Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Sondheim reigns larger in death, arguably, than he did in life. He changed the landscape of what a theatrical production could do. Taking this a step further, author and professor Richard Schoch recognized that nearly every Sondheim show has a message to teach all of us something in our own lives. His new book: “How Sondheim Can […]

“44 – The Musical” is a satirical look at the rise and first term of the presidency of Barack Obama along with the myriad of characters who were part of that story. As told from the memory of Veep Joe Biden, we get Michelle Obama, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruise and others. […]

Pippin is one of the great fun musicals, the work of the magnificent Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell”) and now a new production presented by MadKap Productions at the Skokie Theatre, a nicely rehabbed venue perfect for intimate musical productions. Joining in the conversation is Pippin himself (played by Connor Hensley Schroeder) and an interesting twist on the role […]

The legendary Icon Leslie Uggams will be honored with the ICON Award from Porchlight Music Theatre on September 14th at Ritz Carlton. Ms Uggams was most recently seen in Season 3, Ep 7 of The Guilded Age, but she is legendary for playing Kizzy in Roots, Blind Al in the Deadpool movies, her Tony Award winning performance in “Hallelujah, Baby,” […]

From decades of small roles and comedy shows to making it big on HBO’s hit series “Somebody, Somewhere“, Jeff Hiller is now nominated for his first Emmy for his portrayal of Joel in its 3 season run. The road to fame wasn’t easy for Jeff, as he details in his new memoir, “Actress of a […]

Paul goes behind the curtain with the managing artistic director of the Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater, Jacob Harvey and Keir Graff, author of the new book, Chicago's Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic, and Murder, in which he takes you behind the scenes of one of Chicago’s cultural landmarks. The renovation of the structure for its […]

In this interview with John Mangum, the General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, we learn that in addition to the fabulous history of operas presented at the Lyric, there is so much more for non-opera lovers and families to enjoy. This upcoming season will kick off with an Opening Concert Gala on […]

There is nothing like watching an exciting scene from a Marvel movie and being moved by the powerful score that enhances and gives the film its energy! One of America's Most Celebrated Film Conductors, Anthony Parnther, conducts the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra for ONE night only on Friday, August 29th at 7:30pm in the Pavillion with seating, of […]

There is little doubt that the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award  for Best Play-winning work Angels in America by Tony Kushner is one of the most important plays written in decades if not the last century. A seven hour-experience (separated into two parts: Part One: Millennium Approaches, and Part Two: Perestroika) can be seen over two days […]

Hitch*Cocktails is a fully improvised comedic thriller which invites the audience to laugh and enjoy while partaking (if they wish) in a drinking game, while the cast creates it all on stage…also while partaking in drinking throughout the show. Added all together it's a laugh filled evening which creates a murder mystery that would make Alfred […]

He is still known and remembered as the King of Pop! Michael Jackson's story is told in MJ the Musical which focuses around the “Dangerous Tour” of 1992. Through flashbacks and events of that day. The life of MJ is told with all of the hits you'd expect and hope to hear. Thriller, Beat It, Billy Jean…they are all […]

Fiddler on the Roof is one of the great classic musicals of all time. The story of Tevye the milkman, his family and his community is a tale of traditions that define his faith and confront the threats of  a modern world that challenge his beloved home town of Anatevka. The stunning aspect is how relevant […]

“Parade“, a musical, is based on a true story centered around the 1913 story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager who is wrongfully accused of the rape and murder of Mary Phagan. The trial, verdict and how things actually played out in history are set out in this powerful production thru dialogue and music. […]

Chicago Shakes does it again with another world premiere that is powerful and impactful. Chilina Kennedy embodies the legendary Billie Jean King in a way that truly gives us the sense that we are hearing the story from King herself. You can get tickets at www.ChicagoShakes.com and learn more about the show by reading the review that […]

Sandy Rustin (Clue, Mystic Pizza) was raised in Chicagoland and has created a tribute to the work of John Hughes through her own high school focused story which highlights the music of the 1980's. “Always Something There”  is enjoying it's World Premiere at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre and stars Chicago's very own Heidi Kettenring playing the role […]

Few would disagree that James Gandolfini created a larger than life character in Tony Soprano in HBO's classic series The Sopranos, but how much was Gandolfini really like Tony Soprano? Was he always a shoe in to get that role? This new book by Jason Bailey takes a deep dive into the life and career of the beloved actor […]

Ravinia is truly a gem of Chicagoland (Highland Park to be specific) entertainment every summer and has been so for well  over 100 years (it was founded in 1872 and opened in 1904) and remains today the area's oldest venue with incredibly diverse programming you will find anywhere. This season has been no different and you'll […]

Be my guest to see this tale as old as time….Disney's Beauty and the Beast opens its first North American production in over 25 years! The sets and costumes promise to be spectacular, and the Tony Award-Nominated score will delight you. Joining the conversation is Mrs. Potts played by Chicago's Very Own Kathy Voytko (last seen here […]

The Tony Award winning musical Hairspray is fun, funny, and will leave you humming so many songs on your way out of the theater, but it's the message that will move you to think about what society still needs to learn about love, supporting each other, acceptance, and standing up for what's right. Joining in […]

If you are a fan of the Beatles then you may have read some or many  of the estimated 2000+ books that have been written about the group and it's individual members. Now, a book that takes a unique approach not taken in any previous book. “John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs” by […]

The Goodman Theatre's production of The Color Purple directed by Lili-Anne Brown  is truly stunning. A show you will want to see over and over for the music, for the power and for the essential message about powerful women. Joining in the conversation are Nicole Michelle Haskins who plays Sofia and Aerie Wiliams who plays Shug Avery. […]

“You Will Get Sick” by Noah Diaz is quirky and unpredictable but follows a path that will become most familiar. It's the perfect blend of drama, power and surprise that has made Steppenwolf Theatre the gem it has been for a generation in Chicago and, of course on Broadway as well, as the Tonys pile up! […]

The multi-Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for Drama winning Musical “RENT” by Jonathan Larson comes to life from the Highland Park Players playing at McGrath Performing Arts Center in Wilmette from July 18-27. The beloved musical is based on Puccini's opera La Boheme but is set in the more modern day 1996-1998as it presents the […]

Bruce Vilanch is truly a legend in the world of comedy writing but also as an actor and comedian. You have seen his work if you watch the Academy Awards (for which he is a multi-Emmy Award winner), Comic Relief, Hollywood Squares…and on and on. In this very funny book, Bruce is candid about those projects he […]

“Iraq, but Funny” is enjoying its World Premiere at Lookingglass Theatre and plays through July 20th. It's the story of 5 generations for Assyrian mother/daughter relations from the Ottoman empire to modern day USA but a story reclaimed by the women of their day, yet it's told to us by a British guy (called The […]

Diana the Musical tells the story of Princess Di from her first getting connected with Prince Charles in 1981 thru her death in 1997 with a 90's rock score by David Bryan (of Bon Jovi) and books/lyrics by Joe DePietro (All Shook Up and Memphis). The play is being presented by Theo Ubique at the […]

Chicago is already seen as the 3rd most important city in the world for theater arguably behind New York and London but that's up for debate! But Team Culture has a plan to transform the downtown area into an amazing and vast cultural stadium that goes well beyond the boundaries of music, dance, theater and food. […]

PART ONE: “Kimbely Akimbo” is an unassuming name for a fantastic not-to-be-missed Tony Award-winning Best Broadway musical! Kimberly is a teenager who recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban new Jersey where she deals with family dysfunction and a rare genetic condition, her first crush…not to mention possible felony charges thanks to […]

A re-invented version of the musical CATS like you have NEVER seen it before! Based on T.S. Eliot's Collection of Poems called: “Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,” this magical show weaves many cat's stories together as the tribe called the Jellicles have to make the ultimate choice: which cat is indeed worthy to rise to the Heaviside Layer earning […]

Kennedy Kanagawa put wide smiles on audience's faces when he played Milkey White the cow in the National tour of “Into the Woods.” David Gow scares the heck out of people in the dramatic thriller “The Intruder” now available to view on Apple TV and other streaming formats. As an engaged couple, they weave their way through […]

There's a new music venue in town and it stands as a tribute to the life and interests of Grateful Dead Legend, Jerry Garcia. Garcia's Chicago opened in March and is located at 1001 West Washington Blvd in Chicago. Discussing the new club is music documentary/concert film director and music producer Jesse Lauter who is […]

Joining the conversation are: David Girolmo (who plays Captain E.J. Smith), Heidi Kettenring (playing Ida Strauss), Mark David Kaplan (playing Isador Strauss), James Earl Jones, II (Playing Edgar Beane and others) and Joel Gelman (playing John Jacob Astor IV and 2nd Officer Charles Lightoller). The power of this musical by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone is […]

You will want to get on board this hot musical comedy and set sail for 100 minutes of non-stop laughter, music and one heck of a good time! This hit is playing in a variety of countries around the world, but Chicago is now one of those homes, through July 13th and hopefully longer….. Learn about […]

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 […]