finally the sky is blue again...

...and the grey buildings have a colorful backdrop again today. Grey on grey is interesting only for so long. Today, from a rooftop at Randolph and State, I paused and took a few photographs of grey arrows pointing towards blue infinity...

Loooong days at work, short sun stays above the skyscrapers, cold Chicago weather and the lack of recent theatrical adventures to take me out of my world may not make a dull gal, but it makes this gal a lil more crabby, a lil less focused and a lot more ready for the change of seasons. Apparently, a change of scenery is out of the question.

Luckily, I do enjoy Chicago. And, as a quick flight to Narnia may have been ruled out, I'm lucky enough to have a job that takes me to new places within my old city on a daily basis. I try to keep my eyes opened even tho sometimes it seems safer to squint.

My back door...

I rarely exit my building through its front door. I have no less than four options of building departure and arrival, not counting the most popular choice - the parking garage beneath the building. The buildings front door is by far its most gracious entry. The lobby is modest, immaculate, industrial and very minimally but elegantly appointed. One front door visitor remarked to me "you have a real entrance here! Makes me feel that somebody actually thought about it..." I put to use the front door mainly for two purposes... to accept delivered dining and to mark the beginnings and ends of daily walks during the Spring, Summer and Fall. The parking garage is my most prevalent form of egress. Its automatic door, reserved parking space and inherent, concrete weather shield may not be cinematic, but I admit to still being awed by the luxury of it all.... far more luxurious that my elegantly appointed lobby. The back door is my favorite. Its use makes me feel low profile. Unexpected exit. My building mates and I utilize our back door rarely. Occasionally, during Bears season, a handful of residents gather at our back door to watch the fireworks over Soldier Field. Daylight brings an urban view to my back door. The Sears Tower looms over the South Loop like a giant sun dial. Recently, I began to notice that I will have to rely on my own sense of place when exiting and entering my back door...

...one who keeps tearing around

Principal photography for our bigger than it needs to be film is OVER. An exhausted happy dance and big sigh of relief was mandatory for all involved. No tears were shed, but plenty of sweat, mind numbing logistics figuring and no more blood than a band-aid or three... The must have piece of clothing for Chicago Movie makers that I will not be without next winter was insulated, flannel lined, Gortex ski pants. Sub zero temperatures through out filming helped with keeping looky-loos scare, but fashion quickly left the building once filming began. Finding someone on set involved remembering what their eyes looked like. We looked like we were filming a NorthFace commercial. One more week of wrap.

I celebrate with a grand reunion and my first visit to the LA Opera next weekend. Jet Blue will be my magic carpet. The prize is, with a dear friend on each arm, I will escape the real world for one fine evening at The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

I'm breathless about the whole 48 hours in LA, a city I've spent considerable energy avoiding.

The day after I arrive back in Chicago from la la land and its' richest artistic and personal rewards, I begin the next new big flick. It promises to be the biggest in scope, most expensive circus ride to date. Just when one sleigh ride is over, the Bat beam shines again on Chicago.

GO BEARS but also GO to the supermarket DURING THE SUPERBOWL

...Dominicks is a dream during the Bear-full Superbowl. I parked in the first spot by the door and waited nor wanted for anything... except for maybe a loss of the fluorescent lighting and a sense of humbleness. I loathe the Supermarket experience and wish for the comeback of the corner store where I could walk to fresh bread, laundry detergent, butter and a light bulb. When I gather enough courage to enter a Dominicks, I usually go mid-day or midnight to avoid the crowds with shopping carts of issues. The South Loop Dominicks was filled with a handful of female 30somethings this Superbowl evening. No waiting, no idiocy.





The drive home last night was brisk, but I stopped and snapped a few photos of one of my favorite views from the 18th Street Bridge. Bitter cold but rich with team spirit.

What is it about what people choose to put on the top of their urban sky scrapers...?

Go Bears.

A very special napkin ring on top of a cat... Shazam is reluctant to become the Alfa Cat in Buds absence. He did agree to try on Buds crown, but was generally crabby about it.

What ever patience Bud taught him has remained.

Rainy, foggy rooftops today...

first day... come and gone

A success. Whew. Mild weather made it less painful. A product placement deal with a different Starbucks allowed us to open the Starbucks on the corner of our set just for us! My Departments team is strong; we actually find time for a joke and a laugh throughout the day. The 16 hour day that was day one. Now I'm knee deep in production 'till the end of the month. The 20 Picture Cars and 150 Extras felt easy day one. As it should, since we managed 500 extras and another 20 Picture Cars on Michigan Avenue yesterday and today. My Department performed our responsibilities with grace and style, seemingly unnoticed, thanks to our diligent preparations. +*+Poof+*+ there's a warming tent. +*+Poof+*+ there's a Porta Pottie. +*+Poof+*+ there's 4 flagship super-corporation retail stores on Michigan Ave. whose windows are redecorated from their current SALE windows to their Christmas windows. +*+Poof+*+ Bus Shelter posters have been changed to Christmas themed, clearances approved, colorful posters. +*+Poof+*+*+*+Poof+*+*+*+Poof+*+ I'm eating my vitamins, trying to steer the ship rather than ride the wave and not forgetting to stop and enjoy the view.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007

My street, New Years Eve, dusk...

Audra McDonald was broadcast live last night by the good folks at Live From Lincoln Center; imagining my front row, center isle seat was easy thanks to my favorite guilty pleasure purchase of 2006. I raised a delicious cup of Earl Grey tea to the gowned, glamorous New Yorkers and relished the in the moment nature of the live event. The New York Philharmonic sounded perfect with her. I feel that I now have heard an as brilliant version of "I Have Confidence," from The Sound of Music as Ms. Andrews blessed us with back in the day. It was a pleasure to hear Audras version of "Over The Rainbow" with a lone guitar. Pleasure became honor when she admitted to being afraid of the song and never being brave enough to sing it publicly before. It was lovely and so was she.

Happy New Year from Chicago's South Loop.

Proud to ring in the new year with brave Audra, Earl Grey and medium hot Chicago.

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx

A nemesis of mine... At work and at play.... The City of Chicago's department of Streets and Sanitation. Yesterday, my 10 minute drive down Ashland Avenue became a 25 minute exercise in self restraint and introspection. I literally experienced the five stages of death as I (and about 20 other unluckies) traveled south on Ashland Ave. from Foster to the river at Clybourn St. We all drove 15 mph behind two yahoos in their big, mean Garbage Trucks. Who has time for this? The 21 unluckies behind said rolling road block, apparently.
• Denial and isolation: "This is not happening to me."
• Anger: "My time is valuable!"
• Bargaining: "Just let me drive the speed limit and I'll be fine."
• Depression: "I can't bear to drive so slowly."
• Acceptance: "ok, what song shall I sing?"

Something upbeat, something catchy...with hope and humor... Mr. Goldstone came to mind... So I sang...

"Have an eggroll...

Mr. Goldstone....

Have a napkin, have a chopstick, have a chair.

Have a spare rib, Mr. Goldstone...

Any spare that I can spare I'll be glad to share!

Have a dish, have a fork, have a fish, have a pork.

Put your feet up. Feel at home...

Have a smoke, have a Coke.

Would you like to hear a joke? I'll have June recite a poem!

Have a leechie, Mr. Goldstone...

Tell me any little thing that I can do.

Ginger peachy, Mr. Goldstone...

Have a kumquat, have two!

Everybody give a cheer.

Santa Claus is sitting here.

Mr. Goldstone I love you!"

Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Merry Christmas

A quiet, private Christmas is a lovely Christmas. Apple pie for a late breakfast, a long walk up the lake shore and down Michigan Avenue without my camera, commitments or worries. Happy, loving phone calls, small, perfect presents, occasional glimpses of the Larry King Marathon, currently enjoying Broadways Lost Treasures II and III on PBS...

Coolest Christmas tree

I've had in years......

Peace.

And Quiet.

Merry Christmas 2006.

A very Downtown Chicago Christmas Eve...

City Hall...
South Loop...
Daley Plaza...

...a merry, Chicago, foggy Christmas Eve eve...

Too busy for words...

Some of this weeks riches deserved further investigation. Although they didn't go unnoticed, the riches of my view of Chicago life were stilted by my desire to do a superb, triple checked, thought of everything, brilliant job at work. I still noticed though. And occasionally just turned the camera to the left...

Chicago's medium sized Christmas tree...

not sure what they were advertising.....

Urban magic hour.....

Sofitel.....

Tiffany's Christmas window.....

Holiday brass on Michigan Avenue.....

Old Sears parking deck.....
tip top tap...
Christmas light install in my courtyard...

Finally some good light arrived Friday...

Ridiculously cold weather all week only slowed me down slightly as I was properly dressed for the 9 degree Fahrenheit air that greeted me nearly every morning. I spent a good deal of time on Michigan Avenue in my layers of silk under cotton turtle, under light weight down vest, under the fleece jacket zipped into the Gortex parka. After Christmas, weather like this will keep the masses inside. Until then, I notice pockets of quiet light in the city...

...amidst the fast urban pace that I join, thrive on, laugh with, maneuver through every day.

Irony surfaces regularly.

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning

Michigan Avenue today....

"Oh, What A Beautiful Morning," when you put it on paper looks vapid, but it's not when it's sung. That's another thing he understood, which is how rich music is, and lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers. Not always, but generally they do, because the language is too rich. It's like what they call in England "over-egging the cake." It's over-enriching something, so that you get drowned in it. I firmly believe that lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to understand what's going on."

Stephen Sondheim Interview - July 5, 2005 - Los Angeles, California

Belting out "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" inside ones auto on an icy Michigan Avenue early morning is a great way to start a day...

Sorry Grateful

As Ravinia announces their 2007 summer season, I am noticing a lack of Sondheim amongst the musical productions. Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, starring George Hearn, sounds good to me. It's certainly worth the trip out to Ravinia. But... it doesn't make my heart stop and sing with giddy expectation the way it has for each of the past seasons announcements at Ravinia.

This time last year I clicked on Ravinia's home page to see what magical Sondheim event was planned and literally stood up and gasped when I saw Gypsy was announced with Patti Lupone as Rose. That night at Ravinia... with Patti as Rose, Jessica Boevers as Louise, Paul Gemigani directing the world class Chicago Symphony Orchestra behind them, Lonny Price at the helm... was simply the most full, enriching, fully realized, soaring theatrical event I have ever experienced. The actual Magritte-blue sunset was the perfect backdrop... as if the whole Gypsy at Ravinia was an Event within the EVENT. Ravinia itself became part of why none of us will ever forget the perfect weekend that was. Even the cicadas added to the drama.

Just three performances... I feel so grateful to have been there.

All of us, including the performers and creatives, are better for what Ravinia has given us with its Sondheim Series.

Passion, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Anyone Can Whistle, Gypsy...

Patti Lupone, Michael Cerveris, Audra McDonald... George Hearn, Paul Gemigani, Lonny Price... SONDHEIM.

Patti amazed me and moved me every season. Her Fosca still moves me, even on youtube. And Michael Cerveris... we were sooo lucky.

Bigger, louder, faster, funnier....

Back to work...

This week has flown by. Friday is only welcomed for the big relax that will come tomorrow. I need another 5 business days to get my business done this week. And another Assistant. Our flick is becoming ridiculously huge. And will be upon us in no time.

During particularly crazy, big, loud moments in the city this week I remember... ...that other world I visited for Thanksgiving.

Fire up my magic carpet; everybody is singing Weill these days ...

Michigan Avenue yesterday, from my magic carpet.

Todays Arts, Breifly reports on an exciting production that has just been announced as the final production of Manhattan Theater Company's 2006 - 2007 season. I'd love to see this. I need to figure out a way to get paid to be in NYC for extended visits. I love my Chicago, medium hot city, life. And I'm booked (holding my breath) through summer '07 here in Chicago. So weekend magic carpet rides seem to be necessary at least until then.

"...Manhattan Theater Company’s production of “LoveMusik,” the new musical about the marriages (two, separated by a few years) of Kurt Weill to Lotte Lenya. The show, written by Alfred Uhry, uses Weill’s music and is being directed by Harold Prince. It is scheduled to begin previews in mid-April at the Biltmore Theater, and to open on May 3. Michael Cerveris will play Weill, Donna Murphy - Lenya, and David Pittu - Bertolt Brecht..."

Thank you Ravinia for giving me Michael Cerveris in Sunday in the Park with George, Anyone Can Whistle and Passion... Chicago does rock. But I also can't wait to see Kurt Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny in LA in Feb... Magic carpet me there.

"...you all made me Ethel Merman"

Patti Lupone played Symphony Hall last night with many members of the CSO, conducted by Ted Sperling. I was lucky enough to be in the center, front balcony. "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda" was a treat sweetened by plentiful strings, timpani, brass and general musical power. And the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was there too!

Seriously. The orchestra sounded rich and divine. The Hall was beautiful.

Patti was, well, many things delightful.

Her voice seems in great form these days and it did again last night. I'm impressed with how she has developed her head voice over the years. To me, she has never sounded better. And it sounds like she is singing properly now, not putting her vocal cords in jeopardy by yelling out a song. A lifetime of being a work horse, loving a life in the theater, striving to continue to learn and love, bottomless sheer talent, she remains an easy inspiration for me.

Many great, celebratory moments... my favorites were Soliloquy from Carousel... funny, very Patti, rendition of A Boy Like That where she sang both Anita and Maria's parts, and Ladies Who Lunch... With a director that knows how to allow her to let go and stay musically focused, I think she would make a stunning Joanna. Elaine Stritch would be proud. My favorite of the night was the a Capella, un-amplified In A Hundred Years after the 3rd encore.

I felt lucky to be there.

Best bit of gossip from Ted Sperling's bio: "He is delighted to be conducting for Patti Lupone tonight, and looks forward to conducting a joint concert next summer for Ms. LuPone and Ms. McDonald at Ravinia"

We were treated to a full Overture. Over The Rainbow was teased, but, sadly, unsung. She has always left me wanting more.

Another hundred people...

"...just got off of the train and came up through the ground. While another hundred people just got off of the bus and are looking around at another hundred people who got off of the plane and are looking at us, who got off of the train and the plane and the bus maybe yesterday..."

Michigan Avenue was swimming through the sea of humanity today.

I could have taken photographs of the movement all day. In fact, a good portion of my day today was photographing this very thing. Such an urban day.

Tomorrow I get on an airplane and take one of a handful of very short weekend airplane riding excursions. I realize now that I have somehow managed to completely avoid getting on an airplane for five years. At least - since 9.11. I didn't really plan it that way, but I was happy to travel by auto or train... and happy to avoid the sea of humanity inside a metal tube, fired by jet fuel, above the clouds. Well tomorrow I leave the another hundred people who got off of the train in Chicago and join the other hundred people who get on the plane and go up in the sky.