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)
Blog
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’
The Murray Effect
This column by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on August 11, 2005. Bill Murray is turning out to the best actor since, well, Ivan Mosjoukine. Ivan who? I’m referring the Russian actor who was the subject of the famous “Kuleshov Effect” experiment. In the 1920s, Soviet filmmaker Lev Kuleshov conducted an experiment that… Continue reading The Murray Effect
The sensational ‘Sower’
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on June 23, 2005. A naked man extends his hands, casting seeds. Although it was inspired by a Bible verse, this 7-foot-tall bronze sculpture scandalized Chicago in 1916. After being hidden away in storage for decades, Albin Polásek’s statue has found a new home at… Continue reading The sensational ‘Sower’
Play review: ‘Arms and the Man’
This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on June 2, 2005. Like most Americans, I am totally ignorant of whatever traits the people of Bulgaria possess. So it’s hard to say whether George Bernard Shaw was being fair to Bulgarians when he set his 1894 satire of love and war, “Arms and the… Continue reading Play review: ‘Arms and the Man’
Robbie Fulks: 2005 interview
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on May 12, 2005. A country boy from the South ends up living in Chicago, longing for that “Carolina moon” of his youth. That’s the plot line of “Georgia Hard,” the title track of the new album by Robbie Fulks, who grew up in North… Continue reading Robbie Fulks: 2005 interview
Behind the scenes of Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Silk’
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on April 28, 2005. It’s late March, and Mary Zimmerman has one month to go before her newest play, “Silk,” opens at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. The Goodman’s publicists are busy putting out press releases about the Tony Award-winning Evanston resident’s latest effort. Full-page advertisements for “Silk” are… Continue reading Behind the scenes of Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Silk’
Wilco (The Hubcap)
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on February 10, 2005. An old wheel cover from a Plymouth once sat on the shelves of a store in Libertyville, but now it’s the hubcap heard ’round the world. Glenn Kotche, drummer for the Chicago rock band Wilco, uses the hubcap in his unusual… Continue reading Wilco (The Hubcap)