TIO Chicago: The Rap on “Hamilton”+ Art Institute

12 Apr TIO Chicago: The Rap on “Hamilton”+ Art Institute

In Chicago, “Hamilton” is up at the CIBD Theatre. Click the link or call 800-22-0351 for guaranteed tickets. For a full review of the blockbuster show at play, go here.

And please check out my take below.

Understood every word?

Don’t be absurd.

But got the gist.

Across the pond, the king was pissed.

Gone rebels gone.

Oh come on.

Colony had to go –

With the flow.

Hamilton and the other boys

Made lots of noise

Provoking with their killer toys

Plots and ploys.

They ganged up.

Got down.

But ultimately turned a baby country around.

Still, for The Man, the myth of Icarus

Was ubiquitous.

Parallels to today?

Fair play.

Constitutional crisis abated.

Back when, few seemed sated.

Lin Manuel told his story.

Without the usual fanfare or glory

To the Dead White Men known as the “Founding Fathers.”

‘Cause why bother?

“Hamilton” (the play) was damn good.

Staged like it was in the ‘hood.

As for the cast.

Everyone had a blast.

The audience rose to its feet.

All was really neat.

But for an in-depth look.

Read Chernow’s book.

Otherwise the deep history.

Could remain a mystery.

Art Institute of Chicago:

Earlier in the day, before the play, we made a pilgrimage to the Art Institute with former Telluride locals and dear friend who have since moved to the city. Having lived in the Chi Town in the ’80s, the stop was, for me anyway, a return to Mecca.

Mostly our group toured the permanent collections, including the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist wings, where we visited George Seurat’s masterpiece, “Sunday on the Grand Jatte.” We stopped in the modern wing, especially to see Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” but the Georgia O’Keefes are sensuous and sublime; the Marsden Hartleys are among the artist’s kinetic best.

Marsden Hartley

We also marveled at Thorne Miniature Rooms, all 68.

That said, among the revolving exhibitions, Mounira Al Solh‘s “I strongly believe in our right to be frivolous,” drawings and embroideries created in response to the humanitarian and political crises in Syria and throughout the Middle East is simply moving, communicating the ongoing tragedy at a very personal level without melodrama.

Lunch at Terzo Piano, the Institute’s upscale, contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, is highly recommended.

As are reservations.