‘Six’ again!

"Six the Musical" just came back to Chicago and opened Tuesday night and I won the lottery for tickets to Wednesday night's performance. Last time, Allison won tickets and I went with her. Neither of us knew much about the show and we both really liked it so I figured Andy should see it if I could win the lottery this time around.

He said the show was "OK." I liked it but thought it was better the first time. We did have good, unobstructed seats, orchestra level left, Row R, seats 21 and 23.

Finally ‘Wicked’

After sporadically entering the ticket lottery for "Wicked" since the show arrived in Chicago in September, I finally won! Andy and I saw the show probably 15 years ago so this was my second time.

We had tickets to the matinee today so we went early and had lunch at Stocks and Blondes. Andy said it's a dive bar and it most certainly was. I had the Italian beef special and it was good even though they burnt the bottom of my bread. Andy even stopped by to see us but couldn't stay.

We were on the orchestra level, left, Row M, seats 15 and 17 (Nederlander Theater). We got the seats for $25 each. I looked up the same seats for next Wednesday's matinee and they are selling for $145 each. I'd say we got a good deal.

So close. And most of the row we were in was empty so we moved to other seats during the second act and had no one in front of us.

They were giving out these pins. I saw one woman in the restroom whose button said she had seen the show 50-plus times.

This was after the show. The cast was asking for donations to some cause.

This was in the lobby and these kids were signing it. Kind of interesting. We stopped next doornat Garrett for some popcorn after the show. I got a small Chicago mix. Then we went to Andy's new office to check it out and give him a ride home.

‘My Fair Lady’

Allison won lottery tickets to see "My Fair Lady" at the Cadillac Palace Theater last night. We had Orchestra level seats, Row M, left. Seats were great. Show was long.

It lasted three hours and we both agreed there were scenes that didn't add anything to the storyline. Andy and I saw the show when it was at the Lyric Opera but I really didn't remember much about it. I don't even know when we saw it. How is it not on my blog?

‘Ain’t Too Proud’

Andy and I went downtown last night to see "Ain't Too Proud," the story of the life and times of the Temptations, at the Cadillac Palace Theater. The show was good but it had some slow parts. Not as good as "Jersey Boys."

I enetered the Broadway in Chicago lottery Friday on a fluke and won tickets as a stand-by. We were given great seats - Orchestra level center, Row O. And no one sat directly in front of us. On the theater's website these "premium" seats were selling for $132 each.

It was a beautiful day to be in the city. As we were walking back to our car a Michigan couple stopped us who were looking for directions to their hotel on Monroe Street. They said they were in town for a wedding. I said, "Oh, that's nice" and wife said eh. They showed Andy the wedding invitation that had the hotel written on it. He passes it everyday going to and from work. They were probably 10 years older than us and seemed scared to be in the city even though we didn't encounter anything unusual. We got to our parking garage, gave them easy directions to the hotel and they replied with, "I can't believe you live here." They need to turn off the news.

L spent the evening at the Yacht and Beach Club pool with her lifeguard friend, J. I didn't realize she could use the pool when she's not working bit she said they "got lucky."

‘Jersey Boys’ … again!

We won the theater lottery to see "Jersey Boys!" last night at the Cadillac Theater. It's the third time we've seen the show, the second time winning discounted lottery tickets for it. The only catch with the lottery is that you don't pick your seats and they could be obstructed. We got really lucky last time we saw the show and were in the front row at the Auditorium Theater. This time we were in the second row, to the left.

The first time we saw it, November 2009, we bought tickets and Allison came over to babysit the kids. The show was good last night but I still think the first performance we saw was the best.

The Cadillac is a pretty theater ... and it had decent legroom. I've always wondered how many discounted tickets the theater sells for each show. Maybe it depends on the show and how sales are going, but the "Jersey Boys" lottery page said they were offering 26 tickets at a discount for each performance.

‘Moulin Rouge’

Allison won the theater lottery for discounted tickets to "Moulin Rouge." We went last night.

We didn't know what to expect. I didn't even know the story except that it was set in Paris in a cabaret/can-can show.

This elephant, right above our seats, was supposed to be the star's dressing room. It was a tragic love story but we both enjoyed, and were surprised by, the inclusion of modern pop songs. They even worked in "Roxanne," a song from Andy's favorite group, The Police.

‘Six the Musical’

Last night Allison and I went to the CIBC Theater to see "Six the Musical," a show about King Henry VIII's six wives. She won theater lottery tickets for the show!

The dancing, singing and costumes were great. We both enjoyed it.

'Cats'

I won the Broadway in Chicago lottery for Saturday's evening performance of "Cats" so Andy and I went downtown. Our seats were in the Dress Circle, off to the side, so the left side of the stage was a bit obstructed. I saw online the tickets sell for $81.50 each so $25 each is a bargain. I saw "Cats" with Darla at the Muny in St. Louis when I was in high school and all I remember was the costumes. I couldn't recall the plot.

We soon figured out that's because there isn't much of a plot or storyline. It was all singing, which we've both come to realize is hard for us to follow. The dancing was incredible though. Let's just say I'm glad we didn't pay full price for the tickets.

'West Side Story'

Finally found tickets for a price I was willing to pay! All the critics were saying "West Side Story," the Lyric Opera's annual musical, was the best show in town. Allison and I drove downtown and met up with Andy and Clare, who were both getting off work. We went to eat at Cardozo's before we met up with Clare. It was a lower level bar hidden in the Loop.

A little added bonus was seeing the many gowns throughout the opera hall that were worn in performances by singer Renee Fleming. She wore this one, designed by Oscar de la Renta, at the June 2012 Diamond Jubilee honoring Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace:

Shopping, show & snow (!)

Andy was at church cleaning yesterday the kitchen for the upcoming doughnut season so L, Cindy and I did a little local shopping. L found this adorable dress she plans to wear for Cousin D's wedding in October. I had to bribe her with $1 to even try a dress on, but once she did, she liked it and tried on a couple more. Money well spent.

By the time we were done shopping the snow was here. Snow on April 27? And it wasn't just a dusting. I found a lot of things for Cindy to buy at Kohl's that she didn't know she wanted. Here's Cindy enjoying spring in Chicago.

The big event of the weekend was to see "Rock of Ages." I've been wanting to see the stage show since I first saw the movie almost seven years ago when I was nursing my cut thumb.

We all enjoyed the show - '80s music, big hair, lots of dancing, and it was funny too. What's not to like?

For dinner we had reservations at La Cantina at Italian Village. Andy had a bloody Mary as an appetizer.

Cindy ordered the chicken marsala.

After dinner Cindy and I waited at the restaurant for Andy to retrieve the car because it was snowing (still)! There were some kids in prom dresses in the restaurant - no coats. Not the best night for prom. The lobby got a little crowded so I told Cindy we should go outside and I'll get a picture of her under the restaurant sign. She stood in the snow and then you can't even see her in the picture.

By time we got home, this much snow accumulated in our yard. L was home while we were downtown. She took the car to a couple stores and ended up with her friend, A and T, at our house. She knows how to entertain herself.

Jersey Boys!

Andy and I have been wanting to see "Jersey Boys" at Chicago's Auditorium Theater but we put off buying tickets because we've seen it before - 10 years ago! I entered the Broadway in Chicago lottery for $25 tickets and won! The last time we were at the Auditorium Theater was to see "Show Boat" twenty years ago when I was pregnant with B. Imagine our surprise when we showed the usher our tickets and they directed us to the front row. We had great seats. It was like having a private performance.

Row B is the front row. Wonder what happened to Row A?

So much leg room!

Can't get a better view of the stage than this.

E at "Hamilton'

E has been wanting to see "Hamilton" since it came to Chicago. Today was her day!

E and Aunt Allison waiting for the show to begin. E has the soundtrack and knew all of the songs long before seeing the show. They both said it was good.

Another Broadway win!

What are the odds? I just won the "Miss Saigon" theater lottery and yesterday I won the lottery for "The Play That Goes Wrong." I won the first time I entered. It started its Chicago run last night so maybe not a lot of people knew about the lottery? After "Miss Saigon" Andy thought he would appreciate a comedy.

Good seats - orchestra level, Row S.

Waiting for the show to begin. Andy thought the play was hilarious. The two people sitting next to me were laughing hysterically the entire time (making it a little hard for me to hear, but whatever, glad they enjoyed it). It had its funny moments but it was a lot of physical humor like "Three Stooges" and "Monty Python" which just isn't my thing.

I did like the Duran Duran references throughout the show and at the end they played "Girls on Film."

'Tis the season! We saw this truck with a menorah on its roof drive by as we were walking to the theater. It was even playing Hannukah songs.

'Miss Saigon'

Andy and I went downtown to see "Miss Saigon" tonight.

I've been entering the "Miss Saigon" theater ticket lottery since the show started playing in Chicago and yesterday I won! I had an hour after being notified to purchase our tickets.

We had dinner at a local restaurant, then drove downtown. We had a little time to kill so we walked through a couple aisles of the Christkindlmarket. Surprisingly, I saw a booth that I think is new. It was selling ornaments made of tree bark. The moose was adorable. When I go back I want to give those a closer look.

Our seats were on the orchestra floor, to the left of the stage, Row U. There were two more rows behind us. The face value of the tickets was $85 each so we got a bargain.

Ready for the show to begin. We didn't know the "Miss Saigon" story. Andy enjoyed the opening act - you'll have to see the show to appreciate that. All of the dialogue was sung so it was a bit hard to understand at times but we enjoyed it. Don't expect a happy ending.