From the Publisher ’ s Desk
Photo by Kipling Swehla Photography
From the Publisher ’ s Desk
At its core , all art is a form of expression . And to be done effectively , to hit its mark , that expression must be truthful . For the artist involved the approach to that expression is communicated best when done in authenticity . This summer , much of the arts and culture we ’ ll see is devoted to the authenticity that makes artistry astounding .
Take , for instance , Lookingglass Theatre Company . This June , the company known for its iconic presentations of epic tales like Moby Dick and Lookingglass Alice will mount a production of Jules Verne ’ s greatest work , 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas , and to do it the company will leverage it ’ s storied intuition , the same kind of intuition that has led to so many visually stunning successes of its past . To approach an adaptation of a work of such massive scope , looking beyond the limitations of the company ’ s Water Tower Works theater and envisioning the means to bring the expansive and imaginative world of Verne ’ s underwater seascape to life , it takes authenticity . The ability to take a good , hard look at your creative resources , see well beyond your limitations and connect the dots to a realization of the unimaginable creatives have to be genuine in their approach to the material and its themes to pull it off . In this issue , we take a look at the creative process that led to the upcoming world premiere performance .
Likewise , Chicago ’ s iconic jazz dance company , Giordano Dance takes the Auditorium Theatre stage this summer in a performance that will both celebrate the company ’ s amazing 55th season and honor their roots . It ’ s only with the utmost authenticity that Nan Giordano , the company ’ s artistic director and heir to its legacy , approaches programming their performances with
Above : Giordano Dance Chicago in Tossed Around . a balance of new and exciting traditions and a consistent nod to the past , clearly seeing their future while still eyeing their foundations . Jordan
Reinwald takes us behind the curtain on the performance this June .
And , of course , there is Alan Cumming . The iconic actor , singer and writer brings his trademark Scottish honesty to Ravinia Festival this summer in a new cabaret concert that holds nothing back . Legal Immigrant takes up where his acclaimed concert tour , Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs , left off , and Fred Cummings sits down with the artist to discuss just what ' s behind his own trademark authenticity , and why it creates such a connection with his audiences .
Of course , all true artistry begins with an authentic approach to expression . And in a city like ours , where the arts are so rich and varied , one cannot help but be genuinely struck by the diversity with which it is expressed each and every season .
We genuinely hope , you get a chance to get out and enjoy some of the diverse artistic voices in action this summer season in the Windy City .
Sincerely ,
D . Webb Publisher
Photo BY GORMAN COOK
Clef N tes
Chicagoland Journal for the Arts S u m m e r 2 0 1 8
Publisher D . Webb
Editorial
Editor in Chief Patrick M . Curran II
Associate Editors Fred Cummings Scott Elam Christopher Hopper
Editorial Support Rachel Cullen
Staff Writers and Contributors Raymond Benson David Berner Isaac Jacobs Andrew Kowalczyk Oliver Peterson Leslie Price Jordan Reinwald Daniel A . Scurek
Art & Design Art Director Carl Benjamin Smith
Contributing Photographers Colin Lyons Lorenzo de Gregorio Michelle Mustard
Graphics & Design Chelsea Davis Angela Chang
Social Media Manager Mary Henley
Advertising Jason Montgomery Jason . Montgomery @ ClefNotesJournal . com
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6 • CNCJASummer 2018
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