Interviews, Non-Theater Reviews, Stories, Whatever

***RECOMMENDED*** The Early Verdi Series at Lyric Opera of Chicago is certainly off to a fantastic start. Over the course of the next several years, Lyric will be featuring a single Verdi opera each season which was composed either early or in the middle of his very long and prolific career. First up is "Luisa Miller" from 1849. Lyric Opera has only performed this work once before in its 65-year history, and that was over 35 years ago. Thanks to some innovative programming on Lyric's part and the addition of conductor Enrique Mazzola (who is Lyric's music director designate), opera lovers now have a rare chance in a brief limited run to see how this pivotal and transitional work ultimately affected Verdi's later masterpieces, both in terms of its musical score and dramatic structure.  3 SPOTLIGHTS

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Lyric Opera of Chicago has launched their 65th season with a massively entertaining production of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." While this may be the 16th time that Lyric has presented this work -- it was featured as the second opera of their inaugural season -- it is only the first time that long-time Music Director Sir Andrew Davis has actually conducted it here.  And that's significant. With him on the podium there is clearly no doubt that the pacing will consistently and perfectly drive the frivolity forward. From the iconic and instantly-recognizable overture to the delightfully ebullient finale Davis expertly guides this production.  Add in the first-rate cast and incredible design elements and the result is as nearly perfect a version of this opera that you will ever have the pleasure to experience.  4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS

My Saturday night was absolutely fabulous!  Thanks to my friend Al Bresloff, I got to see Bernadette Peters in concert at the Paramount Theatre, Aurora.

**** Recommended **** Chicago Tap Theatre’s newest tap opera, “Saving the World” is creative, contemporary and kind of political, which figures, since it’s written and narrated by International Poetry Slam founder, Marc Kelly Smith.   Choreographer Mark Yonally’s ingenious choreography uses tap shoes to tell Smith’s story the ultimate triumph of a young woman who cared over a smiling multi-millionaire.  3 ½ Spotlights