Mark and dozens of our friends will be back on stage this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Like an agent in proud anticipation of opening night, I feel the brisk excitement in the winter air of Andersonville this evening, as the final rehearsal gets underway. I am relaxing happily in a coffee shop in this friendly Chicago neighborhood, surrounded by a diverse crowd of Friday-night writers, readers, lovers and eccentrics, while a block away the chorus-members practice in an old church auditorium. What a fertile environment to be creative!
A celebration in music both cheerful and quietly beautiful will fill the newly renovated Mayne Stage in Rogers Park this weekend. "Holiday Express", a program of a decidedly international flavor, will be performed by Windy City Performing Arts, which combines the women's choir Aria with the lusty Windy City Gay Men's Chorus. I have listened to Mark rehearse his tenor portion of the show for several weeks. Soon, I will get to hear the full-bodied harmonies of all the old standards, Gregorian chants, humorous ditties and traditional songs from many countries.
This has been a year for many of us to spread our wings creatively. Being a part of his experience with the Windy City Performing Arts has been inspiring. I applaud all of you who have put yourself out there as writers or performers, and wish you success in whatever manner of personal expression you choose in the coming year! Next week I will be back with a review of Holiday Express! If any of you happen to be in Chicago this weekend, why not come out for a great show?
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