Sundays in My City – A Night at the Opera

Ok. I lied. I went to the theatre with three boys under twelve with ants in their pants, what do you think? Just had to use it in my title because it is THE favorite album of mine, that’s all.

We went to see a Broadway musical… in Chicago… I wish I could tell you that I saw Spamalot.

Shut up! This is a hold-up, not a botany lesson. I want you to hand over all the lupins you've got.

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Or Wicked. Or The Lion King. Or Billy Elliot. But Nooooo….

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It is a musical based on a Disney movie. Like, 100% based on the movie... Wouldn't it have been enough to just watch the movie, again?

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Every time I walk into one of these classic theatres, I am startled by the beauty inside. The ornate, intricate designs overwhelm the senses and quicken my heart. Faced with the beauty, I feel guilty for not dressing up. I imagine that the walls and the chandeliers whisper, “We wish you had taken the effort to look as good as we do and help us remember those days…”

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Unknown Mami

42 thoughts on “Sundays in My City – A Night at the Opera

  1. Miss B

    Well, if I ever come to Chicago, I’ll have to time it so we can put on fancy clothes and go to the opera — the _real_ opera — and then go get drunk and inappropriate afterward. To make up for the classiness of the rest of the evening.
    Miss B recently posted…The Way Things TasteMy Profile

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  2. Wicked Shawn

    Beautiful theatre. There are still a couple of gorgeous theatres here in Old Louisville. The Kentucky Center is very contemporary, but lovely in its own way. Just not the same as the opulence you find in the old ones.
    I love nights out like that, although, thankfully, I am past the Shrek The Musical age. Last one for me was taking Drama Queen to Chicago, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
    Wicked Shawn recently posted…Posthumous Posts and CoulrophobiaMy Profile

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  3. Miss B

    God, I won’t even watch the Shrek movies. You’re a better man than I, doll.

    I have very strong opinions about the fact that the general public does not tend to dress up for nights at the theatre/symphony/opera/&c. Especially the opera. And especially here on the West coast. I want to take people who show up for a night at the opera — that they’ve obviously paid rather a lot for — in jeans and a backwards baseball cap and punch them in the throat. (This isn’t a dig at you — and really, I think musicals are pretty much the lowest-key of all possible theatrical outings, and especially ones aimed at kids, so I am not judging younharshly, here.) But seriously, people in general need to realize — hundreds of people have worked their asses off for weeks and weeks in order to entertain you. Dressing nicer than you would to do yard work or run errands is part of the applause. Plus, personally, if I’m spending upwards of $50 for a ticket to something, I’m damn sure going to use that as an excuse to put on a cocktail dress and some heels…
    Miss B recently posted…The Way Things TasteMy Profile

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    1. Absence Alternatives Post author

      No worries because I do feel the same way. I used to make an effort, but then after seeing so many people just wearing jeans and t-shirts, and yes I did see shorts and flip flops at the Shrek show, I thought, “Forget it!” (I may go back to become that “overdressed” dork again…) With the popular Broadway musicals I tend to give folks the benefits of the doubt: most of them are tourists and it may be difficult for everybody to pack their finest in that tiny carryon suitcase… I can tell you this: If I am ever shelling out $$$ for an opera, like a “real” one? I am dressing up!

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  4. Keia

    I love Chicago…well everything except the wind (which almost blew me away once).
    I went to see Alvin Ailey Dance Company a few years back in Chicago it was great…and then there was the wind in the evening. Ha I’ll stop it with the wind.
    Anyway, I just love the theater and wish I went more often. Your pictures are gorgeous!

    p.s. How come I can’t add you to my links…is there something secretive going on with your site that I don’t know about?
    Keia recently posted…almost two years later My Profile

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    1. Absence Alternatives Post author

      You may know it as Bismarck Theatre back in the days before Cadillac bought the naming right? (Thank goodness it’s not some company with weird names such as Playboy or Hooters… ugh)

      Just remember the cold cold winter. The wind chill. See? You don’t miss Chicago that much any more. You are welcome. 😉

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  5. Justine

    I love theater here too, but not so much for the shows, it’s really for the architecture. There are some breathtaking places around these parts. So proud of our city. How Gotham, Burnham and awesome — oooh, I want to use that for a future post someday. I hope you don’t mind if I quote myself 🙂
    Justine recently posted…The story of our lives isn’t for everyoneMy Profile

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  6. pattypunker

    um spamalot was super funny. we’ll go next time were in ny. they just dont make buildings like they used to. kinda sad. i share your awe everytime too. but damn if i couldnt use more leg room and more women’s restrooms.
    pattypunker recently posted…fuckit10My Profile

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  7. Velva

    Would you prefer to see Shrek in Chicago or would you prefer Shrek in Tallahassee, Florida?
    (laugh). It’s all relative. You could have easily worn jeans, a tee-shirt and flip-flops here, and paid for cookies and cheap wine at intermission. The real difference is that you enjoyed an evening with your boys and it does not get any better no matter where you live. Awesome.
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  8. Kate

    Oh, I used to live in Chicago. I love the gorgeous old theaters. Well, the whole city, really. Great show or not, enrapt companions or restless ones, at least you were there.
    Kate recently posted…Being hereMy Profile

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  9. dufmanno

    I always struggle with my wardrobe choices when I go to these things because it hints at casual until you step into the old world opulence.
    Always feel the same way wishing I could deliver the pizazz like they did in the old black and white photos where EVERYONE is dressed to the hilt.
    The pictures you took of the inside are really beautiful. Makes me thankful that places like that still exsist:)
    dufmanno recently posted…CockroachMy Profile

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    1. Absence Alternatives Post author

      OPULENCE. That was the word I was searching for.

      I struggle ’cause I don’t want to dress up & suspect that everybody else is laughing at me for being a hoity doity dork… Yes. I care about what strangers think about me. Sad.

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