If you've seen the Walking With Dinosaurs commercial and think you already know what this is, let me stop you right there. Because I too watched it and I was like, "Oh, giant animatronic dinosaurs doing Jurassic Park in an arena."

Nope. Not even close.

Walking With Dinosaurs is a theatrical show that is very much in the theme of a Discover Channel type program (well, duh BBC produces it) scientifically based, but not without its own drama.

Hosted by Paleontologist Narrator "Huxley" (played by Jack Stone), we're taken back millions of years and through different stages of dinosaurs and the Earth. The story is really about the Dinosaurs, and the production allows the focus to be on these spectacularly portrayed beasts. 17 dinosaurs in all during the show, completely life sized and 'alive". Several times during the show you will have to remind yourself, "no, these are not real dinosaurs."

What makes this production work, beyond the incredible technology that brings these giant lizards to life is the sound and soundtrack of the show. Brilliant roars, storms, suspenseful music...all of it together with some pretty inventive supporting props and lighting are what makes this better than just some kind of puppet show. It draws you in to the whole experience  and make you a part of the action.

If you do decide to bring kids to the show, my advice is to sit back a bit if they're under 10. While there isn't any overt violence in the show, the sound combined with giant roaring dinosaurs will freak out little kids if they're so close. As the dinosaurs lumber and sway across the stage, tails swing close to the crowd, and the lifelike eyes staring at you make you feel like lunch. So if you're bringing little ones, upper deck might be the way to go.

But it is still a great way to entertain the entire family. All ages and interests will find something to be in awe of during the 96 minute show. It holds your attention the entire time. Not once will you check your watch or wonder when it's going to be over.

The show itself as a cohesive piece did well to establish a beginning, middle and climactic ending to a story we pretty much already know. Huxely is a great adventurer type guide to the story, but doesn't try to compete with the real stars of the show, the dinosaurs.

Definitely a must-see for the remaining shows before it leaves town. Walking With Dinosaurs is playing at the Allstate Arena until August 1st.

It always surprises me how many people don't know about the Marriott Theatre way up north in the frozen tundra known as Lincolnshire. Because it truly is a gem of local entertainment.

What's great about shows at the Marriott is that they don't settle for whatever category people might want to lump them into, such as "resort entertainment" or "community theater." Every production has amazing quality and attention to detail. Even with the Children's Theater the quality isn't brought down because they're performing in front of a bunch of kids.

Pinocchio is this season's children's theater piece, and it would definitely hold it's own with the 'big boys' out in Chicago's big theater scene, as well as New York. It takes a little bit of magic to make little kids stay engaged and sit still for an hour, and this production and cast did amazingly well. Guest critic, 3 year old Emma Sale was very impressed, and she screamed through 40 minutes of Shrek. So that should tell you something.

This production was more traditional and less Disney, which can be hard to pull off sometimes, especially if you're telling a story the Mouse has already covered. But this rendition of the classic fairy tale had great acting, especially good choreography, and characters that would hold their own with any popular sidekick. The grasshopper "Hopper" was expertly written and performed. Jiminy Who? Hopper was way better.

Great modern day twists, especially the hip hop turn the Pleasure Island boys took. Especially engaging and fun. And as always with any kids show, there has to be a little something hidden in the writing for the kids and all of it delivered.

Stage management also makes this show work. Lighting was expertly done, and it's always amazing to me how they make such a small circular stage so visually cohesive with the story line. Music and sound were phenomenal too.

My only real criticsm of the show is the song choice. The room would get a little antsy during the slow tempo solo pieces, and the Blue Fairy had such a sharp operatic sporano that I'm not sure it clicked with the younger audience. Not because of quality, but because I don't think they could follow and understand the lyrics. And the songs might have been a bit too long. But that's really just me being a nitpicking theater geek.

Especially great was the Q&A hosted by Hopper with the actors after the show. It really gave the kids a great education on the Theater and nice to see them take the time and engage their audience and answer some fun questions.

Pinocchio is definitely a treat. Fast paced, quick witted, and very exciting multi-directional use of the stage, will keep you entertained. I was actually a bit disappointed that it was only a smidge under an hour. Definitely one to see before the run is over August 29th.

*Pictured above is Jameson Cooper and Cory Goodrich (photo by Peter Coombs)

There is something to be said in this era of huge concert productions, for a musician to fill a venue, show up with a band, and play. No huge frills, pyrotechnics, or costume changes, just two sets of solid material.

Natalie Merchant came back to Chicago after taking a seven year break, and took the stage as if that hiatus never even happened. Returning to the music scene with the amazing "Leave Your Sleep" 2 cd album, she still gave the same vibe she's so adept at, and that's making you feel like you're in the middle of an after dinner jam session in her living room. There was dancing, fun stories, joking with the crowd (even swiping a cell phone and taking her own pictures!) and all of those things that have you leaving the show with a smile on your face.

We even got a PowerPoint poetry lesson! Slides and Merchant's obvious knowledge and love of poetry prompted her to ask us, "Who says poetry isn't fun?".

Well, I still don't think it is. But it would be if Natalie Merchant became an English professor!

The music however, was the reason we were all there, and as usual, didn't disappoint. Backed by a folk/orchestral band of rotating musicians, Merchant stuck mostly to the "Leave Your Sleep" material, but we did get the favorites intertwined within the two sets. Some of the concertgoers were a little put off by so much focus being on "Leave Your Sleep", and I too would have liked to hear a bit more from "Ophelia" and "Motherland" but the journey the new music takes you on with it's ranging tempos and conceptual lyrics was better than listening to the songs we've known for years.

We did get songs like "Carnival" but reworked to have a fun Flamenco vibe to dress it up and make it shiny and new again. And "Eat For Two" was so haunting and beautiful in the way it was stripped down.

Merchant's voice is as great as it always has been, taking the tempo and genre changes of each song and bringing us right into the journey. Pitch perfect, haunting, and emotional it's no wonder that her music and fan base has remained solid even after a seven year absence.

You definitely came away from this show with a smile and bounce in your step, not even realizing an entire night just went by. Great show, and an amazing performance.

After a pretty big media sweep in the days leading up to the show, Nelson jogged people’s memories about who they were, are, and want to be in their music. Taking the stage last night at Tailgaters, fans were given the past present and future in a high energy, and fun show.

These smaller venues suit Nelson more than the early stadium rock days, because they seem to be at a level in their careers where making a connection to their fans is more important to them and the music than being part of a huge marketing machine.

It was kind of fun to see the video montages before Matthew and Gunnar took the stage, because things look totally different after twenty years. (Like bright red thigh high leather boots on a dude isn‘t exactly cool…I‘m talking to you, Gunnar. But when I was 12, they were hot and made him a Golden God.)

Yep, you read that right, twenty years since the release of "After The Rain." Thanks to Matthew for bringing that up and making me face the denial that is my thirties. But they had a great sense of humor about it, asking the crowd for a show of hands if they saw Nelson the last time they came through Chicago…then keep them raised if you were 6...

I was 13... do the math… yikes.

And at Friday’s show, all nostalgia aside, there on spotlight, was the songwriting and musicianship that had been glossed over during the whirlwind first part of their career.  Nelson came out and delivered the hits, as well as some new stuff to look forward to.  Despite some audio issues (I thought Matthew was going to whip his monitor at the sound board guy there for a sec), they had a solid sound with great collaborating band mates,  and gave studio quality the whole show. This is not the manufactured teeny bop pop band they were cookie cuttered into 20 years ago. These guys know their way around music, and shouldn’t be overlooked.

I will say, that after catching some of their acoustic shows, that is a genre that fits them like a glove. While the show was great, an acoustic set would’ve been a treat.

So, great show, check out Buzz’s interview with Matthew Nelson , for more info on Nelson’s journey over the last fifteen years.

Set List:

Fill You Up

More Than Ever

A Girl Like That

Love and Affection

Just Once More

Ghost Dance

Evermore

Only Time Will Tell

I'm Alright

After The Rain

Won't Walk Away

Invisible Man

It's All About You

Everywhere I Go