The Numbers For 2014

For the second year in a row I went 365 days without a drink.

I went on two vacations, one to Richmond, VA the other to New York City.

I saw 72 movies in the theater.

Deep Schwa had 51 shows.

Prime had 49 shows.

The Night Shift had 20 shows.

The Hague had 3 shows and was cut.

We formed Sight Unseen and had 12 shows.

I read 37 books, my favorite of which was My Real Children by Jo Walton.

I wrote 46 poems and did 5 readings.

Tisher, Tim, and I released 10 episodes of Bubble Boys compromising season 2 completing the series.

Tim and I recorded the first season of a new podcast The Hindsight Hour yet to be released.

I conceived of and co-wrote a play, Contention, which will open in the new year.

I made 1 collage.

I made 1 mix tape.

I wrote 1 song.

I moved twice.

I went to 1 audition.

I rode my motorcycle for 7 glorious months.

I went to 0 concerts.

I went to 11 plays.

I went to 2 weddings.

I went to 0 funerals.

I had the love of a beautiful and supportive woman for the entire year.

'The Immigrant' A Reivew

The Immigrant is a period melodrama about a young polish woman's immigration to the US in 1921. Ewa(Cotillard) is way laid at Ellis Island when her sister is quarantined for influenza and she is threatened with deportation due to accusations of being a "loose woman". Bruno(Phoenix) theater producer and erstwhile pimp swoops in and saves Ewa and, through manipulation and persuasion, subsumes her into his employ.

Although beautifully filmed conveying the begone era in which it's set the narrative remains inert. The immigrant-pressed-into-prostitution story is cliche and lifeless despite the best efforts of Cotillard who brings all her considerable talents to bare without result. There are tragedies, injustices, magic, theater, brutality but all meaningless, we learn nothing, we go nowhere.

The two supporting males Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner are both horribly cast and ineptly directed. Renner is committed but simply out of his element, seeming cartoonish as an eyelinered tuxedoed stage magician, he may not be cut out for period he exudes modern. Phoenix puts little to no effort into his shambling, mumbling, half-hearted, vacate performance. He only stirs himself to actually act in the climactic final scene which is, to be far, excellent.

But despite, or maybe because of, the potency of the final scene and the corresponding breathtaking final shot The Immigrant is nothing but disappointment and wasted potential.

Don't See It.

Last Double Sunday

Andy got our team photo printed on this cool wood backing to hang up at iO. Matt took this picture, he was in town from Richmond and sat in with Schwa. Matt and I spent the day together catching up and talking shop which was great, the show unfortunately wasn't so great. I was a little disappointed that Matt didn't get to play a show where things were really clicking. The audience seemed to be a little reserved and we all had relatively low energy, it felt too much like work. Not a bad show but no where near the fluidity and fun we've been having the last two months.

After Schwa was the last Prime. We've been doing the show for almost two years at this point, started off as an idea Craig had, he just wanted to introduce a show as "two Scotts, two Nelsons, and a Uhlir". When it turned out to be really fun we kept doing it. Then both the Scotts got Second City gigs, we played with Brett for a while, had some sit ins, the Scotts came back, then we added Sabine. I always found the most satisfaction in the shows where we told some kind of story usually centered around a group of brothers, friends, co-workers, or some kind of sports team. Sometimes I was tired and our speed of play would lose me, sometimes I didn't like the shows that veered towards the absurd or the disconnected, but always I enjoyed playing with my friends, always I enjoyed the unique challenge of our particular style.

We had a great house and the show was super fun. It feels good to end it on a high note. It's nice to hang it up while were all feeling good, it's the right time. I'll miss the hour or so we talked and caught up before we hit the stage the most. Right now the plan is to get another slot at a better time but who knows. Whatever happens its been a good run.

'Listen Up Philip' A Review

Listen Up Philip is an exestential relationship drama about sophomore novelist Philip. The film centers mostly on narcissistic writer Philip(Jason Schwartzman) as his relationship with his photographer girlfriend Ashley(Elisabeth Moss) erodes and his friendship with his idol, fellow novelist, Ike(Jonathan Pryce) evolves. The film diverts at two points to follow Ashley and Ike before returning to Philip.

The acting from the three leads is superb. Schwartzman gives his most understated nuanced performance to date as this self-loathing yet contemptuous ego-maniac, finally cashing in on the promise he showed in his debut Rushmore, he walks a tightrope act, we don't like him but we care about him. Moss puts in an incredibly versatile emotional turn, in one instance a brief shot conveying a slue of thoughts and feelings. Pryce relegated to that guy who was in that thing for years finally has a role of substance he throws himself into. The supporting cast, including narrator Eric Bogosian, all work perfectly to create a palpable reality.

The narration, the changes in perspective, the flashbacks, and the burnt handheld Super 8 style of cinematography create a gritty immersive narrative which delves into the push and pull of relationships and the nature of the artist.

See It.

Memorization

Scene Breakdown

The first preview for Contention, the play I've been working on, is less than a week away. It's just Sarah and I in it so there's a lot of dialogue to memorize. I haven't had to commit a substantial script to memory since 2008 when I did Murder Center Stage in Rockford. Even then my role was supporting and I didn't have a ton of lines.

I use to pride my self on my recall. I could memorize scripts over night, recollect the specific details of a 30 minute improv show weeks after, could recite almost verbatim conversations with friends. At a certain point I think I reached full capacity and everything started to spill out. I couldn't hold on to details and minutia as long or as easily. Maybe it's simply a function of getting older.

That is all to say memorizing this script has been a real bear. Gratifying but work. Its been a struggle and I'm not totally comfortable or totally confident. The past couple months I've wanted to do something different, something outside my comfort zone, something with a little more risk. This certainly fits that description. I'm stressed and excited in equal parts.

Top 10 Chicago Shows of 2014

In the spirit of the end of the year and end of year lists, here are my top ten shows of the year.

Best Actor In Town. A playful and original sketch show with the conceit of competition for the title of best actor in town and an unidentified industry position. Both heartfelt and winking it struck the perfect balance of meta-theater and straight comedy.

Life Is Not A Show. An interactive performance outside the confines of a theater by Shar and Jeff where the audience followed Jeff from his apartment on a neighborhood excursion as he struggled with his love life. Totally fresh, totally unique, totally energizing.

Seance: An Exploration of the Metaphysical. A period set seance from Libby and Harrison. Immersive, novel, and truly frightening.

Holy Fuck Comedy Hour. The weekly experimental sketch showcase at The Annoyance. Each week the cast, with rotating guests, put up an evening of all new sketch material. From edgy to obvious, high brow to blue, over-complicated to un-prepared this weekly show offers courageous(if not always successful) comedy.

Spitballin' at Quenchers Saloon. A weekly variety show hosted by Thomas, Brunlieb, and Scott. Each week a new and varied line up of readings, solo performance, improv, sketch, stand-up, storytelling, poetry etc. open for the best improv group in Chicago- Sand.

Closing Night: A Fine Actor Says Farewell To A Theater. Scott's farewell show conceived for and a dedication to the closing of the Upstairs Gallery. Famous actor S. Charles Nelson returns to the theater that gave him his start to reprise some of his most beloved roles. The perfect balance of mocking theater while doing great theater.

Sand at Jangleheart. The best improv set I saw all year. Perverse, committed, character driven improvisation.

It's Christmas Goddammit! A dysfunctional, combative, judgmental family gets together for the holiday. All the familial ugliness we're all familiar with was on display and milked for laughs that come from that sweet spot of commiseration. There's enough resolution and message to convey the message of Christmas but with none of the typical cheese.

Slice Of Life. The tale of J-Ball Pizza Face written by Tisher and John starring, alternately, Scott and Brunlieb. A bizarre and absurd unfolding of a world where a man marries a pizza. Dark, funny, and surprisingly affecting.

Weird COPcept ALbum Video Release Party. One of the last shows at the Upstairs Gallery Shar and Malarky released the videos, in character, for their passion project a rap album by two cops with samples from Weird Al. A stronger sense of appreciation and celebration I haven't felt at a show.

Honorable Mentions: The Raven and The Messenger, Becker, Oklahoma!: The Life and Times of West Reems and Two Lights

Xmas 2014

It was a pretty low key Christmas in the Nelson house hold this year. Last year we hosted three of my college-age cousins and Tisher, this year it was just the nuclear family and the extended family didn't get together. We did have an early dinner with my Aunt Anne, grandma, and cousin Alyssa which was great but the whole clan wasn't in attendance. It was nice and relaxing. No rushing around, little stress, and almost no last minute wrapping.

At this point in my life I can, or try to, savor the holidays and the time spent with family. Everyone's lives are so busy and have so much going on it's good to slow down and appreciate each others company, to lounge around, chat, catch up, and watch movies. I woke up with a bit of a cold yesterday and have been trying to shake off the corresponding grumpiness. I realize I'm getting older because I can't just power through being sick the way I use to.

The past couple years I've had a bit more money in my pocket and more time on my hands so I've tried to be more generous and more deliberate in my gift giving. It's nice to splurge once a year on your loved ones, to try to let them know how much they mean to you by the thoughtfulness of a gift or two. I think this year was relatively successful and my families reactions to certain gifts always gives me ideas for others.

As the years go by it gets harder and harder to make a list or to give my family suggestions of what to get me. I have everything I want, my life as it is feels relatively complete, for the most part I am happy. I love my family deeply, we've been through a lot, small swells to raging storms, and come through intact. And on Christmas we come together and connect, despite small irritants, despite my stupid headcold- blood calls to blood.