Category Archives: Music

November 24, 2018 · 5:31 pm

Holiday Fun Comes to Evanston: Practical Radio Theatre On The Air!

The Practical Theatre is coming back to Chicago’s North Shore with a classic radio show featuring grown-up comedy and great live music! Plus adult beverages! Join the fun as the PTC records two shows at Studio5 Performing Arts Center in Evanston for later broadcast on Chicago’s premier jazz station WDCB 90.9 FM.

Following their smash holiday engagements the past two years at Studio5, writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen return with Practical Radio Theatre on the Air, featuring music by Steve Rashid and his Studio5 All-Stars, with special appearances by Giggle Break’s Daniel Rashid and recording artist Eva B. Ross.

Eva B. Ross

Practical Radio Theatre on the Air is a classic radio show format filled with high spirits, satire and song.Join the live audience and be an integral part of the show, sipping a smart cocktail in the comfort of the North Shore’s most intimate performance venue. Studio5 Performing Arts Center, located at Dempster and Dodge in Evanston, features comfy seating, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights — and acres of free parking!

Daniel Rashid

It’s another holiday happening to remember!

There are just 2 shows: Friday December 28 and Saturday the 29th. Tickets are on sale at Brown Paper Tickets.

There will be a cash bar for both shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30. Showtime is 8:00.

Each night’s performance begins with an opening set of songs by Eva B. Ross before the radio show gets underway — but the fun begins as soon as you get there!

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Your hosts at Studio5: Impresarios Bea & Steve Rashid

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Tagged as Dana Olsen, Daniel Rashid, Eva B Ross, Evanston, improvisational comedy, Paul Barrosse, radio show, Steve Rashid, Studio5, The Practical Theatre, The Vic & Paul & Dana Show, Victoria Zielinski

November 19, 2018 · 9:24 pm

The Latest Recording from Eva B. Ross: “Friends, Like Me”

As many of you know, my daughter Eva is a singer-songwriter who recorded a cache of great songs in Nashville. “Friends, Like Me” is her latest single — and one of my favorites.

Check out the video on YouTube — but even more importantly — stream the song on Spotify. It’s all about the streaming numbers these days…

EvaBR

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Tagged as Eva B Ross, Friends Like Me, Nashville, singer-songwriter, Spotify

October 9, 2018 · 2:34 pm

Countering GOP Bullsh@t with a Song…

This young woman’s song deserves to be heard — over and over — until Election Day, November 6th!

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Tagged as #MeToo, GOP, mid term elections

April 25, 2018 · 12:50 pm

Eva B in Concert at UCLA!

Dinkinesh-V2-WEB My daughter Eva B. Ross will play a free concert at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall on Thursday, May 3 at 8:00 PM.

TMIJ_Logo Opening for Eva on this impressive, eclectic bill are the acclaimed Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Ensemble and Superdevoiche, the UCLA Balkan Women’s Choir. All that great music – and it’s free!

Seating is limited. So RSVP here. RSVPs are priority up until 15 minutes before the show. Standby is on a first come, first seated basis. Early arrival is recommended. bulgaria2010bittel2

From the UCLA School of Music website:

“Song of Ourselves,” the Herb Alpert School of Music’s all-day musical celebration of diversity, concludes with a concert featuring Eva B. Ross, winner of the 2017 UCLA Spring Sing. We’re calling the concert “Dinkinesh,” which roughly translates to “You are marvelous.” (and you are!)

Ross is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who grew up in Los Angeles performing in her family’s garage band. As a freshman at UCLA, she formed her band, Eva B. Ross Foundation, and independently set out on a European tour in the summer of 2014.

In 2015, she released her first independent single “Nick’s House” and in 2017, she won UCLA’s Spring Sing at Pauley Pavilion with her original composition, “Chicago.” She is currently working on her debut EP, which will be co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Justin Niebank and Emmy-winning producer, Steve Rashid.

Schoenberg Hall is located at Charles E Young Drive East 445, Los Angeles, California. Parking for Schoenberg Hall is in UCLA Parking Structure 2. Find maps and parking rates here.

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Tagged as Dinkinesh, Eva B Ross, Herb Alpert School, jazz, pop music, Superdevoiche, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, UCLA

February 23, 2018 · 5:12 am

A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall…

We modern, sophisticated, educated folk tend to dismiss the idea of prophets: people who can see the future and comment on what’s coming.

But give a listen to this song by Bob Dylan – who was just 22-years old when “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” was released on May 27, 1963 — on the album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

Freewheelin’? Not on this song.

Bob Dylan may well be the greatest poet writing in the English language since Shakespeare. Listen to his song – and read the lyrics. I will say no more.

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son
And where have you been, my darling young one
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son
And what did you see, my darling young one
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall

And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder that roared out a warnin’
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’
Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall

Oh, what did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall

And what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
And what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ‘fore the rain starts a-fallin’
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
And the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.

Recall these lines – and think about them. This was a young man, barely an adult in the early 1960’s, and he saw – and sang about – these images…

I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans

I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children

Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’

Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’

I met a white man who walked a black dog

I met a young woman whose body was burning

Where the people are many and their hands are all empty

Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters

Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison

Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten

Where black is the color, where none is the number

How could such a young man see the future (and his present) so clearly?

Now, tell me there’s no such thing as prophecy…

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Tagged as A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, Bob Dylan, William Shakespeare

January 10, 2018 · 5:23 pm

A Comic Celebration to Remember!

Screen Shot 2018-01-10 at 3.48.35 PM

For two frigid but otherwise fun and fulfilling weeks on Chicago’s North Shore, the cast and crew of “Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration” staged a series of shows that rang in the New Year with satire, song and classic comic shtick. The three packed performances proved once again that The Practical Theatre Company and its motto “Art is Good” are alive and well in the Windy City.

Studio 5 Mr. Olsen00557

The Practical Theatre is like “Brigadoon” these days: a magical, fleeting moment of entertainment that vanishes as suddenly as it appears. For those of you who were not able to be among the receptive crowds that gathered at Studio5 in Evanston to witness this rare theatrical event – please enjoy the following photos, taken by former Chicago Tribune photographer Chuck Osgood at final dress rehearsal.

The Opening Number: “It’s been a year to remember — to forget!”

“Ed & Ellen & Ned” — Ed (Paul Barrosse) & Ellen (Victoria Zielinski) and Ned (Dana Olsen) share a moment in an airport bar with a young man (Daniel Rashid) who digs older women.

Studio 5 Mr. Olsen00188

Eva B Ross sings “Thou Swell” backed by Steve Rashid (keys) & The Studio5 All Stars: Rockin’ Ronny Crawford (drums), Joe Policastro (bass), Don Stille (accordion) and Don Stiernberg (guitar)

“Limbo” — A bickering couple (Vic & Dana) find themselves in a state of suspended afterlife.

“Parents” — Dana and Shelly Goldstein play parents with a lot of good (and not so good) advice for their high school graduate, bound for Northwestern University.

“Please Come to Starbucks” — Paul is a forlorn, lovesick guy from Cleveland who lost his girl (Vic) to the Southern California dream. He seeks her out in a mournful musical complaint.

“Stop Talking About Him” — A young couple (Daniel Rashid & Emilia Barrosse) struggle with the nagging, negative, inescapable influence of Donald Trump on their relationship.

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“Cut In Line” — This is the moment that an unlucky guy (Paul) discovers that the guy to whom he just gave his place in line (Dana) is the 1,000,000th customer and winner of a million dollars!

The Mr. Olsen’ Dancers perform “We’re In The Money”

Dana & Eva perform a multi-lingual duet of “Let it Snow” — just before it goes way off the rails.

With sexual harassment dominating the news, the dancers make a statement.

Don Stille burns up his accordion solo in “The Possible Side Effects Polka”

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The Mr. Olsen Dancers step lively in “The Possible Side Effects Polka”

Emilia Barrosse opens the second act with an original stand-up comedy set.

“Ed & Elena” — Ed (Paul) is about to get a big surprise from buxom blonde Elena (Vic).

Steve Rashid performs a nostalgic musical tribute to George W. Bush — with beautiful, inspirational music by Steve and indescribable words by Dubya himself.

The Mr. Olsen Dancers kick up a wild western rumpus.

“Whisky Tasting” — Miss Vicky’s hootch has finally gotten the best of Paul’s boozing cowpoke.

Groovy Shelly sings “The Middle Aging of The Age of Aquarius”

“Meet the Robot” — Guess who’s coming to dinner? Your daughter’s synthetic human boyfriend, that’s who.

A proper 19th Century minuet gets a bit topsy-turvy.

Roland Masterton (Paul) and Elizabeth Cuddleton (Vic) share a long, long, long developing romance a’la Jane Austen — through correspondence, shipwreck, and a mortal duel .

Donald J. Trump meets “Hamilton” in a rap production number. “How does a bastard, orange, TV show host with a toupe’, dropped in the middle of a polarized time in our America — with hands so freaking teeny — rise up to be the Mango Mussolini?”

“What’s you name, man?” “Inmate number 45!”

The Closing: “Resist! Resist! — and keep your sanity. Do your best, it’s a test — of our humanity.”

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Tagged as Dana Olsen, Daniel Rashid, Don Stiernberg, Don Stille, Donald Trump, Emilia Barrosse, Eva B Ross, Evanston, improvisational comedy, Joe Policastro, Mr. Olsen's Champagne Celebration, New Year's Eve, Paul Barrosse, Rockin' Ronny Crawford, Shelly Goldstein, Steve Rashid, Studio5, The Practical Theatre, Victoria Zielinski

December 30, 2017 · 10:55 am

Just Two More Chances to Enjoy “Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration”!

26114583_1533547770095784_2100298101981055015_o There are only two more opportunities to enjoy the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore: tonight and New Year’s Eve.

(All photos in this post were taken by Chuck Osgood at the final dress rehearsal)

26114696_1533549313428963_9163814806155948867_o You still have a chance to reserve your seats for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.

Tickets are on sale here!

The Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen. It’s a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.

26060201_1533549290095632_162225552277657537_o Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on guitar. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.

26197980_1533549580095603_7893809850602960003_o And — The Mr. Olsen Dancers are back – and better than ever!

The show on New Year’s Eve will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)

Studio5 is Evanston’s hippest, most intimate performing arts venue, with comfortable seats, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights, and acres of free parking. Tickets are on sale here!

There will be a cash bar for both shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.

Don’t miss your last chance to join the biggest party of the year! 26172349_1533549093428985_9201868929486565217_o Poster 2017 NYE #6

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Tagged as Chicago comedy, Dana Olsen, Dance Center Evanston, Daniel Rashid, Don Stiernberg, Emilia Barrosse, Eva B Ross, Evanston, Giggle Break, improvisational comedy, New Year's Eve 2017, Paul Barrosse, Ronny Crawford, Steve Rashid, Studio5, The Practical Theatre, Victoria Zielinski

December 13, 2017 · 11:08 pm

15 Days until Big New Year’s Eve Fun!

Poster 2017 NYE #6 Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.

Reserve your seats now for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.

Following last year’s hit holiday engagement at Studio5, The Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improv-comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen.

Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration is a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.

Cast Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.

Did we mention The Mr. Olsen Dancers?? Oh yeah. They’re back – and better than ever!

It’s a limited engagement – with just three shows on Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale now here!

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3105065

The big show on December 31st will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)

Studio5 is Evanston’s hippest, most intimate performing arts venue, with comfortable seats, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights, and lots of free parking.

There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.

Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!

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December 9, 2017 · 1:37 am

There are Less than Three Weeks until the Big New Year’s Eve 2018 Party!

Tickets are going fast for the funniest New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore. Reserve your seats now for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.

Following last year’s smash holiday engagement, The Practical Theatre returns with another improvisational comedy and music revue featuring Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen.

Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration is a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.

And did we mention The Mr. Olsen Dancers?

There are three shows: Friday December 29, Saturday December 30, and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale now here!

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3105065

The New Year’s Eve show on December 31st will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into 2018! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)

There’s lots of free parking — and a cash bar for all three shows.

Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.

Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!

Poster 2017 NYE #6

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December 6, 2017 · 7:48 pm

3 Weeks until Big New Year’s Fun!

There are now just three weeks left to reserve your seats for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston. Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.

Following last year’s smash holiday engagement at Studio5, the legendary Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen – Joined by the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, featuring Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro, and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.

All this — and The Mr. Olsen Dancers!

Cast Only 3 shows: Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale here!

The show on December 31st will be followed by a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year with live music by the Studio5 All-Stars! (And enjoy some tasty food, too!)

There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.

And there’s plenty of free parking right in front of the theatre.

Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!