About Last Night…At the Goodman Theater

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Last night I had the pleasure of attending the season opening celebration of the Goodman Theater.  The evening began with cocktails and a reception at the Walnut Room at Macy’s followed by dinner and wine.  During dinner each guest was presented with a gift (Frango Mints and a Macy’s Gift Card) and then we headed over to the theater for the opening night of Wonderful Town.

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The show began with a musical overture highlighting the music that would be showcased throughout the show.  The musical chronicles the lives of two sisters from Ohio, one an aspiring actress, the other an aspiring writer and their adventures in the Big Apple as the set out to pursue their small time dreams in the Big World.  The production plays out what happens when two small town girls attempt to take on the big city without giving up on their dreams.  The opening dance and music sequence demonstrates what could be expected throughout the show.  Wonderfultownopening.pngThe performance had the audience laughing, the music was enjoyable and actors were great.  The lead actresses had the comedic timing of Laverne and Shirley and watching their stories of love, frustration, rejection and growth play out kept you wondering and waiting for what was going to happen next.  There were so many laugh out loud scenes in production and the audience appeared to enjoy the performance as much as the actors.

wonderful-townThe music, the dancing the timing just came together so well.  The cast of characters, from the artistic slumlord, to the stylish and hip club owner to the jock and his constant The lessons and the experiences the characters have are personal while yet comedic at the same time.  It was a wonderful show and I would highly recommend it.  If you are in to theater and enjoy laughter head on down to Wonderful Town at the Goodman.

What’s New Wednesday

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In this edition of What’s New Wednesday I would like to share my review of a play I went to see last weekend.  For Her as a Piano is a moving story that covers three generations of African American women.  Written by Nambi E. Kelley and directed by Ilesa Duncan, the all female cast takes you on a journey of what happens when you are able to go back in time and revisit the lives of your mother and grandmother (most of us would love to be able to do this).

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On a journey to place the pieces of her life together, the main character is guided by Piano, through the tumultuous childhood and coming of age of both her mother and grandmother.  This journey helps Sarah, the main character to understand some of the generational issues that were perpetuated by and upon the matriarchs of her family.

A moving production with powerful music, phenomenal acting and moving dialogue, this is a recommended production for those in the Chicago area.  Nambi E. Kelley tells a dynamic, relatable story that not only hit home with me but a story that I know would resonate with many other women I know.  The acting takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as the characters navigate multiple roles as well as multiple phases in their lives, sometimes this is done in one scene.

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As a first time visitor to the Pegasus theater, I believe that this production set the bar high for anything else I would go to see at the theater.  It also underscored the fact that the actresses in this play were all masterful in their own right and gave each of the characters they played a depth and relatability that can be lost in many dramatic productions.  This is a highly recommended, Girls Night Out play which will be accompanied by great conversation about your lives and how they intersect or parallel the lives of your matriarchs.