The Best of 2018: The Most Enjoyable & Enlightening Museums, Exhibitions and Attractions I Experienced

If you're reading this--whether just this particular blog post, my current series of "Best of 2018" posts or my Seth Saith blog with any regularity--I appreciate it.

I like sharing my thoughts, and passions, and certainly hope doing so may enlighten, or merely entertain, somebody else.

Ideally several times over.

But the truth is that I write and maintain Seth Saith in large part for my own benefit.

Therapeutically, certainly, as the enjoyment of writing--and sharing my opinions on many superb performances--with consistency has been rather fulfilling.

But candidly, I also like having an archive of what I've seen, done, thought, etc.

Year-round, but in more capsulized form, via these Best of the Year posts.

This category, with somewhat unwieldy rankings of museums of differing types, sizes, scopes, exhibitions and/or permanent collections, etc., and also "attractions" of myriad forms, very much plays into this.

The lists wind up being rather non-parallel, and undoubtedly weighted to sights seen on vacation. Some of the "once in a lifetime" variety.

I realize the imperfections, and even more than most, the rankings are somewhat immaterial. But it'll be nice to have something to look back upon. And if you enjoy perusing this, that's even better.

(Note that in the museum listings, in some cases I cite particularly great Special Exhibitions, while in others simply a visit to the museum itself (or both). In the specific case of the Art Institute of Chicago, I have visited it for so long and so often--including a few times this year--here I will merely consider special exhibits I saw this year, although the museum as a whole could always rank near the top My Favorite Museums list.)

My Favorite Museum Visits of 2018

1. Museum of Fine Arts - Boston

2. Larco Museum - Lima, Peru

3. Isaballa Stewart Gardner Museum - Boston

4. Old State House - Boston

5. Harvard Art Museums - Boston

6. Ivan Albright and John Singer Sargent exhibitions - Art Institute of Chicago (seen on the same visit)

7. Speak Truth to Power / Kerry Kennedy - Illinois Holocaust

Museum & Education Center - Skokie, IL (my recap)

8. Milwaukee Public Museum

9. Paul Revere House - Boston

10. Japanese Prints - Art Institute of Chicago

11. Lima Art Museum - Lima, Peru
 





Best Non-Museum Attractions Visited in 2018

1. Machu Picchu - Peru 

2. Ollantaytambo Sanctuary - Ollantaytambo, Peru

3. Whale Watching Boston Harbor Cruise - Boston

4. Forced from Home interactive exhibit by Doctors Without Borders - Daley Plaza, Chicago (website)

5. Qorikancha - Cusco, Peru 

6. Convent of San Francisco and Catacombs - Lima, Peru

7. Boston Public Library, Old Building 

8. Huaca Pucllana - Lima, Peru

9. Plaza de Armas, Cusco 

10. Trinity Church - Boston

11. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Bartlett, IL

 
Honorable Mention 

- Convent of Santa Domingo - Lima, Peru
- Plaza de Armas, Lima
- Fenway Park - Boston
- Harvard  University Tour - Cambridge, MA
- State House Tour - Boston
- Art Walk of River North Galleries - Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Convent of Santo Domingo - Lima
- Old North Church - Boston
- Basilica of St. Josephat - Milwaukee

The Best of 2018: The Best Musicals I Saw Onstage

Other than sensational rock concerts by cherished artists, and perhaps a few transcendent movies, there is no art form I love more than musical theater.

Even without any trips to New York or London this year, I saw 32 "Broadway" musicals in 2018, including several fantastic ones.

With the caveat that in my reviews--a link is provided for each show making my list below--I am really judging a particular production as much as the musical itself, I saw terrific touring renditions of such classics as Hello, Dolly! and Fiddler on the Roof.

While it may seem a bit unfair to gauge big budget national tours--and even the continuing Chicago sit-down production of Hamilton--against local productions, you'll see that several area troupes are well-represented.

All the musicals I saw in 2018

In fact, not making my Top 11 or Honorable Mention below are a few high-profile world premieres--Pretty Woman, The Cher Show, A Taste of Things to Come, Heartbreak Hotel--that I didn't quite love. (The first two cited are currently running on Broadway.)

So I am not so concerned with the budget, scale or pedigree, but primarily what moves me.

As you'll see, I really liked the pre-Broadway Chicago run of Tootsie, and even more so, a stage version of Moulin Rouge that I happened to catch in Boston. It's scheduled to open on Broadway in Summer 2019.

For whatever it's worth, and however unscientifically determined, here are my picks of:



The Best Musicals I Saw On Stage in 2018:
(Note: All theaters in Chicago proper unless noted; in some cases the theatrical company is cited rather than venue. New shows are denoted with an *)

1. Hamilton - CIBC Theatre / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

2. Moulin Rouge* - Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston (my review) 
 

3. Hello Dolly - Oriental Theatre / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

4. Fiddler on the Roof - Cadillac Palace / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

5. The Book of Mormon - Oriental Theatre / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

6. A Little Night Music - BoHo Theatre (my review)

7. Jesus Christ Superstar - Lyric Opera of Chicago (my review) 

8. Ragtime - Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire (my review)

9. Tootsie* - Cadillac Palace / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

10. The Color Purple - Auditorium Theatre / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

11. Miss Saigon - Cadillac Palace / Broadway in Chicago (my review)

Honorable Mention
In preference order

- Haymarket* - Underscore Theatre Co. (my review) 
- Merrily We Roll Along - Porchlight Music Theatre (my review)
- Women of Soul - Black Ensemble Theatre (my review)
- Striking Out - Annoyance Theatre (my review)

- Company - Mercury Theatre (my review)
- On Your Feet! - Cadillac Palace / Broadway in Chicago (my review)
- Murder for Two - Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire (my review)

As of this writing, Hamilton and Fiddler on the Roof are still running in downtown Chicago, while Women of Soul continues at the Black Ensemble Theatre. 

-- If re-posting lists or highlighting selections, please attribute to: Seth Arkin on SethSaith.com

The Best of 2018: The Best Plays I Saw

In 2018, I saw 40 plays.

This doesn't include musicals, operas, ballets, sketch comedy, improv, etc.

Presented by 22 different local troupes in a wide variety of venues, some of these works were world premieres, some were age-old classics, many were somewhere in-between.

There were shows with vast casts, and several others with a single performer.

And many of the performances were fantastic, from Hollywood stars--Michael Shannon, Stacy Keach, Richard Thomas--many Chicagoland actors I've long seen and several I never had before.

A large number of the works were quite good, with all of the top 11 below earning @@@@@ or @@@@1/2 (out of 5) on my ratings scale--and the others cited at least @@@@. 

My #1 pick is still running for a few more weeks, and though it is a non-traditional play--with no spoken dialogue--it is completely magical.

As always, my exact rankings--and ratings of any play--are an inexact science, so great admiration is bestowed on all productions making my list, and many more that didn't.
   
The Best Plays I Saw in 2018
All were in the Chicago area. New/recent works are denoted with an *.

1. The Steadfast Tin Soldier* - Lookingglass Theatre
conceived and directed by Mary Zimmerman
(my review)

2. Liberty City - Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

written by April Yvette Thompson; directed by Jonathan Wilson
(my review)

3. Pamplona* - Goodman Theatre
written by Jim McGrath; directed by Robert Falls
(my review)

4. All My Sons - Court Theatre 
written by Arthur Miller; directed by Charles Newell

(my review)

5. Downstate* - Steppenwolf Theatre

written by Bruce Norris; directed by Pam McKinnon
(my review)

6. A Home on the Lake* - Piven Theatre and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
written by Stephen Fedo & Tim Rhoze; directed by Tim Rhoze

Liberty City at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

(my review)

7. A Shayna Maidel - TimeLine Theatre 

written by Barbara Lebow; directed by Vanessa Stalling
(my review)

8. Until the Flood - Goodman Theatre
written by Dael Orlandersmith; directed by Neel Keeler
(my review)

9. Linda - Steep Theatre
written by Penelope Skinner; directed by Robin Witt
(my review)

10. An Enemy of the People - Goodman Theatre
written by Henrik Ibsen; adapted & directed by Robert Falls
(my review)

11. The Gentleman Caller* - Raven Theatre 
written by Philip Dawkins; directed by Cody Estle
(my review)

Honorable Mention

Curve of Departure* - Northlight Theatre
written by Rachel Bonds; directed by BJ Jones
(my review)

The Play That Goes Wrong - National Tour / Broadway in Chicago

written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields; directed by Matt DiCarlo
(my review)
 
Indecent - Victory Gardens Theatre
written by Paula Vogel; directed by Gary Griffin
(my review)

Victims of Duty - House Theatre

written by Eugène Ionesco; directed by Shira Piven
(my review)

The Humans- National Tour / Broadway in Chicago
written by Stephen Karam; directed by Joe Mantello
(my review)

The Lonesome West - Aston Rep Theatre
written by Martin McDonagh; directed by Dana Anderson
(my review)

Vietgone - Writers Theatre
written by Qui Nguyen; directed by Lavina Jadhwani
(my review)

Lady in Denmark - Goodman Theatre
written by Dael Orlandersmith; directed by Chay Yew
(my review)

A Moon for the Misbegotten - Writers Theatre
written by Eugene O'Neill; directed by William Brown
(my review)

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years - Goodman Theatre
written by Emily Mann; directed by Chuck Smith
(my review)

-- If re-posting list or highlighting selections, please attribute to: Seth Arkin on SethSaith.com

The Best of 2018: My Favorite Songs of the Year -- A Spotify Playlist

Anybody who sees my post of The Best Rock Concerts I Attended in 2018--or most other years for that matter--will likely think, "Boy, he likes a bunch of old rock bands."

Which isn't incorrect. I do.

I still love rock music, and listen to it daily.

But I can count on two hands the number of rock acts I've really cared about that have arisen in this century, and on just one those from this decade.

Yet I rather constantly--and quite vociferously at year-end as research for lists like this and Best Rock Albums--try to catch wind of new artists, albums and songs that prove that rock really is still alive, in an ongoing sense.

And I also attempt to find some stuff a bit beyond my wheelhouse.

Different than most of my other year-end Best of 2018 lists, my selection of Favorite Songs isn't presented as a ranking, but rather as a playable Spotify playlist. It is sequenced to hopefully make for pleasant listening, without qualitative delineation.

You can play the songs through the interface below, but can also find/bookmark the playlist online through the URL:

SethSongs2018.us

And should you happen to care, past yearly playlists of favorite songs can be found by clicking each year: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Enjoy.

My Favorite Songs of 2018

The Best of 2018: The Best Rock Concerts I Attended

Even without any shows by Mssrs. Springsteen and McCartney, 2018 was another rather remarkable year of concert going. (And I love Springsteen on Broadway on Netflix after seeing it live in December '17.)

Including everything from free shows in local parks to sold-out stadium extravaganzas, I attended 45 rock concerts--and I truly enjoyed every one of them.

I say "rock" so as not to include here classical, jazz and theatrical performances, even if the latter included rock & pop songs.

But acts I saw in 2018, and eligible here, range from Buddy Guy to Taylor Swift, Erasure to Foghat, so rock isn't meant in any stringent sense.

I awarded 12 performers a full @@@@@ rating on my Seth Saith scale, and among these, I saw U2 and Pearl Jam twice. (For ranking purposes, I will award them just one berth each.)

And while I will cite opening acts, my ratings and rankings only apply to the headliners. Def Leppard and Journey made for the only true double-bill I saw (with the Pretenders opening the show at Wrigley Field), but though both were quite enjoyable, neither makes the list below.

My Favorite Rock Concerts of 2018
Artists seen multiple times ranked just once; venues in Chicago area unless noted.

1. David Byrne (w/ Benjamin Clementine) - June 3, Auditorium Theatre (my review) 

2. Arcade Fire (w/ Manchester Orchestra) - July 8, Milwaukee Summerfest Mainstage (my review)

3. Depeche Mode (w/ EMA) - June 1, United Center (my review) 

4. Foo Fighters (w/ the Struts) - July 29, Wrigley Field (my review)  


5. Pearl Jam - August 20 & 22, Wrigley Field (my review)

6. U2 - May 22 & 23, United Center (my review)

7. Jeff Lynne's ELO - August 15, Allstate Arena (my review)

8. Elton John - October 26, United Center (my review)

9. Stereophonics (w/ The Ramona Flowers) - September 11, The Vic (my review)

10. The Struts (w/ The Glorious Sons) - November 24, House of Blues (my review) 

11. Ash (w/ Namorado) - September 22, Schuba's (my review)

Honorable Mention
(in preference order)

- Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul - November 5, Copernicus Center (my review)

- Robert Plant (w/ Seth Lakeman) - February 20, Riviera Theatre (my review)
- Radiohead (w/ Junun) - July 7, United Center (my review)

- Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (w/ Larkin Poe) - December 14, Allstate Arena (my review)

- Smashing Pumpkins (w/ Metric) - August 13, United Center (my review)

- The Zombies (w/ Don DiLego) - March 19, City Winery (my review)

- Neil Young (John Hammond Jr.) - June 30, Auditorium Theatre (my review)
- Buddy Guy (w/ Ronnie Baker Brooks) - March 31, Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet (my review)

- Simple Minds - October 15, Chicago Theatre (my review)

- Willie Nile - April 14, City Winery (my review)

---
Thus begins my annual barrage of year-end rankings. In the coming days, please look for The Best of 2018 posts covering Plays, Musicals, Albums, Songs and Movies, as well as others covering Travel, Dining and various other topics. 

If re-posting lists or highlighting selections, please attribute to: Seth Arkin on SethSaith.com