The Sound of Music is, generation after generation, a family favorite. And with good reason, too. Bouncy songs, gentle themes (well, except for that whole “Nazi Germany” thing), and the underlying message of Love Conquers All make it an exceptional primer into the world of musical theatre (and film)! The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s fresh new staging is a truly special event with an incredibly talented cast. (Check out my interview on Chicago Parent with the gracious and cool Jenn {Read More}
The Most Informative #tbt Ever.
May 1, 2014 By 8 Comments
In honor of it being Thursday, and in honor of #tbt being a thing that the kids like to do, may I present: The Four Photographs Which Will Explain Me In Entirety Let’s start with this gem, shall we? Here I am, seated in the center of the table at someone else’s birthday party. I’m not sure if I was trying to be inclusive in this picture or if I was enjoying a “nyah nyah” moment…but goodness, that’s an expression I see {Read More}
SIMPLEGiving And Endless Breakfasts.
April 22, 2014 By 4 Comments
Disclosure: I’m participating in this awesome program on behalf of Champions For Kids and The Motherhood, but all thoughts and opinions- and crazy children- are my own. *** As I write this, my little gals have consumed their third bowls of cereal. (Question- when does it stop being appropriate to call it “breakfast?” 1, 2, 3pm? Asking for a friend.) I feel so fortunate that I’m able to provide a good nutritional start to my children’s days- but the sad {Read More}
Ticket Giveaway For Lyle Finds His Mother!
April 18, 2014 By 4 Comments
Seriously, friends: There is so much good theatre for kiddos going on in this town and there are SO many great people giving me free tix to pass along to you guys! Remember way back to last Friday? When I reviewed Lifeline Theatre’s adorable production of Lyle Finds His Mother (based on the books by Bernard Waber?) WELL. They’ve generously offered up a pair of tickets to my readers for their closing weekend- April 26th and 27th- for either the {Read More}
A RoundUp And- Oh, I Give Up On This Weather.
April 16, 2014 By 2 Comments
It’s Spring out there! (If you squint really hard and step over the snowbanks!) How about some blog readin’ to get you through this Wednesday? Like yours with no added through-line? Step right up! Things I Wrote On Less Sleep Than I Ever Could Have Imagined: My kids asked about graveyards and I completely bungled the job. Lyle Finds His Mother is now playing at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. You should see it. Here’s why. A piece I wrote about the {Read More}
The LTYM Chicago Show, a.k.a. Wanna See Me Ugly Cry?
April 7, 2014 By 17 Comments
The last time I was onstage, it was the summer of 2008. I was a newlywed- playing a newlywed during the zombie apocalypse- who got to star opposite my very real and (thankfully zombie-unafflicted) husband. And it was a great show. After performances, P.J. and I would wipe the drool off of each other and ride our bikes from the theater to the Dairy Queen, stick around the theater and have a chelada beer, or do whatever else we wanted {Read More}
My Sis Does A Chicago FlyBy.
March 24, 2014 By 16 Comments
My youngest sister Emma came for a visit this past weekend; an all-too-short trip wherein I think we spent roughly eleven hours eating. Here are some highlights (of the trip, not the food): -Having my daughters crawl all over Em for 48 hours, thinking that everything she touches and says and does is actual, frameable art. (P.J. and I decided that Emily = Nanny-Era Keely, in terms of ability to be fun and awesome with children. This did not make me {Read More}
A Recap, Chicago Fun, And- It’s SNOWING?
March 12, 2014 By 2 Comments
Temps reached nearly 60 degrees the other afternoon and the entirety of Chicago celebrated by throwing away their shoes. So, obviously, today is blizzarding. Since all the stuff you probably wanted to do got cancelled, here’s some light reading material. Things You Need To Know (Because I Wrote Them): It’s true. I’m a hoarder. 100 Things? I can’t even manage 100 words. Susannah is now an un-caged monkey. Lock up yo’ bananas. Like free theatre tickets? How about TWO PAIRS of theatre {Read More}
