text:
Fox chairman Peter Rice instantly addressed the topic on critics' minds: The fate of American Idol's judging panel after the exits of Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres.
Idol Chatter: All 'Idol,' all the time
"No one has signed a deal yet on either side of the camera to join American Idol other than people who were on last year," he said, despite reports that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have been signed, that Kara DioGuardi might exit and that former producer Nigel Lythgoe would rejoin the show. (Tyler said Sunday he would "probably" do it).
"There's been tremendous speculation, some accurate and some wildly inaccurate," Rice says. But "I'm not going to get into the fishbowl of a blow-by-blow account of that casting. We start auditions with the judges in mid-September and certainly plan to have judges in place by then." He refused to discuss whether DioGuardi or Randy Jackson will be back, though Jackson is widely expected to return, but says all candidates share a trait: "Everyone we've discussed it with has a music-industry background."
Rice says the show succeeds based on contestants and the "alchemy and relationships of the judging panel. Does that mean we have to replace them identically? I don't think so. Simon's departure meant there was going to be a natural evolution" in its 10th season, he says, but declined to outline other plans. (Cowell will produce and host another Fox talent competition, The X Factor, starting in fall 2011).
Rice says he met with Ellen DeGeneres in early June about her unhappiness with her role, and "tried to persuade her it would be different in the future, but ultimately we came to the agreement we would be looking for new judges" after deciding either than "we can't replace you, or that we can move on without you." Last week, Fox chose the latter. - Gary Levin


text:
Ever wonder if changing your windows can change the look of your home? This homeowner in Denver, Colorado says, "yes!" His 1950's Ranch home underwent a contemporary makeover with Milgard® Tuscany® Series painted vinyl windows.
The crisp White interior and Bronze exterior frame colors modernized the 50's ranch and fit the overall aesthetic the homeowner was looking for. The functionality and overall appearance of the window were big factors in their purchase decision process.
"A lot of thought and consideration went into which style of windows we would use in our home," said Matt Walewski. "Plus, with all the options for customization available with Milgard, we didn't have to compromise on function or aesthetic. We could really choose the style that best fit our needs and we couldn't be happier with our choice."
The Full Lifetime Warranty was another deciding factor in this homeowner's decision to use Milgard vinyl windows. They can rest assured knowing that Milgard will repair or replace any defect in materials or workmanship, including parts and labor, for as long as they own their home. This confidence should ensure they enjoy their 50's home for years to come.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Math Findings
General Observations
This is the third review of mathematics OER materials performed by OSPI. For this review cycle, ten mathematics courses were reviewed. Four of the curricula were for sixth grade, three for seventh grade, and three for eighth grade.
|Full Title
|Short Title
|Grade 6 Mathematics
|EngageNY Gr 6 Math
|Federal Way Public Schools Internet Academy
|6th Grade Common Core Math
|FWPS 6th Gr CC Math
|Georgia Virtual Learning
|MS Math 6th Grade
|GVL Math 6th Gr
|Saylor.org Academy
|Math Grade 6
|Saylor Math Gr 6
|Middle School Math Concepts–Grade 7
|CK-12 Concepts 7
|Grade 7 Mathematics
|EngageNY Gr 7 Math
|Utah Middle School Math Project
|Middle School Math 7th Grade
|Utah 7th Gr Math
|Middle School Math Concepts–Grade 8
|CK-12 Concepts 8
|Georgia Virtual Learning
|MS Math 8th Grade
|GVL Math 8th Gr
|Utah Middle School Math Project
|Middle School Math 8th Grade
|Utah 8th Gr Math
The materials were reviewed with a specific goal of looking at how well they address CCSS shifts, rather than evaluating their quality by previous standards. The CCSS in mathematics are very different from previous K–12 state learning standards. In particular, there are several key shifts:
- Focus: focus strongly where the standards focus
- Coherence: think across grades and link to major topics within grades
- Rigor: in major topics, pursue conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application with equal intensity
Reviewers found that four of the reviewed resources (EngageNY Grade 6 and 7; Utah Middle School Math Project Math 7 and 8) show significant promise as a viable selection now and several more could be considered with adaptation. These four mathematics resources consistently received an overall average score of 2 or higher (on a 0–3 point scale) across most criteria. For the most part, the other products showed potential in some areas, but their comprehensive scores were lower, and none of the reviewers recommended the full courses for use, although their use as supplemental material or a portion of a unit was well documented.
It is important to note that this review process was not intended to rank or endorse the materials reviewed. As such, there are few comparative graphs in this report. It is also important to note that the materials reviewed are not the only OER resources available—others exist. The OER mathematics review process was limited in scope and solely examined ten full-courses in middle school mathematics. This review should be viewed as a gap analysis and as an opportunity to provide input on the changes necessary to bring these OER resources into closer alignment with the CCSS.
Finally, this review process represents a point in time. More so than print materials, digital resources with an open license can be freely modified, so all the products that were reviewed can be and are frequently updated.
IMET Rubric
The Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool (IMET) is a resource used to evaluate a comprehensive textbook or textbook series for alignment to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). It is based on the Publishers' Criteria documents, created to guide publishers and curriculum developers in understanding what must be comprehensively covered in curricular materials in order to align with the CCSS.
We used the IMET specific to K-8 mathematics materials. The IMET review instrument separates criteria into six sections:
- Freedom from Obstacles to Focus: Materials must reflect the content architecture of the Standards by not assessing the topics named before the grade level where they first appear in the Standards.
- Focus and Coherence: Materials must focus coherently on the Major Work of the grade in a way that is consistent with the progressions in the Standards.
- Rigor and Balance: Materials must reflect the balances in the Standards and help students meet the Standards' rigorous expectations.
- Standards for Mathematical Practice: Materials must demonstrate authentic connections between content Standards and practice Standards.
- Access to the Standards for All Students: Materials must provide supports for English Language Learners and other special populations.
- Indicators of Quality: Lessons are thoughtfully structured; include both problems and exercises that have a purpose and are given in an intentional sequence; teacher materials that support teacher study; manipulatives are faithful representations of the mathematical concepts; include a variety of assessments with aligned rubrics, answer keys and scoring guidelines; unbiased assessment; materials evaluated by qualified individuals; visual design supports students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject; materials engage parents in appropriate ways.
IMET - Average Scores
Figure 1. Average IMET ratings for all ten math resources combined – 40 total reviews.
Since the purpose of the OER review is to provide feedback for improvement, we adapted the rubric to remove the non-negotiable gatekeeper criteria and included a Likert scale from 0–3 to rate each element of the rubric (Strongly Disagree – 0, Disagree – 1, Agree – 2, Strongly Agree – 3).
- When averaged, all categories were near the scale midpoint; however, four resources scored in the Agree to Strongly Agree range across the board – EngageNY Grade 6 and 7, Middle School Math Project Grade 7 and 8 (fig 1).
- These same four resources demonstrated authentic connections between the standards for mathematical practice and the content standards (fig 11).
- Though the two EngageNY curricula did provide supports for English Language Learners and other special populations, this access for all students was a deficiency in the other reviewed resources (fig 12).
The comparison chart below shows IMET averages when the four highly aligned resources are split out. We suggest that there are may be several reasons for the differences in scores. Two of the developers we examined, Georgia Virtual Learning and Saylor.org Academy, were specifically designing online courses. These are best used as self-directed practice for students or as supplemental material by teachers in a traditional classroom. They may also work well in a homeschool or alternative learning environment. As such, they do not neatly fall into the comprehensive textbook category targeted by the IMET. Additionally, some resources were created pre-Common Core and adapted to increase alignment to the new standards. Such adaptation is most often less effective than resources created from scratch with the CCSS as guidance.
IMET – Breakdown Scores
Figure 2. Comparison of IMET averages when broken down into two scoring tiers
EQuIP Rubric
The Educators Evaluating Quality Instructional Products (EQuIP) rubric measures overall quality of alignment to the CCSS by examining a single unit from the full course in depth. One unit from each mathematics resource was chosen to review with this instrument. The units all covered the same topical area. The areas for each grade were:
- Grade 6: Ratios and Unit Rates
- Grade 7: Ratios and Proportions
- Grade 8: Linear Functions
Reviewers considered four dimensions described below:
Alignment to the Rigors of the CCSS: the unit targets a set of grade level mathematics standards, Standards for Mathematical Practice that are central to the lesson are identified, and the unit presents a balance of procedures and conceptual understanding inherent in the CCSS.
Key Shifts in the CCSS: the unit reflects evidence of key shifts in focus, coherence, and rigor.
Instructional Supports: the unit is responsive to varied student learning needs, provides guidance to support teaching and learning of the targeted standards, and provides appropriate level and type of scaffolding, differentiation, intervention, and support for a broad range of learners.
Assessment: the unit regularly assesses whether students are mastering standards-based content and skills through direct, observable evidence, via accessible and unbiased methods.
Each dimension had a number of criteria that were considered. The number of criteria for each dimension that were met was rated on a scale from 0–3 (None – 0, Few – 1, Many – 2, All – 3). The rubric also provides an Overall rating for the resource based upon the sum of each of four dimensions. Scores from 11–12 are considered Exemplar, 8–10 are Exemplar if Improved, 3–7 are in the Revision Needed category, and scores 2 and below are Not Ready to Review.
Figure 3. Average EQuIP ratings for all resources combined – 40 total reviews.
- Results for all ten resources averaged above the midpoints of most of the scales, trending towards "many" criteria being met (fig 3).
- Reviewers gave the following Overall evaluations:
Exemplar 3 resources Exemplar if Improved 1 resources Needs Revision 4 resources Not Ready to Review 2 resources
- Five out of ten resources met Many to All of the criteria for the Key Shifts (fig 14).
- For many of the resources that were evaluated, the Assessment scale showed a lower average score than others. Reviewer comments indicated that many of the products had few or no assessment components.
As with the IMET, four resources, EngageNY Grade 6 and 7 and Utah Middle School Math Project Grade 7 and 8, met many to all of the criteria. Their scores are broken out below.
EQuIP – Breakdown Scores
Figure 4. Comparison of EQuIP averages when broken down into two scoring tiers
Achieve OER Rubrics
The Achieve OER rubrics are specifically designed to be used with digital resources as opposed to print media. They also examine other aspects of OER quality, may be used with any standards, and are designed to evaluate resources that may be smaller in grain size than units or lessons.
The Achieve instrument has eight different smaller rubrics, several of which significantly overlap the EQuIP instrument. Since the EQuIP instrument was developed specifically to consider alignment to the CCSS, it was used in this review in lieu of the overlapping Achieve OER rubrics in order to minimize duplicative measurement scales. The four Achieve rubrics used for this review process are:
- Rubric II. Quality of Explanation of the Subject Matter
- Rubric V. Quality of Technological Interactivity
- Rubric VI. Quality of Instructional Tasks and Practice Exercises
- Rubric VII. Opportunities for Deeper Learning
Each rubric was scored independently of the others using a 0–3 scale that describe levels of potential quality, usefulness, or alignment (Weak – 0, Limited – 1, Strong – 2, Superior – 3).
Achieve OER
Figure 5. Average Achieve OER ratings for all resources – 40 total reviews.
Of all the rubrics, Rubric V: Quality of Technological Interactivity, was the most challenging to review. In this rubric, interactivity is not defined as technology in general but rather a measure of how the object responds to the user and behaves differently based on what the user does. Resources from CK–12 and Georgia Virtual Learning scored well on this scale. Using this particular rubric with the math review posed a challenge related to grain size of the resource. While Rubric V works perfectly well with one interactive element, it is challenging to apply to a unit where there are multiple elements, with varying degrees of interactivity. To complicate matters, most often these elements were not created by the same group that developed the base curricula, instead being aggregated from multiple sources.
In the breakout chart below, you can see that although resources in the first group scored well in the other categories, they had no interactive elements. On the other hand the second group did have interactivity but was limited in deeper learning and quality of instructional tasks and exercises.
Achieve OER – Breakdown Scores
Figure 6. Comparison of Achieve OER averages when broken down into two scoring tiers
Reviewer Comments
Reviewers were asked to write a short narrative providing an assessment of each of the resources they reviewed. They were instructed to cite evidence from the resource that supported their comments about areas needing adaptation. Additionally, they provided suggestions for changes that would help improve alignment.
Reviewer Comments
Figure 7. Number of times out of 40 reviews that each potential use was cited.
As part of their professional assessments, reviewers clarified the "ideal use" scenario for each reviewed resource and estimated the amount of work that work that would be required for a small group to make adaptations to bring the resource into CCSS alignment. Finally, reviewers selected all the ways they would use the resource in both its current and adapted form. Below are some of the highlights, but for an in-depth look at comments for each resource, please visit the OER Project reviewed materials library.
- Out of 40 reviews, 9 stated they would use a resource as a textbook replacement "as is" in its current state. That number jumped to 16 if suggested adaptations were made.
EngageNY Grade 6 Math (1 current/2 adapted) EngageNY Grade 7 Math (3 current/4 adapted) Utah Middle School Math Project 7th Grade Math (2 current/3 adapted) Utah Middle School Math Project 8th Grade Math (3 current/3 adapted) CK-12 Math Concepts 7 (1 adapted) CK-12 Math Concepts 8 (2 adapted) Saylor.org Academy (1 adapted)
- Only 3 reviewers out of 40 stated that they would not use a resource in some capacity.
While the intent of this report is not to rank the products based upon their overall average scores, comparing the performance of the resources on certain scales or items provides meaningful information. The charts that follow show how the resources compared with each other based upon selected scales or items.
Freedom From Obstacles to Focus
Figure 8. IMET. Materials must reflect the content architecture of the Standards by not assessing the topics named before the grade level where they first appear in the Standards.
Focus and Coherence
Figure 9. IMET. Materials must focus coherently on the Major Work of the grade in a way that is consistent with the progressions in the Standards.
Rigor and Balance
Figure 10. IMET. Materials must reflect the balances in the Standards and help students meet the Standards' rigorous expectations
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Figure 11. IMET. Materials must demonstrate authentic connections between content Standards and practice Standards
Access for All Students
Figure 12. IMET. Materials must provide supports for English Language Learners and other special populations.
Figure 13. EQuIP. This scale looks at the overall alignment of the resource to the CCSS.
Key Shifts in the CCSS
Figure 14. EQuIP. Evidence of key shifts reflected in the CCSS in one unit of the curriculum.
Instructional Supports
Figure 15. EQuIP. Examines whether a unit is responsive to varied student learning needs.
Figure 16. EQuIP. EQuIP. Unit regularly assesses whether students are mastering standards-based content and skills.
Deeper Learning
Figure 17. Achieve OER. Measures the unit's ability to engage learners in one or deeper learning skills, including think critically and solve complex problems, reason abstractly, construct viable arguments and apply discrete knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
Quality of Explanation of Subject Matter
Figure 18. Achieve OER. Rates how thoroughly the subject matter is explained or otherwise revealed in the object.
Quality of Technological Interactivity
Figure 19. Achieve OER. One of the true benefits of an OER is the ability to leverage technological interactivity. Note that opening PDF files or web content does not constitute technological interactivity.
Detailed Findings
For detailed information on each reviewed mathematics resource, including scores on all rubrics, extensive reviewer comments, and supplemental metadata, visit the OSPI OER Project Materials Review website.
This report is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


text:
Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH, directed by Producing Artistic Director Allison Hendrix with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Kasey Alfonso, playing July 9 – August 20, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for LITTLE FISH are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.
LITTLE FISH features Curtis Bannister as John Paul, Kyrie Courter as Anne Frank, Adam Fane as Marco, Casey Hayes as Robert (August 1 – 20, 2017), Carl Herzog as Mr Bunder, Teressa LaGamba as Cinder, Nicole Laurenzi as Charlotte, Jeff Meyer as Robert (July 9 – 30, 2017) and Aja Wiltshire as Kathy.
Thirty-something writer Charlotte decides to give up smoking and tries to compensate with swimming and jogging – but to no avail. With the help of her friends Kathy and Marco, she embarks on a modern-day odyssey to face the eclectic demons of her past. Loosely based on Deborah Eisenberg's short stories Days and Flotsam, LITTLE FISH's score is infused with Latin, jazz, rock, and what's been described as "pure urban noise within Charlotte's mind."
LITTLE FISH premiered off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre in 2003.
"What I love the most about this musical is that it has these huge ideas attached to it – isolation versus connection… addiction… trauma… but they exist within a bright, fast-paced, hilariously wry musical comedy," comments Director Allison Hendrix. "We see three friends in the midst of their 'Saturn Returns,' figuring out how to be better people, better friends and ultimately, better citizens of the world. These characters' journeys will feel familiar and close to home to our audiences."
The production team for LITTLE FISH includes: Arnel Sancianco (scenic design), Kate Kamphausen (costume design), Alexander Ridgers (lighting design), Michael J. Patrick (sound design), Mealah Heidenreich (props design), Shawn Rodriguez (master electrician), Keegan Bradac (sound engineer), Lindsay Brown (production manager), Alan Weusthoff and Zach Schley (techinical directors), Emily Boyd (paint charge), Ethan Deppe (keyboard programmer), Kait Samuels (stage manager) and Alison McLeod (asst. stage manager).
Title: LITTLE FISH
Book, Music & Lyrics: Michael John LaChiusa
Director: Producing Artistic Director Allison Hendrix
Music Director: Kory Danielson
Choreographer: Kasey Alfonso
Cast: Curtis Bannister (John Paul), Kyrie Courter (Anne Frank), Adam Fane (Marco), Casey Hayes (Robert, August 1 – 20, 2017), Carl Herzog (Mr Bunder), Teressa LaGamba (Cinder), Nicole Laurenzi (Charlotte), Jeff Meyer (Robert, July 9 – 30, 2017) and Aja Wiltshire (Kathy).
Musicians: Korey Danielson (conductor/keyboard), Charlotte Rivard-Hoster (keyboard 2), Mike Matlock (reeds), Kyle McCullough (guitar), Jake Saleh (bass) and Scott Simon (percussion).
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago
Dates: Previews: Sunday, July 9 at 7 pm, Monday, July 10 at 7 pm, Thursday, July 13 at 8 pm and Friday, July 14 at 8 pm
Regular run: Sunday, July 16 – Sunday, August 20, 2017
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be added 3 pm performances on Saturday, August 12 and Saturday, August 19.
Tickets: Previews $25. Regular run $33 - $38. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.
For additional information, visit www.kokandyproductions.com.
"Are we still who we thought we were?"
"How much do we still value the culture we embraced a year ago?"
These are the questions that guided Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler as he assembled the company's 2017-18 "smart art" season of contemporary, comedic plays: the return for the holidays of Mitchell Fain's tour-de-force This Way Outta Santaland (and other Xmas miracles) (November 24-December 30, 2017), the world premiere of Eric John Meyer's The Antelope Party, a comedy for our times with a My Little Pony theme (January 5-February 24, 2018), and the Chicago debut of Women Laughing Alone with Salad, the Internet meme turned satirical play by Sheila Callaghan (March 9-April 29, 2018).
"This has been a year of tsunami-sized cultural change. So many American ideals - media independence, social services, feminism, LGBTQ rights, anti-racism - seem under assault," said Wechsler. "But we have to stay true to ourselves, and that means comedies of reason and compassion. Our 2017-18 season offers three such vantages: the personal story of how a city became a sanctuary, a comedy of ponies and normalization, and a whirling examination of media culture and sexual politics. It's a set of three plays that you won't soon forget, comic works by contemporary artists timed to the exigencies of this moment."
Theater Wit is located at 1229 N. Belmont, in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The best way to secure seats to Theater Wit's 2017-18 season is to sign up for a Theater Wit Membership. Wit's Netflix-like "all the theater you can eat" deal lets members see as many plays at they want in any of theater's three spaces for one low monthly fee of $29/$22 for students, along with many exclusive member perks. Single tickets to Wit's 2017-18 season go on sale ten weeks before each show.
To purchase a Membership, inquire about Flex Pass options or to buy single tickets, visit theaterwit.org or call the Theater Wit box office, 773.975.8150.
More about Theater Wit's 2017-18 season
The return of
This Way Outta Santaland (and other Xmas miracles)
Written and performed by Mitchell Fain
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
November 24-December 30, 2017
After completing an amazing workshop last year, Chicago's favorite holiday performer returns for a mainstage tour-de-force of his unique blend of storytelling, improvisation and cabaret.
This Way Outta Santaland (and other Xmas miracles), written and performed by Mitchell J. Fain, pulls together a host of holiday stories from the audience along with his own autobiographical war stories about how family, drunks, jewelry, funerals, 250 performances and the holiday spirits collide.
Chicago's newest holiday tell-all is this sweet, sentimental evening of hard truths that change night to night, with lovely cameos by Chicago cabaret powerhouses like Meghan Murphy and madcap pianist Julie B. Nichols.
"Highly recommended. A brand new, indispensable tradition, at once hilarious, tragic, moving and profane." - Chicago Theater Review
A World Premiere
The Antelope Party
By Eric John Meyer
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
January 5-February 24, 2018
It's sometime in the 2010s. The Rust Belt Ponies Meet Up Group for Adult Fans of My Little Pony has gathered in Ben's Philadelphia apartment, but two members have not yet arrived. A new recruit seems unusually shy and curiously paranoid about a local neighborhood watch group. What happened to their Pegasister, Maggie? Why is Brony Doug so paranoid? What does it all have to do with the 9/11 Truthers and an emerging group of "concerned citizens?" In the midst of increasing violence and authoritarianism, how can our heroes see the magic in Everypony? And, even worse, what if they do?
And that's just the first ten minutes of Meyer's amazing and timely new comedy. With its My Little Pony cult prism, Meyer explores the rise of a new social order and how the currents of history, normalization and fear can sweep up even the most Generous ponies of Celestia.
Eric John Meyer is a playwright and performer/director/producer based in New York City. His work has been developed or presented by Playwrights Horizons, Clubbed Thumb, Vineyard Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Flea, Dutch Kills Theater Company and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, among others. He is a member of the Actor's Studio Playwright/Director Unit and a recipient of a new play commission from Playwrights Horizons. Meyer is a co-founder of Human Head Performance Group and The Truck Project, both of which he established with his partner, Jean Ann Douglass. He received his MFA in Theater from Sarah Lawrence College.
A Chicago Premiere
Women Laughing Alone with Salad
By Sheila Callaghan
Directed by Devon De Mayo
March 9-April 29, 2018
Dangerous, fierce and funny, Women Laughing Alone with Salad bursts out of the bounds of internet meme-dom and onto the stage in a four person comic tour-de-force about friendship, salad, sex, bodies, yoga, salad, men, envy, women, pharmaceuticals, diets, salad and uppers and salad.
DC Theatre Scene called this hilarious satire about how we live with ourselves, or possibly, how we can't, a "fresh, funny play...the poster child for what feminist theatre should be: a great night out on the town watching a slambam comedy which is also a serious conversation about the society we oh-so-currently live in."
Devon de Mayo makes her Theater Wit directorial debut with Women Laughing Alone with Salad. Her recent directing credits include Court Theatre's Harvey and Raven Theatre's world premiere Sycamore.
Sheila Callaghan's plays have been produced and developed with Soho Rep, Playwright's Horizons, Yale Rep, South Coast Repertory, Clubbed Thumb, The LARK, Actor's Theatre of Louisville, New Georges, The Flea, Woolly Mammoth, Boston Court and Rattlestick Playwright's Theatre, among others. Callaghan is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award for emerging artists, a Jerome Fellowship from the Playwright's Center in Minneapolis, a MacDowell Residency, a Cherry Lane Mentorship Fellowship, the Susan Smith Blackburn Award and the prestigious Whiting Award. Her plays have been produced internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Germany, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. These include Scab, Crawl Fade to White, Crumble, We Are Not These Hands, Dead City, Lascivious Something, Kate Crackernuts, That Pretty Pretty; Or, The Rape Play, Fever/Dream, Everything You Touch, Roadkill Confidential, Elevada, Bed and Women Laughing Alone with Salad. She is published with Playscripts.com and Samuel French, and several of her collected works are published with Counterpoint Press. She has taught playwriting at Columbia University, The University of Rochester, The College of New Jersey, Florida State University, and Spalding University. Callaghan is an affiliated artist with Clubbed Thumb and a member of the Obie winning playwright's organization 13P. She is also an alumni of New Dramatists. In 2010, Callaghan was profiled by Marie Claire as one of "18 Successful Women Who Are Changing the World." She was also named one of Variety magazine's "10 Screenwriters to Watch" of 2010. Callaghan is currently a writer/producer on the hit Showtime comedy Shameless and a founder of the feminist activist group The Kilroys. She was nominated for a 2016 Golden Globe for her work on the Hulu comedy series Casual and a 2017 WGA Award for her Shameless episode "I Am A Storm."
About Theater Wit
Theater Wit, Chicago's "smart art" theater, is a major hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene, where audiences enjoy a smorgasbord of excellent productions in three, 99-seat spaces, see a parade of talented artists and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago.
"A thrilling addition to Chicago's roster of theaters" (Chicago Tribune) and "a terrific place to see a show" (New City), Theater Wit is now in its seventh season at its home at 1229 N. Belmont, in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.
The company's most recent hits include 10 Out of 12 and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Naperville by Mat Smart, The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George, and Completeness and The Four of Us by Itamar Moses.
In 2014, Theater Wit was awarded the National Theatre Award by the American Theatre Wing for strengthening the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater. Theater Wit also brings together Chicago's best storefront companies at its Lakeview home, including 2017-18 resident companies About Face, Kokandy Productions and Shattered Globe.
To receive an "artisanal selection of consonants and vowels from Theater Wit," sign up at TheaterWit.org/mailing for exclusive updates, flash deals and behind-the-scenes production scoop every few weeks.
Following hit performances of I Am My Own Wife and The Temperamentals, About Face Theatre concludes its 2016-17 Season with the Chicago premiere of Pulitzer Prize nominee Tanya Barfield's contemporary love story BRIGHT HALF LIFE, directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm, playing May 26 – July 1, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office.
BRIGHT HALF LIFE will feature AFT Artistic Associate Elizabeth Ledo and Patrese McClain.
Off-Broadway hit and winner of the 2016 Lambda Literary Award for Best Play, BRIGHT HALF LIFE charts the complexity of commitment, relationships, and marriage as it follows the ups and downs of a modern lesbian couple. Their story is told through a series of fast-moving, fragmented memories – from elevator rides as strangers to steamy workplace romances to heartache to building a family.
"I'm excited to feature Tanya Barfield's work, a fresh counterpoint to this season's historical pieces," comments Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. "Tanya's language is muscular and sparkles, but it was her inventive structure that captured me. She's created a verbal tilt-a-whirl for the audience, echoing the ins and outs of every modern relationship that I think will speak to everyone who's ever been in love."
The production team for BRIGHT HALF LIFE includes: AFT Artistic Associate William Boles (scenic design), Melissa Ng (costume design), Chris Binder (lighting design), Christopher Kriz (sound design) and Helen Lattyak (stage manager).
Title: BRIGHT HALF LIFE
Playwright: Tanya Barfield
Director: AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm
Cast: Elizabeth Ledo (Erica) and Patrese McClain (Vicky).
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, May 26 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, May 27 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 28 at 3 pm
Regular run: Friday, June 2 – Saturday, July 1, 2017
Curtain Times: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will not be a performance on Wednesday, May 31; there will be an added 3 pm performance on Saturday, July 1 at 3 pm.
Tickets: Previews: $20 adults, $10 students and seniors. Regular run: $40 adults, $20 students and seniors. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office.
Artist Biographies
Tanya Barfield's (Playwright) Bright Half Life was the winner of the 2016 Lambda Literary Award for Drama. Her play Blue Door (South Coast Rep, Playwrights Horizons) was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and The Call premiered at Playwrights Horizons in co-production with Primary Stages and was a New York Times Critic's Pick. Tanya wrote the book for the Theatreworks/USA children's musical, Civil War: The First Black Regiment, which toured public schools regionally. Other work includes: Feast (co-writer, Young Vic/Royal Court) and Of Equal Measure (Center Theatre Group), Chat (New Dramatists' Playtime Festival), The Quick (New York Stage & Film). Short plays include: Medallion (WP Theater/Antigone Project), Foul Play (Royal Court Theatre, Cultural Center of Brazil), The Wolves and Wanting North (Guthrie Theatre Lab, named Best 10-Minute Play of 2003). A recipient of a Lilly Award, the inaugural Lilly Award Commission and a Helen Merrill Award, Tanya is a proud alumna of New Dramatists and a member of The Dramatist Guild Council.
Keira Fromm (Director) is a Jeff Award nominated director, a casting director and a teacher based out of Chicago. Favorite recent directing credits include: How the World Began (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble,) A Kid Like Jake (About Face Theatre), Luce (Next Theatre), Charles Ives Take Me Home (Strawdog), The How and the Why (TimeLine Theatre), Broadsword (Gift Theatre) and Fallow (Steep Theatre). Keira is an Artistic Associate with About Face Theatre. She received her MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is a proud member of SDC. She is also a frequent guest director at DePaul as well as the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Keira currently directed the well-received Chicago premiere of The Columnist with American Blues Theater.
About Face Theatre (Andrew Volkoff, Artistic Director) creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous theatre and educational programming that advances the national dialogue on sexual and gender identity, and challenges and entertains audiences in Chicago and beyond.
Shattered Globe Theatre welcomes back one of Chicago's own, Sarah Ruhl. "For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday" is a new play making its Midwestern debut at Theater Wit. Ms. Ruhl is one of the country's foremost playwrights right now. She has another new play, "How to Transcend a Happy Marriage," currently running at the Lincoln Center in New York. Her work is often produced in Chicago usually directed by her friend Jessica Thebus. This is an especially personal production for Ruhl as it stars her own mother (Kathleen Ruhl) in the title role.
No, this is not another warmed over incantation of the JM Barrie fairy tale. While somewhat influenced by the source material, "For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday" is a very realistic story of five siblings grappling with the death of their father. What begins in a depressing hospital room, moves to a whiskey-soaked conversation between siblings that eventually turns into a make-believe version of Peter Pan.
At its core, this is a play about love. There are plenty of plays about dysfunctional families, and this isn't one of them. What it boils down to are five adult children trying to pinpoint a time when they felt their father's love. These siblings have differing political beliefs and Ruhl's apt commentary about our current climate is especially sharp, without being polarizing. There's a great deal of truth in the courtesy her characters show for one another's opinions. She also spends a great deal of the play dissecting the role of Catholicism and whether or not there is an afterlife. Despite the volley of bittersweet and at times painful memories of their childhood, these characters love each other and that is felt in the dialogue and performances.
Kathleen Ruhl is adorable as the oldest sister and former Peter Pan star, Ann. Perhaps it's her relation to the playwright, or her commitment to character, but Kathleen Ruhl makes the audience question how much of this work is fiction and how much is fact? Eileen Niccolai, a Shattered Globe ensemble member, provides a lot of the humor, but also some of the more heartfelt moments as youngest sister Wendy. All the siblings are named for Peter Pan characters, which underscores Sarah Ruhl's point that with their parents gone, they are orphans now and need to grow up.
Like any Sarah Ruhl work, there is a great deal of whimsy. With each new work, Ruhl continues to keep one foot on the ground and one in the clouds. "For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday" is both prolific in its subject matter and also aesthetically striking it its presentation. The reality of the situation and the poignancy of the lines allows the audience to trust their narrator and fly when the time comes.
Shattered Globe's "For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday is being performed at Theater Wit at 1229 W Belmont (773.975.8150) and has been extended through May 27th.
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes leading up to opening night at the theater? Do you have any idea how much detail goes into a stage production? Can you imagine the funny moments that could take place while building a set or rehearsing lines? Do directors really get as frustrated as we hear?
Theater Wit brings to the stage the latest, and possibly most innovated, work by author Anne Washburn 10 Out of 12. A headset rests on each seat in the theater for audience members to wear as they become engulfed the midst of tech rehearsals just one week prior to a production opening. We hear random chatter and instruction from the stage crew as 10 Out of 12 gives us an in-depth view of the goings on behind the scenes of mounting a show. Burns, known most recently as the playwright behind Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play that found a successful run at Theater Wit in 2014, delves into the high stress that comes with detailing theater specifics such as lighting, cues and prop placement while also touching on actor stereotypes, tantrums and the desire in some to hold their work to a standard that demands integrity.
"No one in Chicago has ever seen anything like 10 Out of 12. Simultaneously exacting real-to-life and riotously funny, Anne Washburn's detonation of a single technical rehearsal is promising to be a unique and thrilling viewing experience," said Jeremy Wechsler, Artistic Director of Theater Wit and director of 10 Out of 12.
We watch as the production team fastens bolts to secure the set, samples the lighting and sound from scene to scene, place each mark to the director's satisfaction and amuse themselves during down time. We see actors rehearsing their lines, suggesting where changes might be made (usually to the director's chagrin). In our headsets we get a real feel for the high levels of demand that must be met along within a time crunch that increases by the minute. We also hear stage hands discussing their lunch and such, along with occasional side remarks about what is transpiring on the set. The fourth wall is often broken with actors using the aisles and theater as though an audience were not present, the director and actors often taking a seat amongst us to watch their handiwork from a patron vantage point.
The production as a whole is a truly inimitable experience and provides an insight to theater that most may not be familiar with, adding a new appreciation for the art. Upon leaving the theater many discuss how they've had no idea the work and precision involved in mounting a play, making 10 Out of 12 an informative piece – perhaps also an homage to those behind the scenes.
Star Chicago theater personalities are recruited to provide pre-recorded roles such as John Mahoney, Martha Lavey, Barbara Robertson and Jeremy Wechsler, Mahoney delivering some of the play's funniest lines. The stage cast also packs a punch with Erin Long, Adam Shalzi, Dado, and Riley McGliveen as the production team, Shane Kenyon as The Director, and Eunice Woods, Gregory Fenner, Christine Vrem-Ydstie, Kyle Gibson and Stephen Walker as the actors. Walker, taking advantage of several moments to shine in only the way he can in delivering highly-charged monologues with just the right amount of entitlement and sardonic flair as the veteran actor brought in to bring credence to the production. Walker's character questions the truthfulness in his character, conflicted by his passion for honest art, which he feels is losing its grip in modern day theater.
So what does the title 10 Out of 12 mean? A 10 out of 12 is a day in which, per the rules of Actors Equity, the actors are contracted to work for 12 hours with one 2-hour dinner break. It's during that time that all the designing elements of the production are united as a whole, as costumes, sound, lighting, projections, set and acting are fine-tuned just prior to a show's opening.
When asked why she wrote a play about a tech rehearsal, Washburn descriptively states, "A decade ago most theaters didn't have Wi-Fi…and no one is more useless in tech than the playwright. So, I began taking notes. I was fascinated by the strange surreal interplay of light and music. I loved the mysterious technical languages being used around me, the rhythmic drone of the calling light and sound cues. I liked watching the actors freed from their normal self-consciousness. I liked the low continual volume of play which bubbled up throughout the tech as a desperate counterpoint to the long periods of tedium and waiting. And the endless snacking, and discussion of snacking."
Throughout the production we hear small talk between the techs – everyday musings that are often quite humorous. We also hear the actors talking hopefully about getting their big break, but also turning down roles for the sake of integrity. At one point the leading actress asks the stage manager if she can leave early to audition for a role in a pilot. We have entered the world of theater.
As much as this often funny and revealing play is a fantastic chance to catch the inner-workings of theater production, it misses a few opportunities that were begging for the injection of timely humor, at points drifting away only to grab the audience again just in time. It would also have been nice if the script called for a larger role from Mahoney, whose well-timed remarks were almost always met with crowd laughter. Notable was the play's pace, perhaps running about thirty minutes too long (two and a half hours plus intermission), making the thought of a slightly condensed version somewhat appetizing. Washburn's story nicely envelopes the stresses, complications and rewards in theater production.
Still, there is much to like in 10 Out of 12, the good outweighing the bad by significant measure. One should expect a fun lesson in Theater Production 101 that is coupled with fine acting performances and enough humor that insures an overall pleasant experience. The headsets are a nice touch, giving audience members an opportunity to feel at times as though they were part of the production team.
10 Out of 12 is being performed at Theater Wit through April 23rd. For tickets and/or more show information click here.
"The Wiz" is a perfect collision of disco and show tunes. Appearing on Broadway in 1975, "The Wiz" went on to win the Tony for Best Musical. Though it was not the first all-black production on Broadway, the cross-over appeal of its music made it a sensation. A few years later it was adapted for film starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Lena Horn. The film is considerably different than the stage version, for the worse.
Kokandy Productions' "The Wiz" accentuates all the enduring qualities of the show while adding some modern flare of its own. This has to be the hardest working cast in Chicago right now. For two and a half solid hours director Lili-Anne Brown's cast of talented singers and dancers fill the space with an infectious energy. Sydney Charles as Dorothy is cute and brings a sense of humor to the character, her soaring vocals come to an inspiring crest during "Home." Though, it may well be Frederick Harris in the titular role (in fabulous drag no less) who walks away with the evening's biggest laughs. There's not a sour note in this production and each song is either a powerhouse ballad or a funky dance number.
One of the show's many pleasant surprises is the costuming and overall aesthetic. This is highly conceptualized version that suits the intimate space at Theatre Wit. Borrowing from 90s-era TLC and blending it with today's street fashion, costume designer Virginia Varland creates a very stylish motif in an otherwise minimal set. The ensemble looks as great as they sound.
Lili-Anne Brown doesn't complete her update of "The Wiz" with costumes alone. There's some fairly edgy humor written into this production, including a nod to the prevalence of police brutality cellphone videos. This version of "The Wiz" is how it was originally intended to be–for adults. What the movie and the NBC live version miss is a lot of the grown-up humor in the script. After all, this is an urban contemporary version of the Wizard of Oz, it should be cheeky. Miss Brown's vision for Kokandy Productions' "The Wiz" is a lot of fun and keeps its source material relevant.
Through April 16th at Theater Wit. 1229 W Belmont Ave. 773-975-8150
*Extended through April 23rd
"The Temperamentals" by Jon Marans makes its Chicago premiere at About Face Theatre. Artistic director Andrew Volkoff revisits this 2009 Off-Broadway play in a critical time for LGBT rights in America. This play was selected for their season long before the election, but serves to remind that the struggle for equality is not over.
"The Temperamentals" refers to a slang term for homosexuals in the 1950s. It tells the true story of the Mattachine Society, the first LGBT rights group in America. Kyle Hatley plays Harry Hay, a closeted college professor working on behalf of gay rights. The Mattachine Society is formed when he meets Rudi Gernreich (Lane Anthony Flores). Gernreich is an up-and-coming designer who escaped the Nazis in Austria. His observations about life under the Third Reich inspires Harry Hay to action.
Maran's script shines in the way it intertwines the historic plotline with authentic relationship dramas between characters. Alex Weisman plays Bob, the promiscuous one, with such sincerity even while cycling through several bit parts. Lane Anthony Flores gives a brave and dynamic peformance as chic European designer Gernreich. Also featuring Rob Lindley and Paul Fagan, About Face has assembled an all-star cast for this vital piece.
Many think that gay activism started at Stonewall, but what "The Temperamentals" documents is the West Coast movement that began in the 1950s. The Mattachine Society was pitched to influential closested homosexuals in Hollywood, like Vincent Minnelli, but failed to garner mainstream interest for fear of blacklisting. Its intention was to decriminalize homosexuality.
Jon Maran's play is sexy and stylish. It echos of Larry Kramer and that's what theater needs right now. It's a nearly three hour wake up call to a generation who takes advantage of the privileges fought for by activism.
Through February 18 at About Face Theatre. Theatre Wit 1229 W Belmont Ave.
CHICAGO, December 22, 2016 - Chicago theater luminaries Martha Lavey, John Mahoney, Barbara Robertson and Peter Sagal will play key roles in Theater Wit's much anticipated Midwest debut of 10 Out of 12, the newest, most adventurous work by Anne Washburn, author of Wit's 2014 smash hit Mr. Burns, a post-electric play.
Hailed by the New York Times as a "wholly original love song to the maddening art of the theater," 10 Out of 12 is an extraordinarily funny and touching workplace comedy. With its story of the challenges of bringing a new play to life, Washburn'snear-perfect recreation of a technical rehearsal is also a moving tribute to the complexity and beauty of human endeavor.
"No one in Chicago has ever seen anything like 10 out of 12. Simultaneously exactingly real-to-life and riotously funny, Anne Washburn's detonation of a single technical rehearsal is promising to be a unique and thrilling viewing experience," said Jeremy Wechsler, Artistic Director of Theater Wit and director of 10 Out of 12.
"This is the most technically extravagant piece of design we've ever done at Theater Wit," he added. "For instance, armed with 98 individual headsets, our audience will get to experience the play in three distinct auditory spaces simultaneously. As a special bonus, Anne is working with us to customize the play to our city's own rich theatrical history (and contemporary reality), which is going to provide an immediacy and context that will make 10 out of 12 a must-see show for every Chicago theatergoer who loves Chicago Theater."
Performances are March 3-April 23, 2017: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Press opening is Tuesday March 14 at 7:30 p.m. Exceptions: Sunday previews on March 5 and March 12 are at 7 p.m. There is no performance on March 16.
Theater Wit is located at 1229 N. Belmont Ave., in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Tickets are $12-$70. To purchase tickets, a Theater Wit Membership or Flex Pass, visit TheaterWit.org or call 773.975.8150.
Behind the scenes of
10 Out of 12
10 Out of 12 will feature the recorded voices of a clutch of Chicago on stage icons cast in key backstage roles:
Former Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey will voice the lighting designer.
John Mahoney, best known for TV's Frasier, will play back stage crew person #3.
Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!, is the sound designer.
Noted Chicago classical actor Barbara Robertson will voice the costume designer.
At every performance, each audience member will be given their own headset to hear their pre-recorded backstage chatter, mixed in real time with live actors on stage for a very meta look at seemingly the most mundane of processes and the hopes and visions that emerge from the 10 hours commonly known as "tech."
On stage, one of the city's edgiest storefront theater pioneers, Dado, takes on the role of the stage manager. Dado is joined by Gregory Fenner as Jake, an actor; Kyle Gibson as another actor, Ben; Shane Kenyon as the director; Erin Long as the assistant stage manager; Riley McIlveen as electrician #2, Adam Shalzi as assistant director; Stephen Walker as the troublesome lead actor, Paul; Eunice Woods as supporting actor, Siget; and Christine Yrem-Ydstie as the female lead, Eva.
For a show that pulls the curtain on the tech process, major props are due for Wit's production team: Adam Vesness (set), Izumi Inaba (costumes), Diane Fairchild (lights), Brenda Didier (choreography), Andra Velis-Simon (original music and music director), Joe Court (sound), Vivian Knouse (props), Greg Pinsoneault (scenic charge), Andrew Glasenhardt (technical director), Kristof Janezic (master electrician) Majel Cuza (production manager) and Katie Klemme (stage manager).
Anne Washburn (playwright) play, Mr. Burns...a post electric play, was produced by Theater Wit, Playwrights Horizons, Woolly Mammoth (DC) and The Almeida (London). Her other plays include Antilia Pneumatica, The Internationalist, A Devil at Noon, Apparition, The Communist Dracula Pageant, I Have Loved Strangers,The Ladies, The Small and a transadaptation of Euripides' Orestes. Awards include the 2015 Whiting Award, 2015 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation Theater Award, the Guggenheim, a NYFA Fellowship, a Time Warner Fellowship, Susan Smith Blackburn finalist, and residencies at MacDowell and Yaddo. She is an associate artist with The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, Chochiqq, and is an alumna of New Dramatists and 13P.
Jeremy Wechsler (director) most recently staged Theater Wit's workshop of Mitchell Fain's This Way Outta Santaland and the extended Midwest premiere of Mat Smart's Naperville. Other directing credits at Wit include the company's election night reading of The Trump Card by Mike Daisey, The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Madeline George's Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, and that show's summer remount at Art Square Theatre in Las Vegas. Wechsler also staged Wit's acclaimed Completeness and The Four of Us (Itamar Moses), Tigers Be Still (Kim Rosenstock), This (Melissa James Gibson), Spin (Penny Penniston), Feydeau-Si-Deau (Georges Feydeau), Men of Steel (Qui Nguyen), Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) (Will Eno), Two for the Show (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and The Santaland Diaries. A veteran director in Chicago with over fifty productions, his work has been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new plays.
About Theater Wit
Theater Wit, Chicago's "smart art" theater, is a major hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene, where audiences enjoy a smorgasbord of excellent productions in three, 99-seat spaces, see a parade of talented artists and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago.
"A thrilling addition to Chicago's roster of theaters" (Chicago Tribune) and "a terrific place to see a show" (New City), Theater Wit is now in its sixth season at its home at 1229 N. Belmont, in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.
The company's most recent hits there include Naperville by Mat Smart, The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George, andCompleteness and The Four of Us by Itamar Moses.
In 2014, Theater Wit was awarded the National Theatre Award by the American Theatre Wing for strengthening the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater. Theater Wit also brings together Chicago's best storefront companies at its Lakeview home, including 2016-17 resident companies About Face and Shattered Globe.
In addition to its popular Membership program, Theater Wit also offers a 10-play Flex Pass for $215 to anything presented in the building, a savings of up to 40%. To purchase a Theater Wit Membership, inquire about a Flex Pass or to buy single tickets, visit TheaterWit.org or call 773.975.8150.
To receive an "artisanal selection of consonants and vowels from Theater Wit," sign up at TheaterWit.org/mailing for exclusive updates, flash deals and behind-the-scenes production scoop every few weeks.
When Mitchell Fain, the star of David Sedaris's eight year long run of "Santaland Diaries" about a broke actor who lands a gig as a Macy's elf first begins his play with the opening lines of said show on a beautifully decked out and magically lit Christmas set - I thought, "Wait a minute I've seen this show already!"
Quickly, Fain drops the character of Sedaris' Crumpet and becomes the character of Mitchell Fain in one of the most personal and entertaining one man shows I've seen in a long time, "This Way Outta Santaland", written by Fain himself.
Fain is joined at Theater Wit by his old friend and roommate from years ago, the beautiful red headed Megan Murphy whose work I have enjoyed many times in many of the Marriott and Drury Lane Musical Theater Series. Also, playing the music for his monologues and Murphy's segue way songs is Julie B. Nichols, an excellent pianist who began the show with a hearty toast to which the whole audience raised their cups!
Mitchell really interacts with the audience and brings up the houselights many times as if trying to really see and relate to each person who came out in the cold Chicago weather to see his show. Fain begins by asking how many in the audience came from Chicago from a smaller place to live, and many raised their hands, including me (Miami is smaller). Some just shouted out "Ohio!" "Arkansas!"
He asked one woman WHY she came here and her reply was "to be an actress" to which he ad-libbed "How's that working out for you?" Her reply got a big laugh, "Well I'm sitting in the audience not on the stage!"
Then he asked how many of you here are Jewish?
Only me and two others in the packed house raised our hands which surprised even me!
Fain begins his storytelling with his rocky childhood in Rhode Island as one of the only Jews in a very rough all Italian neighborhood, and a petite, 5'3" gay Jew at that!
Fain recalls that from a very young age he loved Judy Garland's music and especially memorized her version of the song "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)", which allows Megan Murphy to deliver a delicious, tongue in cheek version of the song herself.
In Fain's description of his former home base, we learn that Rhode Island is the costume jewelry capital of America and that most of its inhabitants, including his single mother, toiled their lives away in these factories. Fain's mother found a way to work at one place long enough to get unemployment payments just to put food on the table and barely eke out a living, each time succumbing to the rigors of factory's physical demands which caused illness's like carpal tunnel syndrome and swollen feet.
Mitchell then talks about his move to Chicago as being a move to the BIG CITY! Fortunately, he had a wonderful Christmas loving aunt, who was very generous with him and decorated her house magically each year. He brings up the irony that I have always felt as a Jew as well - that Jews actually appreciate Christmas and the whole glamorous lighting and decorations of Christmas because we never had them as children.
In one of the most meaningful moments for me he describes how people who gripe about having to fly home for the holidays are forgetting how LUCKY they are to have a place to go to (he had none) , how lucky they are to have people who love them enough to want them to come home and also lucky enough to have the MEANS , the money to get home, which most of the time, many actors do not.
We are introduced to the story of his mother's passing in Phoenix when he reveals that during his eight great years playing Crumpet, he only missed two performances - once when he was almost hospitalized for the flu, but that he did not miss a show when his mother died. Fain received the call that his mother was dying right after performing his Sunday show but did not have enough money for a last-minute airline ticket to Phoenix and so his kind Chicago theatre family helped him raise the money to catch a red eye. Mitchell did get to Phoenix in time to say goodbye to his mother and said as he finally arrived at her bedside, and asked how she was doing, that one single tear rolled down her cheek – a tear he recognized as "Uh oh, Mitchell's here. This must be bad", rather than a tear that loving Mitchell was at his dying mother's bedside.
Fain and his siblings had to make the terrible decision to remove life support just as their mother clung to life just a little while longer, recovering well enough to be moved to hospice. But soon the inevitable took place and she passed away.
The comedy of errors began when the three siblings rush to get her cremated as is the Jewish tradition and are faced with a crummy mortician picked out of the phone book by Fain's oldest brother. When they opened the comically large doors, the place reeked of smoke, death and CVS perfume, Fain tells us. The funeral director was crabby, short and constantly reminding the Fain's how backed up they were before going into a relentless pitch for the family to purchase a casket, which was not in their plans remotely. Mitchell then asked to be directed to the washroom and was told the door to find just down the hall. After passing one door after another he passed an open room where his mother was laid out on a slab fully naked. Mitchell lost it, returning the tell the director he'd like to punch him in the nose. He then demanded that she get the paperwork in order for a cremation before he finishes his cigarette, then rushes outside for a cigarette - even though he doesn't smoke.
Fain's siblings rush out to see if he was okay and, as he told the story of what had just happened, enjoyed a laugh together, the kind of laugh only those in mourning can appreciate when they all realize this crazy situation is the "most fun they have had with their mother in a long time".
As a Jew who moved to Chicago from Miami Florida in the 80's after visiting my mother's side of the family at Christmastime, longing to experience the miracles of snow and seasonal changes and well, Christmas itself, I felt many connections to Mitchell's tales about his life in the city.
The Chicago theater scene with all its faults really is wonderful and is different from any other city like Los Angeles or New York in its BIG smallness, including how the poverty of actors and artists living in cheap studios, all of us totally broke for years on end paying off student loans forever. But through it all we eventually yield lifelong friendships, friendships that have become an extended family for us that no other BIG city would have fostered. And just like we learn in the inscription in George Bailey's book at the end of It's A Wonderful Life – "No man is a failure who has friends."
It seems playing the role in the award-winning writer David Sedaris's play for so long has rubbed off on Fain because in "This Way Outta Santaland (and other X Mas Miracles)", Fain has written another play, also deserving of many awards, which for a Jew from the mean streets of Rhode Island is a Christmas miracle of its own!
Fain is a true delight! Be sure to catch "This Way Outta Santaland" during its run through December 23rd for a warm, humorous and uniquely delivered show that features tremendous storytelling and wonderful music. To find out more about performance times and show information, visit www.TheaterWit.org.
Underscore Theatre and Harborside Films hearkens back to a simpler time, when the biggest national tragedy was a young Olympic figure skater getting clubbed in the knees. The year was 1994 and the world couldn't get enough of Tonya Harding versus Nancy Kerrigan. Some twenty-two years later, this scandal is ripe fodder for a campy rock opera.
Written by Elizabeth Searle and Michael Teoli, "Tonya and Nancy" is exactly what it sounds like. A sharp, 90 minute campfest akin to "Mommie Dearest." There's no dressing this up as anything other than satire. It almost feels like an extended SNL sketch, but that's not to say it's not interesting. It's questionable how much of this skate tale is true, but it certainly serves to humanize both Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.
Since this is billed as a rock opera, the soaring vocals make good sense. In the role of wrong-side-of-the-tracks Tonya Harding is Amanda Horvath, and she lands it well. Despite everything, Horvath's performance gives Harding some extra layers. She's also hilarious. Courtney Mack co-stars as Nancy Kerrigan. Mack also has a tremendously strong voice and it comes across in such campy songs as "Why Me?" While the show may be about two figure skaters, Veronica Garza actually steals the show playing dual-characters, Tonya and Nancy's moms. She seems to relish in playing Tonya Harding's down-on-her-luck mom, and the audience eats her spot-on accents right up. Garza also has an impressive voice.
Director Jon Martinez's choreography stands out as a high point in a show about ice skating that doesn't actually feature any ice skating. It's almost a surprise to see so many group dance numbers in a small space. In fact, the show features ensemble members in a perpetual state of motion which adds a nice visual element. It pairs well with all the lyrcra costuming, which reminisces of a thankfully bygone era.
For those entering this fray with some skepticism, approach this work with confidence. "Tonya and Nancy" is highly polished and well-staged. There's some real potential here. The show may be a little crowded with solos, but otherwise this is a solid script. It's always fun to see a new musical in its debut production.
Through December 30th at Theatre Wit 1229 W Belmont Ave. 773-975-8150.
It was a night for the archetypes of rock at Ravinia this past weekend. The rain finally let up for…
In the Chicago premiere of Cirque du Soleil's 38th original production, LUZIA (a combination of two Spanish words, luz (light)…
Route 66 Theatre Company is pleased to conclude its ninth season with the Chicago premiere of Halley Feiffer's dark comedy …
First Floor Theater is proud to announce their 2017/18 season, featuring one world premiere and two Chicago premieres. Their sixth…
Black Button Eyes Productions is pleased to present the Chicago storefront premiere of SHOCKHEADED PETER, the silly and sinister musical…
Linda Fortunato, Artistic Director of Theatre at the Center (TATC), Northwest Indiana's only professional theater company, has announced the mainstage…
A rainy summer night and this party was a guarantee to go on no matter what. The indoor concert venue…
Paramount Theatre is excited to tune up for its rollicking 2017-18 Broadway Series opener Million Dollar Quartet, the wildly popular…
Playwright Sean Grennan's latest work is based on a true story about a successful heart transplant that occurs between two…
Barry Harris is not exactly a household name unless you are a Jazz musician. He is a gifted piano player…
Gentle breezes, crickets chirping (or whatever that sound is they make), and comfortably warm summer nights. We're here. And knowing…
Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH, directed by Producing Artistic Director …
We have 31 guests and no members online


text:
The Really Wild Show Cafe Opens In London
Here's how Michaela Strachan help JK and Lucy trick London on April Fools day!
Hiya! So, it's Monday, and JK & I aren't happy about it. We're normally fine with Mondays, but we just didn't like this one.
So, we decided to cheer ourselves up by talking about our life mottos! Mine is 'everything happens for a reason'. I totally believe that you have to go through the bad stuff, to appreciate the good things in life, and to learn who you are as a person, and improve on that. Honestly, it all makes sense!
So, of course, we just had to ask you for yours – here's my top 5!
Steve - Never tread on toes on your way up , as they will be the feet that kick you when you fall !!
Nikki - A smile costs nothing but could mean the world to someone ....
Tori - She who leaves a trail of glitter shall never be forgotten
Lana - It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice!!
Victoria - Something worth having is not easy to get!
Hope you find these mottos as inspiring as we did, it made definitely made our Monday a little bit better!
We'll see you tomorrow from 4pm!
Lucy xxx
Here's how Michaela Strachan help JK and Lucy trick London on April Fools day!
Who remembers Britney Spears vs Christina Aguilera in the 90's? Looks like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon might have reignited the fire!
Watch the epic London Underground Ping Pong Battle
Fleur East took time out of her X Factor Final campaigning to have a chat!
9am - 1pm
Text 'HEART' to 82122
Now playing: The best feel good music


text:
Two people charged in connection with operating puppy mills in northern New Brunswick last January appeared in court Monday morning where they changed their pleas to guilty.
Ray Leblanc of St. Basile and Chantal Dufour of St. Joseph de Madawaska both entered guilty pleas for failing to provide the necessary food, water, shelter and care to an animal.
Authorities seized 47 dogs from Leblanc's property in June, and 40 animals were seized from Dufour's property last October.
Both were fined $1,200 and prohibited from owning more than one dog at a time for the next five years.
They had also been charged with operating a breeding facility without a licence, but the Crown dropped those counts.


text:
All Android applications categories
The UFC Protrader app brings you trading possibilities on the go. With real time access you are able to trade anytime and anywhere.
UFC Protrader 's easy and convenient interface, secure and instant execution are now all available for Android users worldwide.
Here is what you get for FREE downloading our app:
- Advanced charting
- Quick order entry
- Level 2 quotes
- Trading scripts management
- Realtime news
Download UFC Protrader to your Android phone or tablet and enjoy performing your trading tasks from the palm of your hand!
Download UFC Protrader
Free - V1.0.13 - 2M
Sorry ...
This app is no longer available.
Share this app


text: If it predates the 20th century, it's safe to assume that Nicole is interested in it, especially novels from the Victorian period. As a fine arts graduate still in contact with her inner six year old, she also adores children's picture books. She finds that a well-illustrated book can have a huge impact despite the limited space, much like a Pixar short, or Bruce Lee's one-inch punch.


text:
55 Route 130, Forestdale, MA 02644
525 Long Pond Drive, Harwich, MA 02645
Same Day Visits for Summer 2016 at our Harwich location
We welcome you to Cape Cod Pediatrics and appreciate the opportunity to provide health care to your child. Our team of doctors and nurse practitioners work together to bring you high quality medical care in a warm, compassionate environment. We feel proper medical care is based on regular well check-ups, sick visits when necessary, and maintaining up-to-date immunizations, in accordance with The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control. Our practice supports immunization of all children. We care for children from birth through full time college age students.
Our practice consists of Board Certified Pediatricians and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Nurse Practitioners have completed a Master's Degree in nursing, specializing in pediatrics. They see patients on their own, write prescriptions and always consult with our doctors, if needed.
If necessary, our doctors admit to Falmouth Hospital. For more acute cases, we refer to many Boston Hospitals.


text: Ericsson harnesses IoT to monitor environmental data for winemakers22 Oct 2015 10:53 AM Ericsson has partnered with MyOmega System Technologies, Intel and Telenor Connexion to build an Internet of Things connectivity service for winemakersEricsson has collaboration with Intel, Telenor Connexion and MyOmega System Technologies to build a secure Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity service that supports more effective wine production.The service will enable winemakers to collect data on air and soil humidity and temperature, as well as solar intensity, using IoT sensors and Intel-based IoT gateways connected to a cloud service.The data can be used to perform predictive analysis and to support resource management and real-time remote monitoring, leading to higher quality production, lower costs and reduced environmental impact for winemakers. Four winemakers in the Mosel Valley, Germany are participating in the field trial already.The size of the wine industry export globally is €26 billion according to a market research International organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), which indicates the potential to scale these types of solutions.TracoVino services and solutions will be offered by MyOmega towards the winemakers. Telenor Connexion includes Ericsson's secure IoT service in its offering. This service is based on the Ericsson device connection platform (DCP) integrated with the authentication federation gateway.Built on the 3GPP standard Generic Bootstrapping Architecture for LTE, the implementation features the world's first end-to-end security and authentication capabilities for transferring sensor data to the cloud for processing and analysis.Ericsson DCP is a cloud-based IoT/machine-to-machine (M2M) platform that handles connectivity management, subscription management and OSS/BSS, enabling automation of business processes between operators and enterprises.Intel will supply processors and LTE modems for the IoT gateways and MyOmega System Technologies, headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, will provide sensor and gateway hardware and software.Bernd Möller, CEO, MyOmega System Technologies said: "Quality tools for the winemakers that are reducing their risks and improving the yield is our key offering. We are building with the TracoVino services and solution a first scalable IoT offering that combines sensors, IoT gateways and a secure and powerful communication solution. Thanks to Telenor's DCP and the Ericsson network technology we can scale towards the entire wine market. We base our gateways on technology provided through Intel." James Atkinson EditorLinkedIn |Google + |Email Leave a CommentPlease write code to prove you're humanMore on... IoT GeneralMWC17: Nokia introduces worldwide IoT network grid as a service Libelium adds industrial protocols to its IoT sensor platformInmarsat and Actility team up for global LoRaWAN IoT network More on... Critical CommunicationsFinland and Norway sign cross-border TETRA communication dealCC Europe 2017: Hytera showcasing new base station and handheld radioLatest in IoTAltair Semiconductor introduces narrowband CAT-M1 and NB1 chipsetTelefónica, Huawei and Kamstrup launch in NB-IoT project in Chile oneM2M standard holds third IoT interoperability event


text:
Friday, August 20, 2010
Comfort + Luxury
Beautiful Autumn essentials.
Slowly, we head into Fall... and so, as usual, I head to Anthropologie to look for those pieces that we keep my cozy and chic. I adore their sweater and jacket selections, and never leave without a new one... and sometimes a top or two as well. Which pieces do you like best? What are some of your essentials?
images: anthropologie
12 comments:
one of the reason I {heart} so much about anthropologie is that their pieces all fit each other so well together, forever artsy & classy! great picks! xoxo from californiaReplyDelete
i love this pallete of colors and all these pieces go so well with each other! great picks sweetie!ReplyDelete
The best thing that ever happened to my pocketbook was moving far away from Anthropologie (I used to walk there from my old house)...these are great picks Sarah!ReplyDelete
Hoping you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo Mary Jo
oh I cant wait for the fall/winter collection to hit the stores here! exciting!ReplyDelete
I could live in that store... loving all the ruffles this season!ReplyDelete
love all your choices Sarah! a good jacket is one of my essentials, and the light grey one is just divine. hope you have a beautiful weekend darling! xoReplyDelete
Great choices... love that store! I'll be splurging on a purple Hermes scarf and a pair of purple hunter boots (with the heels).ReplyDelete
Have a lovely weekend!
Your stylist selections have me drooling with fall shopping fever... love Anthropologie, having just shopped at their Lincoln Road store in Miami for the first time!ReplyDelete
Have a lovely day,
Linda xo
Great! I love them!ReplyDelete
I love them all! I had a short shopping rendezvous at Anthropologie yesterday and wanted to just take the whole store with me. Flawless!ReplyDelete
you and I in Anthropologie is deadly (on the pocket books)...when are we going ;)ReplyDelete
Jacquelyn -- soon, hopefully!ReplyDelete


text:
Top Stories
Industry News
Million Dollar Prize At Online Casinos
By Staff
Online casino software developer RealTime Gaming has announced that the top prize for its Jackpot Pinatas progressive slot machine has topped one million dollars and could be making one lucky player very happy at Christmas.
Offered at leading online casinos such as Lucky18Casino.com, ClubWorldCasinos.com, SpinPalace.com and AllSlotsCasino.com, the current top prize for Jackpot Pinatas now stands at $1,055,411. It has been growing slowly for almost a year after surpassing the million milestone earlier this month.
Jackpot Pinata is a 21-line online slot with a Mexican theme featuring tacos, beautiful senoritas, fresh limes, roses and pinatas on its reels. It was launched a full year ago with a jackpot of $250,000 and was hit within weeks for $273,914. However, no player has since taken down the big prize, leaving it to grow slowly to well over one million dollars.
The slot features free spins, wild symbols, substitutes and a bonus game and players must get five Bull Pinata symbols on any one of the paylines in order to win the grand prize. Although players must wager 25 cents per payline, which works out to five dollars per spin, in order to take home the top prize.
In addition to the normal two and three-figure combinations, players can also trigger the bonus round by getting three Dog Pinatas symbols on the screen. Once in the bonus round, players choose two of the three pinatas in order to reveal what they have won.
cialis generic
when will there be a generic for levitra
when will there be a generic for levitra
dosage of levitra
levitra canada pharmacy online
generic levitra legal
generic cialis sublingual
generic cialis sublingual
cialis once a day dosage
cash advance loan with bad credit
cash advance loan with bad credit
viagra online bestellen ohne rezept
price of viagra
price of viagra
can i buy viagra online
cialis daily dose reviews
Email Article
Copyright OnlineCasinoNews.com
Online Casino News.com provides online gamblers with
on online casino gambling,
sports betting tips
wining casino tips
internet casino reviews
sports odds
and much, much more… We also have an
industry insider's section
including Internet gaming press releases, a calendar of events and gaming industry news.
Bluff Europe
: Europe's leading
Poker Magazine
brings you the latest
Poker News
Player Interviews
and all the best
Online Poker
Poker in the Park
: Europe's largest Poker Festival.


text:
Anti virus software(8 Posts)
multiple20 Fri 26-Sep-14 15:37:36
Kafri Mon 28-Oct-13 22:13:45
sneezecakesmum Sat 19-Oct-13 11:55:33
BafanaThesober Wed 16-Oct-13 19:19:30
DavesDadsDogDiedDiabolically Wed 16-Oct-13 11:58:29
MrsPnut Wed 16-Oct-13 06:51:29
studyinghard Wed 16-Oct-13 06:31:27
BafanaThesober Tue 15-Oct-13 10:31:23
Join the discussion
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join in the discussion, get discounts, win prizes and lots more.Register now
Already registered with Mumsnet? Log in to leave your comment or alternatively, sign in with Facebook or Google.
Please login first.


text: Impeded Create compressed backup archives Windows powerful password protection. New WDM streaming driver for iunknown device never held a license as well. The back of your monitor resolution to at least (NA761ES#ABD) x 768. Both for and firmware. While drivers the 64-bit long enough to 6735s the sense of speed communicates the power bits on my laptop Compaq running 12. 04 LTS. The installation is very bright. However.


text:
Kevin S. Jaros
- Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia State Bar, 2003; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 2007; and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 2009.
- J.D., George Mason University School of Law, 2003; Bachelor in Business Administration (B.B.A.), University of Michigan, 1999.
- Fairfax Bar Association.
Attention Lawyers - sign up here to join the directory.


text:
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to make a couple of observations this morning about the bipartisan support that exists for extending a payroll tax holiday. I will start with the obvious: Republicans strongly support extending this tax cut for the rest of the year. Americans have suffered long enough as a result of this President's economic policies. They do not need to suffer more because of his failure to turn the economy around 3 years into his administration.
But the fact is any solution requires both sides to engage in good-faith negotiations. When my friend, the majority leader of the Senate, comes to the floor and says that Republicans in Congress are only willing to extend this tax cut if they are allowed to poison Americans' drinking water, then I think it is pretty safe to say it is time for fewer partisan attacks and more efforts to finish the job.
When a tax hike that has been rejected repeatedly by Members of both parties over the past year is the opening bid in a negotiation, I think it is safe to say that Democrats are more interested in scoring political points than in scoring a tax cut that millions of middle-class Americans are counting on.
When the majority leader of the Senate suddenly announces he is working on a proposal of his own to extend this tax cut, even as the conference committee is in the midst of negotiating a bipartisan solution that everybody can support, I think it is pretty obvious where the problem lies. It is with the Democratic majority and a President who we thought were elected to lead.
I think most Americans would expect that at a moment such as this, when a solution to a pressing problem is sought, the majority party bears the responsibility to find it. It is worth noting that in the House, the majority party did its work and passed a 1-year extension. Yet all we get from the Democratic majority in the Senate are exaggerated claims, ad hominem attacks, and false accusations aimed at delaying a solution rather than achieving one.
So I would remind my friend the majority leader that the particular piece of legislation he railed against yesterday as an effort to poison people has broad bipartisan support, including 12 Democratic cosponsors here in the Senate--and rightly so in the midst of a jobs crisis. We should seize every opportunity we have to help job creators at a time when more than 13 million Americans are looking for work and can't find it.
The only thing controversial about this proposal--the only thing controversial about this proposal--is the idea of opposing it.
I would also remind the majority leader that the Federal pay freeze received more than 300 votes in the House, and that he himself already agreed to spending cuts during negotiations this past fall that would cover the cost of extending this payroll tax cut for the remainder of the year.
So let us allow the conferees to finish their work and get this payroll tax cut extended for the rest of the year. That is what Republicans want. That is what the President says he wants. And there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get this done. The Democratic majority of the Senate should be leading that effort, not rooting for its failure.
I yield the floor.
Source: http://thomas.loc.gov


text:
Elio de Angelis' tragic - and some feel avoidable - death in 1986 reveals why the FIA plays safety first when it comes to medical access today.
Antonio Giovinazzi is back in at Sauber to sub for the injured Pascal Wehrlein, but who are the standout stand-in drivers in F1 history?
Monza will definitely host the Italian Grand Prix 'for the next few years', while Imola has been identified as a potential German GP replacement.
The Italian Grand Prix will remain at Monza for at least three more years after a new deal was finally agreed...


text:
August 18, 2014 Total Views: 5617 Today: 1
Hotel ZigZag Hostel Kiev, Featuring free Wi-Fi and a fully equipped, shared kitchen, this hostel offers air-conditioned rooms with a laptop safety box. There is a 24-hour reception and laundry facilities. Every room at ZigZag Kiev Hostel has modern décor with colourful wall art. Shared bathrooms include a hairdryer. Guests can relax in the lounge area with satellite TV and a DVD player. A library and a computer for guests can also be found on site. Meals can be cooked in the fully equipped, shared kitchen, and a lot of cafés and restaurants are within a 10-minute walk of the hostel. ZigZag Kiev Hostel is 5 minutes' walk from Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho Metro Station, and St. Volodymyr's Cathedral is a 15-minute walk away. Kiev Train Station is 5 minutes' drive from the hostel. (Hotel ZigZag Hostel Kiev hotels booking).


text:
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
|Unconditional Cash Transfers and Declining Rates of Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of the Potential Mechanisms Behind the Success of a Cash Transfer Intervention in Rural Kenya
|Goldstein, Everest
|Haushofer, Johannes
|Class Year:
|Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a globally prevalent issue, particularly for women in high-conflict impoverished regions, such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. IPV is proven to lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, including depression and suicidal behaviors, homicide, and HIV infection. Previous methods to reduce IPV have included community-level interventions, such as the SASA! program, as well as relationship-level interventions. Little research has investigated the mechanisms behind domestic violence and its response to such interventions. This is a qualitative study that aims to uncover these mechanisms and expand upon knowledge of IPV in poverty-stricken areas. In other terms, this study seeks to answer the question: how does the effect of unconditional cash transfers work to decrease IPV rates in the studied population of impoverished, rural Kenya? Methods: The qualitative data of this study, which was collected in August and September of 2015 as part of the second endline of the GiveDirectly randomized field experiment to deliver unconditional cash transfers to randomly selected impoverished households in randomly selected villages in rural Kenya, found that IPV was significantly reduced. The current study seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms behind the relationship between the cash transfers and the reduction in IPV through analysis of 24 semi-structured in-depth interviews with male community members. The treatment males received cash transfers and the control males did not receive transfers but resided in the same villages as other treatment males. The physical and sexual violence occurrences were quantitatively measured 3.5 years after baseline, and the follow-up participants used in this study were selected based on female reports of physical and/or sexual violence. Follow-up participants were interviewed, and these interviews served as the qualitative data that was audio recorded, completely translated and transcribed, and thematically analyzed complimented with constant comparative methods. Results: Our qualitative findings suggest a number of mechanisms through which IPV was observed to decrease in both treatment and spillover households following the cash transfer interventions. The strongest pathways appear to be through improving of psychological wellbeing, increasing financial security, and changing of social norms, all of which appear to affect partner relationships and conflicts. The cash transfers lowered sources of conflict, such as financial stress and threats to masculinity, as well improved conflict coping mechanisms, such as joint-decision making skills. The combination of lower conflict along with stronger coping mechanisms helps attribute to reduced domestic violence reports. Additionally, changed social norms regarding gender violence attitudes, as well as greater optimism and hope about the future contributed to the observed reduction in reports of IPV in spillover households. Discussion: This paper reveals the ways through which unconditional cash transfers increase economic empowerment of participants, which can decrease IPV rates in impoverished areas through the reduced financial strain, improved psychological wellbeing, greater relationship bond between partners, and altered community and familial status. This sheds light into the psychological reasons attributing to domestic violence, as well as possible interventions that can be implemented to reduce domestic violence in developing countries.
|61 pages
|Type of Material:
|Princeton University Senior Theses
|Appears in Collections:
|Psychology, 1930-2016
Files in This Item:
|367.84 kB
|Adobe PDF
|Request a copy
Items in Dataspace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


text:
CPM is involved in teaching both bachelor and master students in Chemical Engineering. In addition a course is given on kinetics and catalysis for Biomedical Technology students. In the following a short description of each course can be found including a reference to VIST, the official course information system of the University of Twente.
For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Arie van Houselt


text:
- About us
- What We Do
- What You Can Do
- Sponsor a Child
Adopting a multi-pronged, community led approach to create a sustainable sanitation demand in the district of West Champaran and Gopalganj district.
Within one year of our intervention, 12 villages from Gopalganj and 10 villages from West Champaran district have been declared as ODF by the government. Efforts are on to achieve more than 100 ODF villages by end of this financial year.


text:
How to Choose a space marine army for Warhammer 40k
Space marines are one of the easier armies to build and effective for Warhammer 40k. There still is some skill involved when picking out the figures for the space marine army. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to build a space marine army for Warhammer 40k.


text:
Find a copy in the library
Finding libraries that hold this item...
|Science fiction
Science fiction television programs
|Material Type:
|Document Type:
|Visual material
|All Authors / Contributors:
Joe Flanigan; Torri Higginson; Rachel Luttrell; Rainbow Sun Francks; David Hewlett; Paul McGillion; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Firm)
|OCLC Number:
|Language Note:
|English, German dialogue, English, German Finnish subtitle options.
|Created by Brad Wright & Robert C. Cooper.
Originally broadcast on television during the 2004-2005 season.
Special features: audio commentaries by select cast and crew on various episodes, Stargate Atlantis set rour with Martin Wood and Peter DeLuise, production design and photo gallery, 'Mission directive' - behind the scenes featurettes on the making of selected episodes, 'Behind the Stargate' - a two part behind the scenes feature on the making of the series, preview of season two, the diary of Rainbow Sun Francks.
Colour recording system: PAL ; Region 4.
|Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell.
|5 videodiscs (approximately 838 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
|Volume 1. Disc 1 Rising (parts 1 & 2) --
Hide and seek --
Thirty eight minutes --
Disc 2 Suspicion --
Childhood's end --
Poisoning the well --
Underground --
Volume 2. Disc 3 Home --
Storm --
Eye --
Defiant one --
Disc 4 Hot zone --
Sanctuary --
Before I sleep --
Brotherhood --
Volume 3. Disc 5 Letters from pegasus --
Gift --
Siege (parts 1 & 2).
|Other Titles:
|Stargate Atlantis.
Stargate Atlantis (Television program)
A secret base built by the Ancients is found in the ice in Antarctica. The Stargate Atlantis team is sent on a one-way mission to explore the distant Pegasus galaxy. The team encounters many new civilizations, including the sinister Wraith.
User-contributed reviews


text:
Dr. Barbara Bellar is running for the Illinois Senate.
According to the Fox News story that accompanies the now viral video:
The title of senator would be just the latest entry on an interesting and lengthy resume. Bellar was a Benedictine nun for nearly five years, although she left before she completed her final vows. She is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, runs a family medical practice, teaches part time at both Benedictine and DePaul universities and practices law.
There are some people that are just more alive than others. Dr. Bellar is clearly one of those people.


text:
Taking a puppy on a walk is a wonderful way to socialize it and get yourself exercise at the same time. However, puppies have shorter attention spans than full-grown dogs. They also have shorter legs and tire more quickly. Carrying a puppy in your arms becomes tiring; an alternative is to carry the puppy in a sling. Small dogs and puppies fit well into slings that accommodate babies, leaving your hands free as you finish your walk.
Things You'll Need
- 2 1/2 yards fabric
- 2 metal rings, 3-inch diameter
Wash the fabric to remove sizing and manufacturing chemicals. Hem the raw ends of the fabric.
Lay the fabric out. Fold both sides toward the center of the fabric lengthwise, and then fold the fabric in half lengthwise. You will have a strip of fabric approximately 11 inches wide and 2 1/2 yards long.
Thread one end of the fabric through both metal rings. Pull 8 to 10 inches through the ring. Slide the rings slightly apart. Thread the fabric tail over one ring and under the other. Pull the fabric tightly. This locks the rings in place. Turn the fabric so that the tail is at the bottom of the ring.
Thread the other end of the fabric through both rings from the bottom. Slide the rings slightly apart and thread the fabric tail over the closest ring and under the other.
Place the entre sling over one shoulder. Check the length of the sling. The lowest portion of the sling should be at the same height as your belly button. Pull the tail until the sling is at the correct height.
Spread the folds of the sling and place the puppy in the fabric.
Tips & Warnings
- Choose a strong and sturdy fabric such as duck cloth, canvas or upholstery fabric.
- The size of the rings depends on the fabric weight. The heavier the fabric, the larger the rings you'll need.
- Wear the sling with your puppy in front of you, which allows you to keep an eye on it.
Related Searches
- Photo Credit David De Lossy/Valueline/Getty Images
You May Also Like
How to Make a Walking Sling for a Dog
At some point, your dog might develop rear-end weakness from an accident or illness or he might need assistance during recovery from...
How to Make a Carrying Sling for a Small Dog or a Cat
Carrying slings hang over one shoulder with the pet resting in a pouch below your chest. Slings can carry 5- to 15-lbs....
How to Make a Doghouse Warm in the Winter
Dogs suffer from the cold just like their owners. Some breeds handle cold weather better than others, but dogs can become ill...
Dog Sling Techniques
Sometimes when dogs are injured or must have surgery to correct an issue with their legs or feet, it can make mobility...