From the Ledge

As I said in my previous blog post, I flew lots and lots of miles over three continents in the course of 2011. But when I was in Chicago, I made sure I slid my butt into a theater seat (over the objections and recriminations of friends and (ex) lovers who I ended up not seeing during those so few weekends). So I still managed to go to a significant number of shows this year despite feeling as if I lived at O’Hare instead of my Ravenswood loft.  No regrets on this end, since Chicago continued to be a dazzling North American capital for live performance, with a bounty of world premieres, Chicago stops of great touring productions, and storefront theatrical treasures.  Here, then, is my annual top ten list of Chicago theater:

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Tags: American Theater Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, one step at a time like this, Sideshow Theatre Company, Steep Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Teatro Vista, The Hypocrites

And, I’m back! Yes, 2011 has been a bountiful and memorable year, my dear readers, but it has also been quite the frenetic, stressful, distraction-filled year too, so my sincerest apologies for not posting on this blog as much as I’ve done in the past.  The main benefit, however, of continuing to be on the travel circuit for another year (yep, once again, I flew more than 90,000 miles across three continents)  is the opportunity to spend time with family, colleagues, and new and old friends alike over convivial meals either rediscovering the past, exploring the present, or creating the future. And sometimes, with those closest to me, all three.  

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Tags: Aroy Thai, Brasileirinho, Food on the Dole Salon, Fook Lam Moon, Jaso, Maude's Liquor Bar, Next Restaurant, Niche, Restaurante Pujol, Yin Yang