This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in The Daily Southtown on July 2, 2006. Sixty years ago, the U.S. military blew up an atomic bomb over Bikini atoll. A week later, on July 5, another sort of bikini made its explosive debut. Grabbing the name “bikini” from the Pacific Ocean nuclear test that was in the… Continue reading The bikini’s 60th birthday
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On props and prop masters
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Playbill magazine in the summer of 2007. Last spring, as Lookingglass Theatre held tech rehearsals for the African war drama Black Diamond: The Year the Locusts have Eatern, freelance prop designer Rachel Jamieson sat in the theatre pondering fake blood. “There’s a lot of it,” she says.… Continue reading On props and prop masters
Eleventh Dream Day: 2006 profile
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on May 11, 2006. Six years have gone by since the last album of new songs by Chicago’s indie-rock stalwarts, Eleventh Dream Day. Even the members of the band have trouble believing it has been that long. “Are you sure?” bassist Doug McCombs says. “No,… Continue reading Eleventh Dream Day: 2006 profile
Record review: Neko Case, ‘Fox Confessor Brings the Flood’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on March 9, 2006. Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood **** This siren tops her previous records — as excellent as they were — with a haunting suite of gothic folk songs. The calmly macabre cover art sets the mood: A girl and some… Continue reading Record review: Neko Case, ‘Fox Confessor Brings the Flood’
A map of David Mamet’s Chicago
Play review: ‘Bus Stop’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on February 2, 2006. Pay close attention to the faces if you see “Bus Stop” at Writers’ Theatre — and not just the faces of the actors speaking at any particular moment. Look at the actors sitting at the other tables or standing behind the… Continue reading Play review: ‘Bus Stop’
Audrey Niffenegger interview (2005)
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on December 15, 2005. Audrey Niffenegger worked for 14 years on her latest book, “The Three Incestuous Sisters.” The long gestation period is understandable, because this is no ordinary book. Niffenegger, an Evanston native who currently lives in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood, paid meticulous attention… Continue reading Audrey Niffenegger interview (2005)
Record review: Tom Waits, ‘Real Gone’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Playlist magazine’s winter 2005 issue. Tom Waits Real Gone To get into the mood for this music, picture how it got started. The famously—need we say it?—gravel-voiced Tom Waits spends hours in his bathroom, making “mouth rhythms,” sounds like “Boom-chikka-ah!” Then his band records the resulting songs,… Continue reading Record review: Tom Waits, ‘Real Gone’
Devin Davis: 2005 interview
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Skyline, Booster, and other Pioneer Press editions on November 23-24, 2005. Devin Davis fans of the world, unite! Virtually no one in the music world had heard of Wicker Park resident Devin Davis. He didn’t have a record deal. He had never played a concert tour. And… Continue reading Devin Davis: 2005 interview
Record review: Liz Phair, ‘Somebody’s Miracle’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on September 29, 2005. Liz Phair Somebody’s Miracle **½ We want our old Liz back. You know, that Liz Phair from Winnetka who shook up rock critics with her 1993 debut “Exile in Guyville.” It was frank, compelling and idiosyncratic. We’re not sure who this… Continue reading Record review: Liz Phair, ‘Somebody’s Miracle’