Marcelo Nylund was Greased Lightning

Grease closes its run this weekend at the Skokie Theatre. Unfortunately, I did not get back to seeing it again, but my schedule got busier.

It is the talk of the town though. It had a great run with packed houses. I wish it would get extended, but Skokie Theatre has several other productions on the schedule. 

Marcelo Nylund brilliantly played Kenickie. The crowd seemed to be anxiously awaiting Greased Lightning and when it came, it killed! Equally good at the acting parts, Nylund was likable, yet slick in his interactions with Rizzo. He balanced both sides erectly.

One thing I take from Grease is a real appreciation for the performers. They did not let the smallish stage stop them. Somehow they made it all seem bigger. It was a fantastic performance al around.

I'll be looking for all the performers in their productions at Skokie Theatre and elsewhere. I will also be attending some other fun shows at Skokie Theatre.

Jodie, Marcelo Nylund and me in Skokie, IL-June 2024.

Eugene Almost Took Our Picture

When we saw Grease at the Skokie Theatre last month, we waited after the production to meet some of the stars. Andrew Buel, who played Eugene, was the first performer we saw.

I approached Andrew and complimented him on his performance. Then I asked him if we could take a picture. He proceeded to extend his hand for my phone. Confused, I asked why. He answered he though I wanted him to take our picture. Pretty funny. I explained we wanted a picture with him and he graciously complied.

Andrew was brilliant as the nerdy Eugene. The whole cast was very good. We really enjoyed the performance.

Grease runs through July 28 at the Skokie Theatre. After that, there are a few one-time productions and a few longer-run musicals. Grease was just the latest in a long line of outstanding shows I have seen at Skokie Theatre.

 Andrew Buel, Jodie and me in Skokie, IL-June 2024.

Taylor Morris Owned Rizzo

Once again,. I am featuring one of the stars of the production of Grease I recently saw at the Skokie Theatre. Today, Taylor Morris, who played Rizzo, gets my praise.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a woman of color portraying Rizzo. Morris proved talent and performance supersede all, including color. Morris belted out "Sandra Dee" like a pro, but it was her crooning "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" that really got to me. Not only did she sing it beautifully, she showed the angst and pain needed in that song. It was a multi-layered performance and one of the best of the night.

After the show, we specifically sought out Morris to applaud her. She could not have been more pleasant. She seemed shocked, almost embarrassed that we heaped praise on her.

It all just seemed appropriate considering we were in the month of Juneteenth. Maybe I shouldn't even mention race. Hopefully in time, it wouldn't even be noticed. 

Make no mistake though. No matter the color or race or any other factor, Morris killed it that night with her singing and acting. She captured Rizzo's spirit. This production goes another month and I hope to see her again. Either way, I will be looking out for her in other productions.

Jodie, Taylor Morris and me in Skokie, IL-June 2024.

Olivia Daly-Short Was a Great Substitute

Ordinarily when you see any entertainment production, whether sporting event, play, musical or whatever, you want to see the stars. It's a disappointment when a star misses and a substitute take that spot. It's no offense to the person who fills in (at least the event still happens), but the stars are who we want to see.

When we went to see Grease at the Skokie Theatre last week, the first announcement was the part of Sandy (one of the main characters) was being played by her understudy. This was Opening Night and one of the main stars was missing.

Things happen though. Performers are people and life sometimes gets in the way.

Of course, being local musical theater, I really didn't know any of the performers. I wouldn't know what I was even missing.

Then, when Olivia Daly-Short took the stage and belted out "Summer Lovin'" with co-star Seth Riley (featured here yesterday), none of that mattered. Olivia owned the stage. She was amazing.

Actually, the entire ensemble cast was great. This might have been the best production I have seen at Skokie Theatre and I have seen many.

After the show, we waited for performers to come out. Olivia was tops on my list to meet. She was as pleasant off stage as she was great on stage. She really seemed touched that we wanted a picture with her.

A few friends are trying to talk me into going again. That's an interesting idea. How would the "real" Sandy compare to Olivia's Sandy? Either way I can't lose though.

Olivia Daly-Short, Jodie and me in Skokie, IL-June 2024.

Danny Zuko Came to Skokie

Last week, Danny, Sandy and the whole gang from Rydell High came to Skokie and put on quite a performance. I have seen many productions at the Skokie Theatre and Grease ranks up there with the best.

Seth Riley brilliantly played Danny Zuko, one of the main characters and the love interest of Sandy Dombrowski, the other main character. Their angst-ridden love story is the backbone of this story.

Seth did a great job with the softer side of Danny when he is with Sandy and the cool side when he is with the rest of the gang. He did equally well with the singing and acting.

The musical is slightly different from the movie, but nothing to drastically affect the storyline. Still, it was interesting seeing what songs were left out ("Hopelessly Devoted to You") and what scenes were changed (Sandy did not appear all leathered up, nor did they sing "You're the One That I Want").

It was a great production, just the latest in a long line of other awesome musicals at Skokie Theatre. It's nice to have such entertainment just a few blocks from my place.

Jodie, Seth Riley and me in Skokie, IL-June 2023.

Johngy Meets Shrek

I have seen a few great productions at North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie. At a show last year, I saw an ad for Shrek: The Musical for late in the year. I immediately circled the dates on my calendar. A big green ogre in a musical? Count me in!

The day finally came and I admit I was really looking forward to it. It did not disappoint. I wrote more about it at Shrek: The Musical on Global Traveler. Also, go to NorthShoreCenter.org for more info on all of their productions.

After the show, some of the actors came out for pictures and they were still in costume. Jodie and I took a picture with Jordan DeBose (Shrek) and Dani Pike (Fiona). Readers know of my fascination with mascots (or any costumed characters). I was amped for this one.

In short, I highly recommend Shrek: The Musical and get the post-show pictures if they are offered. The actors seemed to appreciate the praise we gave them and they deserved it.

Jodie, Fiona, Shrek and me in Skokie, IL-December 2023.

Friend Encounters: Monica Abbott and Danny

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Last summer, I got my longtime friend Jodie Schaefer to attend her first National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits game. Jodie brought her teenage son Danny.

I've known Jodie since 1989, when we both worked at Lerner Newspapers. Jodie got married and raised four awesome children. We kept in touch over the years, occasionally seeing each other.

Always one of the most positive people I have ever known, Jodie quickly agreed to help me with photographs when Team USA was in Rosemont for some exhibition games. After the game, while waiting to meet some of the players, Danny joined the fun by getting a few pictures, too. I had to make sure he got Monica Abbott, one of the greatest players o all time. So for his first picture with a pro softball player, Danny went right to the top. Pretty good get for the kid!

It was a fun night and both Danny and Jodie enjoyed the game and the evening. I think I converted a coupe new fans.

The Bandits season is still about 7 months away, but with winter looming, I am already dreaming of nights at the ballpark in Rosemont. I am pretty sure I'll see Jodie back at some games.

Check back here for recurring coverage. Also, go to ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info and announcements

Monica Abbott and Danny in Rosemont, IL-July 2019.

Mascot Week: Friendly Encounters: DIBS and Jodie Schaefer

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series in which I feature friends who have met celebrities.  Mascot Week starts with a Special Friendly Encounters edition.

Back in my day, the DePaul mascot was Billy Blue Demon.  In 1999, Billy was replaced by DiBS, which stands for Demon in a Blue Suit.

My passion for mascots is well known, but this one falls very flat.  Could they have picked a dumber name?

I understand they wanted to update their mascot.  Their goal was to show a fiercer mascot to go along with the new direction of the school.  Understandably, they wouldn't abandon the blue demon look.  Why didn't they just update the look, like many other institutions have done.  "DiBS" represents toughness?  I'd like to hear a good explanation of how that all came to be and why nobody stopped the insanity.

If they wanted to improve their image or to go in the new direction, maybe they should have actually made their basketball team better.  As a major school in a world class city, there is no excuse for the mediocrity of DePaul's basketball program.

The Demons have moved into their beautiful new Wintrust Arena, just south of downtown.  The proximity should improve the student attendance, but a better product would be the best solution.

With all of that being as is, I still like seeing any mascot, including DiBS.  There's no point in holding a grudge against the mascot.

My dear friend Jodie knows of my interest in mascots and took a picture with DiBS last year while at an event with her kids.  To Jodie, her kids and most of the population, a mascot is a mascot.  I didn't feel the need to go into my rant about the history of the Blue Demon.

DIBS and Jodie Schaefer in Chicago, IL-February 2017.