Dear Readers, 

Where do I begin. Summer is packed with arts and entertainment. Looking for a short and enthralling musical? Check out "Once on this Island" at Marriott, reviewed below. A bit closer to the South Suburbs, Towle Theatre in Hammond hits the stage with the Broadway blockbuster 'Rent" through July 25.  Some nights are sold out already so check out the listing below and order tickets if this grabs you. 
For the kids, several theaters have children's productions in progress, museums always fill youngsters with wonder and there's never a dull day at Brookfield Zoo where Golden Lion Tamarins, small primates, roam freely up in the trees, just like Diabo (left) and Delilah in the photo. 
After my review below of the Marriott production, listings begin with theater, then music, art galleries and then museums and such, including the zoo and Shedd Aquarium.
Please continue to send me your listings and comments -- myrasharon@comcast.net. I love to hear from you -- even if it's a correction!
Enjoy the summer. Remember, you can find our link, and much more about the Southland and Southwest Subs at www.SouthlandSavvy.com and www.YourSWGuide.com.

Myra

Marriott magic lives in spellbinding "Once on this Island"

By Myra Eder

Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire was my cruise ship to the Caribbean last week, transporting me  to a magical unnamed island in the Antilles where sounds and sights blend in a captivating landscape. 

With its Calyspo-flavored score, sumptuously colorful costumes and stunning choreography, the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical "Once on this Island" (full cast photo below) cuts through disbelief and brings a romantic fairytale to life through Aug. 29.

The exotic villagers, who also are the storytellers, open with the lively and captivating "We Dance," a musical garland that welcomes the audience onto the island and into the story.

Alas, a violent storm swamps the village and when it's over, a little orphan (an adorable, very talented Nya) rests safely in a tree. The villagers bring her in as one of their own and Mama Euralie (Joslyn Jones) and Tonton Julian (Michael James Leslie) raise the child, named Ti Moune. 

Over time, as Ti Moune grows up (now played by Chasten Harmon), she loves her way into the hearts of all as she romances life.

Once again, a tremendous tempest hits the island, but this time a car crash leaves a young man, Daniel Beauxhomme, severely injured near the village. Ti Moune finds him and tends to his wounds until his people take him back to their town on the other side of the island where wealth, status and deeply-rooted class structure rule.

Ti Moune is convinced only she can heal Daniel and further, she believes the fates have brought them together. Against her parents advice, Ti Moune leaves her village and travels alone across the island to be with Daniel whom she nurses back to health.

The two become lovers, and Ti Moune lives each day exhilarated by love and her belief in a future with Daniel.

Throughout the story, the four island gods -- Love, Earth, Water and Death try to manipulate the couple, their lives and their ultimate paths. Villagers had cautioned Ti Moune about the gods but she has taken no notice of any influence they have had on her life.

To reveal the ending would spoil the enchanting beauty and passion of this tale, but I will say the gods do not act in vain.

Though not memorable, the island-flavored score fits the story perfectly. On press night, the all-out production number, "Mama Will Provide," sung by Asaka (a dynamite Melody Betts) brought the audience together in wild applause and hoots of approval about half-way through the 90-minute, no intermission production.

Marriott has done it again. The extraordinary performances, enhanced by rich stage chemistry, cast a dreamlike spell that lasts until the actors have left the stage and house lights are back on. You are not likely to see this show produced anywhere else in the near future in spite of successes on and off Broadway. Perhaps this show simply requires such strong talent that it's simply too big a challenge for most regional theaters. 

The box office at Marriott Lincolnshire, 10 Marriott Drive, can be reached at (847) 634-0200. Further ticket information in listings below.

THEATRE

The BEVERLY ARTS CENTER, 111th Street and Western Avenue (Southeast corner) presents -- are you ready -- "Tim O'Malley's Super Fun Comedy Extravaganza" at 8 p.m. July 22. Second City alum O'Malley ("Godshow") plans a laugh-till-you-hurt program. Tickets are $18, $15 for BAC members, www.ticketweb.com. O'Malley is pictured at right.

The DRAMA GROUP gets itself into poison with a summer production of the what has been described as a "farcical black comedy," the 1939 old-lady-offs-male-visitors play, "Arsenic and Old Lace," Aug. 6-15 at the Studio Theatre, 330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights. Tickets are $18 adults, $15 seniors and students.

DRURY LANE THEATRE OAKBROOK TERRACE, 100 Drury Lane, sweetens the summer season through Aug. 1 with "Sugar," billed as a sexy and exhilarating musical comedy (Rod Thomas and Jennifer Knox at left). Set in the Prohibition era and based on the Oscar-winning 1959 film, "Some Like It Hot," "Sugar" opened on Broadway in 1972, ran for 505 performances and garnered four Tony nominations.  Tickets are $31-$45, as low as $27 for seniors at matinee performances. Lunch and dinner theater packages available in advance for all theater-goers. Reservations are at (630) 530-0111 and Ticketmaster. More information at www.drurylaneoakbrook.com, 

ILLINOIS THEATRE CENTER 371 Artists Walk, Downtown Park Forest, presents the musical "Light in the Piazza," its annual Summerfest Musical, July 23-Aug. 1. David Boettcher directs with musical direction by Jonathan Billig. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for students, seniors 65 and older, (808) 481-3510.

MARRIOTT THEATRE in Lincolnshire, 10 Marriott Drive, continues its 35th season with a summer fairy tale, a musical love story set in the Caribbean Islands. Aptly titled, "Once on this Island," the onetime Broadway production follows the story of a poor peasant girl who falls in love with an upper class gentleman. Their romance is treated with a calypso-flavored score and influence of the gods of love, earth, water and death. "Once ... Island" runs through Aug. 29. Tickets are $35-$48 and dinner packages are available; box office (847) 634-0200 and ticketmaster. More show details are at www.MarriottTheatre.com. SEE REVIEW AT START OF BLOG.

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences gives new life to the beloved wooden puppet "Pinocchio" with composer/director/choreographer Marc Robin's musical production for all ages, opening July 15 and running through Aug. 29. Performances will be at 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. All tickets are $15 at the box office, (847) 634-0200 and at www.MarriottTheatre.com.

NEW LINCOLN THEATRE presents the wacky Charles Grippo political sex comedy, "Sex Marks the Spot" at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago. Show runs through July 25. Tickets are $26 (773) 327-5252 and Ticketmaster.

99TH STREET SUMMER THEATER returns with its second summer production, "Anything Goes," July 22-24. All shows start at 8 p.m. are at Mother McAuley High School Auditorium, 3737 W. 99th St (of course), Chicago. Tickets are $16 adults, $14 seniors, $12 children at (773) 881-6512 and at www.mothermcauley.org.

OAK LAWN PARK DISTRICT THEATRE asks "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" through July 15 at Oak View Center, 110th Street and Kilpatrick. Tickets are $21 at (708) 857-2200. You don't have to be Catholic to find the humor in the musical based on the 1970s book by Chicago Southside native John R. Powers. 

Aye, Matey. OPENING NIGHT ARTS GROUP, which presents theatrical productions throughout the year to raise funds for various causes, continues in Gilbert and Sullivan territory with the riotous "Pirates of Penzance" through July 18 at Alan B. Shepard High School Fine Arts Center, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights. The wacky story finds a nursemaid, a wannabe pirate and of course, a beautiful young lass all caught up in a totally crazy plot with a fantastic musical score. Tickets are $20, $18 seniors and kids 12 and under. More information on the theater website and via e-mail at info@openingnightartsgroup.org or at (708) 579-1630, extension 0 and leave a message.

OK. You've been watching all the CSI shows and probably NCIS too. Now it's your turn to help solve a mystery (or maybe be the bad guy) as ORLAND PARK THEATRE TROUPE presents the interactive, audience participation and no doubt bloody entertaintaining "Til Death Do US Part Murder Mystery Comedy" July 30, 31 at Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Drive. Tickets are $25 for the cocktail and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. and showtime at 8 p.m. Reservations and information are at (708) 403-7275 and at www.orland-park.il.us.

PHEASANT RUN RESORT MAINSTAGE, home of Noble Fool Theatricals, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles in the Fox Valley presents a summer filled with a mix of theater and musical performances by national and local touring acts. Denny Diamond: Neil Diamond Tribute (photo at left) at 8 p.m. July 17 is followed by Noble Fool Youth Ensemble production of "Wizard of Oz," matinee performances,  July 23-Aug. 8. There's more in store. At 8 p.m. Aug. 7, the stage will rock with the Neverly Brothers retro R 'n' R extravaganza (see Neverlys in music listings below). From Aug. 13-15, "Defending the Caveman" comes to the stage followed at 8 p.m. Aug. 21 with the Hot Rocks tribute to the Rolling Stones.
You're all invited to the nuptials that close the summer stage season. "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" returns at 7 p.m. Aug. 27, and if you've never seen Tony and Tina get hitched before, you're missing one heckuva madcap interactive wedding that includes an Italian buffet style dinner and an evening of dancing and some very convincing characters who will never tell you whether they are cast members or guests like you. Here's to Tina and Tony ... again! Pheasant Run ticket prices vary depending on the act, but all tickets are at the box office, (630) 584-6342 and Ticketmaster. Overnight theater packages at the resort are available.

RED TAPE THEATRE, 621 W. Belmont, Chicago, presents Les Enfants Terrible in "Prom Night," July 15-Aug. 14.  Tickets are $20, $15 student and industry, www.redtapetheatre.org. Red Tape is an experimental theater and my guess is this production certainly is not going to reflect any prom night in your life or mine. The website is tantalizing but alas, I will not be able to attend this production. If you're interested in the unusual, check out the website to find out more. And if you do go, please e-mail me your comments!


SLATE THEATRE presents the musical comedy, "The Wedding Singer," based on the movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show runs from July 31-Aug.7 at Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University. Tickets are $18 and $21 at (708) 234-2222. SLATE hotline is (708) 235-2824.

STEPPENWOLF THEATRE, 1650 N. Halsted, Chicago, (312) 335-1650, debuts a new play by Bruce Norris, "A Parallelogram," as the final production in the 2009-2010 season. Like those before it this season, this new play explores the theme of belief. Bee is a young woman who believes she has the uncanny ability to see the future and perhaps even more. "With a click of the television remote, we loop through time in this dark, funny world premiere,,," directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. "Parallelograms" opens July 1 and runs through Aug. 29. Tickets are are $20-$70 at (312) 335-1650 and at www.steppenwolf.org. Photo: Steppenwolf ensemble member Kate Arrington (left) and Marylouise Burke chat away and play cards in "Parallelogram."

If you have never seen "Jesus Christ Supestar," you're missing out. And if you have seen it before, chances are you'll want to do so again. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, brings this musical to life through Aug. 8. You don't have to be Christian to get into the spirit of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice groundbreaking collaboration, first produced on Broadway in 1971. This musical was the Webber/Rice team's first production and it's become a classic blockbuster. The dynamic Stacey Flaster directs and choreographs and Bill Underwood always shines as musical director. Larry Adams (left), one of my favorite regional actors, portrays Pontius Pilate, and Max Quinlan, an outstanding performer who has appeared on numerous regional stages, stars as Jesus Christ. Joe Tokarz portrays Judas and Jackie Gessert has a featured role in the ensemble. Tickets are $36 to $40 at (219) 836-3255, at www.tickets.com or www.theatreatthecenter.com and at (800) 511-1552.

Catch it before it's gone! THEATER-ON-THE-HILL, Bolingbrook Performing Arts Stage, 375 W. Briarcliff, continues with its production of the legendary Pete Townshend and the Who 1960s rock opera "Tommy," through July 18. You've always wanted to see this production performed live on stage and now you'll have your chance. "Tommy" feaures one of my former Star Newspaper colleagues, Erika Enigk Grotto. Tickets are $15, $12 seniors and students, at (630) 908-2563 or by e-mail to theatreonthehill@yahoo.com. Check out the show's blog at http://tommyonthehill.blogspot.com/ and read what's going on behind the curtain and in the minds and lives of actors as they gear up for opening night!

TOWLE THEATER, 2025 Hohman Ave., Hammond, Indiana, brings the Broadway blockbuster "Rent" to the Southland stage (OK, Northwest Indiana stage) through July 25. The story is loosely based on the opera "La Boheme" and follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York's East Village. All performances except one will be in the company's home theater. The production hits the road for a special Aug. 14 performance at Star Plaza Theatre, just off Interstate 65 at Route 30, Merrillville. Tickets for that show are at the Star Plaza box office and Ticketmaster. All tickets at home theater are $15 at (219) 937-8780 and www.towletheater.org. "Rent" production photo features Kristyana Burgos (from left), Shawn A. Smith, Antoinette Alessio, Reneisha Jenkins and Aaron Itczak.

MUSIC, DANCE AND MORE

"Starry Nights," the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's annual summer concert series at IRWIN PARK, Highland Avenue and Ridge Road, Homewood, closes the season with Pink Houses (at right) playing John Cougar Mellencamp on July 23. Check out preview videos of the band at www.hfparks.com. Advance tickets on sale now -- $7 adult, $5 child at Park District offices and (708) 957-0300. Bad weather location -- Marian High School Auditorium. Info will be on park district website before afternoon, day of concert.

FERMILAB ARTS SERIES at Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Lab) in Batavia continues its summer lineup in Ramsey Auditorium with Chicago folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong at 8 p.m. July 24. Tickets are $15, $8 for ages 18 and younger. Singer/songwriter Claudia Schmidt performs at 8 p.m. Aug. 14. Tickets are $14/$7. Tickets can be ordered at the box office (630) 840-ARTS (2787). The auditorium is in the back of Wilson Hall, the iconic curved main building at Fermilab. and we have always found the auditorium's acoustics to be terrific. The seats are raked and the stage is easily visible everywhere. BTW: all seats general admission. Both Pine Street and Batavia Road entrances are open for the arts series. Check out sketch map/directions to Fermilab here http://www.fnal.gov/culture/NewArts/fermi_directions.shtml

HARRY BROWN, well known in the Southland for his visual and musical arts, opens for Al Rose & the Transcendos at 8 p.m. July 26 at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. Brown will perform songs from "The Right Amount of Friendly," his new CD and other original numbers. Check out Harry's music at www.cdbaby.com.cd/harrybrown.

ILLINOIS PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA and Ravisloe Country Club, 18231 S. Park Ave. Homewood, link up to present a summer chamber music series to the Southland. The second and third chamber concerts, which will take place in the Ravisloe courtyard, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. July 29 featuring Suite Strings and the IPO Chamber Orchestra and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 for music "By George," with the Chicago Classic Brass. Tickets are $20 each and can be ordered at the IPO (708) 481-7774 and at www.ipomusic.org.

The South Suburbs' NEVERLY BROTHERS take you on a rock and roll ride of a lifetime at a series of concerts coming up soon. The trio "packs a punch with a unique amalgamation of Rockabilly and British Invasion rock," a Chicago Tribune reviewer wrote. I've seen these guys over and over, and if you don't walk away from an NB concert with a huge smile on your face, you should check your temperature when you get home! Upcoming concerts: 7 p.m. July 14, Downtown stage at Prospect and Park avenues, Clarendon Hills; 5:30 p.m. July 18 on the Gazebo Stage, Lake and Courtland streets, Mundelein; 8 p.m. Aug. 7, Pheasant Run Mainstage Theater, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, tickets at (630) 584-6352. Check out the band at www.theneverlybrothers.com. Photo, top row, Kegham Giragosian on drums, Kevin Giragosian on guitar and Craig Gigstad on bass)

There's music in the plaza, as in ZABROCKI PLAZA on Oak Park Avenue just north of the Metra station, Tinley Park. A series of free summer concerts from 7-10 p.m. -- bring your chairs and blankets -- is now underway. The rest of the summer lineup includes 4-Cast (1980s music) on July 24; Heartless (rock) on July 31; The Walk-ins (rock) on Aug. 7; King Snakes (blues) on Aug. 14. Check out the details and more village activities at www.tinleypark.org.

POTPOURRI OF GALLERIES - 


ATLAS GALLERIES, 535 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 329-9330,  presents New Artist Show, 6-8 p.m. July 16.  Guests will have the opportunity to watch J. Scott Nicol, one of the five featured artists, as he paints live at Atlas during the opening. More information is at the phone number above and at www.atlasgalleries.com. The show is free and open to the public.

CHRISTOPHER ART GALLERY at Prairie State College, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, presents "Synergy, Works by Union Street Artists," continues through July 29. This potpourri of works in various media includes pieces by a number of acclaimed artists including Renee Klyczek Nordstrom and Marikay Peter Witlock. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and by appointment, (708) 709-3636.

TALL GRASS ARTS ASSOCIATION GALLERY, 367 Artists Walk, Downtown Park Forest, (708) 748-3377, presents "Fabulously Focused," an exhibit of works in many media by juried artists from throughout Illinois, including many longtime Tall Grass artists and several new artists, including Marvin Wiltgen, Joe Pankowski and Michael Weiss of Park Forest, Patricia Wiseman of Burbank, Colin Thomas of Homewood, Ann Goldsmith of Olympia Fields and Debra Parker-Sawyer of Mokena. Other new artists hail from Chicago, Maywood and Algonquin. The exhibit continues through the summer and admission is always free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tall Grass artists and others from across the midwest are gearing up for the 55th Annual Park Forest Art Fair, Sept. 18, 19 in Downtown Park Forest. More information is with the gallery and on the website www.tallgrassarts.org

UNION STREET GALLERY, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, presents a Nina Weiss exhibit, "Not Far Off," Landscapes inspired by forests and fields, through July 31. At the same time, the gallery features the black and white photography of John Spomar III, "The Past and the Promise." There is no charge to visit the gallery. More information including gallery hours are at www.UnionStreetGallery.org. (Spomar image at right.)

MUSEUMS AND MORE

How are each of you linked to the stars? Yes the ones in the sky! Find out at ADLER PLANETARIUM AND ASTRONOMY MUSEUM, 1300 S. Michigan Ave. (at the east end of Solidarity Drive on the Museum Campus), (312) 922-7827 (STAR). The newest sky show in the Definiti Theatre will answer the question about you and stars as Whoopi Goldberg narrates the  spectacular "Journey to the Stars." See how stars are born and how they die and where our sun fits into the big universe. Show schedules and everything else you need for a day at Adler can be found at www.adlerplanetarium.org.

Stars twinkle in Joliet at the intimate HERBERT TRACKMAN PLANETARIUM, one of the Southland's far-too-well-kept secrets, located on the main campus of Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road (be sure to get directions to the planetarium). If you have not made the trip, you're missing a real treat. Further information is at (815) 729-9020 or go to www.jjc.edu and search Trackman. Ask for Art the sky guy.  Shows resume in late summer.

Chicago history, architecture and photography fans will want to put this on their calendars! ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, 111. S. MIchigan Ave., Chicago, presents  "Looking after Louis Sullivan: Photographs, Drawings and Fragment," an extraordinary photographic examination of Sullivan's architectural legacy to Chicago as seen through the lenses of legendary photographers John Szarkowski, Aaron Siskind and Richard Nickel. In addition to more than 60 photographic classics, the exhibit features 20 Sullivan drawings and sketches as well as terracotta and metal architectural fragments. The exhibit is included in general admission. All the details for a day at the Art Institute are at www.artic.edu. (Walker Warehouse, photo by Aaron Siskind, 1953; courtesy Art Institute.) Another blockbuster opens on July 25, a huge --300 prints -- retrospective of photos by legendary photography giant, "Henri Cartier Bresson: The Modern Century." All the information you need for an Art Institute day is at www.artic.edu

There's always lots of stuff going on at Brookfield Zoo , 3300 Golf Road, (708) 485-2000. If you're there, look up in the trees and you might see one of the Golden Lion Tamarins, small monkeys (photo at top of blog), who were set free on zoo grounds so they could learn to hunt insects and get around on their own. The tiny primates have radio collars so the animal program staffers can keep tabs on them and take them back home if they get lost. All the info you need for a day at Brookfied is at www.brookfieldzoo.org.

DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, presents what should be a fascinating look at one movement in that battle against racism: "The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History." The exhibit joins permanent galleries, all focused on the lives and stories of African Americans throughout American History. Museum details are at (773) 947-0600.          

FIELD MUSEUM, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive (on the Museum Campus), (312) 922-9410. Chicagoland's favorite T. rex, Sue, has been with the museum for 10 years and in celebration, the museum has installed RoboSUE: The T. rex Experience. An all-new 3-D movie, "Waking the T. rex: The Story of SUE," takes visitors into another prehistoric adventure. SEE SUE REVIEW, IMAGES AT END OF BLOG. Of course, Field Museum packs in the treasures. You can 'shrink' to the size of a bug and explore the world beneath your feet in Underground Adventure. Visitors get a bug's-eye view of life below ground and come face-to-face with anamatronic creatures. Special for the little ones (and their parents and grandparents) -- the Crown Family Playlab is geared to the toddler and pre-school set. All the details for your visit are at www.fieldmuseum.org.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, continues its blockbuster exhibit,  "Alexander Calder and Contemporary Art: Form, Balance, Joy," through Oct. 17. Calder (1898-1976), an American sculptor, remains an icon of the art world. Sixty of Calder's works, along with 20 sculptures by contemporary artists, reveal the power of the master's influence. Also, from Aug. 7-29, Carrie Gundersdorf explores images from outer space in her abstract color pencil drawings. For a special Boul Mich type evening, check out the MCA's First Fridays. The 411 for a visit to the MCA is at www.mcachicago.org. Pictured at left, Calder's "Sky Boat (floatiing)"; courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive, features an extraordinary and legendary exhibit of the only German submarine captured in World War II. The U-505 Submarine, in its entirety, brings to life many of the stories of World War II including the incredible capture of the killer German U-boat. A hall filled with multi-media exhibits about the war and the full story behind the sub's capture lead into the giant hall built to hold the ship. Everything you will need for a visit to MSI is at www.msichicago.org. MSI photo by Scott Brownell.

PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, in conjunction with the Consulate of Mexico, presents "Sanctuary: Flight of the Majestic Monarchs" as seen through the eyes of award-winning Mexican artists. "Weighing no more than a gram, the Monarch recognizes no borders or human divides on its 2,500-mile flight from Canada, through the midwest United States before it finally finds sanctuary in the warm fir forests and beautiful mountains of Michoacan, Mexico," museum press notes indicate. A full list of activities, in addition to the exhibit details, can be found at http://www.naturemuseum.org/index.php?id=264.

Set sail for -- or with -- SHEDD AQUARIUM, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, www.sheddaquarium.org as the world class aquarium blows into summer.  Tall Ship Windy, a four-mast  schooner, will sail on Aug. 14 with young people and on Aug. 21 with families for two-hour voyages on Lake Michigan. Shedd members and other visitors can sign up now at (312) 692-3206. Slots will fill quickly so those who want to join this rare opportunity might want to get on board now! Meanwhile,  Penguin Encounters -- yes, close encounters -- continue along with all the other spectacular opportunities at Shedd. And you probably will be interested in this tidbit -- Shedd is aiding in the catastrophic oil gushing rescue of and rehabilitation of sea creatures, big and small. I could only find a little bit of information about Shedd's participation but will pursue this for the next blog. Meanwhile, check out Ben Bradley's report at http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7540608 .

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                                              A DINO NAMED SUE

Step into the past and journey to Earth's prehistoric lands of the dinosaurs. In 2010, there's only one place on the planet where visitors can experience life-like close encounters with the giant creatures that roamed the planet more than 65 million ago years. Of course, that one location is the world famous Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive on the Chicago Museum Campus. 

SUE, the magnificent and largest complete T. rex ever discovered, greets all visitors in the grand hall. And yes, most of Sue is authentic. There are areas where the skeleton has been filled in but the only major feature that is not genuine is Sue's skull, but it's an exact replica of the original one. Sue's real skull is on display in the museum but it's too heavy for display on the skeleton.

 This year, Sue and the museum celebrate 10 years of togetherness. Just steps from Sue's real skeleton, "RoboSUE: The T. rex Experience" breathes life into fearsome prehistoric creatures with fantastic 21st century technology. A robotic T. rex is only one aspect of this ancient jungle. Triceratops (at left) with its horned fan spread across its skull and the terrifying, lightning fast velociraptors will react to visitors in their field of vision. 

"Waking T. rex: The Story of SUE,"(photo below) feels like a time machine from which you can chronicle what Sue's life and death may have been like as well as see how the fossilized skeleton was discovered in South Dakota.

This 3D film leaps far beyond the technology employed in the 1993 movie blockbuster, "Jurassic Park" and brings the Mesozoic era, 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago, right into the 21st century. 

The museum has many programs scheduled to coincide with the Field/Sue 10th anniversary celebration. All the details about Sue's celebration, "RoboSUE" and "Waking T. rex," as well as everything you need for a visit to Field Museum, are at www.fieldmuseum.org.