Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Solstice and Christmas
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
Monday, December 17, 2007
House Holiday Party
http://www.matilda-babyatlas.com/guidance.htm
We'll be back for Fish Taco Tuesday.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Caroling at the Bean
Saturday, December 08, 2007
What the Butler Saw
Sunday, December 02, 2007
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie...
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Holiday Party with the Dean
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wisconsin
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
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
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
California Trip
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
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Cymbeline
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Myerson Celebration!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Book Club: Getting Organized
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Magnificents
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
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
No Child
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
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
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
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Margaret Jenkins Dance at Columbia Dance
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
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hubbard Street Dance
Monday, September 24, 2007
U of Chicago: Over $2B Raised
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Second City
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Mark Morris Mozart
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Santiago
Photo album is here: www.kodakgallery.com/mccusker. The password is our street name.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Cubs v. Reds
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
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Halstead, KS High School Reunion and Old Settler's
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
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
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
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Cubs v. Diamondbacks
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?