Lyric<\/a>. Just under four hours and an execution\/suicide later, we emerged blinking into the twilight, in dire need of a drink. We had just enough time for a few quick ones with good old Pat at Nick & Tony’s before another friend came to fetch me for the evening’s production: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Court Theatre. Now, this is not what anyone would call a feel-good show – in fact, it’s more or less witnessing a three and a half hour act of psychological terrorism. But I’m here to tell you, it was amazing. Utterly worth it. I said that evening, and have maintained since, that it is the single best production I’ve seen in ten years in Chicago. Huge kudos to the cast and crew and director, and also high praise to the scene design. I am almost tempted to rattle on about it at length the way I normally do about productions that I love, but you might leave me and never come back. Perhaps I’ll revisit this at some point – my only regret is that I didn’t get a review up early enough to encourage everyone in town to see the show: it closed on Sunday. <\/p>\nFriday saw another charmed dinner party at my house. Yes, I’m trying to cram in as many intimate gatherings as I possibly can before I quit the country, and even though from time to time I look around the room and get all misty, they are always such a splendid time. The menu for this one was Spicy Corn Chowder, followed by Chili-Lime Marinated Pork Tenderloin and Lime-Cayenne infused Shrimp on a bed of Cheddar\/Chipotle Mashed Potato, with French Green Beans and a few cherry tomatoes for color. For dessert, one guest supplied fresh strawberries with a brown sugar-sour cream dip, and another gallantly arrived hours early to bake a wonderful apple pie. Yea verily, we were well-fed. Well-boozed, too, but that’s another story. I’ve still got a can of wine (!) in my fridge if anybody’s interested. <\/p>\n
So what have I got that’s amusing and witty and clever? It shames me to say that I’m coming up snake eyes today, folks. Perhaps this evening’s outing to the north side will supply me with some comic relief, or at least some regrettable fashion, to share with you, but for now you’ll just have to make due with the facts. <\/p>\n
At least I’ve written something. My guilt is partially assuaged.<\/p>\n
Oh yeah, and if Bush wins next Tuesday, I’m leaving the country. Wait a minute… Well, ok. But vote anyway, would you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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