The Chicago Dining World Tour: A Fine Midday Persian Meal at Noon O Kabab

Noon O Kabab
Persian
4651 N. Kedzie, Chicago
773.279.8899
Website

Last year I made a point of eating at Chicago area restaurants representing as many ethnic cuisines as I could.

Dubbing it the Chicago Dining World Tour, or more colloquially, my Sethnic Dining Expedition, I covered about 50 different cultures and wrote recaps of all of them (except for a late-December meal at Czech Plaza in Berwyn, which I still hope to write).

Continuing this exploration has not been such an acute intent in 2014, but I've returned to some places visited last year, dined at other examples of ethnicities I already covered and will always be open to trying additional cuisines.

Noon O Kabab, an attractively-appointed Persian restaurant in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, has been on my shortlist since late 2013 and I purchased a $15 Groupon for $30 worth of food a couple months ago.

But my friend Ken--a frequent Sethnic dining companion--and I only got there for lunch last Thursday.

Arriving, appropriately, a bit after Noon, we got a nice table near the window looking out on Kedzie Ave., and were assisted by a friendly waiter.

With his guidance, rather than select a more familiar appetizer from Noon O Kabab's reasonably-priced lunch menu--such as Hummus or Baba Ghannouj--we ordered Kash-Ke-Bademjaan (roasted eggplant pureed with onion, garlic, mint and dried yogurt).

This was quite tasty, and was quite welcomed by the complimentary pita bread, for which no other dip was provided.

Somewhat puzzlingly, a plate of lettuce, raw onions and feta cheese cubes had accompanied the pita bread.

We weren't sure how to consume this, but when the Kash-Ke-Bademjaan arrived, Ken--a natural problem solver--didn't just dip the pita bread in it, he made a sandwich that included the spread, vegetables and cheese.

So I did likewise, and found this even more delicious.

In asking our waiter (whose name I didn't get) for entree suggestions, he recommended the Charbroiled Salmon with green rice off the lunch menu, or a combination of Lamb Shank and Koubideh (a skewer of grilled sirloin) off the main menu.

Both and these sounded good, and I almost went with the salmon, but opted instead for Chenjeh = tender ribeye steak.

Though this was shown on the menu as accompanied by white rice, I was intrigued by the green rice that sided the salmon, and accepted the waiter's suggestion that I get half and half.

The rice was good but the steak was really delicious. As advertised, it was truly tender, and though lacking much seasoning, it really didn't need any.

Ken went with a Lamb Koubideh, which is seasoned ground lamb accompanied by rice.

He also got half green rice and half white, and cleared his plate even more entirely than I did, declaring that his meal was "excellent."

With the Diet Cokes we each got, we had already topped off the $30 Groupon, but were intrigued by the desserts, especially as a couple were quite low-priced.

For just $1.95 each, we got and split an order of Bomieh (cake mix lightly fried in vegetable oil dipped in saffron honey syrup) and Zulbia (plain dough lightly pan fried in vegetable oil and dipped in saffron honey syrup).

As the waiter described it, both are basically fried dough, with the Bomieh being cut into tube-like pieces and the Zulbia being roughly equivalent to a funnel cake.

Well, shaped in any configuration, the combination of fried dough and honey was truly scrumptious and made for a sweet end to a savory meal.

And while the lunch menu seemed to be the best deal--especially if accompanied by a Groupon offer, though none appear currently listed--any time would apparently be a good time to visit Noon O Kabab again.

(The restaurant opens at 11am daily but also lists some breakfast entrees on its lunch menu.)

Are You Ready For Some Futebol? Jordan and Paolo Preview the World Cup (Providing Help for Neophytes Like Me)

On Thursday, June 12, the 2014 World Cup kicks off with a match between host country Brazil and Croatia.

I am not certain I will watch the game, but if I can, I will.

Not because I love soccer, or outside U.S. shores, football. (And in the Brazilian tongue of Portuguese, futebol.)

I'm really not an aficionado, not in the sense of avidly following a 90+ minute game that may well not even include a single goal.

With apologies to the billions who fervently love soccer--including, as featured below, two of my best friends--the game itself kind of bores me.

That said, I love the culture of soccer and how it--and the World Cup--unifies the world likely more than anything else.

So while I will not be watching every minute of every World Cup game, I will closely follow the tournament and relish what I do see.

This is in large part due to two of my closest friends, who are huge soccer fans.

Jordan, my best friend since kindergarten, is still a big baseball fan as we were growing up, but now watches much more soccer. Pretty much everything I know about what's happening in "football," whether in the English Premier League, Europe's Champions League or elsewhere, is because of his enlightening me.

Paolo, who I met at work in 2008, has not only lived in a good number of participating World Cup countries, he played soccer at Harvard. And as he did with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he will be traveling to Brazil for all of the final matches--at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro--and perhaps a few others.

From www.fifa.com/worldcup/

So rather than trying to bluster my way through a half-fast World Cup preview cobbled from other sources of information, I just asked them for their help.

With hopes, in part, to enlighten rather casual fans like myself, what follows are their answers to my questions, with almost no editing on my part.

I'll simply add that I want Argentina to win because of superstar Lionel Messi, and not knowing any better, will even pick them to win. But Jordan and Paolo's predictions are undoubtedly much better than mine.

1. Best guess, who wins?

Jordan: Brazil. It's awful tough to discount the home field advantage. Assuming Brazil make it out of their group they do face possibly the toughest first round of 16 game. They will have to play one of Spain, Netherlands, or Chile. Yikes.

Paolo: Tough one. Spain COULD repeat, Brazil is home and formidable, but I'm worried about the Germans.

2. Three other teams that could win it all:

Jordan: Argentina, Spain, and Germany.

Paolo: Just the three I named, anything else would be considered a major upset. Super outside shot? Belgium and Argentina.

3. Who do you want to win?

Jordan: Argentina. Mostly because of Messi. Spain would be my second choice. They are already reigning two-time Euro champions and reigning World Cup champions. Three consecutive major titles is unprecedented but a fourth would be another order of magnitude of incredible.

Paolo: Spain

4. Which teams may do surprisingly well?

Jordan: Hmm. I guess South Korea and Japan. If either gets out of their group that would be a surprise possibility. Also I guess if Switzerland can win their group they would have a good chance to make it to the quarterfinals. It may sound weird but Italy could surprise. They never seem to be mentioned with the favorites but they have a chance to go very far. Unfortunately they lost Riccardo Montolivo to a broken leg in the friendly against Ireland. That could hurt them.

Paolo: Belgium, Croatia, and I really think the U.S.

5. Which teams may do surprisingly bad?

Jordan: The team that is pretty popular to call overrated is Belgium. I might overrate them as well. They have a bit of a "Golden Generation" happening right now but I think the reason I (and others) may overrate them is that they have a ton of very good to great players playing in the Premier League (Fellaini, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Mirallas, Kompany, Lukaku, Hazard, Chadli, Mignolet (even though he's a back-up), and Dembele, They also have possibly the best goalkeeper in the world in Courtois) so a lot of people are very familiar with them.

Belgium are in the easiest group but they don't have a ton of international experience. If they come in second in their group they will probably face Germany in the round of 16 and that would likely end their tournament. If they win their group they could well face Portugal which isn't a walk in the park either.

Paolo: Mexico and England.

6. Assess the U.S. chances. Do you agree with the exclusion of Landon Donovan?

Click here to enlarge
Click here for a PDF

Jordan: I could well be wrong but I expect the U.S. to be defeated heavily. Their defense looks like a shambles to me and I could see especially Germany and possibly Portugal putting a big score on them.

I probably don't know enough about the U.S. team to say if leaving Donovan out was the right move or not. Klinsmann (the U.S. head coach) knows better than I do though, that's for sure.

Paolo: If the U.S. loses respectfully vs. Germany (enabling goal differential to apply as a possible tie breaker), they need to draw with Portugal and beat Ghana. That possibly gets them into the second round. Once there they can upset anyone to get to the quarters.

Regarding Donovan, he was out of shape and I think he didn't set a good example. He's probably the greatest American player of all time, but he lost out to a youth movement.

7. Which teams should casual fans pay most attention to?
 
Jordan: That's a tough one. It sort of depends why someone is watching. If you can pick a team to root for that can help. Casual fans can't really tell much about the quality of play, and the quality of play is not always great, partly due to the players not playing together very much and partly because a lot of teams in the World Cup play a tight and cagey game. It's a huge deal and no one wants to make a mistake so a lot of the play can end up being pretty cautious.

France has some fantastic players and they can be exciting. Sometimes they implode but they can't implode any worse than they did in 2010 because that would be impossible. They left Samir Nasri off the team because he is a wanker, which made me laugh because I don't care for him. Nasri's girlfriend, upon finding out he had been left off the team, went on twitter and insulted the French team's manager, for which he is suing her. Ha ha.

As for style of play Chile might be the best team to watch. They're crazy. They go after people. It's very unfortunate that they are grouped with both Spain and the Netherlands which really limits their chances of advancing, but anything is possible. They are very, very good and I could see them taking second in their group behind Spain.

Argentina has superb attacking talent (including Messi of course) and a suspect defense which is an entertaining combination.

Brazil is always a must-watch but they do not play with the kind of flair that they have long been famous for. They are a little more workmanlike but they are still pretty awesome.

Paolo: Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium

8. What will be the toughest group(s)?

Jordan: Group B is insanely brutal. Groups D and G after that. Groups C and H seem to be the most wide open as to who will advance.

Paolo: The U.S. are in the group of death (Group G, with Germany, Portugal and Ghana)

9. Please remind/enlighten us casual observers how World Cup play is formatted, in terms of the group stage and advancement from there.

Jordan: There are 8 groups--labeled A through H--of 4 teams each. A team plays one game against each of the three other teams in their group. 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw. After the 3 games, if teams are tied on points the first tiebreaker is goal difference. The second tiebreaker is goals scored. The top two teams in each group advance to the round of 16. Teams that come in first place in their group are matched up against a team from another group that came in second. Once it gets to the round of 16, it is just a straight bracketed knock-out tournament.

10. Which games in the group stage are you most excited to watch?

Jordan: The order in which the games are played has an effect on this. Ghana v U.S. play their first game against each other on June 16th. That one is huge. If the U.S. can win that game they actually have a chance because their third game is against Germany. If Germany already have the group wrapped up by then that could benefit the U.S.

In theory England v Italy in the first game could be one to watch but it could end up being the type of game where neither team wants to take any chances and a 0-0 draw is a likely result. Also, it is being played in the jungle in Manaus and the heat will probably be a big factor.

Spain v Netherlands is massive. Two of the biggest teams. Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina could be a goal-fest. Serious attacking forces and not the best defenses could mean a chance of a lot of goals. Chile v Australia could be a big time beatdown (with Chile doing the beating down).

Otherwise we just need to wait until the third game of each group when we will know all the possible permutations.

Paolo: U.S. vs Portugal

11. Cite a good handful of players that fans should note besides Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).

Jordan: Kerzhakov (Russia), Rakatic (Croatia), Pogba (France), Matuidi (France), Shaqiri (Switzerland), Sanchez (Chile), Di Maria (Argentina), Hazard (Belgium), Lukaku (Belgium), Pjanic (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Neymar (Brazil), Oscar (Brazil), Paulinho (Brazil), Gotze (Germany), Reus (Germany), Muller (Germany), Sterling (England), Sturridge (England), Barkley (England), YaYa Toure (Ivory Coast), Wilfried Bony (Ivory Coast), Joao Moutinho (Portugal), Guarin (Colombia)

Some players that would qualify but for serious injury concerns: Falcao (Colombia), Suarez (Uruguay), Diego Costa (Spain)

Not a comprehensive list by any means but here are some major players that come to mind who are out with injury: Montolivo (Italy), Benteke (Belgium), Montes (Mexico), Edwin Valencia (Colombia)

Paolo: So many. Look for the young U.S. striker Aron Jóhannsson, also don't sleep on Iniesta (Spain)

12. What are some compelling storylines, whether about country rivalries, FIFA, coaches in trouble, etc.?

Jordan: The most compelling storyline has to be a combination of the upcoming (and continuing) civil unrest in Brazil and the despicable corruption of FIFA. I'll admit I don't even know close to all of the details and won't try to list the things I am aware of here. Perhaps Paolo has a more informed perspective. What I do know is that FIFA is utterly corrupt and I believe its president, Sepp Blatter, should be in prison.

Especially where events like the Olympics or the World Cup are involved there is always a massive amount of corruption and human rights violations involved.

This is an article about the kind of corruption to which I'm referring, and I will be reading this book as
soon as I can get my hands on it.

On the sporting side, the second game of the group stage between  Uruguay and England and the possibility of Suarez facing many of his Premier League opponents and also many of his teammates at Liverpool is fascinating.

Also, Coach Jurgen Klinsmann taking the U.S. to face Germany.

Paolo: Brazil will be considered a disaster if they don't get to the at least the semi-finals, same for Spain and Germany.

13. Please cite any helpful resources for following the World Cup; television outlets, websites, apps, media coverage, etc.

Jordan: Every game will either be on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. All games will also be available streaming on ESPN3.

This link shows all games and the American broadcast outlet on a daily basis.

I tend to stick to the U.K. for most of my information, mostly the Guardian and the BBC.

I listen to a quantifiable butt load of podcasts. Some of them are:

The Guardian, Football Weekly

The Football Ramble

World Soccer Talk (they are also doing a series with individual episodes devoted to previewing each team)

Second Captains - This is an Irish podcast and I'm not sure what the extent of their coverage will be and it may be interspersed with Gaelic football and hurling.

Men In Blazers - For me, this is the most entertaining podcast of all, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea as it has a lot of inside jokes and therefor may not seem to be the most informative, but I think it is the funniest.

Also, the FotMob app has real-time soccer scores from around the world, so should be a good resource for those who just want the scores. There is also FotMob.com.

Paolo: FIFA.com; FIFA.com/worldcup

(Seth: This Grantland.com article provides more in-depth tips for following the action, but could be helpful for non-full-time football aficionados.)  
 

Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

14. Paolo, what games will you likely be attending?

Paolo: Have tickets to semifinal, the third place and final games Secured. May scalp a quarter final if possible.

15. Anything else not covered above.

Jordan: I'm sure I could go on but I decided to keep it brief.

And there you have it. Enjoy the action and all the communal aspects of the World Cup.

Many thanks to Jordan and Paolo for providing great insight. And if Argentina doesn't win, well, don't cry for me. I won't be betting on it.

Exploring the 'Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair' is Worthwhile, Rest of Field Even Better (including Excellent Contemporary Art by Bunky Echo-Hawk) -- Museum Exhibit Review

Museum Exhibit Review

Opening the Vaults:
Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair
The Field Museum, Chicago
Thru October 7, 2014
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(Museum visit overall: @@@@1/2)

I have long been fascinated by the World's Fair of 1893, which welcomed more than 25 million people to Chicago's South Side at a time when the U.S. population was less than three times that figure.

Dubbed the Columbian Exposition, as it commemorated--albeit a year late--the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World, the Fair is famed for its colossal White City.

My mind is always boggled when I see photos of the conglomeration of mammoth--though mostly intentionally disposable--classically-designed buildings that once stood in Chicago's Jackson Park.

It's almost as if ancient Rome rose--largely from the imaginations of Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted--and fell within a matter of years, with scant traces of remaining evidence. 

But three of Chicago's greatest cultural institutions today trace back to the Columbian Exposition.

No, I am not referencing the Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier, though George Ferris' giant wheel built on the Midway (the first use of that term) was the first of its kind, an engineering marvel, the centerpiece of the fair and perhaps its greatest lasting worldwide contribution.

But the original wheel didn't survive past 1906, yet two of Chicago's best museums--the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry--were and are housed in the only remaining large-scale main-campus structure of the Columbian Exposition: the Palace of Fine Arts.

Following the Fair, the grand building at the north end of Jackson Park housed the Columbian Museum of Chicago, which would subsequently be renamed the Field Museum of Natural History after major benefactor Marshall Field. In 1921, the Field Museum moved to its present location a few miles north and the Museum of Science and Industry would move into the former Palace of Fine Arts during Chicago's next World's Fair, 1933's Century of Progress Exposition. 

Although the origins of the Art Institute of Chicago predate the Columbian Exposition, its main building was built to initially house the World Congress Auxiliary of the Exposition--several miles north of the fairgrounds--and the art museum moved in immediately after.

Over the years I have bought books about the 1893 World's Fair, seen museum exhibits & displays and watched short films and documentaries. (I recommend Expo: Magic of the White City.)

Still, I've been intrigued by the Field Museum's Opening the Vault: Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair exhibit ever since it opened last October, even if I only got to it last week. (Exhibit website)

I enjoyed the exhibit but only recommend it conditionally. 

Focused on artifacts displayed at the fair that are now part of the museum's holdings, the exhibit does little to showcase the grandeur of the White City itself, or the communal melting pot of the Midway, save for a few large photos and slides. 

I've always been more intrigued by the scale and architecture of the Columbian Exposition, and the visitors it attracted, than I've ever wondered much about what was displayed within the huge White City buildings. 

So in showcasing examples of botany, taxidermy, fossils and anthropology that were displayed at the 1893 Fair, the exhibit introduced me to aspects of the Exposition I hadn't ever much considered, while showcasing how the event gave birth to one of the world's great museum collections. 

I valued learning that the 1893 World's Fair was the 19th century's largest user of electricity and that some of the Field Museum's key early employees--such as taxidermist Carl Akeley, who would develop its vast zoology holdings--were individuals who had showcased their talents at the fair.

The anthropology section of the exhibit was forthright in explaining how backwards thinking in that realm was in 1893, when "savages" were put on display for spectators to observe.

Gamelan musical instrument from the Javanese Village of the 1893 World's Fair

I enjoyed reading about how 60 Labrador Inuit people who lived in a village on Fair grounds said essentially, "Forget this," and left due to degrading conditions and treatment.

And the musical instruments that were part of the Fair's Javanese Village--populated by a community from Indonesia--are the most beautiful artifacts in the current exhibit. 

So if your interest in the Columbian Exposition is as mine, and you value learning anything about it, the Field's Opening the Vaults should be worth your time.

That said, rather than pay the museum's standard "Discovery Pass" admission of $25, which includes general admission plus one special exhibit (e.g. Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair), I was able to avail myself of one of a handful of "Discount Days" for Illinois residents. (The next one listed is this Monday, June 9.)

Only having to pay $11 for the special exhibit, and using the CTA rather than pay at least $19 for the on-site parking garage, my expenditure was about 1/3 of what it easily could have been.

I don't know if for $44, I would have found the World's Fair exhibit quite as worthwhile.

And for whatever price you may pay, even if you're a Columbian Exposition aficionado I wouldn't visit the museum simply for this exhibit.

Allot some time for several of the Field's permanent collections; I greatly enjoyed seeing and photographing those on Ancient Egypt, the Ancient Americas, a modern African community and a terrific contemporary Native American artist named Bunky Echo-Hawk.

And it's always fun to see Sue, the Field's prized T-Rex. 

Japanese jar used for tea storage

In fact, I likely enjoyed the permanent exhibits more than the one I paid to see.

It was interesting how the World's Fair contributed to the Field's early collections, but much else is more visually and intellectually compelling, such as the wonderful collection of Native American masks, totem poles and more. 

Bottom line, if you go to the Field for the World's Fair exhibit, see more than just it. And if you go the Field for the rest of the museum, the exhibit may only be worth your time and money if you have a particular interest in the Columbian Exposition. 

Especially the parts I likely wouldn't have seen even if I was there in 1893.

(Along with photos of the 1893's World's Fair exhibit--in spite of a security guard erroneously telling me photography was forbidden; good thing I argued and had him ask someone who knew better--photos from other Field Museum exhibits are below. You may need to click to see them past the page break.)

Chicago Sports Museum Fields a Strong Lineup of Highlights -- Museum Review

Museum / Attraction Review

Chicago Sports Museum
Water Tower Place, Chicago
Visited June 2, 2014
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Monday, the day after an exciting moment in Chicago sports history, albeit one that did not end happily--regardless, I salute the Blackhawks on another sensational season and playoff run--I had occasion to be at Water Tower Place.

Following a Broadway in Chicago Backstage TV show taping, taking place at the Broadway Playhouse, I decided to explore the new Chicago Sports Museum (website) on the mall's seventh floor.

This is the name of a collection of memorabilia owned by forces behind the Harry Caray's Restaurant Group--including owner/president Grant DePorter--with the "museum" housed adjacent to Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch restaurant.

Admission to the Chicago Sports Museum is complimentary for diners, but $6 a la carte. 

I decided to have lunch, and while I both overpaid and over ate--a fancy cheeseburger and a maple bacon milkshake--the meal was delicious and the museum was worthwhile.

Though I was a bit cynical about what seems like an overt tourist trap--even if much of its appeal is for Chicagoans--I can't deny that I enjoyed my visit.

And even though there is a good amount of memorabilia that can be freely seen within the restaurant itself, plus a wonderful long hallway of historic sports related newspapers that can also be walked without paid entry, there is enough within the turnstile to be of value to any Chicago sports fan (or curious out-of-town visitor).

Kids--and adults--should really love the Chicago Sports Museum, as about half the gallery space is devoted to interactive games for no extra charge.

One can pretend to be Frank Thomas facing a picture, Scottie Pippen taking jump shots, Patrick Kane taking slapshots, a quarterback throwing passes or a goalie protecting the net.

I am neither a gamer nor much of an athlete but these interactive video offerings were quite well-made and a good bit of fun.

Much of the rest of the gallery space consists of signed jerseys and memorabilia with much of the equipment  game-worn and in some of it--like Leon Durham's jersey from Game 5 of the 1984 NLCS--is directly connected to famed, if sad, moments in Chicago sports history.

The museum even houses the remnants of the famed "Bartman ball," which DePorter had purchased at auction and had blown-up. (Properly, Mr. Bartman is never mentioned by name in the museum.)

I also played a round of video trivia and even sat in a makeshift broadcast booth calling a game à la Harry did. (Video here but for whatever reason there is no audio.) 

To its credit the museum also has some good informational displays, including ones on Sammy Sosa's famed corked bat, changes in the make-up of a major-league baseball over the years and the mystery of the missing game-winning puck from the 2010 Stanley Cup.

Many great athletes--Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Greg Maddux, Patrick Kane, even the Sting's Karl Heinz-Granitza and loads more--factor into the museum's holdings, though for some reason I didn't see Mssrs. Butkus and Sayers represented (among others). And the White Sox seem a bit under-represented.

Though there is a lot of good stuff in a relatively small space--what is here would be among the main highlights of a larger, pricier museum--there are a few things that would make it a bit better.

These include displays more fully depicting the history of each of the city's pro teams, a section saluting great moments had by local universities and perhaps some on-demand video kiosks where one can watch highlights of MJ, Sweetness, Mr. Cub and more.

For though there is nostalgia aplenty at the Chicago Sports Museum, and a good bit of fun to be had--both of which make $6 or something off the menu a worthy value--what could really make it a museum-quality museum would be a bit more in the way of educational content.

And viewable game action.

For while seeing genuine Michael Jordan artifacts, or trying on a replica Refrigerator Perry Super Bowl ring--supposedly the largest ever made--is pretty cool for a fan like me, so to would be reliving "The Shot" or one of Fridge's rumbles into the end zone.

Still, the Chicago Sports Museum is considerably more of a winner than at least one of the teams it substantively represents.

(All photos by Seth Arkin; please do not re-post without attribution.)

Goldstar's Comp Train Brings Me to a Brilliant 'Wit' -- Chicago Theater Review

Theater Review

Wit

a play by Margaret Edson

directed by Derek Bertelsen

Presented by AstonRep at
Raven Theatre, Chicago

Thru June 7

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Almost anytime it applies, I mention--whether in blog reviews or in person--the possibilities of getting discount tickets through Goldstar or HotTix.

Both are outstanding services, but whereas HotTix focuses primarily on theater and performing arts realms in the Chicago area, with half-price tickets (+ fees) generally only for shows within a given week or with even less lead time, Goldstar offers discounts in many U.S. cities covering a wider variety of events, including sports and concerts.

Although registration/membership is required to utilize Goldstar, it is free and easy. The only charge is a service fee on each ticket purchased, similar to HotTix, Ticketmaster and any third-party ticket seller that's ever existed.

I've saved hundreds of dollars on many great performances and games purchased through Goldstar, which lists events with longer lead times than HotTix, usually for half-price (+ fee) but sometimes a bit more or even a good bit less.

Recently, Goldstar introduced its "Comp Train," consisting of free ticket offers requiring only the service fee.

Although--in general--I hear about or seek out events of various types that interest me, it was only through Goldstar's Comp Train (found on its website and app) that I learned of a play called Wit, being staged at the Raven Theatre on Chicago's North Side.

I subsequently learned that the play, written by Margaret Edson, won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for drama but didn't have a Broadway run until 2012. And though I didn't find Tribune or Sun-Times reviews, this production--staged at the Raven complex by AstonRep Theater--seemed to be worthwhile based on the press I did see.

Was it ever.

Certainly for just a $6 service fee, but even if I had paid many times that, I still would regard it as one of the best plays I've seen this year, and beyond.

Though admittedly, without the Comp Train, I don't know if I would've gotten on-board even if I'd otherwise heard about this drama about a professor/scholar on the 17th century holy sonnets of John Donne, who--as the play opens--has been hit with the news that she has incurable, stage 4 metastatic ovarian cancer.

Or basically, a death sentence.

But as Dr. Vivian Bearing, Alexandra Bennett--shaved head and all, and who I learned in an excellent post-show discussion, is herself a professor of 17th century drama--is simply superb from the first word.

And most of her words are spoken directly to the audience, through "the fourth wall," making Wit not only a powerful and poignant play covering questions of life, death, coping, language, poetry, teaching, medical research, bedside manner, isolation, self-reliance and more, but a rather uniquely-structured one.

So while I couldn't help but be reminded of 33 Variations, a 2007 Moisés Kaufman play about a Beethoven scholar who becomes gravely ill, and which similarly blends a study of legendary artistic genius with contemporary humanity--I saw a terrific production at TimeLine Theater in 2012--AstonRep's Wit is just as good if not better.

Director Derek Bertelsen, who helmed an outstanding production of The Children's Hour earlier this year for Pride Films and Plays, seems to get just the right tonality--sad but not maudlin, humorous at times but more affecting for it--from Bennett and the rest of a terrific cast.

As was illuminated by the post-show discussion, it is quite conceivable that actors could imbue a variety of sensibilities in Vivian's two doctors, who are more researchers conducting experimental treatments for learning's sake than physicians hoping to cure or even comfort her.

But while Robert Tobin (Dr. Kelekian, the head researcher) and Drew Wieland (Jason, a fellow under Kelekian) do exhibit a detached coldness in service to Edson's script--the writer spent years working at Johns Hopkins--Bertelsen and the actors do not demonize the doctors, instilling them with steely focus but not indifference.

As a nurse named Susie, who is not only Vivian's most acute caregiver, but the closest thing she has to a confidant, Alison Plott also delivers a terrifically nuanced performance.

One may not readily envision a performance seen essentially gratis might do optimal justice to a given work, but while Wit is a terrific play, it's hard to imagine a more finely-tuned production than is presented by AstonRep, regardless of its rather small setting and sparsity of scenery.

And though those more versed in "metaphysical poetry" may get much more out of the academic explorations, one need not have such expertise to realize that this Wit is extremely well Donne.

---
The remaining performances of Wit take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark in Chicago. These shows aren't offered for free on Goldstar, but as of this writing there are tickets for $13.75 including fees. Others may be available directly through the Box Office.

Indigo Boys: Years Down the Line, Blue Man Group Remains Azure Thing -- Chicago Theater Review

Theater Review

Blue Man Group

Briar Street Theatre, Chicago

Seen May 30, 2014

Open Run

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When I think of the greatest theatrical phenomenons my lifetime--in terms of success and longevity--two shows come readily to mind:

Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera.

The third is a bit more surprising. For while it doesn't quite equal the artistic achievement of those two musicals, just as astonishing--if not more so--as a commercial accomplishment is Blue Man Group.

So successful now that it's almost taken for granted, the creation of Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink has been running non-stop in New York since 1991, Boston since 1995 and Chicago since 1997.

In one venue or another, Blue Man Group has been in Las Vegas since 2000, and also Berlin since 2006, Orlando since 2007 and on a cruise ship since 2010. It has also been seen in many other U.S. and global cities, whether on tour or in dedicated runs. (Wikipedia) 

I first saw the show in 1999 at the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago, for a friend's birthday. It was a lot of fun, at a time I wasn't regularly going to theater productions.

I have since seen hundreds of other stage works, and my fairly standard opinion is that while I admire "performance shows"--Riverdance, Cirque du Soleil, Stomp, Fuerza Bruta and the like--I generally prefer musicals and plays with stories I can readily follow (and rock concerts by acts I know and love).

So although I never would have been opposed to seeing Blue Man Group again, and in recent years have given doing so more active thought, I have always been more enticed by other forms of entertainment, with a far greater sense of urgency. (In a bit of Yogiesque logic, many people never go to see Blue Man Group because they know they always can.)

But half-price or otherwise discounted tickets have appeared on HotTix and Goldstar with some regularity, and noting a Friday matinee performance at the lowest available price, I availed myself.

I didn't really think about this in advance, but learned upon arriving at the Briar Street Theatre--whose roughly 630 seats the rotating troupe of blue men still largely fill up to 10 shows per week--that this time of year the show attracts many school groups.

And thus I watched the Blue Man Group with a bunch of screaming teenagers, and a few older folks on the periphery.

With my HotTix ducat, I was placed amidst the last occupied row, with two empty rows both in front and behind me. Preferring aisle seats and not wishing to ask an already-seated older gentleman to stand up to let me in, I asked if I could sit on the aisle of the row behind, but was told no. Subsequently, after I had sat, an usher said that I could move, and confirmed that the row in front would not be occupied at all. But when I tried to go there, I was told I could only sit in the row not one but two behind my ticketed one.

So I wound up making the old guy get up 3 times, and snuggled between strangers, despite at least 100 empty nearby seats. As I'll convey, the show was terrific, but the customer service really blue.

This aside, while Blue Man Group would undoubtedly be fun with any crowd, seeing it with a bunch of (presumably) high school kids was optimal for anthropological purposes.

In soundbite terms--and per my eroded memory--the show is essentially what it was in 1999: Three blue-painted bald guys who bang on drums & tubes and perform quirky physical maneuvers.

Even this is considerably better than it may sound, with exciting instrumental music performed by supporting musicians, some fun audience participation bits and several rather impressive acts.

So while I wouldn't insist that my mom needs to see Blue Man Group--often a barometer for great theater, but loud music isn't really her thing--the show remains worthwhile for those who have never seen it.

And for those who, like me, saw it a good while ago, this rhapsody in blue has been rather wonderfully revamped.

Most notably, the show now employs--recurrently--three giant iPhones, put to fun use in ways that both embrace and chastise modern technology. One couldn't help but wonder what the teens were thinking about a bit that champions real-life interaction in lieu of text-only communication.

I also smiled--while also grimacing--at how, during a segment when the blue men pounded out songs on
something of a xylophone made of tubes, only the smattering of adults showed any recognition of "Smoke on the Water," "Freebird" and "Tequila."

I wanted to ask after the show--but didn't--if the performance ever changes based on the anticipated audience. I would have to guess no.

But at other parts, the kids did sing along in loud unison with Fun's "We Are Young," embraced a panoply of "Rock Concert Movements" presented by the cobalt trio & their video counterparts and danced--though many rather reservedly--during a musical bit near the end that runs through over 100 euphemisms and metaphors for one's backside.

I enjoyed these parts as well, but appreciating the literate wit of Blue Man Group, also the mention of artist Yves Klein and the fun had with Andrew Wyeth's famed Christina's World painting, which took place in conjunction with the eating of Twinkies alongside an audience member.

So although I wouldn't say I quite loved Blue Man Group on the level of the best musicals, plays or concerts, as far as performance theater goes, I don't believe there is any production I've liked more.

Despite a few risqué references and a healthy dose of rock music and allusions likely more compelling to me than those much younger or much older, as far as a fun and inventive show well-suited for all ages--and as embodied by the symbolically universal performers, people of all cultural backgrounds--years and years since it was hatched this superb show remains true blue entertainment.