Ruiter's Block

Girls vs. Boys- Northwestern

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:02:51 -0500

Sunday July 26- I went to see Girls vs. Boys at Northwestern with Kat today. What a great time. Had a little trouble getting there since google maps doesn’t do the best when it comes to campus’s. Michelle Bombe and Kurt were there as well- what an awesome thing that was. It was a great added bonus to see Michelle. Kurt is a very wise man as well. Following the show Michelle invited Kat and I to join Sarah Watkins and them for a drink. It was great to have some serious professorial role models to talk to again. At Hope, if I ever had a concern I could always go and talk with them… and I guess I still can. I have everyone at the House and Daina, Michelle etc. at my disposal- all i have to do is e-mail. Kurt gave some wise advice about not worrying about things- three to four years out of undergraduate is when he suggested people go to Graduate school- that lowers the pressure a bit. He also said not to worry about it and just keep on auditioning at every audition possible. Even if I suck it. Also- find a job that doesn’t drain you so that you can be sharp and ready for the things you want. As of now I haven’t decided if Stratex is doing that to me. Back and forth I guess- but there is no harm in looking.

Girls vs. Boys was not as Loud of a musical as I hoped it would be- in fact it was pretty much a pretty normal musical- though there was some great diversity in the music throughout. The girls were sexy. It did the trick- lots of sex and love and the show got me into it. I will be very interested to see what Nate, Jake and Chris think about this product. They made it very clear in the curtain speech that this was a work in progress and the debut would be at the House. The story was not very flushed out, hard to grasp and more abstract than I’m sure they’re going to allow it to be at the Chopin, however, it was entertaining, and the end product was quite a gift. It was fun to see the direct influence of Tommy and the whole House crew. The dancing was intense throughout and the story was told through movement very well. This makes me get more excited for possibly working in Lofty Deeds… but we’ll see.

Food Inc.

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:27:37 -0500

I went to see the documentary Food Inc. last night and it was incredible. First off, there is something grand about going to see a documentary film on your lonesome. I just feel smarter. I felt like I was doing what was good, what was totally right to be doing- nothing else was more important.

The movie itself was amazing. It showed me I really do have an interest in this stuff. It was just three days ago that I ordered the Omnivore’s Dilemna. Michael Pollan plays a major role in this film. It was so extremely informative and motivating. It really motivated me not only to eat better personally, but to support local farmers and that shopping organic is actually good. I thought for a while that it was just a money making hoax, but shopping organic is a vote for local, organically grown things. Its amazing how our world’s nutrition has changed so dramatically in the last eighty years!! Our bodies, and the bodies of our livestock was not ready for this and its nuts! I loved the film and really think that everyone should see this. Everyone- especially my father, I’d be interested to hear what his take on the whole situation is being a large component in the Incorporation that is food.

RING of HONOR!!!!

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:18:11 -0500

Last Saturday, June 27th- Jeremiah, Mike Kaffka and I went to see a ring of Honor show in Chicago Ridge- it was amazing. One of the best nights of theatre I have been to in a while. Ring of Honor is a low level wrestling federation staged in gymnasiums all over the country…. or midwest, I’m not sure.

This was an amazing night. I have a brand new respect for wrestling as a live theatrical event- which to me, the only way it should be experienced. It was sooo much fun- My voice was hoarse by the end of the night from all the extreme screaming I was doing at the wrestlers. The show is meant for interaction from the audience and in fact its nothing without it. The wrestlers are not only athletes but actors- very dedicated actors. At intermission we walked outside into the rain to find Jimmy Jacobs on his knees crying into his hands for being humiliated in front of everyone. From there he walked slowly into the neighborhood while being ridiculed by patrons- real patrons in his face.

Awesome time- I can’t wait for another chance to go. Really had the funnest night of theatre that I have experienced in a long time.

Video

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:43:12 -0500

Hollow Lands- Steep Theatre Company

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:44:09 -0500

I went to see the Hollow Lands by Howard Korder at the Steep Theatre on Wed. June 24. Brett, Dana and Kate Goetz were there. I was interested in seeing this not only because Lucy was in it and I really wanted to support her, but Howard Korder is the playwright of one of my favorite scripts- Boy’s Life.

I was a bit wary because I knew the show was long- two intermissions. It ended up being about 2 hours 45 mins- but worth every minute. The production moved very swiftly along- I rarely found myself thinking of other things and walked away genuinely enjoying the show. The production quality was what really made it great. All the actor’s were wonderful- in an ensemble position playing different roles throughout. The movement and fight choreography (done by the awesome Matt Hawkins) was great! For such a small space where it’s easy for stage fighting to look fake as shit- the direction and actors did amazing.

I generally don’t like this epic sort of tale- following the life of a character over a span of many years, ups and downs, but Hollow Lands was enjoyable. I didn’t really enjoy the ending, with no definite stop- the story could have gone on twenty minutes more- or ended twenty minutes earlier and not much would have changed in the plot. I think it was the romanticism of the setting. Set in America at the brink of the move West- the frontier land, the promise of wealth, wilderness. Its a period that intrigued me- or at least a social class that does. I’d be asking for someone to pass me the razor if I had to watch a story of upper crust Victorian England for 2 hrs 45 minutes.

Production: Zero- Oracle Theatre

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:01:01 -0500

It’s Sunday. Nice day, had a rambunctious audition with Tommy Rapley- nothing reminds one of having a hang over more than learning a Rapley Combination. Leaving home is the last thing I want to do… let alone for a show with a story that I have little to no interest in seeing. But Eric Vantassel invited me, and I wanted to support him- and it goes to show that the more you do- the more you get to do.

Zero was a good experience. The actors were awesome- all performances were solid and the movement and choreography was reputable. The script itself was lack luster to say the least. It was the same stuff we’ve seen over and over- Big Brother, futuristic detainment depressing shit. A mix of 1984, V for Vendetta, and equilibrium- making for a cryptic script and unfollowable plot. It was inspiring though. Seeing shows like this gives me time to think on my own- think of my own writing and what I would do different, and the fact that I can do this. In fact, I could do better- its in my grasp. Made me think about Jackie Ripper and Dr. Clive a good deal and inpired me to really WORK on writing, Cause that’s what it is… work. Chris Matthews was the first to point that out to me. I’d like to find myself dedicating ONE HOUR each day to a cause for a month. 30 Days. I’m not sure how doable it is, but of all times- now is time. I’m the least busy I’m going to be, and I’m inspired.

Tomorrow is Monday June 22. Beginning tomorrow until July 22nd- I am going to dedicated one hour of my day to myself and to writing. Speaking with Eric was exciting, he wants to direct a 20-30 minute show this summer, to show his directing chops. He’s definitely got them, and I’d love to be a part of it. If I have a goal in mind with Jackie Ripper of creating a one act story arc then I’ll have something out there and I have everything to gain from putting up the show and seeing some of it flushed out.

And another. Rick discusses weddings and relationships… or...

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:47:48 -0500

And another. Rick discusses weddings and relationships… or lack of them, I’m not sure.

Here is the first installment of Rick’s blog. He just...

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:43:30 -0500

Here is the first installment of Rick’s blog. He just talks about ladies, summer in the city- and I’m not sure if he knows the Cubs are a baseball team.

Avec’s Interior. Real Trendy. Well worth the Nine Month...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:35:34 -0500

Avec’s Interior. Real Trendy. Well worth the Nine Month Wait.

Year One.

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:26:55 -0500

What a weekend! Friday was Jenna and my one year anniversary and we spent the entire weekend celebrating. It began Thursday night with a trip to Skokie to see the Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Northlight Theatre- one of my favorites Scripts- favorite Playwright and some amazing Acting (Cliff Chamberlain included). Friday evening was Cirque de Shanghai: Bright Spirit on Navy Pier- astounding acrobatics. Saturday we went to M. Henry and saw The Hangover- the best comedy since Wedding Crashers, I laughed my ass off and I was not dissappointed with Zach Galafinakis. Often times stand up comedians don’t translate to film but he had an awesome surrounding cast and my abs hurt. Quantum of Solace at home and out to Rebel in the evening to dance. Today Jenna, Beth and I went to Mass at San Alphonsus and then to Avec- Nine months in the making. Avec was outstanding. Definitely worth the anticipation. I discovered Sheep’s Milk Cheese is our favorite, asparagus and chorizo stuffed dates were outstanding.

-Sorry about this: future entries will not be as bland. I’ll try to keep up with events. Tomorrow night is the Jeff Awards and an audition in the afternoon.