I’ve been kind of busy this week, between work and seeing two plays in Chicago.  I plan on taking tomorrow to relax and enjoy the nice weather we’re having.

The first play I saw was on Thursday night at the New Leaf Theatre.  The show was called “Six Years” and followed the lives of married couple Phil and Meredith.  The name comes from the time shift between scenes — each scene takes place six years after the previous scene.

I was very impressed with the show.  The acting kept me rapt with attention throughout the show.   Jessica Hutchinson did an excellent job with the direction, making several choices that really made the show unique.  One of the choices that impressed me the most was the scene transitions.  Rather than having stage hands come out dressed in black, she had the leads, Phil and Meredith, move slowly (about half-time) while the other actors changed scenery at a regular (or slightly faster than regular) pace.  The effect was very dramatic, especially when you add in the special lights shone down on them and the music playing in the background.  A very nice effect that really blew me away.

If you’ve got a chance and you’re in Chicago, check out “Six Years” at the New Leaf Theatre.  The show runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through November 22nd.  Check it out!  You won’t regret it.

The second show I saw, courtesy of Nick Keenan, was “Million Dollar Quartet” at The Goodman Theatre.  If you’re a fan of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, you’ll love MDQ.  The story follows a gathering of the four famous musicians in a sound studio in 1956 and what follows is the birth of rock’n'roll!  I had a blast, since the kind of music embodied in the musical is my favorite kind.  I was tapping my feet to the beat and mouthing along with the words, too!

This is definitely a must-see if you’re any kind of music fan at all.  Check it out at The Goodman Theatre as soon as you can!  The show runs through October 26th.