Had you going there for a minute, didn’t I? Nearing the celebration of my bicentennial column and then a few months later, the fourth anniversary of the beginning of these weekly reflections, I thought that during the next two weeks I would share some thoughts on taking my initial steps down the creative path that has led me to this time and place.
I have highlighted through the years that my youth was spent in the suburbs of post-World War II Chicago and what an idyllic time it was for us Sooner Boomers.
Yes, I too am a graduate of one of the first Boomer classes, that demographic that news pundits and others now analyze on PBS and over the seemingly hundreds of cable news outlets. I would hate to see what is out there on the Web.
Anyway, the memories of those times and places are as clear today as ever, and I owe much of that recall to an excellent, and I guess genetic, predisposition to the cataloguing of events and personalities. One thing that remains clear over the decades is that most of my extended family had a passion for expression and an enjoyment of the arts.
Growing up near the Windy City’s confines, and even through my collegiate years, I clearly remember that it was always New York that was known as the hub of theater activity.
But that really did not seem to matter, for what I also knew as a young person newly absorbed by the lure of the performance art, was that national touring companies would play Chicago’s historic venues, and that my vocal music teacher had connections downtown that provided us with costumes, music and a whole new world of theater excellence, both professional and amateur.
For example, we would take field trips to see other Chicago area high schools stage musicals.
Talking with someone recently about the fact that if they wanted an epicenter of theater today, and certainly a close second to LA, would be Chicago.
A recent Oklahoma connection to the city would be the successful launching of the play, August, Osage County that began its journey to a Pulitzer and Tony award at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Set in Pawhuska, Okla., it was written by Oklahoma playwright Tracy Letts. It is also the home of the Art Institute and the Goodman Theatre.
I learned that The Goodman and Steppenwolf, as well as the Victory Gardens and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre companies have all won a regional theater Tony Award, “making Chicago the most recognized city in the country.”
A few tidbits: The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with the Pied Pipers comes to Pauls Valley on Dec. 10 and former Pauls Valley Arts Ambassador Obba Babatunde, ends his run at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego today in the salute to the life and talents of Sammy Davis Jr.
Keep your fingers crossed for a national tour of “Sammy: Once In A Lifetime” or maybe a run on Broadway. Hopefully, one of those stops might be OKC or Tulsa.
The Windy City is our town, especially each fall.
Arts & History
The great Chicago – connection
- Arts & History
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‘Moneyball’ cash in the bank for best actor
Maybe it’s because math was always a special kind of hell for me throughout the education process, but any sort of award attached to a movie where it is the major dynamic seems like a cruel joke.
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‘The Grey’ follows typical blah early year trend
As a relatively balanced movie fan, I tend to be open to the possibility of any time of the year having the chance to win over audiences, though there remains reasons why most of the awesome of the box office begins around summer.
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‘War Horse’ gallops away with enamored audience
There may be some confusion among the top critics none of us pay any mind to on what films deserve the highest accolades as award season progresses, but as far as I’m concerned, a certain equestrian title is making a pretty strong case itself.
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‘Tintin’ may be unsinkable come award time
There’s something to the idea that animation movie makers may have better figured out the art of story telling and could certainly teach a majority of their peers in the live action arena how to weave a plot.
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‘The Muppets’ welcome in sentimental return
While bias is a position I try to leave to the talking heads of television, every now and again I come across a film I anticipate so much it’s hard for it to disappoint.
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‘Chipwrecked’ floats better than first sequel
When it comes to the three most recognized singing rodents this side of the milky way galaxy, one wouldn’t think the term gimmick would be anything more than description as usual.
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‘Holmes: Game of Shadows’ wows in witty sequel
Though I could be struck down by the critic gods at any moment, one thing Hollywood seems to get right more than when I was growing up is the art of the sequel.
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‘Gen. Rex: Agent of Providence’ not even a noob’s paradise
As someone who has witnessed the best and worst video games have had to offer since ET almost killed consoles in the early years, I consider my range of terrible rankings to be rather flexible.
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Stark caps off the year with Fine Dining
Pride in the local scene has always been a part of what drives Pauls Valley residents to make what is otherwise a small town compete with far larger peers.
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‘Arthur Christmas’ best holiday flick in years
Welcome to holiday movies anonymous, the only support group where you can admit you are just like everyone else and watch the same holiday specials well past a sane number of times.
- More Arts & History Headlines
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Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
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Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
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Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
