09 July 2007

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.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Man, I can't wait to go back to Chicago. I didn't get to see much beyond Navy Pier and the bus/train stations but I would love to explore so much more. And I love that I can ride the train there.

Pamela said...

your post was so full of enthusiasm... made me want to be there: to sing opera on the bus, and to be "wicked" in the theater. &:

Danica Favorite said...

I'm so jealous!! I've always wanted to go to Chicago and I've always wanted to see Wicked. *sigh*

L.L. Barkat said...

Sounds like a dream, in full taste and color. I'd love to see the Chagall!

Unknown said...

Woohoo!! Honestly, I thought that the novel holds a poor, dim candle to the Broadway "book" (story). They did SO much more with it. I really enjoy the music. I agree it's typcial, but I have to object to the Andrew Lloyd Webber reference. I just can't get into him.

I love Chicago, too.