Friday, February 5, 2010

Good Man



Last night, Ignacio and I went to see Hughie and Krapp's Last Tape at the Goodman Theater. Hughie is a two-person play starring Brian Dennehy and Joe Grifasi. Krapp's Last Tape is a one-man show with Brian Dennehy as Krapp.

We are subscribers to the Goodman.  Oh yes, we have a subscription to the Goodman Theater.  This is our second season as subscribers.  It's really pretty cool.  Chicago has so much to offer in the way of cultural happenings, and I am terrible of taking advantage of it.  Having a subscription to the Goodman is a good start.  A subscription package at the Goodman is really reasonable, and I enjoy seeing real live stars in the flesh.  I mean, Brian Dennehy for crying out loud.  Ignacio loves him, and that is probably why we got the subscription in the first place.  Mr. Dennehy seems like he is at the Goodman often.  And, we walk to the theater.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Sometimes, like last night, I'm not sure whether I should laugh or not.  The audience seems a bit more sophisticated and cerebral than I.  I mean, I'm sure they wouldn't be laughing til soda came out of their nose at one of my burp or fart jokes.  When I am at the movies, I have no problem laughing one of my rip roaring laughs, but in the theater, sometimes I have to think a little bit:  is this part supposed to be funny? 

One of the biggest problems I have with shows is falling asleep.  I am the queen of having something to munch on during movies, plays, and concerts so that I don't fall asleep.  [Which reminds me, I need to add a snack bag to my new car because for some reason, the Dan Ryan (I94) (which I thought was the DAMN Ryan when I was young) tends to put me to sleep when I am northbound on it.] 

Last night was no exception.  During the one-man show, I was struggling to stay awake.  Brian didn't speak that much, and there wasn't much action to hold my attention.  And, the problem with live theater, is that I am paranoid of driving the theater patron next to me nuts with chewing noises.  The theater is much more quiet than at the movies, and I am very self-conscious about my eating noises. 

Each time I go to the Goodman I am amazed by the stage set.  Hughie was set in a run-down hotel and as always, I was in awe of the set.  The floor, the fixtures, little details, the background noises from a passing train, not to mention the shadows cast on the walls from the headlights of passing cars.  I get sucked in every time. 

I enjoyed Hughie more than I did Krapp's Last Tape, but I love going to the Goodman and each time it's like a mini adventure.  I highly recommend a subscription.  That way you get to see every play for the season, and you don't miss out just because you never got around to purchasing tickets. 

Next week we go the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for our second show of the season.  Yup, we have a subcription to the CSO as well.  Damn, we are some cultured b!tches. 


3 comments:

  1. Natalie,

    Must say I love the arts as well. I am a subscriber to the Center for Performing Arts in Munster and previously was a subscriber to Broadway in Chicago. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Love taking the kids, it is just so magical for them.

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  2. Oh, you are so right about the sets for Goodman productions. They're always amazing!

    This is the first year in many years that I'm *not* a subscriber and I miss it. I hope to re-up for the new season in the fall.

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  3. What's not to love??..I was in town last month and saw Jersey Boys (awesome)...made me think-I need to do this more often!!....
    But you are cultural light years ahead of me being a subscriber :)...and all that damn travel you do......xoxox

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