CLASS ACT On a Chicago Architecture Foundation cruise, get schooled with a few Wicked actors.
Photo: Anne Evans/Chicago Architecture Foundation
Photo: Joan Marcus
The cast of Wicked has teamed up with Chicago Architecture Foundation, accompanying the tour guides on the river every Tuesday afternoon in September. Now you can be thisclose to cast members; on the tour, a few sit near the guide who narrates Chicago’s downtown architecture (the actors themselves, in gawking distance, don’t say much). But it’s hard to pay attention to inanimate buildings while staring down real-live, costumeless Wicked actors, hoping they’ll burst into a spontaneous “Popular” and wondering what they do in their spare time. So we asked Kristoffer Cusick—Wicked’s Fiyero, the prince enamored with the green gal—to give us a tour of spots near the river that he hits up when not donning green garb.
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After performances, Cusick and the rest of the cast grab a drink. “I love Smith & Wollensky (318 N State St, 312-670-9900). They’re open really late [at Wollensky’s Grill], so it’s nice for us after we get out from the show.”
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Cusick also likes architecture—at least when it’s accompanied by some shopping. “The old Marshall Field’s is still a great place to shop, even though it’s now Macy’s (111 N State St, 312-781-1000). The building is so huge and historical, it’s fun to run around in there.”
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For a memento of his Wicked days, the seasoned musical-theater actor heads to Flax Art & Frame (32 E Adams St, 312-431-9588). “They’re framing an original costume sketch for me right now, my Captain of the Guard costume from the second act. They actually take the time to explain the differences in how sunlight or different lighting in your home will affect the artwork.”
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For a little exercise, Cusick has carved out his own jogging and swimming routes. “On a two-show day, I’ll either jog from the theater to the lakefront bike path and run south past the stadium [Soldier Field] and back, or around the [Adler] Planetarium and back. If I don’t do that, I run to the lake and head north to Ohio Street Beach and jump in for a swim around there.”
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And to relax? “I like to have a glass of wine at the Art Institute (111 S Michigan Ave, 312-443-3600). There’s a little restaurant there with a courtyard. You can bring a book or do some writing.”
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The performer also catches other performers. “I love to sit at Millennium Park, watch the free concerts and picnic. I don’t get a chance to do it so much with my show schedule, but the park, the gardens—it’s so nice.”
Cruise with Cusick on Tuesday 16 at 3pm. The ship sails from the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue bridge and Wacker Drive; tickets cost $28. For reservations, call 312-922-3432.