Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Solstice and Christmas

Ms. S made a beautiful salad with pomegranate and mandarin oranges, and the slow cooker made a wonderful chicken, preserved lemon, and olive stew.


























































Our movie double bill was Sweeney Todd, and White Christmas (at the Music Box, with sing along caroling beforehand).

We missed Calvin Trilling's salute to spaghetti carbonara at Thanksgiving, so we made that for Christmas Eve. Grits of course, on Christmas Day, and as our substitute for goose--duck. Duck, duck, goose.









































As usual, you can find more photos at www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. The password is our street name.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Helvitica

Went to see the film Helvetica. Who knew you could make an interesting documentary about a typeface? And I know Helvetica, and Arial is no Helvetica, sir.

Monday, December 17, 2007

House Holiday Party

It was the House Holiday Party, and at a nifty little bar just down the street, Matilda. You have to love their "guidance coordinates" page...

http://www.matilda-babyatlas.com/guidance.htm





















We'll be back for Fish Taco Tuesday.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Caroling at the Bean

We went with Stacey's new work mates to go hear caroling at the Bean with the Chicago Gospel Choir. And then we went out for drinks and appetizers after.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

What the Butler Saw

Sean Graney, an artistic director of the Hypocrites, directed this high energy production at Court. Not entirely successful, but it was...well...farcical.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie...

...was the first book for our book club. We served tea for the occasion. A bunch of impressionable minds, this group.... Maggie Smith did not make an appearance as either Brodie or Professor McGonagall.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Holiday Party with the Dean

The Dean hosted his annual wonderful holiday party for the staff. A good time was had by all.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Wisconsin

Went to see Ms. S's family for Thanksgiving. We drove this time, and confused ourselves with Black River Falls. The dark parallel universe version of River Falls?

Our camera person must have been on strike. This is the best of four pictures from the trip.















We played a rousing game of Apples to Apples after dinner.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The Nutcracker

There's no Sugar Plum Fairy in this one...big thumbs up for another great production from The House.

From Chris Jones's review in the Tribune:

"The House Theatre of Chicago's new "Nutcracker" begins with that famous holiday party. A brave young Marine named Fritz is expected home from war. But things quickly go terribly wrong for Clara. Her family's celebration is suddenly interrupted by one of those knocks on the door dreaded by every military family with someone in harm's way.

That's probably enough to reveal that this is not one of those traditional kinds of "Nutcracker," beloved by little girls in party dresses and reliant on ballet, spectacle and oversize toys. This one might make little girls -- and bigger persons of both genders -- cry.

Clara still gets her wooden soldier in this ambitious and heartfelt version by Phillip Klapperich and Jake Minton, and the contents of her toy box still come to life. But the battle with the Rat King isn't merely the stuff of whimsy, but a surrogate battle for Clara's coming to terms with the death of her brother. When "Uncle" Eric Drosselmeyer hands over a Nutcracker who looks a lot like Fritz, he has a live-saving mission in mind. Clara is lost in a psychological labyrinth -- one that resembles the struggle faced by a similar girl in the movie "Pan's Labyrinth," which I suspect was an influence on this show. And House is off on another of its regressive theatrical journeys into the mysterious mind of a child."

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Crucible

When was the last time you thought about this play? High school, right? A strong production at Steppenwolf.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Becker Center Conference

Went to most of a day long seminar at the Becker Center on campus.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

California Trip

A work trip, primarily to be at a U of Chicago alumni event with Warren Winiarski, who wrote the chapter on Machiavelli for the Strauss and Cropsey's "History of Political Philosophy." Who knew? Oh yeah, there's also that judgement of Paris thing he's famous for in other circles....

A really wonderful event: great wine, great food, great weather, and Winiarski was absolutely charming.

And then got to spend some time with the ever fabulous Mr. R.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Celebrate Chicago

The Dean was the featured speaker for this annual event for major donors.

His topic:

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Cymbeline

















A wonderfully theatrical production of this difficult script at Shakes. Among the highlights, Jupiter, descending from the flies, straight out of "Angels in America."

Friday, October 26, 2007

Visiting Committee


The Visiting Committee was in town for their big fall meeting.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Myerson Celebration!

We had a quick party to celebrate the award of the Nobel Prize to Roger Myerson today. He's a really great guy.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Book Club: Getting Organized

Ms. S and my work colleague Ms. B-H have started a book club. We had the organizational meeting today. We're going to try to start with books that are representative or evocative of a decade.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

The Magnificents

From TimeOut review: "Whether or not the House’s latest fantastic voyage—inspired by Watkins’ grandfather, a real-life magician who taught his grandson the art form—is an actual play is beside the point; the company bills this story of the last days of an aged magician as a “magical clown show.” And there’s plenty of both magic and clowning, propelled by the expert pratfalls and timing of a trio of many-hatted clowns (Defrin, Smith, and Taylor), sensitive and whimsical direction by Molly Brennan of 500 Clown, and the impressive magic by Watkins and Rapley. And not cheesy Copperfield illusions or trendy Criss Angel mindfreaking, but card tricks, canaries, cups and balls, and the old getting sawed in half."

This show, like lots at the House, wears it's heart on it's sleeve, but we really enjoyed it. Underreviewed and overlooked. The magic was...well magic.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Yale alumni at the Smart Museum

There was a gathering of Yale alumni at the Smart Museum to see "Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery."

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

No Child

at Lookingglass. This was a great, great show. I wished we'd seen it sooner so we could have told more people about it. It's still OK to be heartwarming, right? Sun is an amazing performer.
























From Chris Jones's review in the Trib:

"Fifteen minutes from Midtown Manhattan, eight armed guards watch over the daily comings and goings of students at Malcolm X High School in the Bronx. And as if the travails of raising yourself in the nation's poorest congressional district aren't enough, that institution's young people are subject to the kind of dehumanizing environment -- lines, metal detectors, scared teachers, crummy resources, cripplingly low expectations -- more apt for the training of convicts-to-be than high achievers of tomorrow.That's the thesis of Nilaja Sun's superbly performed and thoroughly gripping one-woman show, which begins a national tour in Chicago after a long New York run and a bevy of much-deserved rewards for Off-Broadway excellence. Sun -- an apt name for an optimistic artist fighting through a cloud of educational dysfunction -- spent a few months as a teaching artist in the school. "No Child" (which she intends as ironic commentary on federal educational policy) is a theatrical account of her temporary but emotionally fraught experiences on the front lines of an inner-city school."No Child" is a must-see -- especially for teachers, who will understand and appreciate this show best of all -- because it combines a persuasive critique of the failings in one of society's most sacred obligations with an innate understanding of the emotional toil of trying to teach well. And like all the best shows based on social observation, it's also willing to celebrate the personal eccentricities that populate every community. Sun sees the fun in these inner-city kids, as much as the imminent potential for tragedy in their lives."

Sondheim's Passion at Chicago Shakes

We thought that Gasteyer, the SNL alum who played Wicked’s witch, who portrayed Fosca, shown in the picture here, was terrific. (Even though Timeout Chicago didn't.) Great to see this show in the Chicago Shakes small space.














From Timeout Chicago's review: "In Sondheim’s 1994 musical, a handsome young soldier, Giorgio, must leave his beautiful, married mistress Clara for a military assignment; among the tiresome men there, the only woman is the ugly, near-death Fosca, whose passion for Giorgio is relentless. Set in 19th-century Italy, Passion has the veneer of a bygone era: letters, rendezvous, even a duel. But beneath that veneer is a musically complex masterwork. More than plot devices, the letters formally advance the theme: Giorgio sings Fosca’s missive to him in the first person; and so, as her passion overwhelms him, their identities blur. And a female protagonist whose forceful, not-psycho desire is the plot’s driving force is, even now, an anomaly.


Saturday, October 13, 2007

Merce and Merce

Two great programs by the Cunningham company. It was was fun to see eyespace, where you make the soundtrack with an ipod. The first night, I did the authorized version. The second night, I added songs, but let them play at random.














Friday, October 12

* CRWDSPCR (1993) – Nonstop, vigorous movement to John King’s processed Dobro steel guitar score.
* Crises (1960) – Music by Conlon Nancarrow; costumes by Robert Rauschenberg; elastic bands connect one man and four women.
* eyeSpace (2006) – An intense precise piece that pushes Cunningham’s use of chance methods in new directions. iPods are used to disseminate Mikel Rouse’s score. Shuffle the score’s tracks on your own iPod* and enjoy a personal and distinct viewing and listening experience.

Saturday, October 13

* MinEvent (2007) – A collection of elements from the Company repertoire combined in a unique performance.
* Fabrications (1987) – A powerful, extraordinary, foreign and almost surreal experience.
* eyeSpace (2006) – See Program A.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Broadway in Chicago: The Sparrow


Went to the opening night of The Sparrow, now presented by Broadway in Chicago.

The House is "en fuego!"

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Margaret Jenkins Dance at Columbia Dance

"A Slipping Glimpse, developed in India and the United States, features dancers from both the renowned Tanusree Shankar Dance Company of Calcutta and the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company of San Francisco."

It was in the round. It started with an outside prologue.

A little bit of a mismatch between the two companies, but you've got to love the spirit of dance from the West Coast.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Yale Alumni at the History Museum

Gary Johnson is the Director of the History Museum and Yale '72. It was a general overview of the museum's history and goals. Digital is everything...everything.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Hubbard Street Dance

We went to see Hubbard Street, primarily to see Tharp's "Baker's Dozen." Didn't know if our tastes have changed, or what, but it was a little...hmmm, hmmmm. Also saw Susan Marshall's Kiss, a Hubbard Street staple.

Monday, September 24, 2007

U of Chicago: Over $2B Raised

So we're not the McDonald's of higher education...we did celebrate passing $2 billion in the campaign today.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Second City

We hadn't been to Second City since we moved to Chicago. (Have I ever mentioned the hysterical performance they did at the meeting of the National Hospice Foundation. Kid you not, I was here to present about the community work we did around a hospice based photographic exhibition at the Wexner Center, and they were GREAT.) This was a good show, but time and Jon Stewart have changed everything...

Monday, August 27, 2007

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Mark Morris Mozart

Even if there was a element of "sameness" thoughout evening, it was still Mark Morris.

Heaven forfend!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Santiago

Mr. P went on a work trip to visit with the "Chicago boys" in Santiago.



















Photo album is here: www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. The password is our street name.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Cubs v. Reds

We didn't stay until midnight to watch the end of this rain-delayed game. We did see Tony the Tiger throw out a ceremonial pitch though...















The Cubs tweaked the lineup on Wednesday, hoping to generate some offense. That worked, but the pitching faltered and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for an 11-9 victory over the Cubs, who are still very much alive in the Central Division race. At least we think so.

"It seems like we're in a pennant race -- I'm not too [darn] sure," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said after the rain-delayed game ended shortly after midnight.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

August: Osage County


Ok, so this was like dysfunctional family theatre on steroids. Strong acting, good script. It's gone to NY.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Ms. R on skates at Old Settlers

Dragon's Head in the Halstead Historical Museum

Halstead, KS High School Reunion and Old Settler's

Nostalgia must be the August theme. It was back to Kansas to Mr. P's birthplace for the 120th Old Settler's Celebration.













Mr. W and Ms. M came for the festivities as well. We saw the parade, watched Ms. R, the former mystery girl on skates,













had Boy Scout brats and burgers, and saw the dragon mascot head










that Mom and Ms. M had made at the history museum. And of course, the high school reunion dinner!









On the way home, we stopped in Kansas City to see the new Nelson Atkins and stuffed ourselves on KC BBQ.

Pictures are in an album here: www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. Password is our street name.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Ms. S's 50th in Philly

Something like nostalgia was the theme for Ms. S's 50th. A return to Philly and Bryn Mawr. And as it happens, in the van from the airport, we had to drop someone off in Ms. S's old neighborhood around Baltimore and 45th.

We explored downtown Philly, went to City Hall and the Reading Terminal Market, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The birthday dinner was fabulous--omikase at at Morimoto's.

Oh, you want details? Started with sashimi with some kind of granita on top. Next sashimi with hot chili oil, slightly stronger fish. Next briefly seared fish with greens and topped with bonito flakes. Then halibut and lobster tail wrapped in nori and steamed. Followed by lamb chops rolled in panko with red wine sauce and perhaps mashed parsnips. Sushi including tuna, salmon, and 3 other kinds of fish. Dessert was very light. Mr. P had a martini and then wine, Ms. S had a fruity drink and then Morimoto beer. The restaurant was beautiful and good time was had by all.

The next day, we took the train out to Bryn Mawr and the Barnes Foundation.













On Saturday, we went to the Italian Market, the Mummer's Museum, and then historic South Philly and a stop in Jim's Cheese Steaks. Yum.













And, of course, the Liberty Bell.










An excellent, low-key birthday celebration.

More photos at: www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. The password is our street name.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Mr. T in Town

For more American School in Brussels reunion fun. And shame, shame, not a SINGLE photo. We of course, had a great, great time, and laughed a lot, and discovered a great Indian restaurant.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Flamenco Night at Grant Park













A great program, but I'm not sure I call Falla flamenco.

Gerardo Nunez Quintet with Carmen Cortés

FALLA Suite No. 1 from El Sombrero de tres picos
(Three-cornered Hat)
RIVERO/Garcia Salas/Will Andalusian Fire
Traditional Martinete
NUNEZ Solea por Bulerias
NUNEZ Trafalgar
NUNEZ Solea
NUNEZ Bulerias
BIZET Suite No. 1 from Carmen
NUNEZ Sevilla
NUNEZ Calima

Sensual and dramatic, the art of Flamenco is embodied by guitar sensation
Gerardo Nunez and traditional gypsy dancer Carmen Cortés.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Lookingglass Alice


One of their signature pieces, but the first time we had seen it.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

BBQ at Mr. S and Ms. S

A very pleasant evening out at the home of my boss.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Cubs v. Diamondbacks

Jason Marquis went up against Brandon Webb, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, for the Cubs on Friday, and it was Marquis who reigned supreme.

Marquis' sinker sunk, his curveball had a big curve to it, and he threw first-pitch strikes. That combination, along with Jacque Jones' two RBI singles and a three-run home run by Aramis Ramirez, paced the Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ohhh...do you believe in forshadowing...maybe end of year divisional playoff?

Saturday, July 14, 2007

House Theatre Gala


We didn't bid successfully on anything this year...but had a good time!

Friday, July 13, 2007

A Work Retreat at Lake Geneva

I brought my cheesehead, but never had to use it. 'Nuff said.

I love my work...