David Giard

"The Outsiders - The Musical" Delivers Emotion, Music, and Dance

David Giard — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:32:00 GMT

"The Outsiders: The Musical" is making a short tour stop in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theater. I caught the show Wednesday evening.

This week, in preparation for tonight's performance, I re-read S.E. Hinton's excellent YA novel, and I watched Francis Ford Coppola's excellent film adaptation of the novel. As a result, I was very aware of e the story was headed. I knew the heartache coming in each scene. But I wanted to see how these creators chose to execute this story.

I was not disappointed.

Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance co-wrote songs filled with anger and melancholy that move the story forward.

The choreography of Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman's was a major strength of this show. The dancing during the rumble scene combined elegance and power perfectly. Actual water falling as rain from the rafters made the battle even more intense.

And the young cast captured the characters very well. My program listed Jaydon Nget as Two-Bit and Tyler Jordan Wesley as Dallas Winston, but I believe they accidentally either reversed the actors and roles or swapped photographs. Regardless, the actor who played Dallas captured his anger and rebel streak perfectly. Also of note was Bonale Fambrini, who played the tragic hero Johnny Cade with the sensitivity the character warrants.

If the show has a weakness, it is Nolan White's Ponyboy Curtis spending too much time explaining to the audience what is happening. It would have been far better to tell the story through the characters' action, dialogue, and singing than to add this often unnecessary narration.

The play follows the spirit of Hinton's novel and mostly follows the same story. However, they modified the ultimate fate of Dallas in a way that I found less satisfying than the book version.

Despite some minor flaws, "The Outsiders: The Musical" is an enjoyable show filled with good music, excellent dancing, and plenty of emotion.

Brad Henderson on the Illinois Quantum Park

David Giard — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 07:49:00 GMT

Episode 914

Brad Henderson on the Illinois Quantum Park

The city, state, county, and federal governments have partnered with universities and private industry to develop the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the south side of Chicago. Brad Henderson of P33 explains the goals of this project, its impact on the area, and the future of quantum computing.

"The Notebook: The Musical" is Sentimental and Enjoyable

David Giard — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:32:00 GMT

I knew very little about "The Notebook" before seeing "The Notebook: The Musical" Thursday evening at Chicago's Nederlander Theatre. I have never read the Nicholas Sparks novel, and I have never seen the Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams movie. I knew only that it was a love story and that it included a scene in which lovers kissed in the rain.

My lack of experience did not prevent me from enjoying the evening's musical.

"TN:TM" tells the story nonlinearly. The play opens with Noah and Ally physically deteriorating in a nursing home. Ally is losing her memory, and Noah's failing health eventually results in a stroke. But their relationship survives - primarily because of Noah's devotion to his wife, who often does not recognize him. The aging couple narrates their life story through a notebook from which Noah reads, as others act out the story on stage.

Three different actors (Beau Gravitte, Ken Wulf Clark, and Kyle Mangold) portray Noah at different stages in his life, and three actresses (Sharon Catherine Brown, Alysha Deslorieux, and Makena Jackson) portray Ally during those same time periods.

The different versions of Noah communicate across the years via song, making the audience feel the emotion of the passing years.

The score by Ingrid Michaelson (music) and Bekah Brunstetter (lyrics) alternates songs of love with songs lamenting what they have lost. Nothing sounds like a hit single, but all the music was enjoyable.

The set design was brilliant in its simplicity, as panels moved in and out to seamlessly \transport us inside, outside, and across time. Most impressive was the rain kiss, which featured water falling from the rafters onto the stage - something I have not seen before.

"The Notebook: The Musical" is a melodramatic story told beautifully with enjoyable music and great emotion. It touched me.

Robert Earl Keen Show is Sweet, But Short

David Giard — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:27:13 GMT

Robert Earl Keen began his Tuesday evening concert at Evanston's SPACE nightclub by singing three songs about and inspired by trains. He rationalized this choice by explaining that the first half of Johnny Cash's career consisted almost entirely of train songs.

Keen is primarily known for his songwriting skills, but his guitar work and vocals drew in the audience during this intimate performance. Ordinarily, he tours with a 4-piece band, but tonight only Brian Beken accompanied him on guitar and fiddle. The pair complemented one another perfectly.

The Texas native performed for a little over an hour. It was not long enough, but every song was enjoyable - as were the stories he told between songs about what inspired him to write each composition. We got to hear the author perform songs that others recorded. Joe Ely first introduced me to Keen's compositions "Whenever Kindness Fails" and "The Road Goes On Forever," but the songwriter treated us to the original version on this night. The latter drew a standing ovation from many in the audience. He also played his version of Todd Snider's "Play a Train Song."

Noticeably missing from the set was "The Front Porch Song," which Keen co-wrote with his college roommate, Lyle Lovett.

I enjoyed Keen's short set of 90-second songs that he told us he wrote in his spare time. He referred to them as "Snapchat Songs."

The duet closed with two of Keen's more popular tracks - "Gringo Honeymoon" and "I Gotta Go," after which he did, in fact, go off the stage. The crowd stood, hoping for a return to the stage that did not happen.

The concert was too short, but it was time well spent.

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Dave Voyles on Automating Software Development and Deployment with AI Agents

David Giard — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:48:00 GMT

Episode 913

Dave Voyles on Automating Software Development and Deployment with AI Agents

Dave Voyles has built a framework to help IT professionals manage their projects end-to-end. Using AI, it can help write software, create and resolve issues, manage versions, and assist deployment. He explains how he built it, and how he uses this framework for his work and his personal projects

July 2026 Gratitudes

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:41:00 GMT

8/2
Today I am grateful to attend my high school reunion last night, and to the hard work of all the organizers!

8/1
Today I am grateful to see many friends from high school last night in Grosse Pointe.

7/31
Today I am grateful to arrive safely in Michigan

7/30
Today I am grateful to see Eric Roberson in concert tonight, and to meet him after the show!

7/29
Today I am grateful to see "& Juliet" last night.

7/28
Today I am grateful for two years with an amazing woman!

7/27
Today I am grateful to see Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone in concert last night, and to meet Peter after the show!

7/26
Today I am grateful to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical last night!

7/25
Today I am grateful:
- to be a pallbearer at Queen's funeral yesterday
- to see the Savannah Bananas baseball game last night

7/24
Today I am grateful to see Jack White in concert last night!

7/23
Today I am grateful for a call from my brother, Dan, this morning.

7/22
Today I am grateful to host a successful student event yesterday and for those who volunteered for my IT career panel

7/21
Today I am grateful:
- for a visit to the JFK Library and Museum yesterday
- for a long weekend in the Boston area
- to Tim for a ride from the airport last night

7/20
Today I am grateful for a walk around the Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden yesterday.

7/19
Today I am grateful for a ride along the Minuteman Trail through historic Massachusetts yesterday.

7/18
Today I am grateful for:
- a bike ride from Lexington to Concord, where the American Revolution began!
- a visit to Walden Pond!

7/17
Today I am grateful to arrive safely in Massachusetts

7/16
Today I am grateful to coach a successful AI Open Hack yesterday.

7/15
Today I am grateful to attend a company happy hour in Downers Grove yesterday.

7/14
Today I am grateful to see Nick Lowe and Los Strait Jackets in concert last night.

7/13
Today I am grateful for homemade tacos yesterday.

7/12
Today I am grateful to get my international driver's license.

7/11
Today I am grateful to see Los Lobos in concert last night.

7/10
Today I am grateful for a walk around the Taste of Chicago last night

7/9
Today I am grateful to Robbi for organizaing a company pickleball outing yeserday.

7/8
Today I am grateful to see "Iceboy!" at the Goodman Theatre last night!

7/7
Today I am grateful to talk about AI this morning with students from DePaul’s IDLab Summer Camp

7/6
Today I am grateful to spend yesterday celebrating the birthday of someone special.

"& Juliet" Celebrates Music, Shakespeare, and Self-Actualization

David Giard — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:16:00 GMT

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright of all time.

Max Martin is a music producer and songwriter who has written dozens of hit singles, recorded by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Celine Dion, NSYNC, and others.

The worlds of these two artists collide in the musical "& Juliet," which I saw Tuesday evening at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre.

"& Juliet" begins with Shakespeare and his wife, Ann Hathaway, debating the tragic ending of Will's classic play, "Romeo & Juliet," Ann suggests that Juliet does not have to die - that she can move on with her life after the death of her star-crossed lover. In the rest of the show, we see this hypothetical life played out, as Will and Ann write it. The story is set to the songs composed by Martin, which fit delightfully into the play. When Ann requests a new ending, Will points at the script and sings, "I Want It That Way!"

Fabiola Caraballo Quijada is excellent as Juliet, and CJ Eldred nails the role of Will Shakespeare. Still, Nico Ocha steals the show as Ann, who casts herself into her own version of the play she is rewriting.

The combination of practical sets and video screens energized this production, but the choreography brought it to life.

The climax occurred when five cast members dressed up as a boy band for a triumphant rendition of The Back Street Boys' "Rock Your Body." They named themselves "de Bois Band", in honor of one of the characters - Francois De Bois.

And did I mention that Joey Fatone, formerly of N'Sync, plays Francois's father? Now, sporting a gray beard, he draws a life when he dances like a teenager.

The story has a serious message as young Juliet tries to make her own decisions apart from her family or the men in her life. But it is also a fun celebration of music.

Peter Noone Continues Sharing the Music of Herman's Hermits

David Giard — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:18:00 GMT

Herman's Hermits had amazing success in the 1960s, charting dozens of times between 1965 and 1969. Lead singer Peter Noone co-founded the group as a teenager and rode its success. Despite many years since the group's last hit single, Noone continues to tour with a group he calls "Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone."

Sunday afternoon, I caught this band's sold-out performance at the Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL.

Noone's hair and clothing are reminiscent of the 1960s, which is appropriate because his setlist consisted of hits from that era.

After opening with their first hit, "I'm into something good," the singer asked the house lights be turned up so he could see the audience. When the theater obliged, he insisted that this was the youngest audience to ever see him perform, which drew a laugh from the silver-haired and balding crowd.

The 78-year-old Noone showed remarkable energy and spryness, dancing and leaping during his songs. He moonwalked across the stage \while singing The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" in a Michael Jackson falsetto; and he performed a respectable Mick Jagger dance while the band played a few chords of "Start Me Up." At one point, Noone left his bandmates on stage as he wandered through the crowd, where he personally serenaded audience members for at least four songs.

When the show ended, with a rousing sing-along of "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am," followed by "There's a Kind of Hush," Mr. Noone delighted the crowd by retreating to the theatre lobby to sign autographs, chat, and pose for photos with fans. While waiting in line to meet Peter, I met many people who had seen him perform multiple times before.

It is obvious that Peter Noone still loves to perform after all these years, and this is why so many of his fans return to his show again and again.

GCast 221: Adding Files to Ground a Microsoft Foundry Agent

David Giard — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:46:00 GMT

GCast 221:

Adding Files to Ground a Microsoft Foundry Agent

How to enhance an Agent built with Microsoft Foundry by adding your own knowledge source.

Bruno Borges on Different Ways to User Microsoft Copilot

David Giard — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:25:00 GMT

Episode 912

Bruno Borges on Different Ways to User Microsoft Copilot

GitHub Copilot provides many features of which many developers are not aware. Bruno Borges discusses some of these features and how to take advantage of them using the GitHub App, the GitHub CLI, github.com, and integration with your favorite IDE.