Final 2009 thoughts

This past week I was reminded of what’s really important: family, friends and kindness. I’ll be toasty and toasting to a peaceful 2010 tonight with Gerald and a few friends in Grant Park. Also: exciting theatrey things are also on the horizon. Stay tuned. Let’s conclude this post with a few of my favorite images [...]

New EDGE review: “The Addams Family”

That familiarly freakish family has brushed up their voices, polished their dance shoes and ratcheted up the energy for a new, multi-million-dollar Broadway-bound musical. And if you’re a softie for a simple love story (with a twist, in both the narrative and physical sense), you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they’ve done to musicalize this [...]

Twi-lighter

I haven’t seen any of those “Twilight” movies, and now I don’t have to. Thanks, YouTube!

Please watch

And while you’re at it, watch this: Thank you.

An open complaint letter to Stephen Sondheim

[Please note the disclaimer at the end of this post. Thank you.] The current Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, currently in previews at the Walter Kerr theatre, has a band of seven players. The original Broadway production, sumptuously scored by Tony-winner Jonathan Tunick, featured an orchestra at least three times that size. The [...]

I heart Chicago

Taken in front of the Shedd Aquarium on 11.14.09

Terri White: from homeless to starring on Broadway

People Magazine and the New York Times have recently profiled Finian’s Rainbow star Terri White, celebrating her amazing transformation over the past year. When the final curtain drops at the end of the new hit Broadway revival of Finian’s Rainbow and the applause is still echoing in her ears, Terri White can scarcely believe any [...]

“I am changing!”: Magical musical costume changes

I heart magic costume changes. So, let’s reflect on some of the best ones, shall we? Let’s start with the aptly titled “I am Changing” from Dreamgirls. This video features a very solid Joyce Licorish as Effie White in a recent regional staging of the show, singing “that other big hit” from the groundbreaking 1981 [...]

Review: “Sex” by Mae West

Prologue Theatre Company’s deliciously detailed production of Mae West’s Sex transports you back to a fringy flapper era where good girls go bad and bad girls try to go good, but ultimately, bad girls just wanna have fun. It’s like “Showgirls,” circa 1920. Well, not *really* (don’t go expecting Charleston-inspired pole dancing); however, just like [...]

Multiple “Pillowmans”

I know very little about Martin McDonagh’s 2003 award-winning play, The Pillowman. However, I do know a coworker who saw a production at Steppenwolf in 2006 and decided she was done with Steppenwolf for a while. However, by the end of this month, I’ll know I great deal more, as I’m seeing two productions — [...]

My mom: on ice

62 years old as of last week, and she’s out there being awesome.

Go see this play.

Last night I saw one of the best new plays I’ve seen in years: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, presented by Teatro Vista at Victory Gardens Theater. Who’d have thought the world of professional wrestling would make for such an arresting evening of theatre? Entertaining, thought-provoking, funny, powerful. Grand. I’m reviewing for EDGE, so [...]

New blog name/new blog header/new domain!

Goodbye “Robertianish”…hello “Confessions of a Chicago Theatre Addict” — or just “CTA”. chitheatreaddict.com First off: a big THANK YOU to all who voted and provided comments. I chose the second runner up — Chicago Theatre Addict. I felt that upon hearing it, you pretty much figured out what the blog was about. I also feel [...]

HELP ME RENAME THIS BLOG!

Last night, I quite embarrassingly learned that my blog name, “Robertianish,” is basically indecipherable. It’s time for a change. Ideally, I’d like something that more clearly defines what this blog is about: 80% Chicago theatre, 20% whatever. Please help! Vote below, and/or submit your own idea:

…the hell?

I’m included in several theatre distribution lists, so I get sent a lot of interesting announcements and press releases (and spam). However, this one caught my eye, and I felt it my duty to share: Theatre A L’Orange will present the World Premiere of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANKENSTEIN, an absurdist re-imagining of the Mary [...]

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