A city with a memory attached to every corner.
I’ve lived in the New York area for longer than I lived in Chicago, but I am not as assaulted at every turn with memories. Perhaps if I moved from New York and then returned, I would have a similar experience: “Oh, that was the corner where I got that really important phone call …” “There was the cafe where I had my first date with such-and-such …”
It’s always good to come back to Chicago. This is the alley that leads from Wayne St. to Southport. Mitchell and I lived at the end of that alley, and this alley was where we crossed over to Southport. It’s just an alley. But I look at it and see the ice storm and trying to walk back to the house holding a bag of groceries and falling on my ass. I look at it and see Mitchell and I stopping in the middle of the alley to debate a specific acting moment in Thirtysomething. We couldn’t keep walking and talking as long as we were talking so passionately about Patricia Wettig or Ken Olin. We had to STOP where we were to talk it out. I see the house on fire at the end of the alley, the entire home engulfed in flames. I remember stopping in that alley on a warm summer night, heartsick and heartbroken, to lean against the wall and cry my eyes out. It was a good alley for privacy. I look at it and see me and M. trudging through it to go back to his place (after he crawled through my window the night before). At one end of the alley, from the spot where I took the picture above, is where I, coming out of my fever-induced hallucinatory sickness, saw M.’s car and ran out into oncoming traffic to kiss him and cling to him through the window, all as he shouted warnings to be careful and treated me like I was a halfwit. “Okay, baby, okay, we’ll see each other. Just don’t get run over.” The ghosts of me and Mitchell, walking up the alley, walking down the alley, up, down. There it all still is. I love it when that happens. I love it when things don’t change.
It is also wonderful to be working with Mitchell again, and we have spent two days reading the script, talking about it, thinking about it, and deciding what to change and what to leave alone. At this point, so much of it and whatever problems there may be would be easily ironed out in a full rehearsal process. That’s the goal. That’s where we’re going. Our actors are just wonderful. The first read-through was pretty damn fantastic, and I am so honored that we got the two of them, that they were available (first of all) – they’re both successful working actors – and that they are who they are. Perfect fit.
The reading is tomorrow night.
And of course we’re doing it at a theatre where once upon a time I did a late-night show in Chicago. The entire theatre has been gutted and rebuilt since I was first here, but there’s a beautiful symmetry, going to the same block on Belmont to the theatre where I did that play that crazy summer every night.
My mother is here to see the reading. Have lots of old friends coming tomorrow night, as well as new friends. Some people I’ve never met (bloggers I admire) will be there. I have random waves of fluttery-stomach nerves, but it’s all good.
Chicago is the city of my heart and I am so pleased to be here with my script, being directed by one of my oldest friends, and with two actors I love.
Best of luck….Wish I lived within a thousand miles so I could be there.
Thanks, NJ! I’m really excited!
Its so funny to be rooting so heartily for someone you whom never met in person,but after three years of reading your blog, with esp so many of your posts touching me deeply, and of course of shared obession of Cary Grant, I wish you the best Sheila. Believe me if I lived in the Chicago area I would be there rooting you on. I’m wishing the best for you, because in my humble opinion you are an amazing writer and derserve all the success that I feel is coming your way!
Jenn
Thank you so much, Jennchez! Your presence on my site has always been so warm and enthusiastic. I appreciate your support! It’s been a really exciting year for me! Thank you!
Thinking of you! Hi to Mitchell too. I can’t wait to hear about it.
Sheila – I won’t say I know my city by heart, but I looked at that photo and thought, “that looks like it’s near Wrigley Field”!
The hubby and I are anxiously looking forward to being at the Theatre Building tonight to see your play. Break a leg!
The reading is at Theater Wit…NOT the Theater Building( the Theater Building doesn’t actually exist anymore…its called Stage 773…but…the reading NEXT DOOR at 1229 W. Belmont at Theater Wit.
Marilyn – Yes! Near Wrigley Field! Southport has changed so much since when I lived here – but at least the Music Box is still there!
Excited for tonight! Nervous – but in a good way! Can’t wait to meet you and thank you so much, in advance, for coming to hear the script. It means a lot.
Hi Sheila! Great news about your reading! I haven’t checked your blog for a while and I feel a symmetry about checking it today. Hey, I know that neighborhood, that director, that actor, and that theater. If it were next week, I could have seen it too. Best wishes to you and Mitchell.
Kelly – so bummed we missed it by a week! Yes, you and I did that fun show at the Theatre Building! Memories!!
SO EXCITED for you! I know it will go tremendously well. Just so happy that this is happening in your world.
I’m seeing someone who does not live in Chicago but it is clearly the city of HIS heart as well. It seems to become a part of people in a very specific way. I think we’re going there to see his friend-family for the New Year and he’s hoping I will fall in love with it the way he loves it. I’m very curious about it. Especially because, in my mind, Chicago is always “Sheila’s city.”
I will be thinking of you tonight and sending mental warm fuzzies your way. It’s going to be a great night for you. *hug*
Do you know this song? The perfect accompaniment to Chicago reveries…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jDJ_r0qS04
Wishing you a fabulous night!
Yes, listen to Mitchell. I was reminiscing about the wrong building!
Good luck tonight in the city of your heart.
The stars seem to be aligning for you, at long last.
You are such an engaging, funny, real writer and story-teller, and have earned a wider audience.
Devtob- so so nice. Thank you.
Well, you are probably already on your way to the theater, so you won’t read this until later, but I’m excited for you. I won’t be surprised by any level of success you have going forward–just glad for this step. Go get ’em!
Hope everything goes well! Home with strep, didn’t want to inflect anyone else. Wish I could’ve finally put a face and voice to your writing.
Oh, I can’t wait to hear how it went. Another lurking reader here – rootin’ for you from up in Canada. Break legs!
I was thinking of you last night, hoping everything went well! (I told myself of course, it did – how not?)
Thinking of you tonight!!!!!
Is this near Julius Menle coffee shop on addison & southport? Great coffee house.
Yes it is! And yes, great coffee house.