Christmas in Dixie

A week ago I was in "Dixie" watching freezing rain and a bit of snow - much more winter than the locals were accustomed to having in December.  The hotel lobbies, homes, stores, and countryside showed evidence that it was nearly Christmas.  (Stay tuned for other posts showing said evidence.)  I ran across this song awhile back but have listened to it several times this season.  Since I'm not going to be in the Caribbean or at a beach this year, I will have to have to settle for a few "exotic" Christmas/winter memories from the Southern USA.  This song can help with that!

Meanwhile

I remember liking "Choose Your Own Adventure" books as a kid, so was similarly intrigued when I learned about Meanwhile.  I usually make a post for a book only after I have finished reading the complete book.  I make an exception here since author and cartoonist Jason Shiga has created 3856 different story possibilities in this clever hybrid of a comic strip and choose your own adventure.  I have followed several story lines through - some leading in disappointing or disturbing endings - but have yet to find the "best" line through the book.  (Another holiday gift for one of my nieces/nephews!)

Memphis, TN

What is more Memphis than having Elvis sing about Marie?  I went to Memphis to run in a half marathon but it was cancelled due to exceptionally cold and icy weather.  So I toured Memphis for the weekend... no sign of Marie.

Dot.

Dot.  Written by Randi Zuckerberg (Mark's sister), this is a cute book that has a definite message:  Get offline!  (This is going to be a gift received by one of my nieces!)

Bumble-Ardy

I have never been a fan of books by Maurice Sendak.  (In fact, I'm not sure I knew of any of his writing besides Where the Wild Things Are.)  However, when I ran across an old interview of the late author (by one of my least favorite interviewer - and I think this interview exemplifies why I dislike her style), I was intrigued by his book, Bumble-Ardy.  The new book (2011) is based on a collaboration between Sendak and Sesame Street in the 1970s.  There are a few changes between the movie and the book (e.g., wine becomes brine in the book).

SS Edmund Fitzgerald

On this date (November 10) in 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank to the bottom of Lake Superior in the middle of a strong winter storm.  The song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" commemorates this event.

Little Shop of Horrors

It is rare - in my experience - for a college musical production to match the quality of a professionally produced show.  My recent experience with Little Shop of Horrors was no exception.  This 1982 musical version of the 1960 movie of the same name, takes the audience on a journey into the unrealistic and absurd with catchy songs and simple lyrics.  Characters range from naive to devious, trusting to ambitious.  In the end, the plant - a Venus Flytrap - wins out.  Nothing thought provoking in the production.  Just suspend reality and be awash in the early 1960s style music and story line from science fiction.

Of Thee I Sing

George Gershwin's music and Ira Gershwin's lyrics took center stage at the Allerton Music Barn Festival in a concert version of the 1931 Pulitzer Prize Winning musical, Of Thee I Sing.  I would not rank it among the most memorable music Gershwin composed.  The story is a political satire that could as easily apply today as when it was written more than eight decades ago.

The musical lampoons American politics; the story concerns John P. Wintergreen, who runs for President of the United States on the "love" platform. When he falls in love with the sensible Mary Turner instead of Diana Devereaux, the beautiful pageant winner selected for him, he gets into political hot water.

Monty Python's Spamalot

While I'm not a fan of Monty Python or similar style humour (yes, with a u in a nod to the British origins of the material), I did attend a performance of "Monty Python's Spamalot:  The musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail."  To expect more than mindless plots and absurd characters would prove disappointing.  All in all, this production holds together as light entertainment with several hum-able melodies and a share of laughs.

Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish

Author David Rakoff deviates from his previously work in memoir to write a novel.  This is not any common novel, but one written in rhymed couplets.  Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish was published posthumously after Rakoff died in 2012 of cancer.  While the form is intriguing, I found the substance to be lacking.  The novel follows several generations of family and relationships across many decades.  None of the characters seem to get much time for development in the slim 113 page volume.  This is a book better checked out from the library and read in a weekend, than purchased to keep on your bookshelf after several readings.

A Song About Pi

For my mathematically inclined readers:  This song about Pi was recently brought to my attention.  What do you think?

Pokey LaFarge

An announcement that Pokey LaFarge is coming to play a concert nearby caught my attention.  I had not heard of him (although he is from the region) so I investigated his music online.  I'm intrigued and looking forward to attending the concert in a few weeks.  Below are four favorite songs I've heard of his so far.

Xylophone

A unique and relaxing way to perform a familiar tune...

Mama's Boy - Chicago Tap Theatre

A half-price ticket led me to this unexpectedly good performance of Mama's Boy by the Chicago Tap Theatre.  Like ballet, the story was told through dance - tap dance, in this case.  There was a roving poet who provided narration for the story.  The music, written by Arne Parrott & Kurt Schweitz was the strongest part of the performance.  It was well suited for the dancing and enjoyable for the listener.  Unfortunately, the music in the preview (above) isn't the same as that performed.  I would definitely consider going to another production from this group!

Sandra Day O'Connor

At the age of 83, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor moves slowly but still speaks forcefully and passionately about the causes she cares about.  I attended a lecture by her where she emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary (similar message as the video below) and civics education (see video above).  One of her projects is the icivics.org website for students and teachers.  

Book of Mormon - the musical

The Book of Mormon has received substantial publicity (positive and negative) since it opened on Broadway in 2011.  I attended the Chicago company's production of the show which has been running for several months.  The show has colorful language, questions belief and unbelief, reinforces and exploits stereotypes, stretches reality, and more.  It is ultimately a well-crafted and entertaining show.

 

Big Fish - the musical

The world premier of Big Fish, the musical, is in Chicago before it moves to Broadway.  The musical is based on the movie and the book of the same name.

Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest... and then some!  Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him - most of all, his devoted wife, Sandra.  But their son, Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father's epic tales.

This was the third show I've seen in the past year (following Kinky Boots and Catch Me If You Can) that explored father-son relationships.  In the end father and son reconcile and the son comes to better understand his father and continues the tradition or "big fish" stories with his own son.  This show is headed for Broadway.  I'm not sure if it will have long-lasting success.  The music was good but not completely memorable.  The actors did an excellent job but the material isn't compelling to me.  There are some interesting sets such as the pit being "filled" with water.  Time will tell whether or not this show will be little more than a memory from 2013.

Catch Me If You Can

Having seen the musical Catch Me if you Can on Broadway in New York, I wasn't sure if I would see it when a touring production came to Chicago.  However, a cheap ticket persuaded me to head out for the evening.  The show is based on the book and movie of the same.  It follows the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. who impersonates airline pilots, doctors, lawyers, and more while scamming and scheming to get rich and have fun.  In the end FBI agent Hanratty catches up with him.  In the real-life version of the story, Frank goes on to work for the FBI after he is released from prison.  Few people knew better than he did how to get around the law!  The show is filled with catchy melodies eye-catching choreography.  The clip below is a performance from the 2011 Tony Awards.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

A colleague said this show was not to be missed!  So, I got a cheap ticket and headed over to see it.  Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is an over-the-top visual and musical spectacular with a thin plot and plenty of familiar tunes.  Incidentally, the lead actor of this Broadway touring show was someone I had seen perform in several region theater productions when I lived in Portland.

This outrageously fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.

Too Hot to Handel

A few years ago I had tickets to Too Hot to Handel, a jazz-gospel version of Handel's Messiah.  At that time, I couldn't attend because I was out of town for work.  This year I took advantage of my proximity to the theatre and attended the concert!  I was not disappointed.  The original Handel's Messiah puts me to sleep but this one kept me awake throughout.  The music is based on the original, keeping the same text and structure, but it done in with a jazz and gospel flair.  I'm not sure I will need to attend every year, but it is something to experience at least once!  Get an extended sample from the clip below.