Around Town

 

Unlikely as it seems, many of the foods Chicagoans love to snack on will be ready to taste in Chicago’s Grant Park this week. It’s Taste of Chicago part 4. We had Taste in Humboldt Park in June, Pullman in July and Marquette in August.  So now it’s Grant Park’s downtown Chicago’s turn Sept. 8-10. And it’s free admission. 

Also happening is Lakeview East’s Festival of the Arts. Featuring more than 120 artists, live music and local restaurants, it runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Music continues to 10 p.m.

Art on the Mart finishes this season this weekend and starts a new season the following weekend. So, stroll the Riverwalk near Wells Street if downtown Chicago to see what’s projecting on the Mart’s giant canvas.

Jodie Jacobs

 

Everything is coming up roses for Gypsy

 

3 Stars

Lauren Maria Medina as Louise (Photos by Liz Lauren).

A musical fable comes to life at the Marriott’s fine production of GYPSY. Its all-star cast showcases the tale of the ultimate stage mother, Rose, who fights for her daughters’ successes while really wanting her own moment in the spotlight.

 Opening on Broadway in 1959, Arthur Laurents’ GYPSY was nominated for eight Tony awards and has been a beloved classic for generations.

 Taking her daughters across the country in search of that next big gig in the waning days of vaudeville, Rose continually dreams of seeing daughter June’s name in lights. A three-times divorced mamma, nothing will get in Rose’s way, not even a new suitor by the name of Herb, who is kind and loyal.

 Make no mistake, this is a woman’s show, empowering and emotionally problematic.

 When June tires of the act and runs off to get married, Rose channels her interest in her other daughter, Louise, to make her a star.

 The musical features Broadway star Lucia Spina as Rose whose loud, brassy, and booming voice perfectly captures the pushy stage mother. She belts out every song, reminiscent of Ethel Merman who played Rose on Broadway.

 Lucky for the audience, a warm welcome back to the Marriott stage is given to the Jefferson award-winning Nathaniel Stampley as suitor Herbie who is charming and authentic. But having seen Stampley in other Marriot roles like “Man of La Mancha” and “Ragtime,” his amazing talent seems somewhat wasted.    

Nathaniel Stampley (Herbie) and Lucia Spina (Rose )

 The audience watches as Lauren Maria Medina who plays Louise is transformed from a mousy little girl into a confident, successful burlesque superstar, the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee. Her voice is powerful and strong.

 With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show boasts a memorable score including: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

 Kudos to J’Kobe Wallace who plays Tulsa and an ensemble member for his outstanding dancing that took the house down.

 The Marriott production will likely feel different from other GYPSYs  because director Amanda Dehnert working with choreographer Stephanie Klemons and music director Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson emphasized its emotional toll and darker side. 

On a different note: Fans of Nathaniel Stampley will be happy to know he takes the stage in an intimate evening of solo songs and stories for one night only, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. In Songs & Stories: Nathaniel Stampley in Concert, Mr. Stampley traces his career from Milwaukee to Chicago, Broadway, London and beyond.

DETAILS: GYPSY is at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL through October 23, 2023. Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes with one intermission. For tickets and other information, visit www.marriotttheatre.com or call the Marriott Theatre Box Office: (847) 634-0200.

Myra Temkin

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

 

Port Clinton and Deer Path art fairs to browse and shop

 

Port Clinton art fair exhibitor. (Jodie Jacobs photo)
Port Clinton art fair exhibitor. (Jodie Jacobs photo)

End summer with two excellent art shows that are worth a drive to the northern suburbs the next two weekends.

Mark Aug. 26-27 on the calendar for the 2023 Port Clinton Art Festival – Amdur Productions.  Annually attracting collectors and art show lovers for 40 years and ranked among the best shows in the country, it runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Highland Park, IL

What to expect: 240 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, glass, fabric, metal, wood art, jewelry, ceramics and photography. In addition, there are art demo stations, a Kid Zone that includes spin art, drawing and sand sculpture. Of course, there are food booths and live music.

 Labor Day Weekend is the smaller, about 120 exhibitors but really good, juried Deer Path Art League’s 68th Art Fair on the Square. Located in the historic downtown of Lake Forest, it runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 3-4.  For more information visit About the Show | Deer Path Art League.

Jodie Jacobs

Air and Water show features Army Thunderbirds

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

 Photo curtesy or City of Chicago

Spread out the blanket, bring a chair or find a good viewing spot at Nay Pier, the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds are performing this weekend over North Avenue Beach. The Chicago Air and Water Show  Chicago Air and Water Show is officially Aug. 19 and 20, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  in 2023. But people in the know like to go down there on Friday when they practice because the crowd, which has numbered over one million, is smaller.

What to expect: Incredible maneuvers by the Thunderbirds’ F-16 Fighting Falcon, other military planes including the US Army’s Golden Knights, such popular private air-show pilots as Susan Dacy in “Big Red.

How you know: It’s all narrated by Herb Hunter who has been the “Voice of the Air and Water Show” for more than three decades.

Where to watch: North Avenue Beach, Navy Pier,

 Mercury Cruises, Wendella Boats, Shoreline Sightseeing Company, Seadog Cruises, Chicago’s First Lady, the 360 CHICAGO observation deck and The Signature Lounge at the 95th or at its bar, next floor up.

Jodie Jacobs

Jeff Equity nominations announced

 

Goodman Theatre tops Jeff Equity nominations (Photo courtesy of Goodman Theatre)
Goodman Theatre tops Jeff Equity nominations (Photo courtesy of Goodman Theatre)

Jeff Awards for equity productions have been announced for the 2022-2023 theater season. Equity nominations cover 35 companies. Theater goers know there are more production companies in the very theater-rich Chicago area so for the non-equity productions’ nominations announced in March.visit Jeff Nonequity. .

The 2022-2023 Equity Jeff nominees are for excellence in 32 categories for productions appearing from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, They were chosen from 88 Jeff Recommended productions. The winners of the Equity Jeff Awards which is now recognizing its The 55th anniversary, is Oct.  2, 2023, at Drury Lane, Oakbrook, IL.

So many really good productions, the choices are tough.

Goodman Theatre leads the Equity group with 32 nominations in nine productions including two co-produced. Paramount Theatre came in next with 18 nominations followed by Mercury Theater Chicago with 15 and Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Productions and Teatro Vista tied at 13.

For the complete list with categories visit the Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org.

 

The Washington Senators in Marriott theatre's Damn Yankees
The Washington Senators in Marriott Theatre’s Damn Yankees (Photo by Liz Lauren)

To better understand the awards nominations, it is important to note that there is a Play and a Musical category and that productions are divided into size such as Midsize and Large.

See the play and musical categories (ensembles’ plays and musicals is another category)

Production – Play
“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” – Drury Lane Productions
“The Cherry Orchard” – Goodman Theatre
“A Christmas Carol” – Goodman Theatre
“Clyde’s” – Goodman Theatre in association with Center Theatre Group
“The Comedy of Errors” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater
“Dear Jack, Dear Louise” – Northlight Theatre
“Swing State” – Goodman Theatre
“Toni Stone” – Goodman Theatre

Production – Play – Midsize

“And Neither Have I Wings to Fly” – First Folio Theatre
“Clue” – Mercury Theater Chicago
“The Dream King” – Teatro Vista
“Fences” – American Blues Theater
“Is God Is” – A Red Orchid Theatre
“Motherhouse” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
“The October Storm” – Raven Theatre
“Right to Be Forgotten” – Raven Theatre

Production – Musical – Large
“Cabaret” – Porchlight Music Theatre
“A Chorus Line” – Drury Lane Productions
“Damn Yankees” – Marriott Theatre
“Fun Home” – Paramount Theatre
“The Gospel at Colonus” – Court Theatre
“Hello, Dolly!” – Marriott Theatre
“Into the Woods” – Paramount Theatre
“The Notebook” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater
“Once” – Writers Theatre
“The Sound of Music” – Paramount Theatre
“The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Production – Musical – Midsize
“Big River” – Mercury Theater Chicago
“London Road” – Shattered Globe Theatre
“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” – Mercury Theater Chicago

For the complete lists visit 2023 EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES.

Jodie Jacobs

Music Theater Works produces a fun time out

 

 

(Photo courtesy of Music Theater Works)

Highly recommended

The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts’ Center Theatre is the perfect space for Music Theater Works’ The Producers.

Unlike the company’s “Camelot” which was crammed into the small theater, it has the space for Producers director Walter Stearns,’ choreographer Darryl K. Clark’s’ and scenic designer Jonathan Berg-Einhorn’s interpretations of Mel Brooks Tony Award winning musical comedy. They need the space for their terrific dancers and talented cast.

With the excellent singer-actor Thomas M. Shea in the lead as Max Bialystock and David Geinosky as the nerdy accountant-turned producer sidekick, the show rollicks from a scheme to make millions with aBroadway flop to their unintentional, probably disastrous, success as a hit. Kelsey MacDonald as their Swedish bomb/secretary/receptionist Ulla, is a bonus.

The show, which would likely not appeal to conservative theater goers, is what anyone who attends should expect from Mel Brooks who rejoices in off-color dialogue, surprising topis and action. So blame him and co-book writer Thomas Meehan. The funny, rousing, music and lyrics are also by Brooks.

The Producers is a fun break in the theater season.

DETAILS: The Producers is at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts” Center Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL through Aug. 20, 2023. Running time:2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission. For tickets and other information visit MusicTheaterWorks.com or call Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300.

Jodie Jacobs

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

Doing Butterflies and Beaches before Labor Day

 

Butterflies & Blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden

(Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden)

MG It’s hard to believe but Labor Day, that official end-of-summer day, is just a few weeks away but there are still places to go and things to do on the summer bucket list.

The problem is some experiences will disappear at or shortly after Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023.

Among them think butterfly and beach experiences.

Before they shut for the fall, try to get over to Brookfield Zoo in southwest suburban Brookfield or the Chicago Botanic Garden in northeast suburban Glencoe.

They both are located in suburban destinations that are open year-round but the butterflies like warm weather so these exhibitions close shortly.

Imagine strolling through screened in spaces where zebra longwings, swallowtails, monarchs,painted ladies and other species are flitting past and landing on shrubs in a safe outdoor space.

This colorful, picture-perfect experience is happening at Brookfield Zoo just to Sept 8 and at Chicago Botanic Garden to Labor Day.

For tickets, hours and more details visit Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden.

 

Beaches

It may merely seem that swimming and filling the pail with lake water to build a giant sandcastle will las for at least another month but most Chicago-area beach towns will be sending their lifeguards back to school or wherever and swimming without them is not allowed. 

The Chicago Park District site explains that “Swimming is permitted in designated swim areas at the beaches when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am – 7 pm daily. Swimming anywhere else along the lakefront is strictly prohibited and dangerous.” 

The site notes that Chicago has 26 miles of free lake front and the beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Other Lake Michigan towns are likely to have similar lifeguard rules but different price points and admission rules.

Visit Chicago Beaches for more information.

Jodie Jacobs

 

 

 

 

Lolla alternatives

 

'Marvelocity" has original artwork by Alex Ross and superhero figures and busts. (J Jacobs photo)

Nothing wrong with “Lolla” but if you’d rather detour this weekend away from Lollapalooza’s half-million people filled Grant Park, there are a few alternatives. They range from family friendly to something for youngsters, oldsters and “Grateful Dead” fans.

Anyone who appreciates Marvel’s art and characters should head to “Marvelocity, the Art of Alex Ross.” It fills the walls at the Elmhurst Art Musem after drawing fans further north at the Dunn Museum in Northwest suburban Libertyville. The museum is at 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. *(see related Marvelocity note)

Visit elmhurstartmuseum.org/ or call 630-834-0202 for ticket info.

Those folks who appreciate West Town’s restaurants and craft beer scene plus understand its “Dancing in the Streets name and dates of Aug. 4-6, will appreciate the an annual West Town Chamber festival. People in the know understand Aug. 4-6. Think the “Days Between” that celebrate Jerry Garcia. His b-day was Aug. 1 and he died Aug. 9.

For food, beer, art and more festival info visit Dancing in the Streets | West Town Chamber​

Those music lovers who like to relax on a blanket in a tree and sculpture-filled park while listening to Mozart, Rachmaninoff or Beethoven, should head to Ravina Festival in north suburban Highland Park this weekend. Hear Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Marin Alsop and the CSO. Also featured this weekend are the music of Beethoven and Rachmaninoff with Marin Alsop, Yunchan Lim, and the CSO.  Ravinia is at the southeast end of Highland Park and accessible by train.

For ticket, schedule and other info visit Ravinia Festival – Official Site | Online Schedule / Calendar

Jodie Jacobs

(Marvelocity note: for Dunn Museum article visit A ‘Marvelocity’ of Alex Ross and superheroes – Chicago Theater and Arts)

 

Marriott keeps the music alive

Marriott Theatre's joyful revival of "Buddy -- The Buddy Holly Story" stars Kieran McCabe, left, as the titular rocker, Jed Feder as drummer Jerry Allison and Shaun Whitley as bass player Joe Maudlin.

(Kieran Mcabe, Jed Fedder and Shaun Whitley)

4 Stars

After seeing “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” an extraordinary musical production that opened at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, June 28, it’s hard not to think of Don Mclean’s version of ” American Pie” (see Rolling Stones and the “Day the Music Died) .

Of course, the show ends with a darkened stage for the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Holly, two other performers and the pilot. But the lights come back on, the music returns to high intensity and the audience knows Holly’s music lives on.

With “Buddy,” Marriott Theatre introduces another generation to Holly’s rock ‘ n’ roll style and songs. In doing so, the Marriott brilliantly cast Kieran McCabe as Buddy.

Written by Alan Janes, directed and choreographed by Amber Mak with music direction by Matt Deitchman, the production deserves  the long, standing ovation it received on opening.

Other versions of the show have been mostly on national and international tours, but if it returns to Broadway where it opened at the Shubert Theatre Nov. 4, 1990 (and ran for 225 performances), it should star the exceptionally talented McCabe as Buddy.

More than a “jukebox musical” featuring the songs of Holly, those of the “Crickets,” as they were known when they backed Holly, and later, after he died, other rock n’ roll songs of the 50s and 60s time period, it’s clear it takes more than just knowing how to play a guitar. A lot of “Buddy” is showmanship.

You see Holly turn audiences onto rock’n’roll as he moves from a less than successful start in Lubbock, Tx at age 19 where a recording studio manager wanted country, not rock’n’roll, through Nashville, TN and on to the NorVaJak Studios in Clovis, NM, where his and the Crickets “That’ll be the Day” recording was released, May 1957, reached number three on the Billboard Top 100 by mid-September and went on to future successes including in Harlem.

By the end of the show you see McCabe play his guitar backwards, over his head and stop at the piano to add a riff similar to what audiences see in “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Indeed, some of the musicians in Buddy” have played in that show. McCabe was Fluke, the drummer/ Crickets’ bassist Joe Maudlin was Carl Perkins.

The show, a rocking 100 minutes without intermission, magnificently proves, once again, that Buddy Holly’s musical vision, personality and ground-breaking style made him the super star that would live on past his tragic plane crash in 1959 at age 22.

DETAILS: “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” is at Marriott Theatre, 10  Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, IL, now through Aug. 13, 2023 Run-time approx 100 minutes with no intermission. For tickets and other information visit Buddy.

Jodie Jacobs

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

 

A couple of July Fourth Weekend to Weekday options

 

Washington DC Fireworks co-sponsored by the National Park Service
Washington DC Fireworks co-sponsored by the National Park Service

Cruise Lake Michigan

Instead of worrying about getting around downtown Chicago with the NASCAR Race July 1 and 2 in 2023, consider taking a fireworks cruise on Tall Ship Windy that Saturday before or Wednesday after July 4.

It goes from Navy Pier so you get the Pier’s Fireworks without the downtown hoopla and street closures. You can also come down a day early  and stay in the Sable Hilton Hotel right on Navy Pier to enjoy fun rides, a beer garden, restaurants, art exhibits and a vacation with great views.

On the Fourth

Tune in to PBS at 8 p.m. CT July 4 for “A Capitol Fourth,” a really special annual concert from Washington D.C. that features international stars and patriotic music.

Among this year’s headliners are Renée Fleming, Boyz II Men, Belinda Carlisle, the Broadway cast of “A Beautiful Noise (Neil Diamond) the Muppets, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Everly.

Then, stay tuned for Washington DC Fireworks shooting over the National Mall at 9 p.m. CT, co-sponsored by the National Park Service.

Happy Fourth!

Jodie Jacobs