Author: Gayle
SILVER AND GOLD
With the holidays almost here take a break from shopping and all the hustle and bustle to enjoy the beloved musical “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The musical on stage at the Rosemont Theatre.
The dates are Friday December 18 at 7pm and Saturday December 19 @ 11am, 2pm and 7pm.
For tickets call the box office at 847-671-5100
Half priced tickets are also available.
Rosemont Theatre is located at 5400 N. River Road
Keeping Up With the Capulets
Farewell My Friend: The Romance of Romeo and Juliet – (Re)discover Theatre
When it comes to a play as well known as Romeo and Juliet, the challenge for modern artists is finding a way to
Read MoreJackson Browne at Ravinia
Jackson Browne at Ravinia
In my long career of concert going, I must admit somehow I have never seen Jackson Browne, though I have many of
Santana- Still as Good as Advertised…and Smooth
Santana- Ravinia
I went to see Carlos Santana on a very drizzly Saturday night. The umbrellas of the lawn crowd shimmering like waves on the sea… Excuse me for a moment; I have to cross Santana off of my bucket list. Ok, so where was I? Waves on the sea, blah, blah, blah. Let’s talk Santana. He still rocks. Like he’s been doing for the past 49 years. Half a century. As good as ever. Maybe even better now. Aging like a fine wine comes to mind.
Carlos Santana officially started his career in 1966. While forever sealed in memory as one of the legendary icons of Woodstock fame, he has also put out 23 albums using at least 56 different musicians in his band. His 1999 release Supernatural, was the Album of the Year. He has also managed to put 10 Grammys on his trophy shelf.
Photo by
Ravinia Festival / Russell Jenkins
The Santana Experience is a high energy performnace. At 68, his talk is still soft spoken and of a spiritual, peaceful nature. Conversely, his guitar is as strong a presence on the stage as it has always been.
His band is a perfect compliment to his finger and flat picking, which seems to mostly be done on the G, B, and E (last three) strings with few chords to interrupt his expert weaving on the musical loom. Pepe Jimenez and Karl Perazzo were amazing on drums. Bring in Paoli Mejias on congas to complete an explosive percussion section. It’s hard to believe that a two man brass section (Bill Ortiz-trumpet and Jeff Cressman-trombone) can deliver so much beauty and power. Keyboardist and the other guitarists were great too. Also, awesome vocals by Tony Lindsay and Andy Vargas. Salvador Santana joined his father on stage to sing a couple songs from his new album, nicely backed up by singer Alex Nester.
Photo by
Ravinia Festival / Russell Jenkins
You know how you see something in a brochure or online and the real object or experience doesn’t live up to the pictures? Well, Carlos Santana is as good as advertised- as good as the brochure.
Although Santana has only sporadically been considered a mainstream artist, he gave the crowd beautiful and true renditions of Smooth, Evil Ways, Jingo and Europa. His playing is as fresh as it was half a century ago. Seeing him play was as good as I imagined it would be. And I’ve had 40 years to think about it. I highly recommend him to be placed on your bucket list.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Reviewed by Scott Kirshenbaum
AN OLD SOUL AT HEART
SETH MACFARLANE- Ravinia
As I sat in my Ravinia Pavilion seat on an unusually comfortable August evening awaiting the entrance of Mr. Seth MacFarlane, I, along with most of the audience, anticipated hearing the diatribes of rude, crude and lewd Peter, the stoic, dry wit of Brian and the angry, precocious musings of Stewie- the core of the Griffin family of Quahog, Rhode Island.
Read More
Collective Soul and 3 Doors Down
The weather Monday night at Ravinia was beautiful considering what it was like earlier that afternoon on the North
Read MoreOld Town School of Folk Music – Musical Theatre Ensemble
I have a confession. I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar. And somehow I found my way to the Old Town School of Folk Music. One of the coolest places on earth.
Read MoreKokandy Repeats with Another Hit
Loving Repeating – Kokandy Productions
Kokandy Productions has put on a charming production of “Loving Repeating” a musical in which all of the words and lyrics are taken from the works of Gertrude Stein and which is billed as a tribute to the author.
The performance is staged as a smallish Broadway musical with the exception of the lyrics which are the work of an author known for her experimentation with language and repetition. This does not always lend itself to songs that are completely pleasing; but the listener must surrender in this case, I think to one of the conundrums of artistic endeavor: sometimes the writer’s need for full self-expression supersedes the reader’s need to fully understand.
The imaginative and compact set is filled with reproductions of the numerous modern artworks that decorated the author’s Paris home and is built on several levels allowing the actors to transition easily while the narrator – 
Gertrude Stein herself (played with wry wit by Caron Buinis) provides running commentary from the highest corner.
Gertrude Stein herself (played with wry wit by Caron Buinis) provides running commentary from the highest corner.Chronicling from Stein’s days as a student near Boston to her later years as a celebrated author in Paris, her prose and poetry cover her struggles with what the narrator describes as two of her primary concerns: love and publication.
Director Allison Hendrix has captured the true essence of this piece calling it “an enthusiastic celebration of life, love and art.” Music Director Kory Danielson has produced a lovely lyrical accompaniment that is a pleasure to the ear and expertly performed on keyboards, reeds, guitar/banjo/mandolin, and cello.
Amanda Giles is lovely as the fresh-faced younger version of Gertrude; Emily Goldberg’s (as Alice B. Toklas) standout vocals are a highlight. They are supported by a solid ensemble including Sarah Hayes, Andrew Lund, Jake Morissey, Maisie Rose, Stephanie Stockstill and George Toles.
The performance is staged as a smallish Broadway musical with the exception of the lyrics which are the work of an author known for her experimentation with language and repetition. This does not always lend itself to songs that are completely pleasing; but the listener must surrender in this case, I think to one of the conundrums of artistic endeavor: sometimes the writer’s need for full self-expression supersedes the reader’s need to fully understand.
Highly Recommended
Reviewed by Rebecca Abisdris
Runs July 23 – August 30 at Theatre Wit 1229 W. Belmont Avenue
Tickets call 773-975-8150 or go to www.Kokandyproductions.com
Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com
Reeling In the Years at Ravinia
Steely Dan – Ravinia
Steely Dan began their long career in 1972 with Walter Becker and Donald Fagen at the helm. They saw their most
Read MoreRECOMMENDED SITES
