I love the theatre – everything about it. The whole concept of story telling and the ability to leave this time and place and our everyday lives t0 become a part of something else, if only for an hour or two just makes life better.
The Parlour on Clark opened up their imaginative minds and welcomed in Tello Films to present I Hate Tommy Finch last week. I love The Parlour – I love the look, the feel and the freaking attitude in that place. It is a fun neighborhood joint that never turns its back on ingenuity. Who takes their bar and turns it into a theatre for the weekend? Not too many business owners on that list, not too many folks willing to take a risk – but I am here to tell you – it works. We had a truly inspirational theatrical event on Clark Street last weekend.
Julie Keck and Jessica King wrote a script that shares the timeline of a friendship of 2 girls from ages 8 to 36. From school days and playground antics through college and young adulthood – this is more than a coming of age story – this is also a coming to terms, coming to acceptance sort of story. Nicole Pacent and Shannan Reeve do a compelling job in sharing the personalities and nuances of the characters Stephanie and Alyssa. They simply have a chemistry that is so damn familiar. The discoveries these characters make, the feelings and communications that are never really communicated reminded me so clearly of my own experiences growing up. That fine crazy line that sometimes fools us into not knowing exactly what our hearts are dying for us to know.
Throw into this whole wonderful package live, original music (Thank you God for Sami Grisafe – along with Shannon Nicole and Jaclyn T. Rada) – and you have a production that literally comes alive and draws you in and back again. The venue was so intimate – it brought the audience deeper into the story, the characters, the feelings and the moment. I found myself grinning a stupid grin at some of the lighter moments and feeling my gut pull just a little when some of what was going on was a little too close to my own memories and experiences. That is good theatre – the whole package – when it takes you outside of yourself long enough to have you recognize things you had long since forgotten.
IHTF does not end on the stage at Parlour. It will live on as a web-series on tellofilms.com and as a soundtrack (I need the soundtrack ASAP please!!!). You can look into this whole scene at ihatetommyfinch.com – I promise you will not be disappointed.
Kathy, what an amazing article, and thank you for your kind words about Parlour and the production on IHTF. It was amazing to work with these talented actresses, musicians, writers, and production crew. Certain moments Christin Mell would look at me and say “are you scared yet?”. My response, not at all, they knew exactly what they were doing and they proved it through the rehearsals and when the doors were open for the production! Life is not the same without the cast and crew of IHTF, and I second the need for that soundtrack. Sami, Shannon, and Jackie awed me, I still wake up in the morning singing the songs!
Posted by Christine | October 20, 2011, 9:08 amKathy, it was such an honor to meet you. And thank you for your kind words. Here’s to future meetings. Bravo L-stop for giving Chicago a go to spot! Congrats on the official launch next month!
P.s. I wish lala-land had a “405-is-grid-locked”-Stop
Posted by shannan leigh reeve | October 20, 2011, 3:06 pmIt was just amazing how all of this came together. Parlour was a great venue and we are so grateful to Christine and the other bartenders who rocked the night with us. We have amazing talent and I’m glad we got to share that with Chicago. We hope to bring it back again!
Posted by Christin Mell | October 20, 2011, 6:55 pmLoved the production! The acting was suberb, and the music was sublime! I hope it goes bigger – would love to see the show on the road, and would love to meet Uncle Jeff and all the other characters we learned about from the stars of the show! Congrats and best of luck!
Posted by Barbara Zamudio | October 21, 2011, 9:19 am