Eric M Chicago

Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille

ericmchicago — Sat, 14 May 2011 03:11:21 +0000

May this inspire you as it inspires me as an artist, and encourages me to keep creating no matter what I think of my work (both as an actor and as a graphic artist):

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine

how good it is;
nor how valuable it is;
nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not have to believe in yourself or your work, You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.

Keep the channel open…
No artist is pleased…

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille

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Peace luv and Marilyn

ericmchicago — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:01:47 +0000

From my Marilyn bathroom

Born This Way Album Cover – A Designer’s Perspective

ericmchicago — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:26:41 +0000

Lady Gaga released her Born This Way album cover last night at midnight CST and the reaction has been exactly what you think it would be:

If you’re not a designer or an artist, you’ll probably either love it or hate it within 3 seconds of seeing it. If you have a designer’s instinct, you’ll hate it. If you have a designer’s perspective, you’ll love it. And I’ll tell you why:

First of all, you have to count this as a complete success. Why? Because she got what she wanted from the designer. She’s incredibly proud of this cover and she loves it. As far as designer/client relationships go, the client walked away from this project happy and fulfilled. Great, so where does that leave you? Hating what she wanted? Don’t be so quick to knock it off your radar, you have to think like an artist to get there:

There are two major design-level themes going on here: Less-Is-More and Retro-Grade-Amnesia.

Less-Is-More: Well, it’s a minimalist cover so the name speaks for itself, but think along the lines of “Less Complicated is More Involved.” If you move aside the aesthetics (which we cover in theme #2) and look at the content of the art, you have a half-motorcycle, half-girl. The genius of this image is that with such a simple idea she has tapped into numerous themes and references. First, we have the mythology. She’s the modern day Hell’s Angels Americana Minotaur that existed 20 years ago. Untouchable, mythical, magical, and ever-elusive. Then notice the more subtle suggestions that run the gamut from literal to abstract: She wants you to ride her. She’s on the road to becoming who she was born to be. She’s a machine. She’s complete nonsense. She’s completely serious. She’s simple. She’s complicated. The list goes on and on. If you truly look at the content and think about all the different meanings that you can see in it, you have a piece of art doing exactly what art is best at doing.

Retro-Grade-Amnesia: My god, she and her designer have completely forgotten that MS Paint already happened. This composition has designers from coast to coast scratching their heads and wondering, “What happened to the aesthetic she was building?” They’re wondering that because while Gaga and her team have been through many phases and representations, most recently becoming increasingly 1984 West Coast darlings, they have done so in an outwardly “forward-thinking” way. It’s been in a way that flirts with retro-80′s while making use of contemporary design aesthetics and standards. In this cover, they are fully committing to the past. Gaga and her team haven’t forgotten that MS Paint already happened, they’re going back and completely exploring the possibilities of it. Her music and her fashion have been an aggregation of pop culture, and now her designers are getting on the bandwagon. Don’t expect everything she puts out from now on to look like this; this is simply her designers jumping on board and committing 100% to the retro-style she’s setting up for them. And it has many really interesting effects on modern-day consumers. People are ‘underwhelmed’, ‘disappointed’, ‘confused’, and so on (and of course her Little Monsters think it’s ‘brilliant’, ‘gorgeous’, and ‘sick’). Well, here’s the genius of it: In 2 weeks, it will be completely accepted. She can say ‘Fuck you’ to the evolution of aesthetic computer graphic design and she knows that in the end everyone will accept the cover, maybe even end up loving it, and fulfill our destinies of attention deficit disorder virtuosos. In any case, there’s nothing else like this out there in the industry today. Her and her designers may have retro-grade amnesia, but they’ve put out something that is 100% unique and distinct (by today’s standards), and 100% representative of where she is at creatively right now. I think people get turned off because it’s not 100% representative of where THEY are at creatively right now, which is usually the case but rarely seen in this day and age. I don’t know the last time I’ve seen such strong reactions to an album cover – As a designer and an artist, I find the precision with which she keeps every last person completely surprised by everything… well, nothing less than art itself.

Muppets in the wild…

ericmchicago — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:45:01 +0000

This is frikkin hysterical…

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Oh Ally…

ericmchicago — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:26:07 +0000

Of ALL the show on ALL of Netflix, I clicked on Ally McBeal… this show is hilarious.

I also found a cool blog… Drunk Diet. This guy knows how to talk to me.

The end. I find blogging only useful to me if I can’t put the entire thing in a facebook status.

Lady Gaga at United Center, Chicago IL

ericmchicago — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:24:53 +0000

Hey yall. Just wanted to share with you my awesome experience at the Lady Gaga concert here in Chicago at the United Center! I experienced my first real ‘concert’ experience. I spent $250 for a floor ticket, waited 3 hours in the freezing cold to get into the building. As soon as I got in, I RAN to the lip of the stage and stood there for another 3 hours (I didn’t have anyone to hold my spot, so I had to jedi mind trick my body out of having to pee)… the concert was UNBELIEVABLE! I have never really experienced being starstruck before – that’s just not something I ever feel. However, when Gaga was revealed and opened the show with “Silicone… saline…” – I can’t even explain it. I went into a state of Rapture. I started screaming uncontrollably and reaching out to her – as did EVERYONE around me. It was amazing. I blew my voice out after the first 2 songs.. I couldn’t even scream anymore.

She bit the heads off 3 barbie dolls (I almost caught one!) and it is an amazing experience I will never forget. I have to say a big THANK YOU to my Aunt Lisa, who sent me $50 towards the cost of my ticket! Several of my friends (unbeknownst to me) were at the show, and one of them in the rafters snapped this photo. I circled myself in red —eeee! Can’t wait for her next single “Judas” to come out!

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

ericmchicago — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:50:33 +0000

Yesterday Lady Gaga (after months of hype) finally released her new single, “Born This Way”. It’s such a fantastic nod to the “Express Yourself” era that Madonna brought, and carries a wonderful message of self-love and acceptance! This is going to sound SICK on the dance floors!

BORN THIS WAY
WRITTEN BY: LADY GAGA
PRODUCED BY: LADY GAGA, FERNANDO GARIBAY, DJ WHITE SHADOW
MIXED AND ENGINEERED BY: DAVID RUSSEL

INTRO:
It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
’cause you were Born This Way, Baby

VERSE:
MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG
WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS

SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON
IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR

“THERE’S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE”
SHE SAID, “‘CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE”

“SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU’LL GO FAR,
LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY”

CHORUS:
I’M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY
‘CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET
JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU’RE SET
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS:
OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN-
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON’T BE!

VERSE:
GIVE YOURSELF PRUDENCE
AND LOVE YOUR FRIENDS
SUBWAY KID, REJOICE YOUR TRUTH

IN THE RELIGION OF THE INSECURE
I MUST BE MYSELF, RESPECT MY YOUTH

A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN
BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY)
I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND
MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:

DON’T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN
WHETHER YOU’RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN
YOU’RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT
YOU’RE LEBANESE, YOU’RE ORIENT
WHETHER LIFE’S DISABILITIES
LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED
REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY
‘CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,
LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE
NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE
CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO/REFRAIN:

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

Chicago Snowmageddon 2011

ericmchicago — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 02:51:49 +0000

Survived Snowmageddon ’11 !!

Lady Gaga at United Center, Chicago IL

Marilyn Monroe Wallpaper 1920×1200

ericmchicago — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:53:10 +0000

Here’s a truly HD marilyn desktop wallpaper I found! So gorgeous. Enjoy!

Sweet & Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen

ericmchicago — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:41:01 +0000

So my current project right now is Sweet & Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. I’m loving it! It’s definitely a challenge; we aren’t allowed characters or a story/plot which for me at least (I strongly consider myself an actor before a singer) is forcing me to really step outside of my comfort zone and explore the world of cabaret singing. I definitely have, um, NOT cornered the market on this, but it’s an interesting and exciting new landscape to explore! I have SO much respect for cabaret singers after this one. SHEESH. ;)

Another great aspect of doing this show is getting to know some of the great Arlen songs! I have a newfound love for “I Love To Sing-a” which I get to sing with the luminescent Stephanie Herman. Anyway here’s some reviews for the show.

Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at No Exit Cafe

Chicago Tribune- Recommended

“…Anzevino understood here that the Arlen songbook needs different types of performers to do it justice. Aside from Thomas, in touch with Arlen’s bluesy side, he cast Stephanie Herman, a crisp, removed and glamorous singer who suggests urban nighteries, and the giving Sarah Hayes, who evokes a warmer, softer, needier and yet equally retro persona. On the male side, Kristofer Simmons matches up nicely with Herman (most of the night, at least), Eric Lindahl drives the vocal energy of the show, and the terriffic, multivalent Eric Martin takes care of its heart.”

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Chris Jones

Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended

“…this revue is so superb on every level that you may find yourself standing in a line that extends down to the Gold Coast. And frankly, if the producers at the new Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (formerly the Drury Lane) were smart, they’d lift it from its current location and install it on their little jewel-box stage.”

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Hedy Weiss

Time Out Chicago- Recommended

“… Standout solos include Bethany Thomas’s beautifully rueful “Man That Got Away” and the brassy Sarah Hayes on “I Had Myself a True Love.” But much as Boyd robs the songs of context, Anzevino’s significant reworking of her script scrubs it of even her barest suggestions of characters; we don’t sense the performers as anything but themselves. Though we’d be hard-pressed to call this theater, it’s a perfectly pleasant concert.”

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Kris Vire

Chicago Reader- Somewhat Recommended

“…Director Fred Anzevino interjects a lot of unclear, unconvincing stage business–the singers hang out in a bar, sometimes, maybe, and sort of have fleeting crushes on one another–and David Heimann’s choreography is perfunctory in conception and execution. Worse, the performers rarely have a moment to pause for breath, let alone capture a deep psychological moment, while cramming all those songs into two hours.”

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Justin Hayford

NewCity Chicago- Recommended

“…Theo Ubique is cleverly seeking to bridge the gap of that disconnect by presenting “Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen,” a revue of nearly forty of Arlen’s more familiar songs where you bask in such a transcendent level of songwriting Nirvana that you need to pinch yourself that all you are hearing came from the mind of a single individual. Six performers of varying talent levels and a high-octane pianist—who even throws in a song himself here and there—take the stage in various combinations, but the best moments are the solo moments: Bethany Thomas’ melancholy and sultry “Stormy Weather” followed by the unbridled optimism of Stephanie Herman’s “When the Sun Comes Out,” Eric Lindahl’s “Buds Won’t Bud” and Sarah Hayes’ bluesy rendition of “I Had Myself a True Love,” where you can literally hear a pin drop.”

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Dennis Polkow

Copley News Service- Recommended

“…While Arlen’s music is the heart of the show, equal credit does to an A List of lyricists, who included some of the best in the business, notably Ira Gershwin, E. Y. Harburg, Arlen himself, Ted Koehler, and best of all, Johnny Mercer. Mercer’s word for “Blues in the Night” create a great stand-alone prose poem.”

Dan Zeff

Centerstage- Highly Recommended

“…But in the end, it’s about the songs. And they are stunning. The show does right by them far more often than not, so it’s more than worthwhile for Harold Arlen fans, current and soon to be.”

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Zev Valancy

ChicagoCritic- Highly Recommended

“…Theo Ubique, under Fred Anzevino’s leadership, returns to their cabaret roots by paying homage to composer/songwriter Harold Arlen. This revue contains many of the finest songs from the 30’s- 40’s and 50’s including “Over the Rainbow,” “Stormy Weather,” “Get Happy,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon” and “I’ve Got the World on a String” among the 37 songs with music by Arlen in collaboration with many of the finest lyricists of the era.”

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Tom Wiliams

Chicago Theater Blog- Recommended

“…Anzevino’s staging occasionally comes off as having actors move just to have actors move, and “Over the Rainbow,” which receives a mention on the poster, could have received a lot more attention. Fortunately, David Heimann’s choreography always infuses energy into the songs. I’m not usually a fan of musical revues. Most of the time, they seem to me like live compilation albums meant to score a few more dollars from deceased songwriters. But with Theo Ubique’s focus on intimacy and simply presenting songs the whole team obviously loves, they come up with a show that has a tangible effect on the audience. This Sweet and Hot is a living experience.”

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Barry Eitel

Steadstyle Chicago- Highly Recommended

“…Most of all it’s a welcome homecoming to return to so many Arlen gems, perfectly packaged by Steve Carson’s musical direction. When Sarah Hayes and Eric Martin ruefully admit that “It’s Only a Paper Moon” or Kristofer Simmons recreates Groucho’s “Lydia the Tattooed Lady,” you see how great Arlen’s range is from the sublime to the silly. Apart from a brief tribute to “The Wizard of Oz,” this revue is mainly a tribute to how well these love ballads stand on their own and stand the test of time. Because they set the Broadway bar, that’s WHY they’re called standards.”

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Lawrence Bommer