Northwestern University | The Hanslick Girls

July 9, 2017

Under The Sun: Lovers & Madmen’s “Cardenio”

—Originally published October 10, 2016—

Meet the Hanslick Girls: Gwen, Eleanor and Dania. Created by writer Zach Barr, they are a trio of Northwestern students who always go to see plays together. They may not have the same opinions, but their conversations tend to make for an entertaining read. Recently, the Girls saw “Cardenio,” Lovers & Madmen’s sort-of Shakespeare play. Let’s hear what Eleanor had to say about the performance a few days later…

The mid-October air had drifted lazily into that perfect sweet spot where the light breeze through the campus would keep you cool, while the bright rays of the sun reflected off the grey buildings populating Northwestern’s campus and kept you warm. This was the air that Eleanor walked through as she traversed the campus, from south up to north. Looking at apartments, she had justified her decision to live south of campus with the knowledge that walking to classes would provide her with some of the exercise she had promised to start doing during the year. But walking to the Wirtz Center was one problem. Trekking to Francis Searle was another matter.

July 9, 2017

Blue Trashman Group: The Hanslick Girls on Boomshaka’s “Hit The Switch”

—Originally published May 9, 2016—

Meet the Hanslick Girls: Gwen, Eleanor and Dania. Created by writer Zach Barr, they are a trio of Northwestern students who always go to see plays together. They may not have the same opinions, but their conversations tend to make for an entertaining read. Recently, the Girls saw “Hit The Switch,” the spring show by rhythm group Boomshaka. Let’s hear what they had to say on their way back from the theater…

“I don’t think you really needed the earplugs, Gwen.”

“Gwen took them out of her ears as the lights in McCormick Auditorium rose again.

“Just to be safe,” she said. “I had heard it was very, very loud.”

“Well, nothing is amplified, so it’s only as loud as they can make it naturally,” Eleanor pointed out.

“Which is still pretty loud,” Dania added.

July 9, 2017

That Sinking Feeling: Chicago’s Pre-Broadway Tryout of The Spongebob Musical

—Originally published June 11, 2016—

[SPOILER ALERTS: Minor spoilers abound. To avoid the major spoilers, stop reading once the Girls board the L Train]

Meet the Hanslick Girls: Gwen, Eleanor and Dania. Created by writer Zach Barr, they are a trio of Northwestern students who always go to see plays together. They may not have the same opinions, but their conversations tend to make for an entertaining read. Recently, the Girls, along with Gwen’s younger sister Hazel, saw the world premiere of Nickelodeon’s “The Spongebob Musical.” Let’s hear what they had to say on their way back from the theater…

Eleanor applauded politely, the sound of her clapping buried under the riotous cheering of the crowd, which ricocheted off the walls of the Oriental Theatre and drowned out the bows music. As each actor bowed, Eleanor glanced over to her right to see Dania’s reaction. Smiling wide, Dania was clapping in time to the music. Having seen “The Spongebob Theme Song” listed in the program, Eleanor could tell that Dania was at peak anticipation for the show’s true finale.

“Pick me up! Pick me up! I can’t see!”

July 9, 2017

Happy Times Out West: The Waa-Mu Show: Another Way West

—Originally published May 23, 2016—

Meet the Hanslick Girls: Gwen, Eleanor and Dania. Created by writer Zach Barr, they are a trio of Northwestern students who always go to see plays together. They may not have the same opinions, but their conversations tend to make for an entertaining read. Recently, the Girls saw the 85th Waa-Mu Show, “Another Way West.” Let’s hear what they had to say on their way back from the theater…

As the final strains of “To The Memories” drifted through the air inside Cahn Auditorium, the house lights slowly rose.

“I always like hearing that at the end of the show,” Eleanor said, as they began to grab their coats and programs. “Reminds me how long the Waa-Mu Show has been going on for, that it’s part of something bigger.”

“Well, they do mention it in the logo,” Dania added.

“Sure,” Eleanor agreed. “But you’re not seeing the logo during the performance, obviously.”

“Yeah.”

Tag / Northwestern University