Do you hear the people sing?

Instead of eating during my lunch break at Steppenwolf, I used that time to journey downtown and rush Les Mis. 

Good decision, no?

I don't think I've ever deserved a sticker more

Word got around our ticketing office that I had not voted yet, so they insisted I take a long lunch break to go vote. And by that, I mean a standing in line for 3 hours and not going back to work kind of lunch break. I did get slightly nervous as my line got closer to the building and a line monitor stated that we weren't even half way (I had already been there for an hour!). I simply called the CSO to make sure it was ok that I was still there, and they insisted that I wait in that line for however long it would take, which was very sweet and unexpected!

At the end of my long ordeal (for which I was very hungry--remember this was originally supposed to be a lunch break), I finally got to vote... but they didn't give me a sticker. I've never felt like I've deserved a sticker more. I quickly ran and got some dinner before the ballet. I was so tired that I had briefly considered not going, but I'm so glad I did. See my short and sweet review below.

Moulin Rouge the Ballet

This ballet performance was everything I wanted it to be. 

Perfect, stunning, gorgeous! Beautiful beyond words! 

Need I say more?

Sunday on the Pier in the Rain for Sunday in the Park with George

Today, I went and saw the production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This review is best, I think, in three parts.

How I feel about the theater: The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is beyond beautiful. It mimics traditional Shakespearean play houses with the thrust stage and a few rows of seating all around (I was in the 2nd row in the 2nd level, of which there are only 2 rows). If you are ever in Chicago at a time when they have a show, go see it. I might even say go see it regardless of the show just so you can have an experience in this theater. Yes, it's that cool.

How I feel about the show: Oh Sondheim... I've never been your biggest fan. I recognize the difficulty in singing these pieces, but that doesn't mean I ever want them to come up when my iPod is shuffling. I do want to give a shout out to  Carmen Cusack. I saw her as Elphaba in Wicked (Atlanta) and was curious to see someone tackle Sondheim after belting "Defying Gravity" for years. She was—by far— the best thing about this show. I know Bernadette Peters was originally in that role, but I'd rather watch Carmen any day.

How I feel about said show in said theater: It doesn't work. I know other people will disagree, but it just doesn't work. The show is based on creating a painting. This theater has a lot of side view seats (it is a thrust). Do they rework a show that would work perfectly in a framing proscenium? Not really. Well... I'm sure they did. But from my side seat, it certainly didn't feel that way. Most of the action was staged so that those with the front view were taken care of. We couldn't see the whole "picture"  and the whole painting in a frame scene was awkward for all those with side views.

So, to wrap that all up: beautiful theater, play I don't really care for, actress I love being brilliant  and staging that left more to be desired.

I was never one for shoes, but...

Today is my birthday! 

Happy October 6th everyone! 

The start of my day was cheering on Steppenwolf as a Steppenstar cheerleader at the 2nd annual Steppenwolf vs. Goodman homecoming game (separate post with photos soon). After the game ended, we were shuttled to bar near the Cubs to mix and mingle. After spending the beautiful afternoon on the roof over looking Wrigleyville, I decided I wanted to try to rush a Broadway show for my birthday. Carlene decided to make the journey to the Bank of America Theatre with me. We asked the box office agent if we could get rush seats. He said absolutely. I asked what time the show was that night. He looked up at me and said, "2?" "2?" I repeated to Carlene. "What time is it? We left the bar at like 1:30!" It was 1:50. We just made it. Carlene went downstairs and faster than I have ever witnessed in my life, performed a quick change out of her football uniform into play appropriate clothes (as she had no prior knowledge of the days events, I still have no idea where the outfit came from). 

The show pretty much matched expectations. I knew it would be silly. I knew there would be a loose plot line/story focused on drag queen. And I knew Annaleigh Ashford would be fantastic. Given the genre, I can't help but compare the show to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I think Priscilla was overall more fun and heart warming (come one, a little kid kangaroo?). I will give Kinky Boots some leeway; I know it is in previews and currently a work in progress. There were a few things that just didn't make sense (why did he turn homophobic all of sudden in the last 15 mins in order to have a change of heart song at the end? He had the ending viewpoint originally!). I do think Annaleigh was underutilized (her one song hilariously stole the show). 

As with most musicals I drag friends to, I am always curious to how they will react to the shows. I am happy to report that my guest Carlene had a wonderful time. She had told me beforehand that she hates musicals, so I was a little nervous. After laughing and grinning throughout, she enthusiastically asked in my ear during curtain call, "When can I buy this soundtrack?!?," which I'm taking as a sign that she thoroughly enjoyed the show. 

Was it Broadway ready when I saw it? Nope. 

Do I think NYC critics will slaughter it? Yes. 

Would I send friends to go see it anyway? Yes. I don't think the show is groundbreaking, and I don't think it will win any awards. However, I do think that anyone who goes will have a fun time at the theater. You will bounce in your seat. You will grin from ear to ear. You will be basking in the glow of spotlights, sequins, and drag queens  What else could you want for an evenings entertainment?

Steppenwolf Homecoming Pep Rally

Metamorphoses Opening Night

Someone at Lookingglass Theatre Company called someone at Steppenwolf and asked if they could borrow Steppenwolf's apprenti to be stand-bys for opening night. When asked if willing to be a volunteer for this adventure, I responded with a resounding "Yes!" Upon arriving at Lookingglass, they warn us that we may not be needed at all while inviting us to join in the pre-show reception. No worries though! The few apprenti who came along all got seated. I was along the rail in the upstairs of the theatre with a perfect view of pool and no chance of being splashed on!

After the show, they invited us to join their opening night party across the street at... wait for it.. the Ritz Carlton! A few of the apprenti were ready to call it a night, but I was way to curious to see what a party at the Ritz would look like. We go inside, ride up to the penthouse, and immediately feel out of place. The room is cavernous (but a fancy cave, if caves could be fancy) and in the center sits a fountain that would look perfect in the center of New York City park. They hand us champagne, invite us to join in the toast, and show us a wonderful glimpse of a fancier life.

Chilling at the Shedd

Chicago Bound

I moved to Chicago!

 L-R: My first apartment, my difficulties faced while packing, taking Azalea to enjoy her first Chicago deep dish pizza, and the view from the end of my street

Tasting Chicago (in more ways than one)

For those who have not heard, I've been selected to be Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Marketing Apprentice! For those not familiar with the theater industry, this is a big deal! I will be helping to market and spread the word for some of the best, edgy, in-your-face theatre in Chicago. Can you believe it? (Seriously, can you? I cause I sure can't!). I'll try to do my best to keep you up to date, but as I am writing this in December (wait, no I'm not, this is clearly date marked in July!), things may be a tad bit delayed. (Some future version of me may claim that I'm busy with two jobs and seeing a whole lot of theater, but current July version of me knows nothing about what's coming in the next few months!)

To start my Steppenwolf Chicago journey, I decided to take a weekend trip in July to visit. We found the theatre and the office buildings where I would need to go for my first day. We then had an EIU alumni event to attend (my first as an actual alum!) at a Chicago Cubs game. Unfortunately, it sort-of monsooned and we decided to leave after being delayed for 2 hours. After taking the CTA back downtown to the Metra station, the rain had let up, and we found ourselves in the middle of Taste of Chicago. I look at this whole experience as a win. We didn't have to sit through a whole game miserable and wet; instead, we got to sample some of the best food Chicago has to offer! 

Almost Astonishing

I need to start off by saying I am a fan of Broadway in Chicago. Do not fret! I love and am a fan of Broadway everywhere, but for the purposes of this story, you need to know that I am a fan of Broadway in Chicago on Facebook. So, Broadway in Chicago's Facebook status on Thursday was along the lines of "Can you name the five shows that Sutton Foster has starred in on Broadway along with the role in each?" Why yes, Broadway in Chicago, yes, I can. And I did, replied back, and thought nothing of it. Later, while shopping for a poster board in the glamorous aisle-ways of Walmart, I get a text saying that Broadway in Chicago has sent me a message, "Congratulations! You answered our Sutton Foster Facebook question correctly and won..." What? Facebook, don't you tease me! So I did the replying back with the letter "n" about 5 times to get the whole message, which read:

Congratulations! You answered our Sutton Foster Facebook question correctly and won two tickets to tonight’s performance of Sutton Foster at 7:30pm at The Broadway Playhouse Theatre at Water Tower Place. Please confirm that you and a guest will be able to attend tonight’s performance and what name you would like to leave them under at our Box Office Will Call.

Tickets? To see Sutton Foster? Wha-What?!?!

Side note for those who don't know, but I love Sutton Foster (or could you already tell since I knew all the shows she had been in plus roles?). She is amazing and is one of my favorite (if not favorite) Broadway stars. The last time we were in NYC, we went to see a show specifically cause she was in it (no joke, my Dad and I ran to the theatre to make sure her name was on the call board while Mom and Codi went to TKTS). Sadly, after waiting at the stagedoor in the rain, she didn't come out. As for this concert in Chicago? Yes, I knew about it, however, it seemed like a far-fetched idea that my parents would not go along with. But now the tickets were free! We've got to go!

Back to the aisle-way at Walmart. If you were to peer down it at this moment, you'd see the most excited person to ever be in an aisle-way Walmart. I dug out my phone and called my daddy.  "Hey daddy! How long would it take to get to Chicago if we left right now?" I rushed out. "Hmm, with all the construction going on and traffic, I'd say about 4 hours." I check the time. It's 3:39. The show's at 7:30. There was no way to make it to Chicago, find the theatre, park, and get in to the show on time. My wild imagination had already begun to run away with the idea that I would be in Chicago that night- in the city!- enjoying the lovely stylings of Sutton Foster- whom I adore! Oh well... not this time.  I did ask them if I could possibly have tickets to another night (I believe there were 4 shows?), they enthusiastically replied "We'll see what we can do!" so I basically was waiting around for a message from them all weekend (Yes, I was doing the pathetic why-won't-he-call-me? routine). To end a short story that has taken an un-proportional amount of time to tell, they didn't call and I didn't get to see Sutton. C'est la vie, non?

Here, make yourself feel better after reading such a depressing story by listening to "Astonishing" to celebrate my almost astonishing moment. Enjoy!