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Chicago Tribune
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Stage fright or not, Paramount's BOLD Series comedy engages audience like no other
Forget the stark division in our political landscape. I'm convinced an equally wide difference exists between people who can perform in front of strangers and those who would rather be caught in the middle of a herd of stampeding buffaloes. To be clear: I'm not talking about entertainers, motivational speakers, clergy or other professionals who face audiences on a regular basis. Specifically, I'm referring to those who would spontaneously volunteer not only to get up on stage and be part of a musical but also put their spelling prowess to the test. At every show of the Paramount's 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' attendees can, indeed, sign up before the musical comedy begins – listing a few fun facts about themselves – for a chance to join the professionals on stage during the first act. The four who are chosen then get brief instructions on what they will be required to do, which not only means standing in front of a mic and attempting to spell whatever words come their way, but also blending into the storyline, which includes some light follow-along choreography. Since watching this BOLD Series production, now playing through April 27 at Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora, I have been fascinated by the BOLD among us. In fact, I found myself paying as much attention on opening night to the four volunteers who took on the roles of quirky adolescent spellers as I did the pros. And so, I reached out to a couple of these amateur brave-hearts last week to find out more about them. Surely, I reasoned, they must be terrific spellers or confident public speakers – or likely both – to get on that stage. Turns out, not so much. 'Were you nervous?' I asked. Absolutely, admitted Naperville resident Mary Babler, who was urged on by husband Tom to sign up. The fact Babler was a retired third-grade teacher who hosted plenty of spelling bees drew her to this show, her first visit to a BOLD Series performance. Still, she quickly added, spelling was never her strong suit, nor was any form of public speaking. 'So why did you do it?' I asked. 'Good question,' she replied with a chuckle, then suggested the intimacy of the theater and the fun atmosphere of the musical itself contributed to her decision to give it a shot. That, she added, 'and a glass of wine.' Likewise, Aurora resident Katie Herrmann, despite singing in her church choir and doing some community theater with the Fox Valley Park District, was not used to being front and center on any stage, much less one that requires you to spell in front of an audience. Herrmann, a speech language pathologist who was at opening night with a theater-reviewer friend, confessed, 'I was the most nervous I'd ever been … my hands were shaking as I held the mic.' Still, it was 'also the most fun I've ever had,' Herrmann said, adding that part of the thrill was being on stage with such 'high level talent,' including Naphtali Curry, who had just finished playing Donkey in the national tour of 'Shrek: The Musical.' Both she and Babler had nothing but praise for the entire cast. Not only were they talented, but kind, welcoming and able to discreetly direct them on stage. 'They made it so easy you could not screw up,' noted Herrmann. 'And even when it was time to leave, they guided you off with dignity.' What's amazing, says Paramount Artistic Producer and Casting Director Trent Stork, is that these actors are so well-prepared in this comedy, no matter what the audience spellers do, they know how to keep the show going and the laughs rolling. Plus, Stork added, 'it engages audiences in a way that makes you feel like a kid again.' The two audience volunteers stayed in this comedic bee for at least a couple of rounds. Babler was tripped up by the word 'fartlek,' Swedish for a type of running workout. And for Herrmann it was 'A'a', which is a type of lava flow. Certainly understandable since they both attacked these strange words phonetically. You can't say the same for Stork, who volunteered when a fourth speller was needed for the 'Designer Run,' which is the first rehearsal show that goes before an audience. The self-described 'straight-A student but bad speller,' remembered how 'Mom constantly was on me because I never brought a spelling list home.' Stork got the word 'cow' – the easiest word in the musical and meant to keep its speller in the contest a little longer. Unfortunately, for this Paramount pro whose second home is the theater, stage fright took over and out came 'c-a-w.' 'As the music starts for that song, I was getting nervous. I choked,' Stork recalled. 'They thought I did it on purpose. But what is worse: that they thought I was trying to ruin the show or that I can't spell cow?' By the way, the producer/director admitted that in the 40 shows so far of this hilarious musical – that's 160 audience volunteers – 'I don't think anyone has missed cow.' Stork, who on opening night wore a T-shirt with the picture of this farm animal and the letters C-A-W above it, has a feeling 'I will never live this down.' All the more reason, Stork added, 'I'm holding off telling Mom.'
Chicago Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Aurora mayoral election goes negative unlike any other, say those on both sides
It seems to be a sign of the times. With the majority of fingers pointed at social media, our national political landscape and outside influences, everyone I spoke to about the current Aurora mayoral election describe it as the ugliest campaign they have ever seen. And some of those folks – officials and ordinary residents alike – have been around for campaigns going back as far as the 1960s and '70s. From police calls involving harassment complaints or yard signs to attack ads filling up residents' mailboxes and social media feeds, the election between incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin and Ald. John Laesch has gotten so nasty that multiple city leaders expressed fear it was dividing the city in ways that could be felt for years to come. Count Linda Cole among those who were 'very concerned' about what this election says about the future of Aurora. 'It makes me sad that both sides are displaying such poor behavior,' said the former longtime Fox Valley Park District board member whose name is on the FVPD Cole Center. Former Aurora alderman Sherman Jenkins expressed outright dismay over the way he's seeing longtime colleagues and friends 'go at each other in such a vicious way' during this mayoral campaign. Curtis Wilson, who last year was named the city's first Volunteer of the Year, told me that many residents feel 'grief and a sense of dread of what is to come' following such a polarizing election that's produced so much 'ill will toward one another.' It is, he insisted, 'a notable change in Aurora.' No doubt part of the animosity between the two candidates is the fact they are miles apart politically, which should not even be an issue. The current form of government in Aurora, going back to 1976, 'was meant to be nonpartisan,' said Ald. Mike Saville, 6th Ward, who has been on the City Council for four decades, adding that, 'up until this election, people have lived up to that ideal.' These days, however, the Laesch campaign is working hard to connect Irvin, a moderate Republican, to Donald Trump, and Irvin supporters are doing their best to paint the Progressive Laesch as a socialist. It doesn't help that the incumbent and his opponent already share a confrontational history – running against each other four years ago in a pandemic-impacted election that, in comparison to this election, seemed as mild as 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.' While Laesch lost that election, he came back two years later to win an alderman at-large seat on the City Council, and the animosity between the two men has only deepened. Adding fuel to the fire: the Democratic Party of Illinois is throwing its considerable heft behind Laesch's campaign in an effort to unseat Irvin, who made a GOP-backed primary run two years ago to oust Gov. JB Pritzker. The divisiveness and vitriol at the state and especially national level is undoubtedly feeding into this local election, as society in general has become more tribal and insular, thanks in large part to the weaponization of social media. 'Negativity is not just something that permeates the Aurora election,' said former Aurora Mayor David Pierce, adding that when he first ran in 1985, the five candidates he beat not only remained on speaking terms after the election, 'but could even be considered friends.' Unfortunately, as he pointed out, too often we've became a society that cannot engage in a disagreement without it involving shouting, name calling and personal attacks, he said. Which leads Kane County Board member Ron Ford to wonder just what it is about our lives that we want to see or read or take part in such negativity. Yes, it's taken hold at the national level, no question about it. But it has to be in a dark 'part of our souls for it to surface,' Ford said. 'That's the sad part. We try to tell our kids how to get along, but as adults, we act worse than the kids.' Jim Pilmer, who retired in 2023 as executive director of the Fox Valley Park District, sees the polarization of local elections continuing, 'no matter what ZIP code you live in,' because 'outside influences are bringing their agendas into local government where they have no business.' And, he added, 'even since the last city election,' it's gotten harder for the so-called silent majority to voice an opinion because extremists have taken over the platforms, he said. The good news is that, for the most part, the Aurora aldermanic races don't seem to exhibit quite the vitriol as the mayoral race. And it also must be noted that much of the negativity flying around is out of the control of the two candidates. 'A consequential election like this with ripple effects invites a new political reality (of outsiders), many of whom don't wait for an invitation to get involved,' noted Rick Guzman, executive director of The Neighbor Project, who ran against Irvin eight years ago. Recalling his own political experience, Guzman was taken aback by the number of mailers that go out to residents that the candidates 'did not directly or indirectly approve of.' In other words, 'you can't control the messaging,' he said. For his part, Mayor Irvin is convinced Aurora has come too far and is too 'Aurora Strong' to allow one election to impact its future. 'After April 1, we will get back to being that happy City of Lights that we are known for,' he said. 'And we will get back to being that city true Aurorans know and love.' Laesch, too, spoke of a return to civility, noting that, in the face of likely federal cuts 'the city will have to come together to make sure our kids get an excellent education, can meet infrastructure shortfalls and work toward a living wage.' Volunteer of the Year Wilson – whom Ald. Saville once referred to as a 'shining example to us all' – offered a suggestion on how the city can begin that healing process: After the election, he told me, both candidates – no matter who comes out on top – hold a town hall to discuss legitimate ways to move the city forward. 'No matter what the outcome, the election will likely be close, which means there will be a great number of residents who feel that the winner does not have their best interests at heart,' Wilson said. 'Give the winner a chance not just to extend the olive branch verbally but do so physically,' he said, noting that perhaps the two candidates 'could even do a volunteer project together … pull weeds maybe.' It's a visual image that made me smile. But Wilson's point is valid. 'There has been so much drama and we need to clean up this mess,' he said. 'All of us still have a role in the success of this community.'
Chicago Tribune
15-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Annual job fair in Aurora connects those who want work with park district opportunities
Saturday was a big day in the life of young Trevor Ballinger, 15, who spent time in Aurora doing an interview for his very first job. 'I think I did pretty well,' Trevor said shortly after completing a sit-down meeting with staff from Blackberry Farm during the Fox Valley Park District's Job Fair Saturday in Aurora. 'I told them I want to be outside and work with the paddleboats and with the kids. I talked with them for about five minutes. The most difficult thing they asked me was to tell them three things about myself I hadn't told them already.' The park district was working full throttle during the job fair at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora as it prepares for the upcoming summer season. For over 15 years, the fair has proven to be a successful recruiting tool for the district to fill seasonal positions that include parks and ground maintenance, camp counselors, lifeguards and slide attendants, guest service attendants at facilities and more, district officials said. The district was looking to fill 'around 350 seasonal positions, many of which are involved with summer programming and the maintenance required to keep FVPD facilities – indoors and out – clean and safe,' according to a press release from the district. Fox Valley Park District Human Resources Coordinator Kelly McGloon said the day before the fair that more than 150 people had registered in advance for the event and perhaps 100 more would attend Saturday as walk-ups, making it 'one of the largest we've ever had.' 'I feel like this gets bigger and bigger each year, and the community looks forward to it,' McGloon said. 'We are looking to fill part-time seasonal help and our retention this year is amazing – we've retained about 75% of our help from previous years, but there are still a lot of positions open.' McGloon said the largest concentration of employees needed this year are park safety officers 'who will be working with our park district police and public safety.' Those hired would work with sworn law enforcement staff and be charged with preparing reports, supervising large crowds and writing tickets, according to McGloon. 'Another big push this year is in our Aquatics Department,' she said. 'Camp counselors are also needed at multiple locations, inside and out. The most difficult positions to fill are operations – some of those have age requirements, and we prefer our campsite counselors be older.' More than a dozen stations were prepared to interview candidates Saturday at the job fair. According to Fox Valley Park District Recreational Superintendent Josh Barry, those stations were pretty jazzed up this year, thanks to some friendly competition among those representing various park district facilities. 'We wanted to really represent what the areas are about and give them the power to come in with their own theming,' he said. 'We had an internal decorating contest so it got the staff behind it.' Le'ah Green, 18, of Aurora, was one of those applying for a job Saturday. She said she is currently a student at Northern Illinois University and was hoping to get a position at one of the summer camps. 'I am a college student so summer jobs are the best outlet because I live on campus. I've never worked for the park district before,' she said. 'As far as why I chose this, I like to work with all types of people and I'm really good at working with others. I like to create connections with other people and thought this was a good opportunity to get to know my community better.' Mutheu Kasyoki, 15, of Aurora, said she was looking for her first job and that she was also 'hoping to work outside somewhere with kids.' 'I chose the park district because I want to get to know people and be part of the community,' she said. 'I found out about this through my aunt. I'm a little nervous but it's going to be nice to see a paycheck, hopefully.'
