Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: creativity, holiday, inspiration, music, theater

Anyone looking for a little mid-afternoon musical holiday diversion?!
Any “HAMILTON” fans out there… if so, you’ll LOVE this one!!!
Brilliantly written. Perfectly performed.

Now I really want to see the entire show “Hamilton-ized.”
Maybe some of the “Island of Misfit Toys” can become the Schuyler Sisters??? Hermey as Thomas Jefferson… or even better, the Abominable Snowman as Aaron Burr?… or would that be Aaron BRRR…!!!

Categories: movie, music, studio, television, theater

One of the benefits of “self-isolating” in my studio tonight was that I could sing out loud… and there’s no one there to tell me to keep it down!!! Watched “OKLAHOMA” tonight for free streaming online with Hugh Jackman… long before his Wolverine days!

Categories: architecture, theater

Amazing architecture & beautiful mosaics adorn the lobby of the theater… perfect for the style, era and “over-the-topness” at the Nederlander Theater downtown.

Categories: music, theater

Last night was the last day… the last chance… the last dance… the last performance of SUMMER – The Donna Summer Musical here in Chicago. It was a fun flashback “jukebox musical” where I was surprised that I knew more of the songs, but less of the story! Even better as we scored some spontaneous last-minute half price tickets on the main floor!!!

Categories: music, theater

A wonderful evening of musical theater to finish off the year. A beautiful rendition of the classic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Lots of great voices, incredible performances and some really innovative & intriguing set designs & lighting effects… like the magical staircase that kind of appeared out of nowhere!!! Brilliant.

Categories: architecture, Chicago, theater

A beautiful way to end the year in a beautiful Chicago theater. Amazing architecture, design & craftsmanship. Always beautiful at the Cadillac Palace Theater… even with the big chandelier “still under wraps”… and then again after they had “repaired it and wired parts of it for the new electric light. Perhaps we can frighten away the ghost of so many years ago… with a little illumination.”

 

Categories: theater

Yes, a wonderful performance of “OLIVER” at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire.
The little kid that played Oliver was great, Fagin was great, but it was Nancy whole stole the show!!! Her voice was AMAZING… piercing right through her songs making the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up. She was AMAZING… so yes, I would love some MORE!!!

Click here for the link to watch Nancy belt out her classic “As Long As He Needs Me.”

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Categories: color, patterns, theater

Another night.
Another theater.
Another selection of hideous theater carpet designs!!!

Categories: friends, theater

A fun end to Boxing Day yesterday “storming the castle” with my friend Pam at the Mercury Theater. A fun musical for Monty Python fans… and for those who “always look on the bright side of life.”

Categories: architecture, Chicago, theater

The don’t make ’em like the used to… like the gorgeous Chicago Theater. Beautiful old-school interiors & stunning craftsmanship. Over-the-top design & architectural details. Just looking around the theater is always like a show before the show!!!