Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

The events in Charlottesville in 2017 and on January 6th, 2021 may appear unconnected. But there are connections that underlie both of these events that carry a message for the future. Author Tim Heaphy was the lead investigator for the Jan 6th committee. His new book, “Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal about Rising Threats to American […]

The recipient of 14 Tony nominations and 8 wins at the 73rd Tony Awards, including best Musical and best Original Score, Hadestown returns to Chicago on its national tour. The story is based on the classic myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, but the message from the classics resonates so strongly today. Although written as […]

This week's show features two exciting Chicago shows. First up, Broadway and Cabaret star Karen Mason discusses her new CD available on Amazon starting May 9th! The music of Kander and Ebb as only Karen can do it and she tells the stories and tales from her early days in Chicago to Broadway. Seen on […]

On this new podcast, author and Fox News analyst Juan Williams is out with a new book, “New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement” which looks at what Williams calls an historic new movement that follows the efforts begun in the 1960's, as covered. This time, it's the elevation […]

Second City began training and entertaining back in 1959 and has not stopped since. Producing talents including Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Dan Aykroyd, Tiny Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Jane Lynch….the list is endless. Each year new students get trained to enter the field of comedic improv, or to just enhance their lives by confronting […]

It is likely that this show's title caught your attention. Well, in reality, this is the intimate and very personal story of Black Ensemble Theater founder and CEO Jackie Taylor who also wrote and directed this autobiographical work. Indeed Jackie as a young girl was in love with Elvis and that was something she shared intensely with […]

Brad Meltzer is a New York Times Best Selling author of thrillers, non-fiction plots and conspiracy books and even children's books. He's an amazing author with an incredible writing style. On this new podcast, Brad talks about his latest works: “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill  Kennedy – and Why it Failed “ and “Make […]

Paul chats with Burt Kearns, author of a new biography of Shemp Howard, one of the original Three Stooges. Lots of surprises in this discussion as Burt shares that many of the facts relayed by Shemp’s real life brother Moe in his autobiography just aren't true. Kearns has done extensive research of this more complex member of the Stooges. Shemp had […]

Moulin Rouge was long awaited when it first came to Chicago a few years ago and now it is back!! The winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical! It's been called spectacular and euphoric…this show is truly beautiful to watch. With music from Lady Gaga to the Beatles, this high energy wonder is back. Playing the […]

In this new podcast, Paul chats with author and podcast host Aaron Mahnke whose new book “Cabinet of Curiosities” is an incredible page-turner of fun! The stories told in the book bring history to life and the amazing tales of coincidence and fates determined by chance or perhaps fate make every page of this book […]

We hold presidents accountable for how they handle the federal budget and overall economic condition of the country. But, what is to be learned when we study how a president handled their own money? It's a fascinating book and author Megan Gorman has all the scoop on all the presidents. Which president handled their money better than […]

One of Andrew Lloyd Webber's earliest works (written when he was just 17!) and a classic in musical theater, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is playing now through March 30th at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre as its kick-off to the 50th season. But with orchestration and some re-imagining that makes it current for today's audience, this show is full […]

Most people know Robert Sean Leonard from his role as Dr. James Wilson in the medical drama House, or his star turn as a young man in Dead Poet's Society (1989) with Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and others. Now, Leonard appears as Jerry, the best friend of Robert (played by Ian Barford) and who is […]

You have likely come across magician and illusionist Xavier Mortimer on social media. He has millions of followers and his posts and videos have been viewed billions of times! And now, this 5-time winner of best magic show in Las Vegas comes to Chicago for one weekend only! In this conversation, Xavier talks about his start as a street […]

In this new podcast, several cast members join in a discussion of this 2022 Pulitzer Prize winning play. Based on (or perhaps paying tribute to) Shakespeare's Hamlet, the characters are a reflection of those in Hamlet. But this re-telling takes place in the backyard of a southern barbeque which becomes the setting for the characters dealing with […]

In this new podcast, the worlds of history, theater and politics collide in a powerful drama called: “Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley.” On February 18th, 1965, American author, orator and civil rights leader James Baldwin (portrayed here by Teagle F. Bougere) debated American conservative intellectual and founding Editor of the National Review William Buckley (portrayed by Eric […]

In this new podcast, you meet some family members who live in the Fun Home! Fun Home is shorthand for funeral home but that's just the setting for a family who face relationship challenges and lots of personal growth. We meet Alison (a character based on the playwright Alison Bechdel and her graphic novel) which […]

Lookingglass Theatre is truly one of Chicago's most unique theater companies. Their work is original and inventive and their location is actually inside the historic pumping station at Water Tower! The black box setting takes unique form with every single production. Joining in the conversation is Artistic Director Kasey Foster (a performer, producer, director, choreographer and puppeteer in her […]

Who doesn't love magic? And now, a bright, young talent takes the main stage every Wednesday evening at 7pm through March 26th. “Static Magic” is his new show developed especially for this home to the city's best magician talent! Arrive early to enjoy table magic at the bar, then head to your table in the […]

New Podcast: You will love this in-depth chat with Chicago's Very Own, Tony Award winning and Broadway's own: Jessie Mueller! She created the role of Carol King in Beautiful, appeared in Tracy Lett's The Minutes, created the role of Jenna in Waitress…need I say more? Join Sirius XM radio host Seth Rudetsky as he hosts […]

How will 3 young roommates living in San Francisco pay the rent when they don't make any money? They have to get creative! Exploring means of finding income, they realize they can do very well by finding sugar daddies on a dating app who will pay their way as the cost of having a relationship. A very funny […]

Mekki Leeper is a stand-up comedian who you likely know from his current role as young Matt on the new show St. Denis Medical (from the writers of The Office), and from his role as Noah in the Surprise hit Jury Duty (where one juror thought it was all real and the rest of the cast […]

In this new podcast, Paul chats with communications expert Michael Chad Hoeppner about his new book, “Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life.” In this age of technology it seems more difficult to communicate effectively with others, but Hoeppner teaches that everyone can improve their speaking skills! Hoeppner is an expert on effective speaking, has coached presidential candidates, […]

One of AGT’s true break out comedians (he placed 2nd in the 10th season of AGT) plays the Den Theatre on Friday night January 31st and Saturday night February 1st at 7:15pm and 9:30pm (2 shows each night). And great news: his new special will be recorded during those performances! Drew is known for his self-deprecating humor addressing […]

The relationship between First Daughter Patti Davis and her parents, President Ronald Reagan and mom Nancy Reagan, was strained to say the least. In her new book, “Dear Mom and Dad: A Letter About Family, Memory and the America We Once Knew,” the former first daughter writes a very personal and tough memoir in the form of a letter […]

In this podcast, Paul sits down with author Mike Thomasto discuss a new biography of Johnny Carson. We learn about the late night legend that was Johnny Carson from the mind of Chicago author Bill Zehme in this new book Carson the Magnificent: An Intimate Portrait. Bill’s work began in 2002 when he was given […]

In this new podcast, author Tripp Whetsell discusses his new biography of television legend, Norman Lear. The book, “Norman Lear: His Life and Times”, tells the life story of the man who created TV shows that changed the media form. “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons,” and the list goes on […]

On this new podcast, Paul chats with singer/songwriter Rich Schuler whose musical tribute, “Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas” plays over the holidays from December 19th through the 22nd at the Broadway Playhouse. The show is an intimate holiday experience taking us back to the 1970's where John Denver was at the top of the […]

In this new podcast, Paul chats with performers Corey Mach (who plays William Shakespeare) and Michael Canu (“Romeo”) about the incredibly high energy and fun jukebox musical “& Juliet” here for a short run. Utilizing the music of Max Martin with songs you will know very well (‘Since You Been Gone' ‘Baby One More Time”, […]

In this new podcast, Paul chats with the cast and director of “Falsettos” playing through Dec 15th at the Court Theatre (in cooperation with TimeLine Theatre Company). Set in the late 1970's and early ‘80s, it's the story of a Jewish couple with a son who live on the Upper West Side when the husband falls […]

Jared Kirchheimer is a Chicago-based actor, writer, director and producer. Never giving up on his life dream to be a filmmaker, Jared balances a career in civil engineering with his efforts to pursue his dream projects. And now, “Say Her” is being screened with a bright future ahead for the film. This movie tells the story of weightlifter […]

Whether you are a Die Hard fan, or you’ve never even heard of the movie, this is one show you don’t want to miss! Yippee Ki Yay (the parody celebration of Die Hard), stars acclaimed writer, actor and poet Richard Marsh in a genre-bending stage show retelling of the 1988 action hit from the perspective […]

Teatro Zinzanni has played in a few different iterations in an ongoing production at the Cambria Hotel in its marvelously mirrored circus Spiegeltent, but the current show is new, fresh, invigorating and most of all, fun! The production is led by the fabulous vocalists Liv Warfield (a golden buzzer recipient on America's Got Talent this season) […]

Paul goes behind the curtain with the multi-talented jazz artist Bryan Eng. Bryan grew up on the east coast but found his musical grounding at Northwestern University and Chicago where he worked as a street musician, performer at Marriot Lincolnshire, Lookingglass Theatre, and Drury Lane and went on to the great venues of Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland Jazz […]

In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child interview Part One, you met several actors who play the younger generation and supporting cast. In this Part TWO interview, you'll hear from Harry Potter himself (played by John Skelley), Hermione Granger(Ebony Blake) and Ron Weasley (Matt Mueller). Get the “original generation” of characters views of the story from […]

Lori Lightfoot swept into the office of Chicago Mayor in a surprisingly decisive victory in 2019, the first African American gay mayor made history. In her four years as Mayor, she faced a global pandemic, battles with the police and teachers unions and a host of other challenges. How will history look back on the […]

Comedian, actress, podcaster, author and many more things…all of which add up to a fun night of stand-up at the Venus Cabaret Theater! Her specials have been on HBO, Comedy Central and part of a Netflix special: Stand out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. Her one-woman show, “Yes I Can Say That!” appeared off Broadway in 2023 […]

Little Shop of Horrors is one of the more fun and popular musicals ever! The story of a man-eating plant is encased in a score of the most memorable musical score ever (by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken), including “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere That's Green.” Joining in the conversation are the leads: Jimmy Hogan (who plays Seymour […]

Gatsby is a comedian born in Nigeria, moved to South Africa and then came to America where he settled in Chicago. Here, he has been producing, writing and starring in comedy throughout the city. He has worked with Trevor Noah, Second City and is clearly on a fast path to great success. Come see “The Great Gatsby Comedy […]

Inherit the Wind is a play written in 1955 about an actual trial which challenged teaching Darwinism in schools. Famously known as the “Scopes Monkey Trial,” (the defendant was John T. Scopes who was on trial for teaching Darwinism in school), the message of the play is as vibrant and important today as it was nearly […]

These days, everyone understands the prevalence and dangers of disinformation and misinformation….but how do these things differ and exactly what are they? More importantly, how is false information being used to influence the beliefs and actions of Americans, and especially during election time? Barbara McQuade is a former U.S. Attorney, a Professor of Law at the University […]

If you are a fan of HBO's The Gilded Age, then you love its characters including John Adams, played by singer/actor Claybourne Elder. Or, you might be a fan of Clay's from his many roles on Broadway and around the country including the Tony Award winning revival of “Company,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “West Side […]