Play Review: The Boy in Black

From the Play's website:

Director Emma Peterson brings Tony Meneses's captivating script about a boy looking for color in a world of grey to life on a magically realistic, charmingly minimalist scale. Staged in the Royal George's intimate Gallery Space, CFT's trademark aesthetic and original designs embody The Boy in Black in a burst of color, warmth, humor, and familiarity. This world is one of shared moments, of characters with whom we can all identify, and ideas that ring so true to the lovesick in all of us that we can't help but laugh together.

Out tickets were free. Sometimes that is a play's only redeeming quality. However, its brevity was a plus, as well. I consider myself very open-minded when it comes to art and theatre. This play lost me because of its shallow plot.

I like the premise: looking for love and color in a life that can otherwise be gray. I get it.  Some of the characters - namely the girl in the garbage dress - were so grating, though, that it was difficult to focus on the play's message. That being said, it was a pretty simple play, simple characters and a simple story. Not very impactful. 

Verdict: glad that I did not pay $50 to see this play.

I think that Oleanna is still my favorite - seen in London in 2004. You should read it if you haven't done so!

 

Happy Halloween!

More of my husband's handiwork :)

He made our hats and my dress - it even has elastic. Since it was chilly in Chicago, the tight, long sleeves and fleece came in handy, as well.

As a rule, I don't like Halloween. At. All. I don't like what it stands for and I really prefer to pretend that it doesn't exist. In fact, I usually spend Halloween teaching at a youth retreat in Ky. However, my work schedule prevented me from getting down there, so it was fun dressing up for probably the first time since elementary school.

Maybe I'll use the fleece dress as a nightgown now . . .

While I am busy slaving away at work . . .

My husband is making roasted apple and squash soup with curry and dill.

 

Looking forward to trying it!

So much good!!

Loves:
- good news lately for my husband and also my sister
- the return of motivation
- Edith Piaf (random)
- antiquing with my husband - in an upcoming post, I'll tell you all about our newest treasure
- my Ball jar drink dispenser (thanks, mom!) which we christened with fall Jack Daniels punch at a get-together this weekend
- iOs5 lots of fun features!
- tons of quality friends with my Chicago favorites
- FaceTime with dear friends in MI!!
- almost time for Starbucks red cups

It is going to be a great fall/winter :)

The Shea Butter Experiment

On more Fridays than not, you will find me spending my lunch break (and my lunch money;) ) in Sephora on State Street. Compared to my mom and sister who always have bajillion more skin and hair products than I do, I am something of a novice when it comes to keeping up with new products.

During one of my recent drop-ins to pick up Bare Minerals Primer and a new mascara, one of my free samples was L'Occitane pure shea butter. Not really knowing what to do with the little tub, I decided to try it on my under eye area. I would normally put it on my feet but such a small amount would barely cover my size 11 toes!

The result: after a week, my eyes look brighter, my under eye area is smoother and I haven't had any skin irritation. As a recent arrival to the late-20s club, I'm glad to add this to my nightly skin routine. I'll let you know when I discover that it's really mayonnaise or something. I'm a total newb.

Fall Spiced Punch

Fall Spiced Punch

4 cups apple cider
4 cups cranberry juice
1.5 cups bourbon
1 tbs ginger
2 tbs chai
Ice
Blueberries

What I've been reading:

So over the weekend, I completely unplugged and wiped out two books.

I read, The Rogue, Joe McGinnis' book about Sarah Palin.  It was pretty interesting.  A lot of it you could have gotten from a thorough internet search -- there is lots of anti-Palin info out there.  Most of all, it kind of put a lot of information and misinformation about her together.  She's pretty wretched.  Then again, I kind of already knew that.  :)



I also read, Room, by Emma Donoghue.  I couldn't put it down for a second.
It is incredibly gripping and uncomfortable all at the same time.  There are parts of it that made me gasp out loud.  However, if I tell you about any of them, it might ruin a truly intense read.  (and I hate other people's long opinions about books, so I'd rather not torture you with my own.) This book is definitely worth it. :)

The beginning of our gallery wall

It needs work but we're off to a good start. My husband and father made the wooden frames together out of the same barn wood we used for the head board! I love waking up to a piece of home in front of me and behind me.

BURYING MISS AMERICA gets "Four Stars" from TimeOut

 

I saw this play two weekends ago - definitely worth seeing!

NEWLEAFTHEATRE.ORG New Leaf Theatre Presents A World Premiere BURYING MISS AMERICA by Brian Golden directed by Jessica Hutchinson BURYING MISS AMERICA A World Premiere Brian Golden Playwright Jessica Hutchinson Director FEATURING Marsha Harman Ted Evans Marni Keenan Production Manager Hannah Baker Stage Manager Michelle Lilly Set Design Jared B. Moore Lighting Design Nick Keenan Sound Design Rachel Sypniewski Costume Design Caleb McAndrew Technical Director SEE MORE PRODUCTION PHOTOS (© 2011 TOM MCGRATH) "Burying Miss America is one of the best plays I've seen this season. - Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theatre Beat MORE PRAISE FOR BURYING MISS AMERICA FOUR STARS ... New Leaf's tight production of Brian Golden's new play delivers ideal American realism: seamless movement from emotional peak to trough, focus on familial dynamics, and a yearning to understand the past as turnkey to the present. Ryan Dolley TimeOut Chicago RECOMMENDED ... Golden's natural, unadorned dialogue mirrors the flatness of the landscape but also supplies undercurrents of longing and regret ... Not a moment feels false in this New Leaf Theatre production thanks to Marsha Harman and Ted Evans, who, as the siblings, capture the bittersweet blend of love and resentment unique to the familial bond. Zac Thompson Chicago Reader There's a real sense of what emotional loneliness can look like ... Evans is an actor to watch. Nina Metz Chicago Tribune If ever there was a show in the right performance space, this is it ... [the actors] effortlessly switch between joviality and angry bickering as only siblings can. Zach Freeman New City ON OUR BLOG "When we say New Leaf is a Producing Ensemble, this is what we mean. We're telling the story to and with each other in rehearsal so we can tell it to and with you in performance. And I'll tell you one more thing: I will hold on to this particular moment before long after we close." READ MORE stories from the show from Marsha Harman (Jean) and playwright Brian Golden. TICKETS NOW ON SALE THROUGH OCTOBER 29 Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. Saturday Matinees at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center 2045 N. Lincoln Park West Full price: $25 | Senior: $20 Student/Industry: $15 Group rates available, call (773) 980-6391 for details. New Leaf Theatre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Alphawood Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and the Mid-North Association. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. New Leaf Theatre | 2045 N. Lincoln Park West Chicago, IL 60614 | (773) 980-6391

 

 

To it's final destination 376 miles from home

We're going to add barn style lamps with Edison bulbs to the headboard. For now, our room is much cozier just in time for winter!

Now a headboard

I'll spare you this miserable carrying in photos :) it was quite painful.

In progress . . .

From this . . .

A 180 year old tobacco barn