That Toddling Town

Chicago, Chicago, my hometown.

Okay, so it's not, but it should be. Next to Philly and Prague and Barcelona, my favorite city with brown papered packages tied up with string. I saw the greatest fireworks of my life off the Navy Pier that lit up the sky like high noon shootout. I ate pizza with more cheese than Monty Python. And hot dogs with a salad on top (it's healthy, you know). I lunched in Chinatown and Greektown, where they speak Chinese and Greek respectively (and respectably). I got dizzy looking up at the Sear's Tower. I marched (more like ran) on Michigan street with thousands of others trying to catch our train after the aforementioned fireworks. I chatted and chatted and chatted some more with my best friend. I sang Broadway tunes on the Metra for an hour and a half, half-entertaining, half-scaring the other patrons.

And speaking of Broadway...

I saw Wicked! And loved it (Jennifer, this bud's for you...)

Musically, I have to admit it wasn't exactly innovative or all that creative. It stuck to the standard Broadway sound as defined by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

That being said, I can't help but lovin' my musical. The creative part was the book, and that was ubercreative. I cried, yes, and I laughed heartily out loud. I loved the development of Elphaba's character and the change in Glinda's. It was very postmodern in its look at a story from a different perspective. I loved the examination of wickedness: some people are born wicked, others have wicked thrust upon them. And the digging into motivations with truth being found in unlikely places and veiled by seemingly good sources. So much to dig into, but alas, I haven't the time. Just know that I recommend it, and that I'm going to go back and read Gregory Maguire's other books, such as The Ugly Stepsister and Son of a Witch.




And I can't forget the Art Institute where I got to see one of my favorite paintings, Chagall's White Crucifixion as well as other greats. Unfortunately, the area with Rembrandt was closed. (Too bad, because my teeth could use the whitening.)


I lost the blues in Chicago. That toddling town.