ‘t’ at the end”, the mundane quickly turns into an introspective journey filled with twists and turns (literally) Choubert and Madeline will never forget.

Written in 1953, French-Romanian playwright Eugene lonesco taps into his own psyche in what is considered his most biographical piece. Choubert’s voyage includes real-life experiences of lonesco such as his tumultuous relationship with his father and a memory where he holds his mother’s hand along the Rue Blomet just after the bombing. “Murder for Two” is as penetrating as it is suspenseful as Choubert is forced to face his deepest fears. Michael Shannon as the detective or “Chief Inspector” is as powerful as they come as he guides Choubert through every step into his subconscious. He plays his character with ferocity and yet with a vulnerability that we can easily relate to as viewers, and to see the passion that Shannon so often exudes on the big screen in such an intimate setting is almost overwhelming. Karen Aldridge also puts forth a powerhouse performance as Madeline and does so by going through a gamut of emotions without skipping a beat. Rounding out the main trio is Guy Van Swearingen as Choubert who not only impresses with finessed acting ability but adds plenty of meat to the role with a strong physical performance, most of which is done while soaking wet. Richard Cotovsky (Mary-Archie Theatre fame) also makes a splash (again, literally) as French poet Nicholas D’eu.

Astutely directed by Shira Piven, takes this one-act play and runs with it showing provocative imagery at just the right moments to add to the show’s intensity. With an artistic team of Danila Korogodsky (Production Designer), Mike Durst (Lighting Designer) and Brando Triantafilou (Sound Designer), all the right touches are in place to make this a truly unique theatre experience. And smartly so, Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald brings back Shannon and Swearingen who reprise the same roles they undertook in 1995 when the play first hit A Red Orchid Theatre. To round out the list of returnees, Piven also directed the play’s first run while Korogodsky was on hand as Production Designer.

“'Victims of Duty’ was the very first show I ever saw at A Red Orchid,” says Fitzgerald. “I am not entirely sure lonesco’s investigation of life made logical sense to me at the time, but it made perfect emotional sense and was viscerally stunning. So much so, that I knew I needed to work with these people in this space. That was 1996. With many of the originals returning, the investigation promises to go even deeper.”

Outside of memorable performances and its unusual setting, what makes this play so engaging is how much is left to the audience’s interpretation. Undoubtably, there are several certain moments that will relate heavily with many. There are several questions posed in the concentrated 90 minutes. Are we the victims of duty? Is it because of our place in the system that our actions should be forgiven to those we affected negatively? For instance, as Choubert speaks with his father – a former soldier - whom he has been so filled with anger for so many years, perhaps realizing that the chain reaction set off by his father’s “duty” must be recognized as the source of certain intrinsic behaviors that could not be helped rather than taking all actions at such a personal level. Maybe he should forgive his father. Maybe we should all have a deeper understanding of those around us and realize how being in such a system, whether the role that had to be taken on, has affected those they love.

Highly recommended.

“Victims of Duty” is being performed at A Red Orchid Theatre through August 5th. For tickets and/or more information visit www.aredorchidtheatre.org.

When we think of traditional whodunits, we think of a carefully plotted murder, a list of suspects, and an inquisitive detective who gradually pieces new clues together until the crime is solved. Marriott Theatre’s “Murder for Two” is just that, albeit a musical-comedy that stars just two actors taking on 13 roles. How is that done exactly? With a lot of precision, spot on timing and with a special actor named Jason Grimm who bravely takes on the roles the twelve party goers (all suspects) as well as the victim.

When a surprise birthday party goes bad and Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney is murdered, small town cop Marcus Moscowicz decides to use his sleuthing skills to find the killer since the nearest detective is an hour away. Everyone in attendance of Whitney’s birthday party are suspects including Arthur’s wife, Dahlia, who relishes in the thought of being a “murderess”, prima ballerina, Barrette Lewis, renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Griff, Whitney’s niece, Stef, who is studying criminology in college, an elderly couple that bickers every chance they get and a handful of other interesting characters. Moscowicz wants badly to make detective and the clock is ticking, giving him less than an hour to solve the crime before he must turn the case over.

Noel Carey stars as Marcus and does a bang-up job as the eager detective-wannabe, perfectly complimenting Grimm as he goes from suspect to suspect – and back again. Both Carey and Grimm take turns playing the piano whether it be for a musical number or just ambience music.

Directed by Jeff Award Winner Scott Weinstein, “Murder for Two” is a fast-moving, suspenseful ride that offers big laughs in rapid-fire succession.

“This production provides a fantastic evening of murder mystery, zany comedy, and true virtuoso performances. There are only two performers that take on 13 roles throughout the entire 90 minutes, “says Weinstein. “They not only remain on the stage for the entire show, but one or both of them are also playing the piano throughout. Whether you are a fan of comedy, mystery, or anything in between, this production will have you begging for more.”

Weinstein couldn’t be more correct. Grimm’s ability to go from personality to personality without pause is nothing less than astonishing. The script is rich with humor and holds the perfect amount of suspense. The set's impressive revolving stage keeps all the action moving - literally.

“It is 90 minutes of nothing but silly,” Grimm says. “One character accidentally incriminates himself. One character, for attention, loves the idea that she is a suspect and basks in it.”

Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair are the writers behind this exciting comedy and Carey and Grimm couldn’t be better cast (Carey has starred as Marcus in the musical’s national tour).

Highly recommended.

“Murder for Two is being performed at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through August 26th. For tickets and/or more information visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Margaret and I have had to wait nearly thirty years to enjoy another production of Emerich Kalman’s “Die Csardasfurstin”, often translated as “The Csardas Princess” or “The Gypsy Princess”, and Folks Operetta’s production running at Stage 773 through July 22 was well worth the wait. The Csardas, or Czardas, is a Romani gypsy dance which starts out slowly and builds to a wild, exciting finish. The plot is by no means original – it’s the classic story of the rich young industrialist, Edwin Weylersheim, falling for the low-born and “cheap” cabaret singer, Sylva Varescu, who is socially unacceptable to Edwin’s upper class family. Generally accepted as the finest of Kalman’s compositions and the most popular operetta in European houses, “The Csardas Princess” inexplicably has been overlooked in the United States in favor of the vastly overdone, yet not in the least superior “Fledermaus” and “Merry Widow”. Not to disparage two lovely operettas, but after having seen or performed in dozens of Fledermice and done an equal number of Widows, we have no need to ever see either again. Many thanks to Folks Operetta for bringing this delightful gem to Chicago in an enthusiastic performance.

Written in 1915 at the inception of The Great War, “The Csardas Princess” presages the racial and class distinctions, political upheaval, and economic disaster which would wrack Europe for the next half century. The subtle reference to the strife that was soon to envelope the world gives it an edge completely lacking in other popular operettas. After all, Varescu is a Romani gypsy name and the Csardas is a Magyar song form. This would have been blatantly obvious to a Viennesse audience in 1915, and both ethnic groups soon would become victims of Hitler’s racial cleansing. With a thoroughly competent new translation by Artistic Director Gerald Frantzen, some of the original period references were diminished, but were replaced by subtle references to our current social and political state of affairs which made “The Csardas Princess” unusually relevant to the 21st Century audience.

“Csardas Princess” was charmingly and crisply staged by Gerald Frantzen, in a way that made complete sense of a typically convoluted plot. The only rather odd staging devices were an opening unaccompanied “prequel” featuring the three principal characters as children. Although well performed by the silvery voiced Clara Frantzen as Sylva, Kaden Krumrei as Edwin, and Emily Churchouse as Edwin’s cousin Stasi, the implication that Edwin and Sylva knew each other from childhood blurred racial and class distinctions, diminishing the essential dramatic conflict later on.  The other device introduced Sylva Varescu, the Csardas Princess and star of the Orpheum Theater in Budapest, along with her supporting glamorous chorus girls, as mere working girls in a factory. That would work, if one was intentionally trying to make a socialist statement about downtrodden workers vs. aristocratic factory owners. In that case there needs to be some kind of conflict between the workers and management. There wasn’t. Instead, there was a chorus of very attractive women dressed in shapeless industrial smocks making the scene seem like a rather staid and Puritanical cross between the urchins from “Annie” and the cigarette girls from “Carmen”.  Most importantly, it prevented the audience from understanding the star power of the glamorous diva Sylva and the source of Edwin’s extreme infatuation with her. Once the smocks came off however, they revealed pleasingly attractive and flattering period costumes by Patti Roeder.

The Thrust space in Stage 773 is by no means an ideal venue for a fully staged opera with orchestra, but Folks Operetta dealt with the limitations with aplomb. Stage 773 is essentially a black box space with no orchestra pit to provide balance between orchestra and singers, and without blocking sight lines for the audience. Folks Operetta solved the problem by positioning the orchestra upstage of the scenery with a video monitor in the house for the singers to see Conductor Mark A. Taylor. This was a daring and risky decision, but Mr. Taylor is an extremely talented and stylistically sensitive conductor who never once allowed the excellent 19 piece orchestra to overwhelm the singers, while maintaining an exquisitely tight ensemble without any direct contact with the stage. We don’t know if credit is due to Mr. Taylor for the impeccable diction of every single singer, but they understood that good diction is a product of good vowel production and not the over-pronunciation of consonants. Not a single word was missed. Kudos to Folks Operetta, as well, for allowing us the luxury of Harp player Lillian Reasnor. The “harp” stop on a synthesizer could never have replaced her.

Katherine Petersen provided a lovely presence and well produced lyric soprano to the role of Sylva Varescu, usually sung by a fuller spinto soprano. Her self-assured honesty and directness, her sympathetic vulnerability won our hearts. However, as the famous diva, she seemed a bit reserved and lacked the effusively glamorous “star power” which the Csardas Princess of the Orpheum would require.

Jonathan Zeng was an elegant and dashing Edwin Weylersheim. Handsome and slim, he was the perfect picture of a young lover. His reliable tenor voice handled the role with ease. Kalman was not always kind to his singers, and the first duet for Sylva and Edwin lies in a particularly difficult tessitura, which Mr. Zeng and Ms. Petersen negotiated successfully. We have followed Mr. Zeng since he was a student at Western Illinois State University. He has talent, but seemed to hold something back, both vocally and personally.  We think that he may have projected more personal and vocal warmth, tenderness, and passion if he had been allowed to play Edwin as real nobility, instead of as just the son of a wealthy industrialist.

Emma Sorenson, as Edwin’s cousin Stasi, was a revelation. If you can imagine Gina Davis with the voice of Kiri Te Kanawa, you would have an approximation of the impact of Ms. Sorenson. Her tall, slim beauty and warm open presence fills the stage. Her portrayal of Stasi, which often comes across as somewhat bitter and bitchy, was full of wittily impish fun and empathy. We plan to keep an eye on Ms. Sorenson.

Every operetta depends upon an indispensable ensemble of comprimario, or character roles to provide plot twists and conflict, as well as providing expository information to move things along. This “Csardas Princess” benefited tremendously from their contributions. William Roberts brought a luxuriously ample, warm voice and expansive charm to the role of Boni, the bon vivant who acts as Sylva’s manager and accomplice in the Act II ruse to crash Edwin’s engagement party to Stasi. His portrayal was reminiscent of P.D. Wodehouse’s Wooster, albeit on a big-house operatic scale. It was a blessing to hear Bill Chamberlain as Boni’s partner in crime, Feri. His seasoned professional voice, touching humanity, and wry humor were the perfect foil for Mr. Roberts’ bloviating and provided a centering influence for the production. And as Edwin’s mother, Anni Weylersheim, Rosalind Hurwitz’ sparkling wit and energy demonstrated that it is not only the young who enjoy romance. They were joined by a youthful but talented chorus of eight very talented young performers who constantly projected enthusiasm for both the production and the music. We haven’t seen a group of singers collectively have so much fun in years.

“Csardas Princess” continues its run at Stage 773 on West Belmont St. through July 22. Future plans for Folks Operetta include a “Reclaimed Voices” series featuring the works of composers who have been long overlooked, primarily because of the political and racial climate which enveloped Europe in the 20th Century. We look forward to this ambitious series.  

The OperaSwains, Bill and Margaret

Two kinds of people are loving the Broadway musical roadshow Waitress: fans of Sara Bareilles, the multi-platinum singer-songwriter who created the songs and lyrics; and fans of the 2007 Sundance sleeper hit film, Waitress.

That right there is a big built-in audience, and Broadway in Chicago is drawing them in to the Cadillac Palace Theatre – perhaps many of them new to live stage.

In this vibrant, energy-packed show, Desi Oakley plays Jenna, a young woman in a small town, who faces an unwanted pregnancy, trapped with an extremely abusive husband in a loveless marriage (for her, anyway), while working as a diner waitress at Joe's Diner & Pie Shop. (Jenna was played by Keri Russell in the film.)

Jenna’s specialty is pies, and these will be the key for one day to run her own shop – the successful resolution of the story in the film and a made-to-order happy ending for a Broadway show. The staff and customers of the diner provide the de rigueur corps of sidekicks, supporting characters, and chorus of singers and dancers. The sidekick trio largely makes the show work: Charity Angel Dawson is Becky, the tough waitress with a heart of gold; Lenne Klingaman play the ditzy waitress Becky; and Ryan Dunkin is Cal, the diner cook who looks like a tough biker but is really a pushover.

The show is lively and colorful, and avoids veering into the extremes of “manufactured musical” (like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville) or jukebox show (The Cher Musical) – largely on the basis of Sara Bareilles’ excellence as a songwriter. The emphasis by Bareilles also seems to be on how the mother-to-daughter relationship transmits strength, values and aspirations - the baking is a metaphor for all those life values a mother hands off to her daughter. 

Bareilles’ music is generally not the kind you would associate with a Broadway show - which requires big dance numbers, and sufficient belting to the rafters to telegraph the story to the audience. But Bareilles does provide these numbers, as well the dance sequences (though most are done by seated members of the troupe in Joe's Diner & Pie House). We also get the humorous interludes, duets, and the familiar “advice” song styles, such as “Take It From an Old Man” by the wise old man Joe (Larry Marshall).

The more delicate and emotionally expressive style of Bareilles dominates the second act, with small settings away from Joes Pie Diner – making it really like two plays, Act II bringing us the emotional angst and catharsis – as Jenna finally asserts herself and leaves her horrid husband Earl (Nick Bailey is both a hunk and a dastardly bastard) that we associate with the film. (Interestingly, the film's writer and director also played a supporting role in the movie, the role of Dawn. 

Waitress runs through July 22 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. You can't go wrong if you see it, especially if you area fan of Sara Bareilles.