Following a significant promotion and raise at work, a celebration is most definitely in order.
(Yes, this promotion came mere weeks ago, but this past week, I made another jump to Account Executive, and this time, more money came with it. Halleluiah!)
Add to that a Bartolotta gift certificate from Christmas burning a hole in my purse plus the observance of our three-month wedding anniversary, and there was no question about it: it was prime time for a night on the town.
Recalling Mark's suggestion that we finally see a show at the historic Pabst Theater, I went online Friday to see what was showing there this weekend. The performance was Defending the Caveman, "Broadway's longest running solo play in history."
I'd heard good things from a couple of people I know, and online searching produced scores of rave reviews. Ignoring my instinctive hesitation to see a show with the word "caveman" in the title, I made a snap decision to purchase two tickets and our night was set: dinner at Lake Park Bistro followed by Defending the Caveman at the Pabst.
We walked into the Bistro around 5:45 p.m. last night and, having not made a reservation, we were prepared to dine at the bar if they couldn't get us a table. Sure enough, the place was already packed, so we grabbed two seats at the bar facing in toward the restaurant, and I surveyed this place that I'd spent countless hours in as an employee for two years.
I often miss the camaraderie and the cash that came with working at the Bistro, along with the pleasant customers and the fantastic food, but it's nice to come back as a guest now, especially when I'm still so warmly welcomed by my former coworkers and managers.
Between conversations with old friends, Dave and I had a couple of drinks, warm bread and butter, and escargot, and then I had my favorite entrée, the trout, with a side of truffle mushrooms, and he had the hanger steak with Roquefort butter and pomme frites with a side of garlic aioli for dipping. For dessert, we shared the decadent Yves mousse cake with coconut sorbet and the crème brulee.
I've said it before and I'll say it again – the Lake Park Bistro is the best restaurant in Milwaukee. From the romantic ambiance and the view of Lake Michigan to the impeccable service and the four-star French food, it just doesn't get better.
After saying good byes and paying our (generously discounted) bill, we were back in the car and headed downtown for our show. We found parking in a garage just a block from the theater for only $3 – three bucks on a Saturday night!
The night was bitingly cold (hence Dave refusing to smile for our pre-show picture on the street) and we scurried in the doors by will-call to pick up our tickets. We walked into the lobby of the Pabst and immediately saw why it's such a revered and well-loved venue.
Chandeliers cast a warm glow over the spacious lobby and the same round bulbs that characterize the outside of the Pabst lined the ceiling between levels inside. A grand staircase led us to where we needed to be to find our seats on the second level of the theater, and we passed several full bars along the way that featured mixed drink and beer specials. I noticed that folks were taking their drinks inside the theater with them – a nice change of pace from most theaters where you have to suck down your drink before the show or at intermission.
We were escorted to our seats and sat down with five minutes to spare before show time. The theater was absolutely gorgeous. A chandelier straight out of Phantom of the Opera (which weighs over two tons!) hung high above, and three separate levels were filled with plush red seats. The stage was surrounded by intricate gold carvings and an elegant orange tassled curtain.
I took photos inside the theater, but they didn't turn out too well since I couldn't use a flash …
The Pabst Theater was built in 1895 by Captain Frederick Pabst and was designed by architect Otto Strack in the tradition of the great European opera houses.
It was renovated in 1928 and then restored to its original style in 1976, making it "one of the most beautiful theaters in the United States." In 1989, it was connected to Milwaukee Center, which includes the Milwaukee Center office tower, the Wyndham Hotel (now the new InterContinental), and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Dave and I checked it out following the performance.
Everything about the Milwaukee Center is grand, from the shining floors, high ceilings and unique lighting to the grand piano and the trees that line the walkways. While the main room was relatively empty when we were there after our show, the nearby InterContinental Hotel was abuzz with activity, the sounds of voices and clanking silverware echoing above us.
Anyway, the Pabst Theater, "the centerpiece of Milwaukee's downtown theater district" was spectacular. It's a City of Milwaukee landmark, a State of Wisconsin Historical Site, and a National Historic Landmark. Read the rest of the fascinating history of the theater here.
Now that we've been there, we're going to stay up on what shows are coming through and hopefully make our visits something of a regular occurrence. We already have plans to see The Decemberists there on April 16.
As for Defending the Caveman …
It was far and away the worst show I've ever seen in my life. After having almost an entire day to process what I saw, I still don't quite have the words to describe how terrible it was. To say I'm SHOCKED at how popular and successful it is would be a gross understatement.
The stage was set with an armchair and a TV set and the show began with a short video depiction of the comedian and his wife going through everyday occurrences like choosing something to wear (the woman trying on outfit after outfit; the man smelling the clothes in the laundry hamper) and fighting over the remote control. When the comedian came out on stage I thought, hmmm, he's pretty cute. This will be fun.
For the next 45 minutes, he described the differences between men (who are the hunters), and women (who are the gatherers.) And it was just cliché after cliché after CLICHE.
Men can only think of one thing at a time.
Women can shop all day.
Men bond by saying things like "you still driving that piece of sh*t?"
Men can't hear anything else when watching TV.
Women think all men are assholes.
At one point he scattered underwear around the stage so he'd feel more at home. He spoke in a deep, meathead sort of voice and repeatedly illustrated how confused and over-stimulated he was when a woman was present.
I laughed at a couple of things, but Dave was sitting next to me completely stone-faced. At intermission, which lasted an excruciating 20 minutes, he begged that we be able to leave, but I insisted that it would get better during the second half.
Silly me.
It was the SAME joke over and over again. Me Tarzan. You Jane. Me hunt. You gather. Jokes that have been around since the beginning of time! About 15 minutes into the second act, he began talking about how men can't ask for directions and that was it for us. We gathered our coats, waited until the audience was once again laughing and made a mad dash for the exit.
It was the first performance of any kind that I've ever walked out on.
I don't know ANY man who fits the stereotypes that were portrayed in that show. Sure, some of it rang true, but it was all so obvious that it wasn't funny. There wasn't one smart thing about the entire show. But the audience was just eating it up! The big oaf next to me was howling the entire time.
If all men were indeed the ignorant, pea-brained, insensitive, mindless, sloppy idiots that this show makes them out to be, how would anyone have relationships or be successful? It greatly offended me as a woman; I can't imagine how offended I'd be if I were a man.
I can't say enough about how bad it was. Drivel. Trash. Complete idiocy.
What does it say about society when a show like this lasts nearly 15 years? It frightens me!
The Pabst Theater was amazing and we can't wait to go back. It's just funny how out of all the great acts the theater brings in, this is the one I happened to pounce on. That'll teach me to make snap decisions!
Hopefully the next time we visit this Milwaukee gem, I'll have better things to say about the show we saw!
I see a show at The Pabst Theater probably once a month. It's easily my favorite concert venue (and I've been to a lot!). They have great taste in music too (aka the same as mine). I have even contacted them multiple times about bringing in certain artists and I actually get real responses. The Pabst's website mentions the "numerous audience requests" to bring The Decemberists to The Pabst and I was definitely one of them. Speaking of which...I will be front and center for that show. I just posted on my blog that the pre-sale starts at noon tomorrow. I also posted a nice picture of the chandelier at The Pabst :).
As for the Defending the Caveman show, it sounds like it's supposed to be tongue in cheek. If something that mild offended you I probably wouldn't venture out and see Lisa Lampanelli! :)
Posted by: bluesphee | January 28, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Oh it absolutely was tongue in cheek, but something tongue in cheek can still suck...hard. Everything about the show was so ridiculously obvious that I could have called out the punchlines. It was like watching an hour and a half of Everybody Loves Raymond.
Posted by: Dave | January 28, 2007 at 05:21 PM
The Pabst offers tours of the wonderful Theater every Saturday, late morning. Free. They'll do the tour for even only two people. They take you on stage, backstage and downstairs under the stage and way up into the highest balcony. The tour offers much history about the Pabst. Great way to spend a portion of a cold Saturday.
Posted by: Jeff H | January 28, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Wow, thanks Jeff! That sounds like something I'd definitely love to check out!
And blue, I do understand it was tongue-in-cheek, and I guess maybe saying I was OFFENDED was the wrong choice of words. I mean, I definitely wasn't thinking "oh, I can't believe he said that about women! Hmphh!"
What bothered me so badly was that it was so DUMB. You can be tongue-in-cheek and still be smart and original. There was not ONE original thought or idea in the entire show - and to expect people to pay $30 a pop to watch something so predictable and lame OFFENDS me!
Posted by: Erin | January 28, 2007 at 06:18 PM
I realize it's not really an either/or decision, but between the Riverside and the Pabst, I'd go to the Riverside anyday! I saw shows at both venues within a few months of each other, and I found the seating to be a little cramped at the Pabst. I remember having a tough time crossing my legs and I'm only 5'3". The Riverside is every bit as beautiful as the Pabst, however, it does has its own drawback -- very few restrooms!
Posted by: Farrah | January 28, 2007 at 09:56 PM
My bad Erin! I misinterpreted what you wrote :). It was especially cleared up for me when you made the Everybody Loves Raymond comparison.
That tour sounds really cool. I'll have to look into doing that someday.
Farrah, The Riverside is fantastic too but I think it lacks the intimacy of The Pabst. It all depends on what type of show you are seeing.
One other tip for The Pabst, that is true with most venues, is that if you go to the theater to buy your tickets you will avoid nearly all of the service charges.
Posted by: bluesphee | January 29, 2007 at 07:05 AM
bluesphee, you made a good point about what kind of show you are seeing. Maybe I'm partial to the Riverside because I saw Rob Thomas there and had an awesome time. And thanks for the tip about avoiding the service charges!
Posted by: Farrah | January 29, 2007 at 07:54 AM
Well Erin, I'm happy you finally saw a show at the Pabst. Too bad it sucked! I've actually never seen a play there.. only concerts.. but regardless, you obviously understand why everyone loves the Pabst so much.
Glad to hear you're going to the Decemberists show. It's going to be amazing. I'll be there with bluesphee front and center.
And that tour that Jeff mentioned? Awesome! I've got to add that to my list of things to do. :)
Posted by: Mark | February 02, 2007 at 08:28 AM