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Not Fade Away: Soundtrack of the ‘60s
I don’t like musicals, on stage or film. I dislike them because they take a perfectly good drama and add egregious singing and dancing that does little to advance the story or explore the characters....
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The day I discovered bluegrass
It was the summer of 1983. The Chicago girl (that is, me) packed up her belongings in her new Honda Accord and set out down I-65 through Indiana for Louisville. A few days later, I was at work as the...
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Wintry Mix: Recent plays, films and music
What have I been doing lately? Not cocooning, when there’s lots to do and see in Chicago. Homage to Molière. Put the actors on stage in froufrou costumes, both male and female, from the rococo era....
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Guilt and trust in the Tunnel of Love
Two Chicago plays, both riveting productions, explore the angst of relationships and the gulf between guilt and trust. Skylight, David Hare’s play at Court Theatre set in the Thatcher era, finds a...
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The day the music died – or lived forever
Fifty-four years ago today was The Day the Music Died, according to lovers of early rock and roll and the lyrics of the iconic song, “American Pie,” by Don McLean. Early in the morning of Sunday,...
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Peter Hook at the MCA: Punk lives on
It was one of those nights I’m glad I live in Chicago …. Peter Hook, bass player of the post-punk band Joy Division, has written a book about the concert and touring life of that band: Unknown...
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Quick cuts: Musical notes
Bouncing all over the place this week on musical topics. Quick Cuts #2 to follow on stage, screen and Chicago. The Grammys and MusiCares Bruce Springsteen was named MusiCares 2013 Person of the Year...
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The joy of reading on the CTA
I never go anywhere without something to read. You never know when you’ll be stuck waiting for a lunch date or a movie time, for a doctor or a freight train (when I lived in DeKalb, the RR tracks...
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Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr Leonard Cohen
A short review of a concert plus my confession about how I became a Leonard Cohen fan. Leonard Cohen performed a 3.5-hour show at the Chicago Theatre the other night, touring with his fine new album,...
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What’s showing? Not for the faint of heart
This is an excellent theater season in Chicago. Both the mainstream and storefront theaters are doing interesting new plays and presenting inventive takes on old material. And there’s always the...
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Richard Hell revisits his life in punk rock
Richard Hell, the punk rock pioneer and author, read from his new autobiography Thursday night at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. The cozy bookstore was packed when I arrived about 20 minutes before...
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Listening to the blues in Corky’s chamber
A hipster string quartet, a madman drummer* – and the inimitable Corky Siegel, collapsing on his back in an ecstasy of harmonica playing. That was the culmination of an evening with Corky Siegel’s...
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Two theater reviews, one inspired by Bruce Springsteen
Two new theater reviews for your consideration. Both are excellent examples of why Chicago is such a great theater town. Homecoming 1972 only runs through this weekend but you can see Mine until...
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June Jam: MDQ + MC Othello
Did you think there was a midsummer night’s slowdown? Nope. Lots of stuff going on in my world. You might be interested in these. They’re suitable for family entertainment or music and theater...
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Molière to Levon on stage & screen
More theater suggestions, one from a Gapers Block review, plus two music films. My rock and roll and film commentary is coming back. I’m working on something now about rock lyrics — and an essay on art...
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Movie Night: Springsteen and I, 20 Feet From Stardom, Picasso Baby
Two music documentaries made me very happy lately. Twenty Feet From Stardom will appeal to a broad range of movie and music fans. The Springsteen film is more for music fans. I’ll also add a lagniappe:...
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Weekend focus: Chicago
It’s Air and Water Show weekend I can hear the airplane acrobats flying very very close to my roof. If you come to the lakefront for the show, take public transportation. Traffic will be bad before...
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This weekend: Chicago
Summer in Chicago is drawing to an end, but there are great outdoor and indoor activities in my city this weekend. Festa Italiana Summer is the time for street and neighborhood festivals. This is one...
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Film odysseys, digital and analog
Here are my strong recommendations on three films that illustrate the history of film and music and how technology has affected both art forms. All three films are fascinating and deserve our...
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Remembering Chile’s 9/11
Remembering 9/11/73, the day that changed everything–in Chile We observed the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center this week. News channels had at least one story on the...
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