The Academy Award Winning Duo

Even the most muggy night of the year couldn’t suppress the energy of The Swell Season. The duo of Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová played to a very warm crowd at Ravinia on Wednesday night. Hansard’s incredibly powerful voice filled not only the pavilion but also seemed to reverberate off the trees on the lawn. The outdoor venue seemed like a perfect place for the folksy sounds of the Irish rock band.

Hansard and Irglová found fame after they starred in the 2007 film Once, loosely based upon their own love story. The former couple not only acted in the movie, but also composed and performed all of its original songs. The following year, their song “Falling Slowly” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Last year they released Strict Joy, detailing the other side of their love story—falling out of it. Despite this recent change in their relationship, it was apparent on stage that their musical chemistry is still there.

The crowd was perpetually engrossed as The Swell Season played their radio hits “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and “Low Rising” and even invited attendees on the lawn into the pavilion for a more intimate performance (a moment not exactly embraced by the Ravinia staff, but they had no choice as the crowd rushed in). The show drew a diverse crowd of hipster urban dwellers and more traditional suburbanites. Either dancing along the outskirts of the pavilion or enthusiastically clapping in their chairs, ultimately, everyone enjoyed the show on the balmy evening in Highland Park.

A Streetcar Named Desire at the Writers' Theatre

A few weeks ago, another Sheridan Road staffer and I were lucky enough to see A Streetcar Named Desire in our very own backyard. The Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe decided to extend its run of the production due to critical acclaim and high popular demand. Now showing until August 15th, the play is a must-see.

Performed with incredible raw emotion, the Tennessee Williams play truly comes alive. Under the direction of David Cromer (an award-winning director and Chicago native), the 63-year-old play seems just as pertinent to today’s audience as it did during World War II.  Adding his own tweaks to the high school required reading production, Cromer makes you sympathize with all the characters rather than demonizing the characters of Stanley or Blanche. The close quarters of the round theater intimately involves the audience throughout the entire performance. Once the house lights turn on at the conclusion of the play, you are left feeling exhausted—as though you’ve just rode an emotional roller coaster.

For tickets and more information visit the Writers’ Theatre website here or call the box office at 847-242-6000. Performances range from $50-$60 and the schedule is as follows: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.