Most Entertaining Week Ever?
Sunday 10/11: Death of a Salesman at the Raven. Tears poured down our faces; cast party lovely; Arthur Miller’s timeless; the production nails every nuance. I didn’t go as a reviewer, but I shared my informal thoughts here because this piece of theater shouldn’t be missed. Bear in mind I attended this production kicking and screaming because it meant missing my Yanks win the ALDS. But catching that opening-night energy at the Raven turned out to be — ready for this? — worth missing the game. After all, live beats televised anything, and at least I was watching a show set in New York. Then again the Lomans would have been Yankee-hating Dodgers fans. And look what good it did them.
Tuesday 10/13: Michael and Michael Have Live Show at the Metro. After doing the interview I posted below, I was especially excited for this. Comedy at the Metro is weird because of the standing. Note to self: The media area in the Metro has bad sightlines and only seats for the early birds. We wound up just standing downstairs. Highlights: Their footage of themselves of Fox news in Detroit; Jessi Klein’s opening set; Showalter’s sweater; Ian Black’s description of his kids’ increasingly creative Halloween costumes; their iTunes-scored dramatic film scenes. Two-person stand-up can be tough, but these guys riff so well I couldn’t help thinking how cool it would be to see them just put down the mics and do improv.
Wednesday 10/14: Animal Crackers at The Goodman. Joey Slotnick pretty much reincarnated Groucho Marx, and not just with the external shtick. He got almost scary at times — so smart, so irritated with the fallacies of the upper crust, so quick-witted and yet self-effacing. Unafraid of the corny jokes. You know. Groucho Marx. As Harpo, Molly Brennan was a true clown, with an indelible deadpan grin and perfect timing. The whole cast of nine shined, in fact, and all of the rapid costume changes succeeded is upping the farce factor. Sometimes actors passed behind a scrim for under 5 seconds and emerged as another character. Singing, dancing, all the best aspects of the genre. So much fun.
Thursday 10/15: Double Door. I went last night as a Rolling Rock rep (just 9 days left of that promo!) and caught three bands, each and every one good. I’m familiar with Pretty Good Dance Moves and have some of their music but hadn’t seen them live — and in fact they haven’t played live in a few years — so that was a treat. Sounded great. Will be exciting to see them do more. Clique Talk played Equalizer a few months ago, and I happen to love their dark, brit-pop sound. I was able to watch them for longer this time around, and their set showed some real range. Definitely will check out LP. And finally, headliner Shout Out Out Out Out blew me away. Six guys from a small town in Canada — two on keys & samplers, two on bass, two on drumsets, all oozing with energy and instant classics. People bouncing around the dance floor, good times.
And now this evening: About to go shoot some video of Cheeky’s Halloween event, “Cheeky Gets Vamped” at Chronicles of the Cursed. Haunted house, spooky makeovers, cocktails, Cheeky ladies. Then rushing off to the Chi premier of We Live in Public at the Music Box, and then to darkroom for Arunas’ b-day featuring The Whore Moans and (in the unlikely event I have the energy to stay up for them) Team Band.
AND I found a place that will replace my eroded exhaust pipe for $60. Best week ever, Chicago.