I just wanted to see every single musical I could. The very first one I saw was 'Beauty and the Beast ' the only one I could get tickets for and then 'Les Miserables' and then 'Chicago.'

My culture-deprived aspirational mother dragged me once a month from our northern suburb - where the word art never came up - to the Art Institute of Chicago. I hated it.

Chicago is known for good steaks expensive stores and beautiful architecture. Unfortunately the Windy City also enjoys a reputation for corrupt politics violent crime and some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere in the country.

Maybe we can show government how to operate better as a result of better architecture. Eventually I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.

I'm always going to get more of a charge playing Chicago than I will Duluth or some place like that. Just because of the history and the people there are way more knowledgeable than a lot of other cities. It's an amazing music scene with some great bands and great musicians.