Chicago is My Home

27
Dec

Top Chicago Music Picks For the Weekend of Dec. 28, 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Music

Are you all ready to let your New Year’s freak flag fly? There are a few warm-up shows you should check out before Monday’s annual amateur night.

To kick things off Friday night, “Come Sail Away” to Merriville, Ind. to see the Midwest’s own ode to below-average classic rock in Styx. While I would say this is a reunion tour for the men from Mulletville, I don’t think they ever left us in the first place.

If you’re looking to put a groove on your core a bit further, swing on by the House of Blues on Sunday night for a dual bill of Rusted Root with Doko Benjo. Perhaps you will even see them cover The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and relive their breakthrough moment from an early “Ally McBeal” episode.

If you’re still in need of a jam-band fix, Chicago’s very own Umphrey’s McGee will dispense its own tonic during a hat trick of performances at the Aragon Ballroom in Uptown. Though the group may not have the national following of bands like Phish and Widespread Panic, they can still get a groove on and will be ringing in 2008 on Monday night.

Finally, for you 30-somethings out there who don’t really want to go out but don’t want to stay in, I recommend hedging your bet by seeing Tributosaurus become Ray Charles at Martyrs’ in North Center. That is “What’d I Say” for this holiday weekend. Enjoy!

By Brad Spirrison

27
Dec

Top Chicago Performance Picks For the Weekend of of Dec. 28, 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Theater

It is a Santa extravaganza this weekend at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in the Lakeview neighborhood.

Who wouldn’t need detox after making toys for screaming kids all day long? Watch as Santa pays for drinking and driving his sleigh by going to a rehab center run by the estranged Mrs. Claus in “7 Santas”. The show is on Friday at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $25.

If a drunken Santa isn’t your thing, watch as Trista Smith and Jason Grimm recreate a Missouri Christmas complete with candied yams and sing-alongs. “Santa Claus and Other Lies” shows on Saturday at 10 p.m. and costs $12. If you bring a ticket stub from “Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer,” your price is only six bucks.

If you like to be surprised when you see a play, then check out the Cornservatory’s “Soon-to-Have-a-Witty-Title Chicago Christmas Spectacular”. Watch as the center rotates 14 hilarious plays inspired by the staff’s holiday photos. The show is Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

By Stephanie Huls

27
Dec

Sneak Screening of ‘There Will Be Blood’ With Daniel Day-Lewis Coming to Chicago on Dec. 29

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Film

“There Will Be Blood” is among the best films of 2007. Period. An Oscar-worthy performance by Daniel Day-Lewis helps to make this picture Oscar worthy in its own right.

Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Though the film only opened in limited New York City and Los Angeles theaters on Dec. 26, it will expand in Jan. 2008. Before that, 14 cities are being treated to a midnight sneak screening on Dec. 29.

In Chicago, the film is sneaking at AMC River East 21.

24
Dec

Theater: ‘Marrying Terry’ a Comedic Chicago Musical Without Music

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Theater

CHICAGO – It’s a musical without the music.

Ana Sferruzza closes her eyes and recites poetry from John Keats while
Dan Rodden listens in the Chicago production of “Marrying Terry”.
Photo credit: Joanna Kozek

Coupling the common theatrical themes of love and humor with the uncommon counterparts of radiology and rare books, “Marrying Terry” is not only performing now in Chicago but was also derived entirely from the city and its familiarities.

The set is a miniature facsimile of the household Drake Hotel. References to the Chicago Transit Authority, its 151 bus, a frenzied Chicago street, Lincoln Park and Michigan Avenue allow the local production to shine a tongue-in-cheek – albeit campy – spotlight on what many Chicagoans hold dear.

The story’s crux rests on endearing rare-books librarian Terry Adams (Ana Sferruzza) and the twist of fate that bestows her to another Terry Adams (Dan Rodden) while in what he thought was his bed.

Brian Simmons and Debbie Laumand-Blanc sing “Auld Lang Syne”
in the Drake Hotel bar in “Marrying Terry”.
Photo credit: Joanna Kozek

He’s a radiologist being reluctantly coerced to tie the knot by his assertive girlfriend while she’s meeting her own assertive, long-distance boyfriend thinking she wants the same. Strong supporting characters round out the feel-good production that clearly makes no mystery of where it’s heading.

Just in time for the glacial, snow-white New Year’s Eve the Windy City sees every year, the romantic comedy comes from the mind of playwright Gregg Opelka. Though known as a musical composer, “Marrying Terry” only bursts into a melodic number in one drunken scene.

Still, many of the components of a musical – a simpler storyline, an upbeat plot and a light-hearted romance – resonate loudly.

Mary Mulligan (left) and Ana Sferruzza square off in “Marrying Terry”.
Photo credit: Joanna Kozek

Elements of “Marrying Terry” draw on the feel of classics such as “Bye Bye Birdie” or “The Music Man”. The performance is directed by Suzanne Avery-Thompson who directed Opelka’s 2002 chanson musical “La Vie Ennui” and choreographed his musicals “Charlie’s Oasis” and “Hotel d’Amour”.

Its storyline is adapted from real, semi-autobiographical events. Opelka drew inspiration for the performance in part by the Russian film “Irony of Fate,” in part by his days at the American Library Association and in part by a real-life incident at a New Orleans hotel.

“Marrying Terry” runs through Jan. 27, 2008 at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater. 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays; 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $24-$30.

By Adam Fendelman

20
Dec

Interviews: Chicago Natives John Cusack, Gracie Bednarczyk, Shélan O’Keefe on ‘Grace is Gone’

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Celebrity News, Film, Film Festivals, Interviews

On Oct. 12, 2007, I interviewed Chicago native John Cusack along with first-time Chicago actresses Gracie Bednarczyk and Shélan O’Keefe on “Grace is Gone,” which opened in theaters on Dec. 14.

John Cusack in Chicago on Oct. 12, 2007 at the
Chicago International Film Festival for “Grace is Gone”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce

In our interview, Cusack speaks on the film as a whole, cell phones, sister Joan Cusack and his views on the war. Cusack speaks loudly in our interview with a soft-spoken voice. Here’s just one quotable:

I knew I wanted to do the film when the Bush administration banned photos of the dead coming from the coffins. That’s the most disgraceful, political, cowardly act I’ve seen in my lifetime.

These soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice and we’re censoring it. There’s no draft, yet you’re willing to pay mercenaries more than our soldiers and not give them body armor.

You want to send them over there and deny this is happening or let FOX News tell us how we should view the war? I said: ‘All right. I’m going to do a story about one of these coffins coming home.’

My full, 23-minute audio interview with John Cusack is below.

My full, 14-minute audio interview with first-time Chicago actresses Gracie Bednarczyk and Shélan O’Keefe is below.

20
Dec

Top Chicago Performance Picks For the Weekend of of Dec. 21, 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Events, Theater

Do you need something saucy to keep you warm? Did you just think of women in bustiers as you read that? If so, “The Flaming Dames in ‘Naughty & Nice’” just may be the thing you need to get your blood pumping.

While this Chicago-based burlesque show has been around since 2002, for the first time it is dancing to the tunes of the holiday season. Check them out at The Spot in the Uptown neighborhood for $15. The seasonal extravaganza runs through Jan. 4 and shows are on Fridays at 10:30 p.m.

Burlesque not hot enough for you or do you just like things warm and fuzzy (like bunnies)? If the latter, hit up the Climax Lounge Christmas party on Dec. 22 starting at 9 p.m. There will be a featured appearance by Playboy.com “cybergirl” of the month Brie Anna as well as go-go dancers and festive decor. The cost is $10 before 10:30 p.m. and $20 thereafter.

Does all the endless shopping make you want to ship your family off to keep all the gifts for your greedy self? Bah, humbug!

Go check out the play “Seasonal Disorder 3: Christmas in Paradise… Arizona” for a story about what really happens to holiday cheer as one mother ships her overly festive daughter to the desert. Shows are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. The performance runs through Dec. 29. Tickets are $12 for the Chemically Imbalanced Theater show.

20
Dec

Top Chicago Music Picks For the Weekend of Dec. 21, 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Music

While pickings are a little slim this holiday weekend, there are still a few options out there to aid in your yuletide groove. On Friday night, Chicago’s very own R. Kelly graces the stage of the United Center. Let’s just hope he shows more energy than the Bulls who are still stinking up the joint a month after a circus road trip.

A self-described “Ali and Marvin Gay of today,” Kelly – who has had a run in or two with the law over the past five years – is touring to promote his “Double Up” album, which was released last May. This could be a hot show. Just don’t bring the kids.

For those of you who can’t wait for the return of “American Idol” in 2008, your Christmas blessing has arrived in the form of Clay Aiken. The cheeky pseudo-star and recent appointee to the Bush administration’s U.S. Department of Health & Human Services arrives on Saturday night in Merrillville, Ind. to perform at the Star Plaza Theater.

For all you buttercups out there, don’t let the sun go down on this one.

Finally, you can never go wrong with a holiday performance from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. They will be performing on Thursday night through Saturday at the Grant Park Symphony Center. The cheap seats are only $16. Happy holidays!

19
Dec

Foreclosures in Chicago-Area Housing Market Continue to Climb

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business, Cars, Real Estate

CHICAGO – There is finally national concern in the news today about rising foreclosures in the housing market. Unfortunately, this is last year’s news.

I wrote about the rise in residential foreclosures in Dec. 2006 and touched upon it again in Jan. 2007. Crain’s Chicago Business finally wrote something about it in July 2007. Most of the national business news channels hadn’t really featured this until late in 2007. Why’s this suddenly an issue? It has been an issue for more than a year for many people.

As for buying foreclosures, forget the midnight real estate programs on TV that hype this. If you think you’re going to get a pristine house that has been in foreclosure, guess again. Sure, there might be a few exceptions, but don’t hold your breath.

What’s Next? Smaller Property Taxes?

What about new assessments of houses? Every government agency figures it’s going to get an increase due to the larger assessment they always get from property taxes.

Newsflash to all government agencies and school districts: start looking at trimming your budgets by 10 percent to 20 percent for the next couple years. Can’t do it? I guess your degrees in administration are not as good as you profess. Just like there is profit and loss, budgets can go up and down. They don’t just go up and up.

Don’t say there’s no room for cuts. A recent article on school districts said some superintendents are making more than $300,000. Does that sound reasonable to those who have lost jobs at major corporations in the last five years? I don’t think so (especially when you see the extra car allowance for these people at $12,000 a year). What are they leasing? Maserati Quattroportes?

There’s a lot of fat in those budgets. Start cutting – and don’t start with the music courses. Start with administrative perks that have gotten bloated over the years as well as the multiple superintendent positions.

Compare yourself with executive management at a corporation to justify your perks. Many corporations have cut back. Have you? What about those that crank out mediocre products? They are either bought out by a competitor or go out of business. They don’t keep getting funded every year by a tax levy. They are out the door.

Many districts are mismanaged and administrators are going to find out the well has run dry in their districts. Properties are losing the values that overzealous tax assessors have assigned to them.

There is one house north of Racine, Wis. in a small suburb called Wind Point on Lake Michigan that was foreclosed. The bank or the real estate agent thought they could get a huge return on it. They put it on the market for $595,000 more than a year ago. Though it wasn’t worth it, they thought it would command that price because it was in an affluent neighborhood.

The taxes on the property just went up several thousand dollars. The assessor thinks it’s worth a lot. That house is now $410,000 without one serious offer on it. Looking at it more than a year ago, I said it should sell close to what the mortgage is on it. That would be somewhere in the upper $300,000s. It’s time to adjust the taxes down.

There are still a lot of houses getting into the foreclosure process. Most Chicago-area suburbs that were looked at a year ago still have many houses going into the foreclosure market.

Reality on Real Estate

In comparison to about a year ago when I wrote the first column about foreclosures increasing, look how things have progressed.

No Fire Sales on Quality

Junk is going to be discounted while quality items are going to remain high priced. With cars, you don’t see 0 percent financing on a Lexus, Infinity or other vehicles in demand. Maseratis that sell for $120,000 are going out the door faster than they are coming into the dealers.

Will there be a lot of new houses and condos for sale at bargain-basement prices? Don’t count on that. Builders will take less money, sure, but they won’t give houses away. As for condos, some buildings will become apartments until the market bounces back. This is happening already.

Many are hyping real estate courses to take and books to buy that discuss foreclosures.

Most foreclosure properties will be trashed before they get to the market. While you might get them inexpensively, what are the costs to fix them up? Who’s going to pay a premium once they are put back on the weak market? It sounds like the formula for success has a couple flaws.

To recap 2007, the housing market, new-car market and the general consumer economy have reflected what we have been pointing out here for several years. The economy may be a bull market for some, but for many, it has been a bear market since Sept. 11, 2001.

By James Carlini

18
Dec

For Chicago-Based ProofSpace, Proof is in the Data

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

CHICAGO – Nearly a decade ago, Paul Doyle set out to raise millions to fund digital encryption start-up ProofSpace. Among Doyle’s challenges back then was to explain to prospective investors the importance of not allowing electronically transmitted information to be manipulated or tampered with at a later point in time.

“We were ahead of the market and then the market corrected,” said Doyle, 42, who grew up in Roseland and Beverly in Chicago. After raising approximately $3 million in venture capital, ProofSpace nearly imploded during the technology crash in late 2000.

Doyle was forced to lay off his staff and put a fork in the company’s original business model. Still, he remained committed to his belief that corporations would be willing to pay a premium for the ability to track the authenticity of digital information over time. He added: “We worked very hard to better understand the market need and the timing of its formation.”

In 2006, Doyle reacquired the company’s assets. Earlier in 2007, he raised money from angel investors and recently opened up an office at the TechNexus facility at 200 S. Wacker. ProofSpace is currently marketing data security products to broker dealers and health care companies. Doyle says the company will generate more than $1 million in revenue in 2008.

ProofSpace was spun off from Chicago-based Eolas Development Corp. in 1999. Eolas, which was founded by Paul Doyle’s brother, Mike, was awarded $521 million in a lawsuit against Microsoft in 2003. Eolas was credited with inventing an application to embed images within Internet browsers (a process later used by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer).

After Microsoft successfully appealed the ruling, the two sides agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount in Sept. 2007.

By Brad Spirrison

13
Dec

Top Chicago Performance Picks For the Weekend of of Dec. 14, 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Comedy, Theater

Run, man, run! Anthrax is coming! Take this HAZMAT suit and Santa hat to protect you.

Join other chemical warfare paranoids in a four-mile fun run to be followed by four hours of drinking and food to calm those frazzled nerves. For $30, the “Great Chicago Anthrax Scare/Santa Hat Run” is on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Hidden Shamrock.

Do you blame Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for the nightmare that is the CTA? The creators of “No-El, or How the BlagojeGrinch Stole Christmas” sure do.

Feel a little bit better about your own commute as you watch frustrated commuters spend 45 minutes to go two blocks on the CTA. The show runs at the Gorilla Tango Theatre in Bucktown on Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. with a Sunday showing at 3 p.m. The performance runs through Dec. 23. Tickets cost $10.

Did you wake up this morning with a case of the Brits?

Then grab your dentist and go see “Lord Butterscotch and the Curse of the Darkwater Phantom” as the cast takes British clichés to new heights. Lords and randy ladies will be at the Storefront Theater from Friday through Sunday until Jan. 3. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 to 20, baby.

By Stephanie Huls