AUNT LAKIE'S NOT COMING TO DINNER - WRITTEN BY SUSAN RABIN

The Cast 

WALK'N BROADWAY 


WINDY CITY PRODUCTIONS 

As I look around in this cozy little two bedroom house I noticed a sign that hangs near the Kitchen. Following that...everything is pink around the home. It's fluff-fluff. And the furniture is really quite comfortable and more wild pink on the walls. 

Beaded Jewelry is everywhere. The two sisters don't dress in the same manner - and they like to make the two women argue all the time. The younger sister seems to be the a little younger. She talks constantly and complains. Are they happy together? No, No, No. They seem to go exactly the wrong way. The over jeweled sister (Iris) wears more sparkle plenty. Her sister (Claire) wears more calming clothes. There is a knock at the door - and a handsome mail man Scott Gessford is overwhelming. The two women (Iris and Claire) are a bit tougher. Iris loves to make love to the men. However - Claire says "That's a crock of S--T ." She yells out at her sister - "Back up Bitch!" - people have no talent. She says: "Are you the Queen of the Virgins? Put a cork in your mouth - says the "Bitch!" I'm sure I could sit on the handsome Mail Man's Box! Wow! Iris probably is ready to sit on his lap. Her eyes are sparkling - and she just came back from people who have no talent at a party. 

Family Therapy in this family - I'm afraid that they will argue constantly. But Oh...what fun. They are the best fun. And the Post Man certainly lets everyone show all his chest hair. Don't pull any. Do men always do that when they bring the mail? Everything is fluffy around this place - I laughed just about every minute. 

SISTERS love to shock us with family secrets. Yep - they hide the Jewelry between them. What a great time everyone gets at the Phoenix Theatre. Claire (Carolyn Ford Compton) acts like the dependable caregiver. On the other hand - Iris gets rather touchy every time that the The Mailman shows up. He is half dressed - and Iris (Zoe Conner) wants to sit on his lap. Oh My! 

PROVOCATIVE FUNNY & SEXY
Good Luck staying in your seat

You'll love it!  At the Phoenix Theatre 
Playwright: Susan Rabin (A Winner)

THE SUPERB CAST: 

Claire - Carolyn Ford Compton - Iris - Zoe Conner - 
The Mailman - Scott Gessford

Executive Producer: Dave Buchanan - Director: Jim McCunn and Playwright - Susan Rabin 

Set Design: Fred Sharkey - Lighting & Sound Design: Colin Johnson - Sound: Paul Goldberg and Stage Manager: Richard Sargent 

WINDY CITY PRODUCTIONS 
(Hurry while you can) You will only have Fri. Feb 6, 8pm - 
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:00 & 8pm


POSTS: 505 (this day)

51,995 (pageviews)

TREE - REGIONAL PREMIERE - BY JULIE HEBERT

WALK'N BROADWAY 

SF PLAYHOUSE - POST STREET 

"I Call it a Stoop - not a Porch

This play could have been called ROOTS - but that title has been used 

Didi, a white woman from the South shows up on a Chicago door step. Leo, a black man caring for his dementia ridden mother. He has a suitcase full of letters written by his mother to his father. At first he feigns that he doesn't know the real father is, but that proves not to be true. Despite himself he begins to bond with Didi who is his half sister. When his daughter J.J. finds another cache of letters, this time from the father. A new revelation emerges. 

A stunning Nina Ball set provides a perfect back ground for four strong performances. Although the play has a natural break, it plays without an intermission. I found that I should stay in my seat for nearly two hours. You will be well rewarded by this gripping production. 

 A highly-trafficked stage brings an amazing whirlwind message to the audience. These are not peek-a-boo tunics - however. There is someone on the stage that keeps remembering penises. I never knew that the audience was that thrilled. The stage gets hotter.  

Here's the deal. A southern white woman shows up to find out what is going on about an African-American man in Chicago. The Journalist claims to be his half-sister. Ummm- very interesting. Maybe she is and maybe she ain't. 

This stage show at (TREE) becomes a ticking instrument. There are explosive implications that will drag everyone that almost destroys the family. A generational divide tries to communicate. It's not working. 

It's a shocking ending. I almost fell off the seat. Who is she? You will run to see it! 

THE CAST BRINGS US TOUCHING MELODRAMA: 

HERE IS THE SUPREME CAST: Tristan Cunningham*, Susi Damilano*, Carl Lumbly* and Cathleen Riddley*.

Designers include: Nina Ball (Set design), Kurt Landisman (Light design), Theodore J.H. Hulsker (Sound design and Abra Berman - (Costume design

RATING: Six Stars ****** or 

Six Glasses of Champagne******

51703 (page views)
490 Posts (this day) 

  

ALICIA''S MIRACLE - THE DARK SIDE

STORYWORKS: 

THE DARK SIDE OF THE STRAWBERRY 

This gripping hostage drama was inspired by a scientific investigative report. It asks the question who is ultimately responsible for the lethal fumigating of the strawberry fields? The obvious villain is the corporation that makes the deadly stuff. But there is also the government which doesn't enforce the rules and allows all kinds of loop holes. Then there is all of us who enjoy perfect fruit out of season. Without the demand there would be no need for the poisoning. 

In the play the villain is also the victim and the heroine. Life is complicated. Hilary Hess, Brandon Mears & Saria Ocon give sterling performances & powerfully present all sides of the question. Octavio Solis has written an eloquent play & director Jennifer Welch bring out all the salient points. This strawberry smoothie is the perfect blend of entertainment & education. Long may it tour. But kill the Strawberries. Don't let the giant business put terrible things down into your mouth. 

On November 10, 2014, The Center for Investigative published "The Dark of the Strawberry" - the state regulators have allowed dangerous pesticides on food. Especially Strawberry's. 

However miracles don't always happen. Alicia believes in miracles. The story is painful, heartfull and intense. She was having lots of pains. She has a baby in her body. It's easy to shed tears for Alicia - she gives us a good reminder of how we need to live in the now. 

Squash the Strawberries--and shed the heartbreaking. They look great - but they will destroy your body. Unless they are perfect berries. 

Ask this question: When are the hot shots that run corporations? What are they doing for the real people. They know that they were being put to death. 

You all know that you are educated. Don't be fiery and hateful. Be the happiest in the world. We try to do it. 

NOW PLAYING AT "TIDES THEATRE and THE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

STORYWORKS: 

Alicia Milagro

Written by Octavio Solis

Directed by Jennifer Welch

(thru February 2014) 

PRESENT: Six Stars ****** or 

Six Glasses of Champagne******

52609 (page views) 
498 (posts this day) 

FOXCATCHER - IT'S FINALLY WITH US

WALK'N BROADWAY

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET: PASSION - TENSION AND A BIG OSCAR

CHANNING TATUM IS ONE OF THE BEST FILMS THAT I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS. AN OSCAR LOOKS TO ME LIKE TATUM WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE WANTS - and THAT IS WHAT WE WANT. 

This movie is based on a real tension nerve wracking performance. Tatum perfects himself, and hates (brother Schultz). He does not favor (the brother). 

I did not expect this much drama in this film. It continues. Tatum Schultz are fantastic actors. Wow! - but ambiguous and creepy at times. Sports are not really my high spot on the screen - but how can anyone get to greatness? The brothers actually are pretty grim. Both of them try to over throw both of them like cage fighting. 

This story is about Wrestling. Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo - hey, men are men. The men are based on showing how strong they are. And -- how they look. You can't really recognize du Pont (Carell), it's the nose. Many raves has already received acclaim from critics around the world. Carell is very strange in his juicy moments - and he is incredibly haunting. The hooked nose - looks abrasive. I kept my eyes on that nose. 

The film is actually the most perfect movie that I've seen in years. I'm sure that Oscar Time, will keep will keep the guys during some of the erotic bonding.  Of course, the men and the women are thrilled by the looks. Some of Channing's naked body is on the big screen. It's O.K. - it wasn't that close up - but people were sure looking. And I'll bet that you will be also.

Most in the Theatre are extremely bonded to this engaging movie  - especially "Foxcatcher." Everyone in the Theatre gasped about this tremendous epic. Of course all will want to study the faces. Everyone in the Theatre gasped about this through out the day.They are Harrowing characters that I would like to see again and again. They are not Aliens from Space - just action-packed adventure in this game. 

This may easily be the film of the year. The best I can say is....
AMAZING! 

AN AMAZING TRIUMPH !

FOXCATCHER BEST FILM 

RATING: Six Stars: ****** 
or Six Glasses of Champagne: ******


Page Views: 51,475

Posts: 609 (this day)











  

LATE - IS AN EARLY SARAH RUHL PLAY

THE CUSTOM MADE THEATRE

MARIA  LEIGH/BRIAN MARTIN  AND 
LAUREN PRESTON (RED) 

'LATE - IS AN EARLY SARAH RUHL PLAY' 






She is a playwright who's time has come. Yes, Theatres are so eager for a 'new' Sarah Ruhl. She's had early flops - and has always been willing to tackle difficult subjects. We'll she got 'em. 

Mary and Crick are an almost perfect couple. Born on the same day...they have been in love from their 8th birthdays and seem  they have been in love. But not happily together and unmarried, until they have a child that is maybe a boy or a girl. Surgery decides that it is a girl. Crick borrows $500 to buy Mary a picture that he hopes will be valuable...that is if he gets a job. He did get some work - but the Job is not going to get anywhere now. He's a  house husband (Crick). That is a real bore. He pouts around the house and that is a real bore. 

Mary has to take all the misery with her boyfriend. So - she runs off to get away from Crick. In the meanwhile - Mary has secret passions for Chinese soup, Horses and a singing cowgirl who becomes very close to (Red) the girl in the Hills. Near the ending - it looks like things will deteriorate at 'Home on the Range." However, Mary and Red just can't take their arms off between them. Oh, what fun. I love listening to the girls under the desert skies and watching the Beautiful Scenery. Breathless.

"ASTOUNDING - BREATHTAKING!"  

RUNS: A COWBOY SONG - 80 MINUTES, WITHOUT AN INTERMISSION. 
A COWBOY SONG JAN. 8 - FEB. 1st, 2015 




Mary Maria Leigh- Lauren Preston - Brian Martin and Lauren Preston (Red) 

Directed by Assistant Artistic Director, Ariel Craft


RATING: SIX STARS ******  
or SIX GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE******

Page Views: 5l,329 

Posts: 490 (this day) 








  

WALK'N BROADWAY - 'LAW AND ORDER'

Benedict Cumberbatch 

WALK'N BROADWAY 


THE IMITATION GAME 



Alan Turing is the unsung here of World War II. He single handedly the German code Enigma. And he did it all with a lot of hindrance trying to shorten the war by several years - and he saved millions of lives. 

Surprise: After the war Turing was punished by chemical castration. His life was in ruins as he took his own life at 41 years-old. 

It was 50 years after the War he was punished for being homosexualy chemical castration. After his death, Turing was pardoned by the Queen & given some of the honor he richly deserved. 

The film tells three stories: (His school days - and wartime experiences.) Both Benedict Cumberbatch & Keira Knightley give award winning performances. The period photography is stunning. This is the explosive prestige film of 2015. 

RATING: Six ****** Stars or Six Glasses of Champagne******

Stats: 485 (this day) 

50,023  (page views) 

WALK'N BROADWAY 






"INTO THE WOODS"




I THOUGHT THE MOVIE MIGHT BE CHEAP LOOKING. WRONG! IT'S FANTASTIC. THIS STORY TELLING ABOUT FAIRY TALES ABOUT JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, CINDERELLA AND RAPUNZEL WILL LIVE FOREVER. THEY COLLIDE - BUT THEY WILL HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS. 

Some people may think that the musical on a great big screen would put you to sleep. But what we find is that it is magic. Of course you must be careful. The Black Birds might peck out some of your eyes. Hey, it's just good fun. Children also love it. 

The story goes from the musical "Agony". There are a few fascinating Dark moments. I actually should say - some of it is really scary. It's fun to watch the Witch (Meryl Streep.) and Cinderella's Prince (Chris Pine) and the other Prince (Billy Magnussen) - as they pretty much sing the same songs over and over. I Love it - and will never forget "The Woods!"   

The sets and scenery are the best I've seen on the screen in years. And the colors - "WOW!" The movie is very emotional. Do we think that Streep will again get an Award this year? Of course - she will. And don't forget that Sondheim made some of the film. One of the funniest is Christine Baranski - as the wicked Stepmother. Watch the Stepmothers all get together - they are just hilarious. The words and music is unique and uplifting. 

Witch's are all over the place (Ms Streep) - hiding in the bushes She does a great job with singing in the dark forest. You can't always keep the birds off of you. 

This is a great catch in the Woods. Especially black humor and great acting - plus two very handsome Prince's. Some people may not like musicals. I love them. What do you expect? Act like a Kid again and run for life. We did get to see Johnny Depp hiding in the bushes. Couldn't see much - but what we saw were amazing energetic moments. And Scary! 

One guy in the audience couldn't wait to leave. He said: "It was two hours of torture." Really? - I found it to be a great movie - along with the costumes and the songs, the music brought Everyone I heard "I Love It' - but then of course..."I'm a Little Mad!" 

IT'S A VISUAL MOVING EXPERIENCE 

THE MAGNIFICENT CAST: 

STARS: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Chis Pine and others 

CITY NEWS SERVICE

SIX STARS****** 
or your choice - SIX GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE ******

Stats: 488 (this day) 

50,903 (Views)