GLEEful

Today I'm riding the wave! Last night I was priveldged enough to experience the GLEE LIVE concert in Chicago. Good friends of mine had a series of circumstances that left them with a spare ticket to the show, and they were kind enough to offer it to me! Believe me, I was thrilled! (And my hubby was kind enough to stay not only with our two little ones, but their toddler as well.) So after a great day hanging out, we made our way to the Rosemont Theatre where we were a part of the "special " crowd...a pre-show, tickets in the first 10 rows, gifts and we even had the chance to meet the two guys in the cast who play "Kurt" and "Finn"! (Very nice guys.) The quality of performance was excellent! They not only sounded & looked as good or better than on the show, it was wonderful to see they had real stage presence & talent, not just something that comes from good television editing. So...here are some shots from the show I took with my cell phone camera:

It's a Universally Acknowledged Truth...

Last night my hubby & I had a much need "date night". Dinner didn't end up being where we had planned because he worked too late, so instead we had a quick dinner at Panera, which was tasty enough, before heading off to the Milwaukee Rep's production of "Pride & Prejudice". It was WONDERFUL. Ok, as with most shows I had a few issues (let's just leave it to say that their casting of Lydia was DREADFUL. Almost as bad as casting Kiera Knightly in the latest film version as Elizabeth Bennet...only with an atrociously dreadful accent!) and I think Kate or whomever did the hats suddenly fell on their own heads...but otherwise it was a great show. Darcy was very well cast (tall, handsome & strangely had this perfect combination of looks of Colin Firth and Matthew McFayden, but gave a better performance than McFayden as Darcy!) Mr. Collins was hilarious and had a fantastic voice. Mr. Bingley was cute & charming, Jane was beautiful, Caroline was bitchy. Surprisingly, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were a stand-out delight! I wasn't particularly fond of their casting for Elizabeth. She was too plain, and her voice became too high pitched & grating at moments, but overall, she did quite well.

Ok, that's my quick review. I was very glad to see it and it was, without doubt, the best stage script I've ever encountered of "Pride & Prejudice"!

Can You Hear the People Sing?

This week is the opening of kidlet's school musical "Les Miserables". I was roped into helping with costumes, and after previewing last night's rehearsal, I have to same, I'm impressed! Some of the kids really do have amazing voices. The orchestra = phenomenal. (Seriously, it was like listening to the soundtrack.) And the costumes...well, what can I say? For a high school that consisted entirely of adapting modern pieces to making them look period appropriate, I had to pat myself on the back, they looked pretty darn awesome! I was proud of the kidlet as she really knows how to react & throw focus on stage (something many of her classmates could take a lesson from). As with almost ANY production there are always choices that are made that I have opinions about. (Mostly I hate front of curtain staging...there is nothing worse to me than seeing someone who just died on stage get up on the not-dark-enough stage & walk off...and in Les Miz almost EVERYONE dies!) I'm looking forward to seeing the opening night on Thursday when all those technical kinks are worked out. Sometimes I regret not becoming a high school drama teacher...and then I think of the time commitment and am glad to just be an involved parent.

We're the Knights of the Round Table, We Dance whenever we're able...

This weekend ended up being a very fun one!

Saturday the family & I ventured down to Long Grove, IL for their annual Chocolate Fest. The weather was cold, rainy & dreary...and still we had a lovely day! The town was cute, quaint, and old-fashioned. (VERY reminescent of Mackinac Island!) Lots of great shops, fun festivities, and best of all...a British shop where I purchases HP Sauce, Colemans, chip shop curry, meatpies (yes, we did sing selections from Sweeney Todd!), Ribena, Walnut Whips, Smarties, and best of all, my favourite candies in the entire world, Raisin & Biscuit Yorkies! I could have easily spent a fortune, but I was good. Hubby came home with a new hat from the Irish shop that matches the little Bugs. Very cute father & son ensembles! Kidlet was more than happy & satiated with chocolates from all over the world.

Sunday was spent with friends before we all headed off to see "SPAMALOT". Let me tell ya...over the top & silly & exactly what Monty Python on stage should be! I laughed almost until it hurt! See if while its on tour! You won't regret it!

My favourite song "I'm Not Dead Yet!"

The Call of the Footlights, the Roar of the Crowd

Kidlet auditioned for the Racine Theatre Guild last week. They have a special program for teens...it's an extensive theatre training program that cumulates with performances in the spring at various schools. It is highly competitive to get into, apparently, and we were warned that unless you've been around the theatre it is tough to get into.

Well, wouldn't you know it...she got in!

Yes, I'm very proud! So despite not getting the art and drama classes she wanted this year in school, she is now in a great drama program & is also taking some art classes at the museum where I work. (Animation & pottery, I think, for the fall session.) So for now she has ambitions of being the next Idina Menzel...and that's awesome!

Into the Past

This weekend the family, some friend & I will once again be stepping into the past as we head to Naperville Settlement down in Illinois for the civil war reenactment there. It's a fun time living as someone else for the day, while wearing pretty clothes. Of course, after having a baby & trying to squeeze into my 1860s dress was a trial by force last night. Thank God for corsets...and who really needs to breathe? (I can honestly say I prefer Elizabethan corsets over Victorian ones.) Next weekend the kidlet is going with our friends, The Steeles, to step even further into the past...she'll be reenacting the Revolutionary War at Vincennes,IN. There is something to be said for a 13-year-old who wants to "dedicate her life to historical reenactment". Maybe its a little crazy, but she loves learning the history & really its all about the clothing. (She is her mother's daughter, after all!) If anyone is around these fabulous events, perhaps you'll consider stopping in, visiting us, and learning a little?

Corrupt?

I've been accused of corrupting my friends by dragging them along to everything from theatre to drag shows. I've been accused of corrupting my child by raising her in the theatre & renaissance faire. But now my new iPod is corrupt...or so iTunes informed me when I plugged it in today. I have no idea what happened. Perhaps some sort of conspiracy against my music? *sigh* So now it says its restoring it & all of my songs will be lost & I'll have to start over. Technology hates me.

Unrelated...I think...we spent Saturday in Chicago while the baby visited his grandparents. It was a lovely if cold day walking down the Miracle Mile (mostly window shopping), lunched at a FAB British pub (Black snakebite to drink, curry chips, bangers & mash...yum!!!), and then we had been given tickets to "Who's afraid of Virginia Wolfe?" It was a wonderful production with the Broadway cast (Kathleen Turner & Bill Irwin) and it reminded me just how much I like Edward Albee's writing. You might not like the story line, but you have to appreciate the language. In college Nif & I starred in Albee's "A Zoo Story". It was an acting experience unto no other. I miss that sort of experience. It corrupted me, in some ways, forever. Just like my iPod.

No One Mourns the Wicked...

Today is a very special day for my daughter & I as we not only are going to be spending the evening together in Chicago, but we're going to see WICKED again! It was an awesome Christmas gift from her paternal grandparents that I get to benefit from as well! (woo hoo!) Even better is that the tickets are 2nd row dress circle! She is giddy beyond words, and I have to admit I am a little bit too! We'll head down to Chi-town, do some wandering around the shops & dinner before heading to the Oriental Theatre for the show. If you haven't had a chance to see it, do...its a fabulous production! And I have to say I'm looking forward to a "girl's night" with my kidlet before "tad" makes his own debut.

Additionally, I have to thank all of my friends who gave me kind encouragement & advice regarding breastfeeding. Again, if anyone else had words of wisdom, they are definately welcomed! I feel so fortunate to have friends who I know are wise in so many ways!

*UPDATE* Wicked was wickedly wonderful! The kidlet & I had a lovely evening in the city, even had time to wander Macy's (the original fabulous Marshall Fields building) across the street to take in the Tiffany ceilings and other delights. We had a great night out, had amazing seats, and good company! Unfortunately I had to be up bright & early for work this morning. Tomorrow is my first baby shower though, so I'm looking forward to that!!