Creepy/Cooky

The year I moved to Chicago, a show called Spamalot was playing in town. Since I was making barely enough money to live (ok live AND be able to attend happy hour), and since I didn't quite yet understand that previews for shows were done out of town before they hit Broadway, I made no effort to see it. . .which I have regretted ever since. So, I vowed to see every Broadway show that previews here.

As a result, I suffered through The Pirate Queen. horrific.

When I saw the Addams Family was coming to Chicago starring Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane, I was ecstatic. "These are two people who wouldn't be in a crappy musical," I thought. So, I bought the cheapest tickets I could (hey! It's Christmas! Can't spend too much on myself. . .), grabbed my other musical theater geek friend, Jessie, and headed to the theater!

First, I watched a lot of Addams Family as a kid, so I'm definitely familiar. I've also seen one (if not both) of the movies. I'm not going to rehash the whole musical, but basically it opens in this graveyard scene where they're doing some ceremony that involves Wednesday becoming a woman (and cutting her iconic pigtails). A few minutes/musical numbers in, we see the facade of the Addams house, which falls in dramatic fashion to reveal the family and a version of the theme song. This, in my opinion, is the beginning of the show.

One of the great things about the Addams Family is the strength of their female characters. Morticia is strong, secure, and in control. Perfect for Bebe Neuwirth. In the musical, she's a short step away from being a shallow, self-absorbed cougar. It really does both the role and the actress a disservice.

The musical couldn't figure out what story it wanted to tell - with 7 characters in the house, they could have focused on those relationships and didn't really need to introduce the family of Wednesday's boyfriend (p.s. most of the story is about Wednesday wanting to run away with a normal boy), and the most interesting characters are underused.

Also, I know his name is Gomez, but was he always latin? Hmm. Nathan Lane makes it work, but better to work with Nathan Lane, than make him make it work. . .ya know?

I'm so curious to see how this show will change before it hits B'Way. . .and if they'll get rid of the 5 minute Tango number in the show. I don't like Tango week on Dancing with the Stars, let alone in a musical.

Also, I'm pretty sure there was a squid raping a man in the show. pretty sure. . .

T-. . .i forget

After posting last time that I have not heard Feliz Navidad nearly enough, I heard it! For some reason, that song makes my brother and me inexplicably happy. As kids, when it would come on, one of us would scream for the other and then we'd sing the english parts using our best Elvis/Cher impression (side note: have you ever noticed how similar their voices are?), and try to figure out exactly where the "haHA!" comes in.

I've missed about a week of posts, so in a nutshell, here are the holiday activities during that time:
-Account Team holiday party - Iron Chef. We had to face off in pairs to create a course. I got dessert, which is right up my alley. Unfortunately, I decided to make pastry from scratch (I don't so much like to lose things. . .), and that involved a lot of work the night before, including trips to three different grocery stores to find Wondra Flour. FAIL. But I ended up beating my coworker who dislocated his shoulder the night before so. . .win?

-Becky's Bday Party! Headed to Southport Lanes to see college friends who I haven't seen in WAY too long. Southport Lanes has actual pin-setters who liked to mess with me and lift up the one pin I was gonna knock over (I swear I was better at bowling at one point in my life. . .).

-Rehearsals My improv/sketch group is trying to put up a new sketch show, revamp an old one, and prep for an improv competition, which means that from now until Feb, most of my extra time will be spent rehearsing, putting together schedules, writing stuff, etc. It's a good thing I love my group and spending time with them, otherwise it would be brutal! As of now, I'm slated to choreograph a dance for two of the boys, which is making me way too happy.

And remember - you can never have too much Jose Feliciano.

A fairytale, they say (T-18,17,16)

Weekend events: Work holiday party, Class, Rehearsal

Friday: So after all the number crunching on Thursday, my head was pudding on Friday. I also had to wear my party dress to work (and be careful not to bend over too far), so it was a fun day. We all headed to Hawkeyes on Taylor Street and then to RoSal's. . .also on Taylor Street. Our dinner was based on The Big Night, which if you haven't seen it, is an 11-course meal. 11 courses! A marathon, not a race. By course 10, I was pretty much done. Thankfully I have an extra stomach for cannoli! hehe. I think I'm still full.

Saturday: Had Second City class (last one until January!!) then we went to Jimmy Johns, improv rehearsal, and home. After the week you all read about, there's nothing like having some couch time. It was delightful.

Sunday: Had a lot planned. . .was gonna catch up on all of my chores, clean up, do all my personal stuff that doesn't get done during the week. What did I do? Uh, watched Elf, 40 Year-Old Virgin and 2 eps of Family Ties. Had rehearsal at this new place where they were super anal and came in at 9:30 to yell at us for still being there (we had it reserved from 7:30-9:30). Seriously?

Side note: Have not heard Feliz Navidad played nearly enough. I love that song.

Jack Frost nipping at your nose (T-19 days)

Today's event: Making up my Second City class

The lovely thing about a client party the night before is that when you walk into work, everyone is pretty low key. Had to make up for the work I missed by leaving at 4:30 yesterday, so the morning was a whirlwind. I decided to celebrate by going to Nordstrom to buy boots.

Ok, so my calves. Let's talk about them. First, one is a half inch larger around than the other. 2) they're huge. I grew up playing landsports, so they are muscular and do not fit in boots. The chick at Nordstrom asked me what I wanted, only listened to one of the boots I asked for before she turned around. Luckily, I caught her attention again to ask her for the other two boots I wanted to try (since she was in no hurry to get the first pair I requested). Then she dumped them and said she'd be back. After spending a good 10-15 minutes trying to cram my calves into boots and no sign of the boot lady, I left them there an went back to work. At least I don't have cankles. Thank goodness for small blessings.

After work, I headed to SC, afraid to get there too early and awkwardly sit in the lobby with nothing to read. Luckily, I ran into Sam at Starbucks, and then Patrick, and then Melissa (a blog reader and awesome friend!), so I had people to talk to. After the awkwardness of class with a bunch of people I don't know (and some I do), who were weirded out that so many of us crashed their class, I ran into Jessie (also in my SC class, but was actually there to see a show).

As usual, it's midnight, and I'm not in bed, so I should get on that. Who's happy it's Friday tomorrow (technically today?) I know I am!!

Gonna find out who's naughy or nice (T-20 days)

Today's event: Client holiday party

Today started out bright and early (4:30am!) with me waking up to finish documenting my hours for the month. Argh. Luckily, I was done by 6am and promptly jumped back into bed to get some more sleep. I had a 10am meeting up north, which means I get to get up about a half hour later than normal. . .MUCH needed!

Also, as a result, I was home to see Meredith Baxter come out on the Today Show. Honestly, I love celeb gossip and stuff as much as the next girl, but why is that news? What's especially sad is that she felt like she had to announce it because a tabloid was going to out her. Again, I'm a huge Family Ties fan, but I can't imagine that if that was the cover story on Star or US Weekly or whatever that it would fly off the shelves (and I am doubly the target audience). Good for her for realizing what makes her happy, and owning the story, as they say.

Onto today's event! We had a client holiday party at R Bar (or Arrrr Barrrr, as we were calling it at work). The drive featured Lady Gaga and the event had some yummy sliders, lots of club soda, and grifters at the bar asking Mananya and me about the event. The joke about this holiday party is that every year, it always snows on whatever day we have it. Today was supposed to be our first snow of the year, but instead it rained. Bullet=dodged.


Sha na na na.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright (T-21 days)

Today's event: Pam's Going Away Drinks #2

I had planned to get up at 5:30, do a little yoga with my pal Tony Horton, shower, and skip along to work. What happened? I slept. whee! Sorry Ton'.

So, I work in the middle of an area that lots of promoters like to hawk their stuff. One day, my (now former) coworker Pam was grabbing lunch across the street, and these guys were like "Hey, hold this and take a picture for ESPN." She does it, and it turns out they were making her hold a Maalox t-shirt. While cleaning out her desk, she offers it to me and I gladly accept. So instead of advertising my love of neutralizing heartburn, I decided to have our whole office sign it for her. mwahahaha. Everybody deserves a fun going away present!



Finished up work a little later than everyone else, so I headed over to Kerryman late. This bar is gorgeous. I really should go there more. Anyway, the club soda thing went out the window. . .luckily I'm a super slow drinker, so I nursed my Hoegaarden for about 2 hours. Realized that my hours are due tomorrow and that I left that documents I need at work, so I had to head back there (btw, super creepy when nobody is around!) and then jump on the bus to come back. Still working on them. . .and may wakeup early to get them done. Awesome.