Storefront City Chicago

17 Apr 2013

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub

WHAT: Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
WHERE: 958 W. Belmont Ave. (also 622 Davis St. in Evanston)

OUR RATING: Do it!

Grilled Cheese: an American classic, or at least a quick bite. Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, located in Lakeview right next to Berlin and near the Belmont Red Line stop, seems set to take the esteemed position of hangover hangout. It’s definitely divey, with some fun and colorful revamps of famous paintings littering the wall and chalkboard tables. With ten or so quality grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, it’s hard to go wrong if you want basic food at cheap prices, and also if you want to be convivial in a laid back atmosphere. Complete with a full bar, you can continue your revelry inside, or just grab a sandwich and settle down – we leave the choice to you.

Adam: Grilled cheese is not perhaps the first thing I think of eating late at night – Chinese probably takes the top spot. But, with a pleasant environment and tasty food, Cheesie’s definitely has a lot going for it. Very aware that I should be balancing out the preponderance of cholesterol in the run-of-the-mill grilled cheese, I gravitated towards their Caprese. While I think that anyone from Capri would probably be furious with me for accepting what they would think of as a bastardization, I was absolutely loving the thick mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and basil all smashed together inside a sourdough bun. A side of sour cream and chive dipping sauce made this event of a sandwich even better. My stomach wasn’t completely blitzed, which means this light(er) meal is great late at night.

To supplement this, I tried some fried pickle chips – a crazy good idea. Tart and crunchy they worked a treat and are perhaps the most innovative item on the menu. In fact, I’d love to add these to my Ploughman’s Lunch in the future, but I’m sure I’d have to buy a frier for that, so it probably won’t happen. But further decadence was to be had. For the strong try the 10% abv Root Beer Beer Float. With a dollop of vanilla ice cream in root beer flavored beer, this was adult drink paradise, and upped the diner credentials of Cheesie’s at least three notches. I can see them absolutely prescribing this at an old time drugstore – highly recommended if you want a fun, extremely unusual drink.

Alicia: When I was little, I actually hated grilled cheese, mostly because I couldn’t stomach cheese at all, or any dairy products for that matter. American cheese was the worst. Yet over the years my palate has ‘matured,’ so I’m as big a fan as any of some hot bread and cheese sammies. While American cheese is still my least favorite, and while Cheesie’s sandwich of the month sounded pretty tempting (Veg-e Tales with smoked gouda and veggies on sourdough), I really wanted to go as classic as possible here, so I stuck with the good ol’ Original.

Cheesie’s original grilled cheese sandwich is composed of two thick and luxuriously grilled pieces of Texas Toast, housing both American and Merkt’s cheddar cheese within, and with some must-have tomato soup dipping sauce on the side. My favorite component of the sandwich was definitely the thick slices of Texas Toast, and I was as happy as a clam that while cheesy, the bread was still the ultimate player here, and that grease barely played a part in any bite. The tomato dipping sauce was a bit weak and somewhat odd tasting, but with copious amounts of ketchup available on the table I didn’t fret. Ultimately, I felt that something was missing from this sandwich, and I think I could have gone for a slightly more salty cheese or some kind of herb to add to the mix, but when you ask for classic, that’s pretty much what you’re going to get.

While we thoroughly enjoyed the food and ambiance of Cheesie’s, the service was rather horrific. The cashier was exceptionally rude and the bartender that served us didn’t seem to know what she was doing. After what seemed like ages, we finally got our receipt from the bartender, but we had waited so long the ice cream in our float had practically melted, and our food was getting cold.

Final Thoughts: This place is open super late, and is a great late-night/post-partying option for those who might have the munchies. Whether you go classic or are up for some experimenting, Cheesie’s won’t disappoint you, at least in regards to their comfort foods. Just be careful ordering from the bar.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
16 Apr 2013

Head of Passes

(steppenwolf.org)

(steppenwolf.org)

WHAT: Head of Passes
WHEN: April 4 – June 9, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: 1650 N. Halsted Ave.
RUN TIME: 2 hours with a ten-minute intermission
WHO: Steppenwolf Theatre Company
PRICE: $15-$78

OUR RATING: Do it!

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

As is traditional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues to churn out a plethora of plays that one can classify as “living room dramas;” in other words most, if not all the action takes place in the homes of the characters, and that home becomes a central character in itself. Indeed, the house is one of the main protagonists in ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney’s newest work, set in the Louisiana marshes and brimming with superb oceanic symbolism. The home has a sense of fallen grandeur about it, as its dilapidation turns to ruin, much in the same way we see the decline and fall of the matriarch residing within.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Head of Passes, said by McCraney to be loosely inspired by the Book of Job, charts the course of dying Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce), as she is swept up in the surprise festivities for her birthday, thrown by her adult children. Her life seems to be defined by only pain and devotion to God, one begetting the other, although it seems clear that the question of which came first weighs heavy on Shelah’s mind. Bruce’s depiction is solid and captivating, even if some of the scripting is rather long.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Similarly captivating is actor Chris Boykin, playing the Angel in Act 1 and a construction worker in Act 2. His charisma floods the stage and the parallel between his two characters is riveting and forceful. Our only complaint is director Tina Landau’s ignorance towards the house right audience in regards to staging Boykin, who is turned away from this audience for most of Act 1, leaving them in the dark in regards to many important physical gestures he displays.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Perhaps most powerfully, Scenic Designer David Gallo and Scenic Design Consultant Collette Pollard conjure up Mother Nature in their fantastically magical set design. You can feel the creaks and dampness of the Head of Passes and the ongoing storm outside the house is brought inside with great ferocity. Beginning with a few drips of water on stage, the set is catapulted by winds and rain, ending with the house subsiding chaotically at the end of Act 1. A true feat of engineering, and a wonder to watch.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Scott Zielinski’s lighting design dances hand-in-hand with the scenic design, and one can feel the power of the storm and the magic of what happens on stage with his strings of lights, extreme side-lighting, and the beautiful shadows cast within the home as Mother Nature shifts and does her work. Unfortunately, one is slightly distracted by Michael Bodeen and Rob Milburn’s sound design through it all, as the sound doesn’t seem real but rather far-off and full of static. Perhaps this was an artistic choice, but it’s far too dissonant for our liking.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Ultimately, this world premiere of Head of Passes takes its audience on one heck of a roller-coaster, and leaves us pondering our life choices and convictions and allows us to contemplate how we define our family and our idea of home. Tragedy is an unfortunate yet exceedingly human element to every life. How one deals with it defines their character, whether they be resilient, avoidant, vengeful or forgiving. McCraney’s exploration of these ideas enhances our appreciation for the high complexity of everyday life and how we too must all face tragedy.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
15 Apr 2013

Insomnia Cookies

WHAT: Insomnia Cookies
WHERE: 2260 N. Lincoln Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

Just as the name suggests, Insomnia Cookies are for those die-hard students up studying until the small hours who just need a quick sugar fix. Complete with a cute logo and accessible location near DePaul, Insomnia Cookies looks like it’s set to thrive, just so long as students continue to want cookies. And who doesn’t like cookies?

Adam: Insomnia Cookies is one of the most student-centric ideas I’ve seen for a long time. For those of us who attended university in the last five to ten years, the necessity to have a quick on-campus snack while furiously finishing a paper in the dead of night will be a familiar memory. At my college, we only had a few late night venues open, but I can remember frequenting a certain market more often than not, while trying to put off writing those last few paragraphs on Roman military formations for just a little longer. This particular strategy probably didn’t do much for my health, but at least the paper was finished and I now know the difference between a double envelopment and an encirclement.

Insomnia has a good variety of basic cookies, including chocolate, oatmeal raisin and simple sugar. But I’m a chocolate guy, so I immediately picked up one of their regular sized double chocolate mint cookies. With the addition of mint chocolate chunks, unsurprisingly in green, I didn’t regret the fact I had missed the Shamrock Shake this year, as Insomnia’s cookie was more than making up for it. I also tried the M&M variety, which provided a greater amount of sumptuous chocolate with every mouthful than even the previous cookie. Served warm and in an individual wrapping, these are darn good cookies, but I can’t help wondering if at $1.25 some savvy college entrepreneur might outcompete them. We’ll just have to wait and see, but for now if you’re roaming the streets late at night looking for a fix, Insomnia’s the way to go.

Alicia: With more than 30 locations, this Lincoln Park satellite is the first to hit the city, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some others sprout up in the Loop and even in Hyde Park and Evanston. Honestly, it’s not that Insomnia Cookies’ cookies are that special. I’d rather head to a local baked goods shop and pick up my sugar fix there, but with Insomnia Cookies’ convenience (they deliver!) and late hours (delivery goes all the way until 3am), this is a college student’s version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

I’ve tried three flavors at this chain, including Double Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Macademia. All three were incredible. The key is not which cookie to choose, but to eating it as soon as you get it. The chocolate in the double chocolate chunk oozes devilish goodness, the peanut butter chips seep into the peanut butter batter, and the toasty macadamia nuts and melty white chocolate chips contrast in texture and sweet and savory glory. So as long as you don’t wait too long to gnash on these guys, they’re pretty darn yummy.

Other offerings on hand are deluxe cookies, including s’mores, cookie cakes, ice cream, and what will be next on my docket: cookiewich (ie. ice cream sandwich). Oh, and not to worry – they also provide skim, 2% and chocolate milk (but unfortunately no soy).

Final Thoughts: If you’re in the mood for a late night nibble but can’t leave your dorm/apartment/library because you’re knee deep in work, and your favorite local bakery isn’t open to satisfy your needs (and McDonalds just won’t cut it), all you need to do is dial a few numbers and some fresh baked cookies will be delivered straight to your door. This is also, obviously, the perfect solution on Christmas Eve night when you’ve discovered you forgot to leave out cookies for Santa…

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
14 Apr 2013

Big Fish The Musical

A big welcome to our first Sunday Guest Author, a Chicago playwright and director, who weighs in on the recent pre-Broadway world premiere of Big Fish The Musical. Our guest author is pleased to be joining us as a contributing author, providing a unique perspective from behind the curtain of the theatrical world.

WHAT: Big Fish The Musical
WHEN: April 02 – May 05, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: The Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.)
RUN TIME: 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
WHO: Broadway in Chicago
PRICE: $33-$100

GUEST RATING: Do it!

Picture 1Growing up doing plays in grade school and theater camp, I was endowed with a deep appreciation for the Broadway musical. After five years of living in Chicago though, I’ve come to prefer the intimate to the spectacular and emotional honesty to razzle dazzle, which the Chicago storefront community ably provides. Nevertheless, when I saw the soon-to-be Broadway production of Big Fish at the Oriental Theatre, I couldn’t help but remember my childhood wonderment with everything Broadway.

If you’re thinking about seeing Big Fish, it’s important to understand that this show is geared towards New York. It’s designed to appeal to tourists and present large scale spectacle for mass consumption. There is nothing particularly adventurous about its storytelling or characters. However, in spite of this, Big Fish proves to be tremendously satisfying and echoes enough of what is good about the modern Broadway musical to make you forgive everything that is wrong with it.

(bigfishthemusical.com)

Big Fish is based on the 2003 Tim Burton film of the same name, which itself is derived from the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace. John August, Big Fish‘s screenwriter, wrote the book for the musical, using much of the same dialogue, while the music and lyrics are written by Andrew Lippa, best known for the musical version of The Addams Family. The story is set in Alabama and focuses on Will Bloom’s relationship with his father, Edward. Edward communicates with his son through tall tales about everything he’s done and accomplished during his life, featuring fantastical characters including a witch, a werewolf, a giant, and, of course, a big fish. When Edward is dying of cancer, Will must use the stories to understand the true story of his father’s life and legacy.

(Photo by Paul Kolnik)

I was very eager to see this production and ever since I saw the film, I knew it was strong musical material: a simple, emotional story with ample room theatrical magic. Spectacle is something that Big Fish gets absolutely right. It uses projections quite well, and the spectacle does more than just dazzle: it surprises. Surprise is really one of the great strengths of this piece, and director Susan Stroman‘s visual tricks are effective not because they are lavish or expensive but because they surprise the audience and move the story forward. Andrew Lippa’s score is strong for the most part. There are a few clunkers that don’t belong (hopefully they will be removed before the Broadway run) but also some incredibly successful pieces including like “Fight the Dragons,” “Closer to Her,” and “How it Ends.” The score is not a “hummable” one, and I’m not sure I’d listen to the cast album, but the songs that work serve the play well.

(Photo by Paul Kolnik)

For all the good songs, Big Fish still has a lot of problems, but it’s biggest overarching issue is that it just doesn’t trust its audience. This is perhaps a symptom of it being a commercial production. The creators are so afraid of our attention wandering that they refuse to take their foot off the gas and let the story unfold. They keep the pace frantic, the musical numbers big and plentiful, and moments of character development few and far between. The biggest improvements Big Fish could make before moving to New York involve spending more time with its individual characters in both dialogue and song. There is a wonderful moment where Edward’s wife Sandra (played by Kate Baldwin) sings about her husband, saying, “There’s magic in the man,” a beautiful turn of phrase that surely would work well as a song and a way into her character. However, rather than exploring Sandra Bloom, the song cuts back and forth between her singing and Edward’s encounter with a mermaid. This I think is very emblematic of what is wrong with the production, but it’s nothing some careful changes cannot fix.

(Photo by Brian Harkin)

Additionally, there seems to be a lack of clarity about the show’s protagonist. Make no mistake, Big Fish is Will Bloom’s story. He is the character who changes, who ends the play differently than where he began it. Edward has more stage time, which is fine, but the artistic team needs to find a way to highlight Will’s journey. Frankly, I think the Will role might need to be recast. Edward is played by two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz, and he dominates the stage vocally and emotionally. The actor playing Will, Bobby Steggert, simply cannot match him and never makes a direct connection with the audience. Part of this is because Will is never really given his own musical number early on in the play, a huge miscalculation. What the show really needs is a strong enough actor in this part to be on equal footing with Butz. Yes, Norbert Leo Butz is the marquis name, but his character doesn’t help create a coherent story.

(bigfishthemusical.com)

Tickets for this show are expensive, though they do offer some great promotional offers. If you love musicals and are willing to see something as a work in progress, then this is an absolute must see. The show is only a few changes away from being a front-runner for next year’s Best Musical Tony Award, and it would be a shame for any musical fan to miss it while it is playing in Chicago.

Posted in In Theatres..., See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Apr 2013

Bistrot Zinc

WHAT: Bistrot Zinc
WHERE: 1131 N. State St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

As we slowly make our way around the French restaurants of Chicago, the innumerable “bistrots”, “cafés” and “des restaurants” soon seem to blur into one another, all with similar decor and dishes. That’s why Bistrot Zinc is such a nice change. With a emblazoned storefront set in red and black, but an interior that speaks more to the French farmhouse than the Parisian bistro, with tile floors, tin ceilings and a handcrafted zinc bar, this Gold Coast restaurant is in a swanky neighborhood, producing good, authentic cuisine at middling prices.

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

Adam: When I entered Bistrot Zinc, I knew I had made the right choice. Friendly and helpful wait-staff, brilliant decor and a simple, yet satisfying menu mark this establishment out as one of the better deals in the Gold Coast. Famous for its zinc-topped bar, I was coming for the food rather than the libations, but I’m assured that their wine selection is rather good.

Sitting facing the windows (which are opened on a warm summer’s day), I perused a menu replete with escargot, moule marinières, and onion soup, but it was the Foie de Veau that caught my attention. It goes without saying that the preparation of a good calf’s liver is the mark of a successful French restaurant, and I am pleased to report that Bistrot Zinc does it right. Sauteed calf’s liver comes topped with fried onions and seated upon a bed of crème fraîche mashed potatoes slathered in port sauce. Bacon can also be added.

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

The first thing to notice about BZs liver is the thickness. Generally, veal liver is served ultra-thin, but BZ manages to pull off a thicker cut, without any of the odd grainy textures less experienced chefs seem to produce. Perhaps the most delicious aspect of the meal is the port sauce, which accentuated the “Frenchness” of the whole affair. I would have appreciated the addition of mushrooms or green beans sometimes seen elsewhere, but I was impressed enough with BZ’s liver to be able to fully recommend it to you as a delightful dish.

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

Alicia: Je voudrais…vol-au-vent! Vol-au-vent, French for “flight in the wind” is usually a small hollow puff pastry filled with either a savory or sweet filling. Invented by pastry-chef Antonin Carême in the early 1800’s, the vol-au-vent pastry is usually all about the pastry, more than the filling, but at Bistrot Zinc it’s really the stew of the day that is highlighted in all its meaty goodness. Bistrot Zinc’s vol-au-vent is made up of their stew du jour, which can be anything from chicken to lamb to veal, a heaping pile of their crème fraîche mashed potatoes, and two crispy discs of puff pastry.

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

When our waiter informed us that the stew of the day was veal, I jumped right on ordering the catchy-sounding dish. I was pleasantly surprised in the balance of the dish favoring the stew, rather than the pastry, with a healthy dose of cooked celery and carrots in a tomato-based broth. The pastry was light and airy but also crispy, and yet offered another taste and texture altogether once smothered in the stew. And the stew itself was a complex and savory tour of delicate melt-in-your-mouth veal and crushed tomatoes. The mashed potatoes lent yet another layer, with plenty of herby creaminess. And, of course, the highlight of the evening was when I used their amazingly crispy slices of French bread to soak up the last remnants of my dish.

(bistrotzinc.com)

(bistrotzinc.com)

Final Thoughts: Bistrot Zinc brings the flavor and bright sunny feeling of a classic French bistro without the stuffiness you might find in good ol’ France. And with a healthy sized menu and generous portions, you’ll definitely go home with a full stomach and some satisfied taste buds.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
11 Apr 2013

Yogurtland

WHAT: Yogurtland
WHERE: 1 W. Division St. (new location opening soon at 2468 N. Clark St.)

OUR RATING: Do it!

(yogurt-land.com)

(yogurt-land.com)

Yogurtland, a national chain, opened its first location back in 2006. While the only Chicago location is currently at State and Division on the Near North Side, there’s another one currently going up in Lincoln Park on Clark Street. With so many frozen yogurt shops already in the city, and with a ton more opening this summer, Storefront City gives you the lowdown on this unique franchise with super original flavors, including Salted Caramel Pecan, Dragon Passion Fruit Tart, Lychee Tart and more!

Adam: Those New Englanders are always coming up with something, and in the 1970s they invented frozen yogurt, even though I could have sworn it should have been invented in more health-conscious California. Yogurtland stands out as different to most froyo joints: clean lines, bright open windows and a killer location mean that it’s a pleasure to get your yogurt on here.

Definitely featuring an Around-the-World theme (although they don’t have 80 flavors yet), you are liable to be baffled by the strange combinations you can concoct, each flavor station having three levers, the middle one for a mixed variation on the other two.

(yogurt-land.com)

(yogurt-land.com)

I tried several flavors, comparing them to the more regular fare you get elsewhere, and I can honestly say Yogurtland has done a marvelous job at keeping ahead of the trend. Starting with Spiced Chai, with ingredients sourced directly from India, I couldn’t help but think a maharaja might have prefered the froyo to the tea on a sweltering day in Jaipur.

Next, it was time to head down South to New Orleans for some Bananas Foster. Rich, creamy and with a dash of cinnamon, this is clearly one of the best yogurts they have and makes me wonder why I haven’t had more of these desserts in my lifetime. Red Velvet Cupcake Batter was also on offer, but I tend to prefer the more unusual varieties.

The final two were the best of the bunch: toasted coconut and taro. What’s taro, you ask? Grown in Asia, taros are little tuberous plants that taste a bit like hazelnut, but then again altogether different. Nutty and wonderful, they go great with chocolate toppings, like the chewy fudge brownie pieces on offer. The toasted coconut is also nutty, but in a more traditional way. The toasting seems to bring out a great new flavor, and after sprinkling some coconut flakes on top, you’ll want to come back for more and more.

(yogurt-land.com)

(yogurt-land.com)

Alicia: If you have difficulty making decisions it could either be a good or a bad thing here. There are so many options and combinations, both in regards to the froyo itself, as well as the toppings. But you don’t have to choose just one – you can go as crazy as you want, and like other frozen yogurt shops, you can even sample a bit beforehand to make sure your tastebuds will be happy with the real thing.

Being relatively health conscious, Yogurtland definitely fits my desire for sweets while still being super health friendly. Their wide range of flavors are mostly nonfat and some have no added sugar, and at the same time they offer probiotics and live and active yogurt cultures to keep your body happy.

yl7And while I love tart yogurts and sorbets, I don’t have to stick to these kinds of flavors at Yogurtland and still be healthy. I can go as creamy as I want. So on my first trip through the line of yogurts, I started with their Greek style frozen yogurt – Raspberry Banana. Creamy, delicious, extra protein, and a subtle sweetness. But I had to get some tartness in there, so I went a little wild and added some Boysenberry Tart (raspberry-blackberry-esque goodness), Maqui Berry Tart (all the way from the forests of Patagonia with high levels of antioxidants, and with some additional elements of pomegranate, black currant and blackberry), and then some Guava Grapefruit Sorbet (dairy free, but perhaps a bit too sour for my taste).

And while the majority of my cup was filled to the brim with frozen yogurt (I kind of forgot that there was a second phase including toppings), I give major props to Yogurtland over other frozen yogurt shops for their gigantic variety of fresh fruit, with more than 15 kinds available including kiwi, peaches, blackberries, and whole lychee! I may not have had much room left in my cup, but I made sure to get a lychee in there, and couldn’t have been happier for doing so.

Final Thoughts: With better tasting and more consistent yogurt choices than competitors, Yogurtland seems poised to steal a huge new market share in yogurtness. Load up, feel good and have fun!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
10 Apr 2013

Spring Flower Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory

WHAT: Spring Flower Show
WHERE: Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Dr.)
WHEN: Daily 9am-5pm (Jan 26-May 12, 2013)
WHO: Lincoln Park Conservatory

OUR RATING: Do It!

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

We’ve been missing the blooms and colors of spring this April with this horrid weather we’ve been having, so we took trip over to the Lincoln Park Conservatory for their free annual Spring Flower Show. This year’s flower show features azaleas, which once upon a time bloomed at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. But that’s not all of course, as you’ll see a variety of other spring blooming plants, spring flowering annuals and spring flowering perennials.

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Adam: Conservatories are fascinating structures: the immediate change from cold barren weather to a lush rainforest is instantly appealing, all the more so because spring is so late this year. Wandering through the luxuriant foliage, spotting flowers here and there, it feels a bit like you’re in a scene from Jurassic Park, just waiting for the Velociraptors to strike. In fact, any Chicagoan knows that there are mini dinosaurs hidden in the fern room (and a wooly mammoth who would be far too hot), which are always a delightful little reminder of childhood – try and find them all on the left hand side of the fern room near the pond.

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

The flower show itself is scattered throughout the different rooms, and not clearly labelled, but the bursts of color lead you directly to the blooms. Peonies cluster is beautiful garlands, while heliconia invitingly gape their mouths, wishing that a hummingbird would pass by and take a sip. The red clerodendrum seem to hang from their stems, appropriately enough at hand height, being used medicinally in India to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. Perhaps the most striking plant on display was the red-pink calliandra. It’s easy to spot this one: hanging from a large tree, they look like mini pom-poms.

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Alicia: All your senses are engaged at this annual flower show, providing a much needed pick me up from this past winter and the cold and grey beginning of spring. If the visual and olfactory sensory stimulation isn’t enough for you though, not to worry! Head over to the Fern Room for an auditory experience of Orniphonia 2 by Chicago composer Bob Snyder, running till May 31st.

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Orniphonia 2 is part of Florasonic, a series of sound installation presented by Experimental Sound Studio in collaboration with the Chicago Park District. Unfortunately, Orniphonia 2 happens to remind me of the gosh-darned bird-sound installation in the women’s restroom at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago which was up for far too long, so my experience of this installation was a little marred. Snyder’s soundscape may sound like real bird sounds, but in actuality he creates it electronically using analog synthesis. Circuits generate patterns consisting of cycles within cycles of sounds that interact and change, mimicking the rhythmic behavior of the biological life one would associate with the surrounding environment.

As for the plant life, I suggest you check out the flower of the Kru Banana, a native to New Guinea and rarely found in private collections in the United States. Super colorful, and definitely unique. Their hyacinths are also particularly vibrant and quite spectacular.

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

(chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Final Thoughts: With barren trees and cold temperatures, Chicago is in much need of some loving from good ol’ Mother Nature, and what better way to enjoy the colors and blooms of spring than in a secret garden complete with the colors of the rainbow, streams and fountains, and some relaxing sounds of the outdoors. But indoors, of course.

P.S. For those of you who want to learn more about the iconic part of Chicago history that was the World’s Fair, we recommend The World’s Columbian Exposition: The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, which has fantastic visuals and amazing materials from the time. For the more horticulturally inclined, you can now order the seedlings featured in the show online, including azaleas, heliconia, clerodendrum, calliandra, and hyacinth. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own conservatory!

Posted in Do It!, Tours and Museums and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
09 Apr 2013

The Whale

WHAT: The Whale
WHEN: April 5 – May 5, 2013 (see schedule) (in previews until April 15)
WHERE: Victory Gardens Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Ave.)
RUNTIME: 1 hour 50 minutes with no intermission
WHO: Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
PRICE: $30-60 ($15 for students)

OUR RATING: Do It!

An emotionally-charged and gut-wrenching drama, Victory Gardens Theater’s production of The Whale is a powerful midwest premiere from ensemble playwright and Obie Award-winner Samuel D. Hunter. After the death of his partner, morbidly obese Charlie, weighing in at 600 pounds, confines himself inside his small apartment for years, ignoring his rapidly failing health. Knowing how grave his situation is, he desperately tries to reconnect with his estranged and intensely angry teenage daughter, willing to do anything for her.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Adam: Shocking, fascinating and deeply moving, The Whale lays bare the collision between society and the individual, making us examine this intersection, and the extremely damaged people it leaves behind. Charlie (Dale Calandra) is knowingly committing suicide before us, destroying his body in response to the annihilation of his lover by the deeds of religion.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

A teacher, whose disembodied voice is delivered to students across the wilds of the internet, Charlie is a gentle, sensitive and educated man, whose inability to deal with loss has led to his own destruction. But he is also a selfish man, choosing not to address his previous relations in an adult manner, preferring to defer them to the last minute. Thus, we are left with his struggle to rebuild already lost connections, and the deep regret that accompanies such endeavors.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that we are dealing with a narrative about our society’s current problems: healthcare, religious fundamentalism, discrimination and interventionism are just a few of the topics that spring to mind; but it is clear that none of these issues are actually resolved by Charlie or any of the characters. Perhaps this is because they are unresolvable, or perhaps we lack the will as a society to resolve them.

How did this play leave me? Deeply affected. As Charlie fell further and further away towards his own, self-inflicted mortality, my rage grew, as if I wanted to step into the scene and rescue the whole lot of them through a deus ex machina of my own invention. In truth, we must reflect on the causes of such injustices (economically unequal healthcare, bigoted religion, and isolation) and direct our rage towards them, so that perhaps we are spurned to some action that will overcome these challenges and inequalities.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Alicia: This was one of the toughest performances I have watched in a very long time. I found myself vulnerable and upset during the entire piece, and afterwards for the rest of the evening I was kind of a wreck and felt completely and utterly drained. Perhaps this was because the play hit really close to home for me in a few unique ways, but I think no matter who you are this show will punch through your gut and twist around to add to your pain.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Joanie Schultz directs some powerhouse actors, including stars Dale Calandra (Charlie), Leah Karpel (Ellie) and Will Allan (Elder Thomas). After seeing Karpel most recently in last year’s Next Up repertory at Steppenwolf Theatre in The Glass Menagerie as Laura Wingfield, it was refreshing to see this young actress in a more aggressive role, and I was grateful for her maturity and depth, despite her age. As for Allan, I am always super excited to see this up-and-coming actor on stage, after seeing him in Steppenwolf’s Good People and The March. He’s charming, vulnerable, and plays complexity to a tee.

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

(Photo by Michael Brosilow)

And then there’s Dale Calandra. I only know Calandra from his stint as Aunt Lola Cabana, a drag-character he uses to host benefits, corporate events, roasts and the like. Yet while I recognized Calandra right away from this alter-ego, he immediately transformed into Charlie and I’m not sure I’ve ever believed a performance and a character more than I did his. With help from costume designer Janice Pytel, Calandra took on a 600-pound role complete with intense costuming that must have weighed a ton, with the emotional toll of the role probably weighing at least that much and possibly more.

I was torn; I wanted to sympathize with his situation, yet at the same time I was at once somewhat, admittedly, disgusted with the whole thing, and also outraged with how stagnant and passive every single character was with the grave issues at hand. I felt sick to my stomach with this disgust and sadness, which exploded during the final and most intense moment of the play, and which left me in pieces.

Final Thoughts: Riveting and profound theater, The Whale will make you think deeply about individual issues and their wider consequences through stunning acting, convincing costuming and a strong script. It will leave you in a different place, a place which you will have to discover on your own.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Apr 2013

Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria

WHAT: Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria
WHERE: 8433 S. Pulaski Rd.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Feel like a road trip? If you’re on the Southwest Side, or perhaps on your way out of state via I-55 S, make sure you stop in for your last taste of Chicago before the rolling cornfields. Vito & Nick’s (the first location opening in 1932) has been locally owned and operated ever since, and serving extremely thin crust Chicago pizza and cheap beer. Plenty of foodies have been here before us, so this might be old news, but we’re fairly sure this pizzeria deserve a few more photons from us.

(vitoandnicks.com)

(vitoandnicks.com)

Adam: Bustling and traditional, Vito & Nick’s is a staple of any Chicago experience. Since it’s located slightly outside the city-proper, in the Ashburn neighborhood, it might not be on everyone’s docket list, but I can assure you that pizza doesn’t get more Chicago than this. Conviviality brims over here, with the owner, Rose, personally bringing your order to the table and trading jokes as you pass.

(vitoandnicks.com)

Of course, this being Chicago, the pizzas are HUGE and a large can easily feed four. Uniquely, they take into account that you might all have different tastes, but not want to order four pizzas. Thus, you can order a half-and-half pizza, customized as you choose. The simple cheese pizza is thin and juicy, and with a good sprinkling of red pepper, cannot really be faulted.

(vitoandnicks.com)

A selection of toppings can be added to your pizza for an additional charge of $1.75 each (shrimp $3.50). A good combination you can try: sliced beef and giardiniera. Beef is generously layered with the spicy and sumptuous giardiniera to create what should be an American classic.

Alicia: Owner Rose has pepperoni and personality, and will definitely take care of you as soon as you walk through her family’s doors. My family has frequented this establishment a few times over the last year, having heard of it last summer. This is the perfect place for a casual friend/family night out, especially if you are on the outskirts of the city. Ashburn doesn’t quite feel like the city, but who cares when you can grab a large pizza and a pint of beer for under $20?

(vitoandnicks.com)

(vitoandnicks.com)

We went splitsies on both of our large pizzas, and I was more than happy to dig into to a half pepperoni and half mushroom. To be honest, I was underwhelmed with my toppings, with the pepperoni being nothing special and oh-so-normal, and with the mushrooms tasting canned and a bit slimy (so I wasn’t so disappointed there weren’t many on the pizza). But it was the cheese and the ultra thin and crispy crust that made the whole experience delicious, and I was loving both centers and outside crust pieces alike.

Service was great and made me feel I was in the friendly-welcoming suburbs, and with $7 for an accompanying pitcher of beer, you can’t really go wrong.

(vitoandnicks.com)

(vitoandnicks.com)

Final Thoughts: You have to come prepared for Vito & Nick’s. With no delivery option, you have to be ready to trek out to Ashburn, and you have to have some cash in your pocket, as they don’t take cards or checks. Oh, and come super hungry, because really, that’s the only way to go. And if you’re not a proponent of the saying “Pizza’s not for breakfast,” you’re in luck: they even serve an egg pizza with five sunny-side eggs cooked right into the cheese.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05 Apr 2013

Catch Me If You Can The Musical

WHAT: Catch Me If You Can The Musical
WHEN: April 2 – 14, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours and 55 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission
WHO: Broadway in Chicago
PRICE: $18-85

OUR RATING: Skip It!

The latest adaptation of Frank Abagnale, Jr.’s 1980 biography, and heavily based upon the 2002 film, Catch Me If You Can follows the story of this con-artist through the many twists and turns of his life, from airline pilot, doctor, lawyer and so on, as he evades the authorities while tapping out a few tunes. Poorly written and musically glib, the performance is made worse by the serious lack of vocal talent on offer and the frustratingly predictable content.

Adam: Every year, tens of musicals are written around the world with only a few seeing the lights of the Broadway stage. Some are beyond belief fantastic, while others make you wonder whether The Producers is actually coming true, with Bialystock and Bloom succeeding in making a flop. I would have preferred to sit through a fictional musical about Hitler than the asinine malarkey presented on the Cadillac Palace Theatre stage this week. An embarrassing array of mediocrity, Catch Me If You Can The Musical will leave you firmly planted in your seat, while its cast imagines soaring through the skies, only for you to wish they would come crashing down in a fireball.

(Photo by Christian Toto)

(Photo by Christian Toto)

Stephen Anthony’s depiction of Frank Abagnale, Jr. is actually admirable. He captures some of the youthful zest of DiCaprio’s screen performance, but leaves one wishing for the tour de force of the original actor. Most disappointing was his singing range, which clearly was not appropriate for the role. His inability to hit certain notes was not only clearly apparent, but terribly distracting and unacceptable for a Broadway musical.

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

The chorus was also absolutely not up to Broadway calibre, and I felt sorry for an audience who had shelled out good money to be regaled by these untrained Sirens, who seemed to plunge the whole endeavor into the realms of YouTube videos that I purely watch for schadenfreude.

I left the theatre not believing what I had just seen: a complete flop that was given a standing ovation by the audience. Perhaps I got it wrong and the audience was right, but I suspect that this is once again a sign of the times: the audience wouldn’t care if it was bad or good, just so long as they see a musical, all will be well.

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

Alicia: There are a few aspects to this production which are commendable. One, scenic designer David Rockwell’s escalator-esque set piece upon which the entire orchestra sits (with the drums underneath). Second, the orchestra and local musicians themselves, both in being able to watch them perform (instead of hiding them in the pit) as well as the quality of their performance. Third was Bob Bonniol’s video system and content design. While some of the video was way too over the top and completely ridiculous (anywhere from flashing stars the colors of the rainbow to sunrises), some of it reminded me of the aesthetic of the last James Bond film, which was fitting for this show. But to be perfectly honest, this was the first time I have seen this kind of design content before, so I may have just been impressed by the technology more than the actual aesthetic.

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

Yet, if you had been there to see my reactions to this performance, you would not have guessed that I liked anything at all, being in utter disbelief in what was happening on stage. First and foremost, I felt sorry that William Ivey Long had to costume design this thing, with a script calling for women dressed up as Elmer’s Glue, India Ink and a Swiss Army Knife, and other women dressed in practically nothing. And performances from Aubrey Mae Davis (Brenda) and Allyson Tolbert (India Ink Assistant, Nurse, etc.) make you wonder how some of these performers were allowed to set foot on a Broadway stage.

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

(Photo by Carol Rosegg)

The only enjoyable song by any means was “Don’t Break the Rules,” sung by Merritt David Janes (Agent Carl Hanratty) and company. Yet songs like “(Our) Family Tree” and “Fly, Fly Away” made me wonder why I didn’t leave during intermission, or why I even came at all.

Final Thoughts: Broadway is expensive. Please don’t shell out your hard-earned money for this one. If you really want to learn about Frank Abagnale, Jr., either watch the film Catch Me If You Can, read a book, or wiki it. You’ll save yourself a lot of headache, a lot of money, and a solid three hours of your life.

P.S.: Check fraud was not the only crime being committed that night. Clearly, judging by the sight-lines, Cadillac Palace Theatre was having a little swindle of their own. A seat should not have no view of a quarter of the stage. We don’t appreciate guessing who is singing when they disappear, as it makes for an annoying experience. This is Broadway Cadillac, get your act together!

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Post Navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →