This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in The Daily Southtown on December 24, 2006. For years, Chicago blues fans could count on one thing happening every January — Buddy Guy would play a marathon series of concerts at his Chicago nightclub. But when Guy, an Orland Park resident, performs 18 shows next month at… Continue reading Buddy Guy Q&A
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Colin Blunstone interview
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on September 7, 2006. The Zombies were not a bunch of brainy British nerds. More than 40 years after a Decca Records press release and some bad publicity photos created that impression, Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone is still trying to debunk the myth. “At… Continue reading Colin Blunstone interview
Tom Waits: 2006 concert review
This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in The Daily Southtown on August 21, 2006. As Tom Waits and his musicians approached the Auditorium Theatre’s stage Wednesday night, their shadows loomed high on the curtains, like specters in a haunted house. Even in the flesh and blood, Waits seemed supernatural. Twitchily gesturing with his outstretched fingers,… Continue reading Tom Waits: 2006 concert review
The bikini’s 60th birthday
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
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)