Congrats to our 4 ticket winner for The Boogers--Saturday at 3:30pm Ramones style punk for your punk kin. Boogers--Dominique M. Congrats to our 4 ticket winner for Apples, Peaches, Lemonade--Sunday at noon. Sweet songs for little folk. Apples, Peaches, Lemonade--Christina H. ChiIL Mama will be there...will YOU?! Stop by and say hey. We've given away our 400 free preview tickets for Jack the Giant Slayer, but we have loads of fun freebies and movie related goodies for YOU including t-shirts, bean shaped ear buds, posters, stickers, hats and more.
#3 – Suzan Hanson as Madeline and Ryan MacPherson as Roderick
All photos by Keith Ian Polakoff, courtesy of Long Beach Opera.
Chicago Opera Theater presents the Chicago Premiere of
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER
By Philip Glass
TheChicago Opera Theateropens its 2013 season, the inaugural season of new general directorAndreas Mitisek, withPhilip Glass’The Fall of the House of Usher, in four performances onlyFebruary 27-March 1. This gothic tale of suspense, horror and the supernatural is based on a story by Edgar Allen Poe.
ChiIL Live Shows will be there...will YOU?! We've been promoting this production for months and it's finally here. We'll be reviewing opening night, tonight, and can't wait. We heard two numbers at a sneak peek at Facets Multimedia last weekend featuring the film, Koyaanisqatsi, with a score also by Philip Glass. They had me at "goth-punk moving men"--four of my fav words all in one character description!
Andreas MitisekTakes Audiences to the Edge of Madness in
His First Season as Chicago Opera Theater’s General Director
Philip Glass’The Fall of the House of Usher,a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opensChicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season, titled “Power of Love, Love of Power.” This isAndreas Mitisek's inaugural season as General Director of Chicago Opera Theater since assuming the position in June 2012.
Glass' haunting 1987 score for Edgar Allan Poe's macabre masterpiece, with lyrics byArthur Yorinks,provides the perfect backdrop for this nightmarish journey to the edge of madness. The Fall of the House of Usher, taking place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, runs for four performances only:Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m.,Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m.,Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m.andFriday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.
#1 – Lee Gregory as William, Nicholas Shelton as the Servant,
Ryan MacPherson as Roderick
The Fall of the House of Usheris a co-production withLong Beach Opera(LBO), whose production opens January 27. An opera in two acts,The Fall of the House of Ushertakes the audience deep into the eerie realm of the House of Usher. When William receives a letter from his long lost friend Roderick Usher, apparently suffering from illness and requesting William’s presence, he journeys to the sinister mansion where Roderick and his twin sister Madeline live as the last of the Usher bloodline. At first William tries to aid his friend by reminding Roderick of his passion for art, music and literature, but William soon becomes swallowed up in a world where the border separating real and supernatural is blurred, and paranoia then takes control. Taken from one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most popular tales, this unsettling story explores the line between truth and imagination, all set against Glass' haunting and suspenseful music. COT has also performed Glass’ opera Akhnaten in 2000.
“Our 2013 Seasonemphasizes the tension between the power of love and the love of power,”explains Mitisek, who conducts both the COT and LBO performances. “TheFall of the House ofUsheris about internal and external collapsing worlds. Glass’ music suspends reality and time, hypnotizing us on this journey to the edge of sanity. It’s a 90-minute psychological roller coaster ride.”
Ken Cazanreturns to COT to directUsherafter directing the acclaimedDeath in Venice(2004),Bluebeard’s Castle(2007),Erwartung(2007) andShining Brow(1997). He is the Resident Stage Director for the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. One of America’s most sought-after directors, he has directed more than 100 productions for more than 40 opera companies, including the Santa Fe Opera, Central City Opera, Atlanta Opera, and Seattle Opera, among others. OfUsher, Cazan says, “Things are rarely what they seem in Gothic horror tales. What on the surface feels like a tragic and spooky story (which it is), instinctively, upon the first hearing and reading of Glass’ opera, felt like something very different to me. William feels an unusual sense of passion for Roderick, whom he hasn’t seen since childhood. William very forcefully speaks of taking Roderick away, of saving him. And what of Madeleine, Roderick’s ailing ‘identical’ twin sister? In the opera, William hears her without seeing her. Does she really exist?”
TICKETS
The Fall of the House of Usherruns for four performances February 23, 24, 27, and March 1 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. Individual tickets to are on saleJanuary 21and range from $45–$125. Tickets may be purchased through Chicago Opera Theater atwww.chicagooperatheater.org, by phone at 312-704-8414, or through the Harris Theater atwww.harristheaterhicago.organd 312-334-7777. COT offers half-off tickets to students in sections A, B, C and D.
Subscriptions to all three operas in Chicago Opera Theater’s 2013 season are available through March 1 and prices range from $95–$356. Subscriptions includeThe Fall of the House of Usher, Astor Piazzolla’sMaría de Buenos Aires(April 20, 24, 26 and 28) and Giuseppe Verdi’sJoan of Arc(Giovanna d'Arco)(September 21, 25, 27 and 29). New subscribers received 50% off in sections A, B and C.
#2 – Lee Gregory as William, Ryan MacPherson as Roderick,
Suzan Hanson as Madeline
CAST
COT DEBUT:Suzan Hanson(Madeline Usher) is a multi-faceted artist who combines work in opera and music-theater. Her recent performances of Poulenc’sLa Voix Humanewas described as “fresh and forceful…[with] blazing dramatic fervor…” byThe San Francisco Chronicle. Hanson has performed with companies such as Arena di Verona, Arizona Opera, Carnegie Hall, Edinburgh, Long Beach Opera, Maggio Musicale (Florence), New Israeli Opera, Pittsburgh Opera Theater, and San Francisco Opera. Often sought for new works, Hanson has originated many roles, including Hanako inSound of a Voice. She is a regular with LBO and has sung Pat Nixon inNixon in China, Medea inMedaby Cherubini and Margarita inAinadamarby O. Golijov. Hanson originated the role of Madeline inThe Fall of the House of Usherin the World Premiere production by American Repertory Theater.
COT DEBUT:Lee Gregory(William) hails from Houston, Texas. His recent performances include Silvio inI Pagliacciwith Arizona Opera Company, Richard Nixon inNixon in Chinawith Eugene Opera, Schaunard inLa bohèmewith Michigan Opera Theatre, and the title role inIl barbiere di Sivigliawith Opera Theatre of the Rockies. He reprises the role of William in COT’s production, having sung it with Nashville Opera.
COT DEBUT:Jonathan Mack(Physician) has performed over fifty roles during his eighteen seasons with the Los Angeles Opera, including Ferrando in Mozart’sCosi fan tutte, Kudrjas in Janacek’sKatya Kabanova, Quint in Britten’sTurn of the Screw, and Orpheus in Offenbach’sOrpheus in the Underworld. He has also worked with Netherlands Opera, Kentucky Opera, Vancouver Opera and Opera Columbus.
COT DEBUT:Ryan MacPherson(Roderick Usher) sings this season with Virginia Opera as Alfred inDie Fledermausand returns to the Buxton Festival as Horace in Gounod’sLa colombeand Kornélis in Saint-Saëns’La princesse jeune. He has performed with Dayton Opera, Utah Opera, Portland Opera and Nashville Opera, among others. With New York City Opera he created the role of Iff, the Water Genie, in Wuorinen’sHaroun and the Sea of Stories.
COT DEBUT:Nick Shelton(Servant) has garnered unanimous accolades for his dark, piercing voice, refined musicianship, and commanding stage presence. Recent season highlights include Jose Tripaldi in Golijov'sAinadamarwith Long Beach Opera, of whichGazettes.comraved “that is some terrific voice!” and called him “a name to remember.”
CREATIVE TEAM
COT DEBUT:Set designerAlan E. Muraokahas been working in the entertainment industry as a production designer and art director for film and television, as well as a theatrical set designer for over 25 years. He has been honored with two Emmy® Award nominations and three Art Directors’ Guild Award nominations. His design credits includeDirty GirlandBaadAsssss! He has collaborated with Mitisek at Long Beach Opera, designingRicky Ian Gordon’sOrpheus and Euridice,staged in an Olympic swimming pool, and an opera adaptation ofThe Diary of Anne Frankstaged in an underground parking garage.
Costume designerJacqueline Saint Anneis an Emmy Award-winning costume designer and former President of the Costume Designers Guild. Saint Anne returns to COT withThe Fall of the House of Usher, having debuted withOwen Wingravein 2010. This also marks Saint Anne’s second production with Long Beach Opera, where she debuted withThe Cunning Little Vixenin 2009. With Ken Cazan, she has designed for the Thornton Opera at USC:Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi, Three Decembers, The Rape of LucretiaandSummer and Smoke, among others.
COT DEBUT:Lighting designerDavid Martin Jacques’ collaborations with director Cazan includeThe Fall of the House of Usherwith Long Beach Opera,West Side Storywith the Vancouver Opera Company, andA Little Night Music,Gianni Schicchi,Oklahoma!andSeven Deadly Sinswith Central City Opera. Jacques also serves as Professor of Theatre and Head of Stage Design at California State University Long Beach.
Mitisek’swork as director, designer and conductor for site-specific productions in parking garages, swimming pools, night clubs and warehouses has become a successful hallmark of his work with Long Beach Opera, and he anticipates incorporating such innovative projects into the COT repertoire. In addition to being named “LA Tastemaker” byLA Times Magazinein 2009and highlighted as one of “2012 People” byLA Weekly,in 2012 Mitisek was named byOpera Newsas one of the 25 people that will be a major force in the field of opera in the coming decade. Recent LBO credits as director, designer and conductor include Golijov’sAinadamar, Piazzolla’sMaria de Buenos Aires(which will be the second production of COT’s 2013 season), Lang’sDifficulty of Crossing a Field, Cherubini’sMedeaand Glass’Akhnaten.
ABOUT PHILIP GLASS
Through his operas, his symphonies, his compositions for his own ensemble, and his wide-ranging collaborations with artists ranging from Twyla Tharp to Allen Ginsberg, Woody Allen to David Bowie, Philip Glass has had an extraordinary and unprecedented impact upon the musical and intellectual life of his times. His operas –Einstein on the Beach,Satyagraha,AkhnatenandThe Voyage, among many others – play throughout the world’s leading houses. Glass has written music for experimental theater and for Academy Award-winning motion pictures such as “The Hours” and Martin Scorsese’s “Kundun.” He was born in 1937, grew up in Baltimore, and studied at the University of Chicago, the Juilliard School and in Aspen with Darius Milhaud.
ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER
Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, community engagement, education programs in Chicago Public Schools, as well as its renowned Young Artist Program. Chicago Opera Theater presents first-class productions of operatic repertoire, ranging from the great works of the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries to intimate and innovative contemporary productions by top-tier, internationally renowned conductors, directors and designers.
PROGRAM INFO
Philip Glass
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER
February 23, 24, 27, and March 1at the Harris Theater for Music & Dance
Book by Arthur Yorinks and Philip Glass
Based on the Story by Edgar Allan Poe
Lyrics by Arthur Yorinks
Conductor: ANDREAS MITISEK
Director: KEN CAZAN
Set Designer: ALAN E. MURAOKA
Costume Designer: JACQUELINE SAINT ANNE
Lighting Designer: DAVID JACQUES
Sung in English with English supertitles.
RoleCast (Alphabetical)
Madeline Usher (Soprano) SUZAN HANSON
William (Baritone) LEE GREGORY
Physician (Tenor) JONATHAN MACK
Roderick Usher (Tenor) RYAN MACPHERSON
Servant (Bass-Baritone) NICHOLAS SHELTON
GOTH-PUNK MOVING MEN:Joshua Banks, Curtis Bannister, Nathan Gardner, Jamal Howard, Matt Messina, Jordan Phelps, Will Snyder.
The Fall of the House of Usheris generously supported byOrli & Bill StaleyandThe Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The giant, annual trade show known as The International Home & Housewares Show is rapidly approaching and once again ChiIL Mama will be there to bring you the best. IHHS is NOT open to the public, but we'll be taking a sneak peek at all the hot new housewares offerings with an eye to the eco-friendly, family friendly, fun & functional. We'll be primarily focusing on green living, but we're suckers for the colorful, too, especially when the gadgets are useful and make life easier.
Apologies for the photo quality. I'm in the market to replace my original generation Galaxy S which does NOT have a stellar camera feature. Our highly coveted photo credentials came down late and I only had my cell phone on site. I was the "accidental press" last year.
It was going to be a one day/one event deal. I was invited out to a special press event by Soda Stream and had only planned to cover that. But while I was there I bumped into a colleague I cover lots of theatre for, who offered me a full blown media/photo pass. It's good to have friends in high places. So, we did more extensive IHHS Show coverage than we'd initially planned.
These boots are made for walkin:
This year we're back to cover the whole show with intention...and with my pro Canon. We're taking at least 2 days to explore the THREE full locations of IHHS13. This show is seriously massive. And we've be invited to eat, drink and be homey with lots of interesting vendors. We'll bring our readers along virtually as we:
*Attend an exclusive press breakfast with Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, for the launch of Meyer Corporation, U.S.'s Cake Boss brand of baking and decorating products.
*Meet Revol handmade porcelain for drinks & hors d'oeuvres
*Attend an internet media lunch IHA Social where we'll
Network with reps from 10 of our well-known exhibitors
Meet with other influential bloggers and internet media
Learn about the IHA, the Show and what we have to offer in addition to more than 2,100 exhibitors showing off their newest products
and so much more.
Here's our recap of our favorites from IHHS 2012.
Du-Jay (8) in 2009, trying SodaStream for the first time, for a feature on ChiIL Mama
Soda Stream highlights the waste an average US family creates in a very visual display at IHHS12. We've been using our Soda Stream machines for years...we got our first two in 2009 in fact!
Check out our early coverage here. Look how cute and little Sagezilla, Du-Jay and their friend, Daniel were back then! But even over 3 years ago, Soda Stream machines were still simple and well designed enough for them to work them with ease. We were given two of the original Soda Stream machines for a comparison feature. Since then we bought a bigger one for ourselves and one for my parents. Highly recommended. This is honestly THE kitchen appliance we use daily. It's saved us money and time and energy carrying heavy cases of water and soft drinks from the grocery and out in the recycling bin. And we can feel great about the eco-friendly impact, too! My how you've grown! It was sweet to see how Soda Stream has expanded and grown in a few short years. They have a huge line of flavors now, and an impressive array of machine designs from basic and affordable for everyone, to high end glitz, and everything in between.
They even brought in author and fitness guru, Jillian Michaels, as guest speaker at IHHS13!! Check out her inspiring podcasts here
This crafty booth got our attention for most creative! Lynne atLynne's Wim.com was staffing the booth with her mom. She gives "kitchen witch" a hip, new twist with adorable aprons and witchy wear.
As a music blogger/ photographer/videographer I was stoked at her choice of monickers for her styles--some of the most rockin' women in alt rock!! Can you match a last name to the rock stars below?
Cooking's not my forte, and it'll be a cold day in the kitchen before Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker have any shot at being upstaged by ChiIL Mama.... but The Whim Collection was so dang funky and fun, it had me seriously tempted. My husband's in the TV/film industry, eats on set a lot and travels extensively...so I do still have to feed the kids more often than he does, by default, but he actually LIKES to cook! Wonder if my awesome better half could rock the whim look?
Green Favorites:
Our fav IHHS swag was the Nude Food Mover lunch box in a bright blue neoprene case. We rock the green living as much as possible and have been moving toward zero waste packed school lunches for several years now. We have reusable bottles and containers versus baggies. These are specifically food shaped and the stackables are perfect for smash proof snacking.
Freshwave is local, green and great smelling. I almost walked by but heard "....stinky tweens, smelly dogs...." and did an about face. Yes, yes we do...have both. We also avoid chemical cover ups and weird, allergy aggrevating sprays. They gave us an awesome, unscented odor remover jar to sit around, dog shampoo, and a little spritzer. Highly recommended!!
Nellie's All Naturalmakes a sweet line of eco-friendly cleaning solutions. We tried samples of the laundry soda and watermelon dish soap. Smells delightful, lasts a looong time, and works great, too! Highly recommended.
Capabungakeeps your xtra wine fresh with a silicone topper that's easy to apply and remove! We got a sample of the 2 on the left and have been enjoying them all year.
Our aptly named friend, Johanna Cook at Mommacuisine, will be back again, early in the morning on the final day, with a cooking demo! Our friend, Anupey Singla Indianasapplepiewill be cookin' too!
2012
Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for our photo filled recap of IHHS13!
Disclosure: SodaStream invited me to a blogger event and during the course of covering the IHHS show, we were given a small number of items for review purposes, including soda stream bottles, a salt shaker, grapefruit segmenter, mixed drink rocks, a garlic card and peeler gloves, Nellie's dish soap and laundry soda, a Nude Food Movers Lunch box, and several natural odor removers from Freshwave.
All opinions are my own. There were no stated or implied coverage requirement or expectation from any of these brands in exchange for products or gifts.
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