Research for a novel can be an enjoyable task or a
drudgery. In my case, research is always fun. While writing my first Pepper
Bibeau mystery, set in Chicago, I walked the streets in and around the Loop for
four days re-familiarizing myself with the area.
Auditorium Theater is the setting for one scene
between my protagonist and her friend, Ursula. During intermission at a concert
they attend, featuring Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, their
discussion becomes a source of evidence in a murder investigation.
My experience with Auditorium Theater dates back to
1968 when I attended my first performance there, although it wasn’t to witness
Janis Joplin launch a career. Then, in 2003, I returned for the aforementioned
research and viewed a stage play from a beautifully renovated balcony.
 |
| Looking down at the Auditorium Theater stage. The scene is so wide, I had to piece two pictures together! |
Constructed in the late 1800s, Auditorium Theater
opened in 1889 and has hosted not only ballets, musicals, and concerts, but the
likes of President Theodore Roosevelt and President William McKinley who gave
speeches there.
An article in Friday’s newspaper (10/3/2014) prompted
me to write about this topic today. The National Football League has decided to
hold the 2015 NFL draft in Chicago, holding the event at the Auditorium
Theater. The future of NFL football teams will be decided here.
As a Wisconsin-born football fan, I like football,
lived and worked in Green Bay for over ten years (first in the early 70s and
then at the turn of the century.) I don’t plan to attend the NFL draft in 2015,
however.
If I do return to Auditorium Theater, it will be to
see . . . oh, let’s say, Mikhail Baryshnikov reviving dance numbers from White
Nights, or Liza Minnelli performing musical scenes from Cabaret. Suddenly, I’m
compelled to compile a list of “What Ifs” performances I would love to attend
at Auditorium Theater. I’m sure Janis Joplin would be at the top, along with
the Beatles.
What is at the top of your “What If” list?
A
Slice of Life: Excerpt from FOR EVERY ACTION
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The rain started just as we reached the
Auditorium Building and we ducked into the lobby entrance on Congress Street.
Marbled walls mirrored the light of chandeliers that hung from the narrow
box-office ceiling. Ursula handed our tickets to an usher, who led the way to
the second tier of the concert hall. Quickly settled, I was half-asleep when
Ursula nudged my shoulder.
“Tired?” she asked.
“All the walking,” I said, yawning. “Sorry
I made us miss the cab.”
She gave a short chuckle. “It’s okay, I
was almost late myself. E.J. called just before I left the office.”
That opened my eyes. I wasn’t sure what to
make of the statement and offered my question with some trepidation. “Are you
two dating again?”
“Not quite.” Her voice held a hint of
optimism. “He says he’s not sure our relationship is worth all the effort. I
think he’s just scared to make a commitment right now.”
“Then why did he call?”
“He wants me to meet him after the
concert, said maybe we could talk things over.” She tapped her thighs with
closed fists. “I really want things to work out between us.”
I couldn’t understand why Ursula thought
she needed E.J. Maybe a lifetime of independence hampered my ability to
appreciate such a one-sided relationship. The lights dimmed and saved me from
giving an inappropriate response.
The theater darkened shortly after eight. Curious
whispers rippled through the audience until a single spotlight provided
illumination and a male voice came over the loudspeaker system. To the heavy
background sounds of tuning instruments, he announced the band, “Four gentlemen
and one great girl: Big Brother and The Holding Company.” The audience exploded
with applause, cheering through a prolonged set of rock music while the one
great girl, Janis Joplin, dominated the vocals.
During intermission, Ursula leafed through
the theater’s concert program, then lingered over an advertisement for wedding
rings.
“Do you and E.J. ever talk about
marriage?” I asked.
She shrugged and changed the
conversation.
A bell sounded the end of Intermission and
lights flooded the stage. The second half of the concert was filled with
instrumental tunes and more foot-stomping vocals. The finale with Janis singing
“Piece Of My Heart” brought the audience to its feet. Although the group’s
music was new to me, I was already a fan.
* * * * *
The first novel in the Pepper Bibeau Mystery Series,
FOR EVERY ACTION, is on sale at
Amazon.com for 99 cents.
If you have already read and enjoyed one of my novels,
I would greatly appreciate your time
and effort in writing a short book review for Amazon
and/or Goodreads.
