Observations from Chicago

Posted: 8/11/05 at 6:40pm

* Chicago is a city that commands respect for the way it prides itself on its architecture and the manner in which it repurposes building to accommodate changing times and lifestyles.

* Kate, Ana and Kris are each doing a superlative job in a musical juggernaut.

* What a thrilling experience to sit in the beautifully restored Oriental Theater, a movie palace of days gone by.

* Chicago women are in no way as attractive as their New York counterparts.

* Chicago men, who appear to primarliy exist on corn and beef, have a wholesome, genuine quality that makes them appeallingly attractive, despite less-than-model features; this is especially so when compared to the cloned Chelsea look favored by many in New York.

* The NYPD has a far better looking force than that in Chicago.

* Everywhere one is a patron the service staff is friendly, pleasant, smiling and go out of their way to assist. They make make one feel that your patronage is truly appreciated.

* Once one leaves Manhattan, one realizes how average America eatson the run--plastic utensils and plates, lots of sweets and with an acceptance of the push to self-service.

* My sense while walking in downtown Chicago was that I could be walking in any large city--Miami, San Francisco, Tampa--as they each feel the same (architecture and El aside). None possess the unique feeling that one feels in the streets of Manhattan.

* Millenium Park is quite wonderful. On a hot cloudless August afternoon over one hundred children and their parents and guardians were gleefully enjoying the wonderful water spray from the facing twin towers of changing images.





Updated On: 8/11/05 at 06:40 PM

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 6:47pm

Soo I take it you'll never go back to NYC again.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 6:52pm

The only time I worked the Oriental was in the dead of winter.

No one looked happy to be in Chicago.

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:10pm

* Audience attending WICKED looked pretty much like the crowds that fill Times Square nightly. A sea of zaftig pastels.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:43pm

* The NYPD has a far better looking force than that in Chicago.

that's the truth....Chicago cops are UGLY

* My sense while walking in downtown Chicago was that I could be walking in any large city--Miami, San Francisco, Tampa--as they each feel the same (architecture and El aside). None possess the unique feeling that one feels in the streets of Manhattan.

?? I've lived in Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco. Both Chicago and SF have their own unique style, I did NOT feel that in NYC. I truly think it makes a difference if you LIVE someplace rather than are just visiting it.....

don't get me wrong, I loved NYC.........but living and visiting are like comparing apples and oranges, Jose

Posted: 8/11/05 at 9:52pm

Elphaba I think it might be more where Jose is visiting-- the downtown area does seem prety generic lately (except for the achitecture)-- Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and I think you need to explore to get any sense of place here. Take the Red line North and get off at Fullerton, then Belmont, then Argyle, then Morse. Each is like a different world. Take the 56 Milwaukee Avenue bus from start to finish-- You see the loop, then the arts district, then the Hipster Shoho-ish folks, then a thriving Polish community, then a huge hispanic area before the bus stops in the midst of a perfectly blah working class bungalow district.

Ah, needless to say, as much as I love my visits to NYC, I love Chicago!

And yes, the Oriental is one gorgeous theater!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:13pm

very true Joe, and San Francisco is the same way, neighborhood wise.......that may be it exactly.....

[Jon]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:52pm

The Loop is being overrun with too many franchise fast-food and semi-fast food places, such as Corner Bakery, Panera Bread, etc. It's hard to find really good places to eat within walking distance of the "theatre district".

You get spoiled in NYC, where there are at least 30 good Italian places within a block of Times Square.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:26pm

There's SO much more than Michigan Ave.

And I disagree about the cops. At least the ones I've been with in Chicago.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:18am

As georgeous as the Oriental is ( & it is ), Chicago always had the most in number & most ornate palaces. Below is a partial list of those that have been pounded to dust in the name of progress (not )

1. Tivoli
2. Paradise
3. Grenada
4. Marbro
5. Sheridan
6. Belmont
7. Southtown
8. United Artists

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 8:13am

If that's the way you feel about Chicago architecture, you haven't begun to see it yet.

Take the Chicago architecture boat tour conducted by the Chicago Architecural Society. It's magnificent.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 8:31am

Go to Oak Park and visit Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and home...I LOVE Chicago!!!

Funny that last night I was changing channels and what was on but "All About Eve"...just one of those movies you can't change the channel on...so I watched it all the way through...again. Anywho, I was looking at Anne Baxter and then I remembered that she is Frank Lloyd Wright's Granddaughter.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 8:35am

Not sure if this is true or not but I've heard that FLW was an apprentice for Adler and Sullivan in the building of Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre joins The Oriental and The Palace on the list of recent renovation projects.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 9:15am

"The Auditorium Theatre joins The Oriental and The Palace on the list of recent renovation projects."

and soon the Shubert theatre (I HATE the name LaSalle Bank Theatre) will join that list.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 9:54am

Boobs, I never knew that, thanks!

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 10:12am

Elphaba..I learned of Anne Baxter being FLW's grandaughter when I visited his studio in Oak Parl,IL.....she was one of his daughter's daughter. They said she used to go visit his home in her limo. If you ever have the chance you should do that tour...very interesting...the things you learn about his personal life..who cares about his buildings..LOL !!! If you get the chance you should rent his story that was on PBS by Ken Burns....talk about a soap opera !!!!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 10:16am

boobs, actually I think I have talked Steve into doing that tour........especially since he couldn't get tix to Oprah (THANK GOD......as if I would have)
He's a big FLW fan........

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 11:07am

As a Chicago woman, bite me.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 11:27am

"My sense while walking in downtown Chicago was that I could be walking in any large city--Miami, San Francisco, Tampa--as they each feel the same (architecture and El aside). None possess the unique feeling that one feels in the streets of Manhattan."

Wow. I've visited all those cities and felt each one (even the downtown areas) were quite distinct. I guess you have to be paying attention, for they are very very different not only inarchetecture and transportation, but in climate, culture, geography and sociology.

The Lloyd Wright house and studio tour is fascinating. The studio alone is worth the price of the ticket. I couldn't believe it when they said it was rented out as apartments in the 70s. Amazing.

I never did the architecture tour because I walk along the river from North Michigan to the Lyric Opera almost every day and I figure that's at least half of it. I feel very lucky to be able to take that walk to and from work all the time. It's gorgeous.

"It's hard to find really good places to eat within walking distance of the 'theatre district'."

I've never felt that way. There are many wonderful restaurants in the theatre district including 312, Berghoff's, Heaven on Seven, Trader Vic's, Rhapsody, South Water Kitchen, Atwood Cafe, Petterino's, Russian Tea Time, loads of diners and pubs on South Wabash, and even the food court on the 7th floor of Marshall Field's has really good food (avoid the basement food court), and many others. They're really not hard to find at all. There are many fast food places, Corner Bakery, Cosi, etc., but they are mostly for the business lunch crowds. It's not very difficult to find other options.

"Once one leaves Manhattan, one realizes how average America eatson the run--plastic utensils and plates, lots of sweets and with an acceptance of the push to self-service."

I've always felt that way more in Manhattan than anywhere else in the world. I feel like many Manhattan restaurants can't wait to get you out the door and would rather serve take out than have any customers in their place at all. Not to mention all the self-serve delis everywhere.

Updated On: 8/12/05 at 11:27 AM

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:21pm

* Architectural Institute's river architecture tour is interesting and informative. We sat n the open upper deck in the constant rain with about 20 other hearty souls, all holding umbrellas. Fascinating view of the ever changing river skyline.

* Trip to Oak Park, and the Lloyd Wright home & studio, was a wonderful adventure today. The influences of MacKintosh and Morris are to be seen, yet Lloyd Wright created his own individual perspective while introducing the arts & crafts movement in the States. Exciting to realize how many of his innovations in design and construction are still so prevalent toay.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:35pm

Don't venture to the far South Side - my part of the city. It is not fun. The El doesn't even run out here.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:51pm

I was in the Auditorium theater many years ago. It is a magnificant ediface

The Theater historical Society has there HQ in a suburb of Chicago. I will find out exactly where. They have a treasure trove of stuff. One is a gorgeous model of the Avalon theater now the New Regal. It was done by my late friend of THS Frank Cronican. It is a sight to behold

Updated On: 8/12/05 at 06:51 PM

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 10:12pm

Jose, you managed to find possibly the only stretch of daylight rain in Chicago over the last 4 months. Sheesh! Talent, boy!!!!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 10:24pm

evelyn, my dad was born and lived on the South Side, WAY back, when it was a much different neighborhood

Jose, we also have the arch cruise, and the FLW studio/house tour planned

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 10:29pm

hey Mr Roxy, I'd love to know more about the Theater historical Society