Took the day off today to see the play Wicked at the Ford/Oriental Theater in downtown Chicago.

I enjoyed the play – almost three hours, but I never wondered about the time. However, it’s not something I’ll gush over. The most compelling aspect of this production was the staging – great costumes, sets and – especially – special effects. Not the acting/songs/story.

I really knew little about this play going in (which is fine), so I had no real expectations except to be “blown away.”

I wasn’t.

Whatever.

But I’m still amazed at singers: I can barely speak in intelligible sentences; these performers (especially both of the witches) have sets of pipes on them that I cannot fathom. Just, like, wow! Amazing and delightful.

First time in this theater, and we had great seats (first balcony, first row, almost dead-on center). Beautiful theater, very nicely restored (what? Ten years ago?). This is one of Chicago’s old theaters; very ornate. As I’ve said, first time here, but I’m glad it’s back. It’s a beautiful theater.

After the play, we hit a Cajun place up here in the burbs for dinner: “Gumbo a Go-Go.”

It should be called “Gumbo a No-Go.”

It wasn’t bad, but it just … wasn’t good. No flavor. No heat. No atmosphere.

Yep, we won’t be going back there. The lunch we had before the show – A Bloody Mary and a cup of (great French Onion) soup – beat the pants off this so-called Cajun fare.

Still, a very nice day. And I do always enjoy doing the cultural-type stuff; it’s just that we (for whatever reasons) don’t get to such as often as we should.

Today was a nice reminder that we should do this more frequently, OK?