Podcasts about Goodman Theatre

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to discuss the latest news and events in Chicago. Candace talks about Chef Art Smith’s nonprofit ‘Common Threads,’ Steppenwolf Theatre’s 50th anniversary party, Goodman Theatre’s 100th celebration, and more.

He led the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and pretty much created theater at Lincoln Center. “The happiest moments of my life have been in rehearsal rooms.” Well, yeah. In there with him? David Mamet, Tennessee Williams, Samuel Beckett. Sequentially not simultaneously. Presented with Hunter College. 

Jeff Parker, actor recently seen on stage in Chicago alongside Helen Hunt in the Goodman Theatre’s production of Betrayal, joins Steve Dale on the show to discuss his new project, Da Vinci Code now showing at Drury Lane Theatre through June 1st. Listen in while Jeff gives listeners an inside look into the regional premiere […]

We are excited to bring you this new episode in our podcast series, The Art of Collaboration with Anne Kauffman and dots. This series focuses on directors and choreographers in conversation with some of their collaborators. This series explores the ins and outs of these processes, both finer details as well as overarching ideas about what goes into a productive collaboration on a show. In this episode you will hear an in-depth and transparent conversation with Anne and dots focused on the collaboration between directors and designers as well as navigating the industry as a collective.   Bios: dots (Scenic Designer) is a design collective creating environments for theater, film, commercials, and immersive experiences. Hailing from Colombia, South Africa, and Japan, we are Santiago Orjuela-Laverde, Andrew Moerdyk, and Kimie Nishikawa. As collaborators, we believe that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Recent highlights include the Broadway productions of Oh, Mary! ; Romeo + Juliet, An Enemy of the People (Tony Award Nomination for Best Scenic Design of a Play); Appropriate (Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding Scenic Design); The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window; and The Big Gay Jamboree ; Recent awards include a 2024 Obie Award for Sustained Achievement in Design, 2023 and 2024 Henry Hewes Design Award, recipient of 2025 USA Fellowship Award . designbydots.com. Anne Kauffman (Director)'s credits include the New York Philharmonic, BAM, Ars Nova, NYTW, Roundabout Theatre Company, Encores! Off-Center, Women's Project, Playwrights Horizons, MCC, The Public, P73 Productions, New Georges, Vineyard Theatre, LCT3, Yale Rep, Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Z Space, American Conservatory Theater, and Berkeley Rep. She is a Resident Director at Roundabout Theatre, Artistic Associate and Founding Member of The Civilians, a Clubbed Thumb Affiliated Artist and co-creator of the CT Directing Fellowship, a New Georges Affiliated Artist, an SDC Executive Board Member, Vice President and Trustee of SDCF 2020-2023, and Artistic Director of City Center's Encores! Off-Center 2017-2020. Her awards include a 2024 Tony nomination for Best Director for Mary Jane, a 2023 Tony nomination for Best Revival for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, three Obies, the Joan and Joseph Cullman Award for Exceptional Creativity from Lincoln Center, the Alan Schneider Director Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, a Drama League Award, and the Joe A. Callaway. She is co-creator of the Cast Album Project with Jeanine Tesori.   dots headshot courtesy of dots Anne Kauffman's headshot by Tess Mayer

My guest this week is the three-time Tony award-winning Broadway orchestrator Doug Besterman, whose 31 Broadway musicals include The Producers, Fosse, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and his very first show, the 1991 revival of Damn Yankees, to name only a few. During this current Broadway season, Besterman will achieve something unheard of in his field: he will have three big musicals — Death Becomes Her, Boop!, and Smash — all running simultaneously on Broadway. Making it even more remarkable, two of those shows began previews on the same night and now open on Broadway in the same week. Besterman's film credits include the live-action version of Beauty and The Beast and Frozen. TV credits include the Marc Shaiman/Scott Witman compositions for Smash, ABC's version of Annie, The Sound of Music Live, and Peter Pan Live. As Tony Award-winning choreographer Susan Stroman's orchestrator of choice, his work has been heard on Little Dancer (co-orchestrator with Larry Hochman) at The 5th Avenue Theatre and the Kennedy Center and Crazy for You at Chichester Festival and on the West End. His most recent regional work was the World Premiere of Schmigadoon at the Kennedy Center and Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil at the Goodman Theatre. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members such as Andy Wigginton. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussion that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. And you will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SummaryIn this powerful and personal conversation, MASS Cultural Council Executive Director, Michael Bobbitt explores the life-saving role of the arts, how creative work is inherently political, and the deep importance of joy, community, and innovation in building a better future. Drawing on his personal story, leadership journey, and groundbreaking initiatives, Bobbitt challenges arts organizations to think boldly and cross-sectorally in their work for social change.

On this episode of #LatinosOutLoud, Rachel chats virtually with Playwright Kristoffer Diaz, who is the noble pen behind the Grammy and Tony award-winning Broadway show, Hell's Kitchen. Diaz is the book writer for the Broadway hit which tells a story loosely based on Alicia Keys' life and incorporates some of her biggest hits. Rachel got the chance to see the show, and the two speak about key moments in the musical, the unity felt among the theatre audience and how both feel the same sense of fulfillment as college Professors, as Kristoffer teaches play writing at NYU and Rachel teaches podcasting at CUNY Brooklyn College. The playwright, screenwriter, and educator gained national acclaim in 2010, when his play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was produced in Chicago and New York and then named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. His work has been developed and performed at the Goodman Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, Second Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and New York Shakespeare Festival's Delacorte Theater. He adapted Rent for television and wrote for the Netflix series GLOW. His newest play, Reggie Hoops, is about a female executive in the NBA. It will receive its world premiere in August at Profile Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Follow Rachel Follow Kristoffer Follow Hell's Kitchen Broadway If you're in Newwww York! Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of..., be sure to catch the show while you can! Click here for more info #LatinosOutLoud #Podcast #RachelLaLoca #HellsKitchen #KristofferDiaz #AliciaKeys #Broadway #LatinosOnBroadway

Looking at the names on the marquees, it may seem like almost all the sound designers on Broadway are men. But there are many women who have been working in the industry for years and it's time to shine a light on them! This is another installment of Good Show's Women in Sound Series. Today's guest is Joanna Lynne Staub. Joanna Lynne Staub is a New York City based Sound Designer & Audio Engineer. She has over two decades of experience on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theatre, Concerts, Television, Corporate, Podcasts, & Multi-Media Events. Joanna's experience as a producer and audio engineer for Television, Sporting Events, Concerts, Studio Engineering, Podcasts, Corporate Events, and Multi-media projects allows her to generate expansive ideas and ​innovative outlooks for any project.​ ​Her award-winning sound designs and original music have been heard across the United States in such places as La Jolla Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Public Theatre, Seattle REP, ​The Alliance Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Trinity Rep, Geva Theatre, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.​ She has worked as an engineer and associate sound designer on over three-dozen Broadway Shows & National Touring Companies - Both Musicals & Plays. With a background as a classically-trained musician, coupled with extensive technological, logistical, and acoustical training, she brings a unique view ​to both artistic and technical design. www.jlssound.com Connect with GOOD SHOW! Instagram: @goodshowpodcast  Tik Tok: @goodshowpodcast   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goodman Theatre's GeNarrations program is a FREE storytelling program that engages adults aged 55 and over in writing and performance workshops that nurture the creative spirit.  Genarrations participants were then encouraged to write their own stories based on themes of lies and betrayal.This podcast is base on a recent reading of participants from the Wille Whyte Park location on the 1600 block of Howard Street in Rogers Park.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek has the story of how surprise guests helped preview the Goodman Theater's upcoming milestone centennial anniversary season. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a current Goodman production starring Helen Hunt. Later in the show, Gary highlights two pieces on Oscar nominated films that could walk away with awards . This past summer Gary talked to the co-directors of SUGAR CANE, a film that's nominated for Best Documentary Feature. And we'll revisit an interview with animator Adam Elliot, whose film MEMOIR OF A SNAIL is up for Best Animated Feature.

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 episode, Jeff and Richie take you on a journey through time and technology with their conversation of "The Antiquities," the thought-provoking Off-Broadway production currently playing at Playwrights Horizons in collaboration with Vineyard Theatre and Goodman Theatre. We explore Jordan Harrison's innovative writing that creates an engaging timeline experience, blending past, present, and future into a compelling narrative. Jeff & Richie dive deep into the play's themes of artificial intelligence, human connection, and the consequences of technological advancement. We discuss David Cromer and Caitlin Sullivan's seamless direction, the immersive museum-like set design, and the strong performances from the diverse ensemble cast. Is "The Antiquities" a glimpse into our future or a cautionary tale? Tune in as we debate the show's relevance in today's tech-driven world and its fresh contribution to the Off-Broadway scene. We'll share our hot takes on the pacing, standout moments, and the questions this production raises about our relationship with technology. Whether you're a theater enthusiast or a tech aficionado, this episode offers insights into one of the new off-broadway shows of the season. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, and YouTube. Share your thoughts with us on "The Antiquities" on our podcast cover post on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyrone Phillips is the founding artistic director of Chicago's Definition Theatre and directing Definition's co-production of James Ijames's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham at the Goodman Theatre through February 23, 2025. Phillips discusses the many Shakespearean connections of this “hilarious yet profound tragedy, smothered in comedy” (New York Times); his instinct to always look at plays as music; his realization that he gives every one of his productions “injections of joy;” how he brings a modern energy to classics (like his Twelfth Night at Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and vice-versa; how our past informs our future; how "coming of age" stories can happen to characters of any age; how Ijames “plays the changes” on Shakespeare's Hamlet; and the challenge of always surprising the audience. PLUS! A special appearance by the newest member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Geoffrey Warren Barnes II! (Length 17:44) The post Devouring ‘Fat Ham' appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

For this first episode of 2025, RSC co-artistic directors Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor discuss how Austin plays the "Alternate Scrooge" in the Goodman Theatre production of A Christmas Carol for the third year in a row. Austin reveals how he threads the needle of honoring the Scrooges he alternates with (Larry Yando and Christopher Donahue) while still making the character his own; the difference between being an alternate and an understudy; how he inherited the role from previous alternate and now current Scrooge Allen Gilmore; the secrets to flying, including massive shout-outs to ZFX Flying, who makes the magic happen (not "VFX," as misidentified by Austin); what it's like to work with young performers; the danger of running out of mental bandwidth during the holidays; and the privilege of jumping from reduced productions to the Goodman's massive annual extravaganza. (Length 38:46) The post Threading The Needle appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Linda Lavin, who won a Tony Award for her work on the Broadway stage and starred in the top-ten rated CBS sitcom “Alice,” has died at age 87. Here are a couple of conversations WGN’s Dean Richards shared with Lavin: May 12, 2002, regarding Hollywood Arms at the Goodman Theatre. October 10, 2004, regarding Finishing […]

For this special encore podcast episode, we present – in its entirety – the complete and unabridged recording of A Little Dickens: The Complete Christmas Carol (abridged). (Dickens's story is abridged, not the recording. You'll work it out.) First heard on Public Radio International in 1995, this antic audio adaptation features Reed Martin as Jacob Marley, Matthew Croke as Tiny Tim, and Austin Tichenor as Ebenezer Scrooge (the role he's currently playing at Chicago's Goodman Theatre). May it warm your cockles! (Length 10:47) The post Special Christmas Encore! appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Chicago actor Christopher Donahue (currently playing Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol), discusses playing the role of Gayev in the Goodman's 2023 production of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, directed by Robert Falls. Donahue reveals the challenges and rewards of discovering a character in rehearsal; how he finds humor alongside absurdity; how he takes inspiration from the original Dickens novel of A Christmas Carol; how people can be capable of change; his relationship with Tony-winning director (and friend of the pod) Mary Zimmerman; and finally, how the audience teaches you how to perform the play because the audience is the reason we do this. (Length 20:51) The post Chekhov To Dickens appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The world is full of injustice and inequity, and most arts organizations have the best of intentions to be responsive in thoughtful and meaningful ways. But it can be challenging–boards and long-time patrons can push back on programming and messaging that feels unfamiliar to them, and change can feel unbearably slow when your organization lacks the necessary connections or resources within its larger community. In this episode, we'll share never-before-aired insights on how to hold your organization accountable to its goals around representation, access, and equity, from a conversation recorded earlier this year between CI's VP, Managing Director Christopher Williams and Canton Symphony Orchestra's Rachel Hagemeier. Rachel discusses the Symphony's podcast, Orchestrating Change, and the learnings and organizational shifts that have come out of those interviews, as well as the Symphony's evolving model for community connection. CI to Eye Interview (1:30) - CI's Christopher Williams sits down with the Canton Symphony Orchestra's Rachel Hagemeier to help listeners understand how to hold their organizations accountable to their mission and goals around representation, access, and equity. CI-Lebrity Sightings (16:10) - Dan shares his favorite news stories about CI clients. ----- LINKS: Institute for Composer Diversity | 2023 Orchestra Repertoire Report Cleveland.com | ‘I can't breathe': Ohio authorities investigating death of man in Canton police custody Know Your Own Bone | Trust Trends for Cultural Entities at Mid-Year 2024 Know Your Own Bone | The Causes Likely Visitors Care About Most as We Enter the Election Cycle Gothamist | After 19 years, a docent at the Rubin Museum says goodbye to his ‘home away from home' Times of San Diego | San Diego Symphony Celebrates New Look Jacobs Music Center with Concert, ‘Day of Music' BroadwayWorld | Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, and More Take Home Equity Jeff Awards

Director Malkia Stampley, whose beautiful production of Eboni Booth's 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Primary Trust runs at Chicago's Goodman Theatre through November 3, 2024, discusses how she embraced the play's delicate intimacy and transformed a literary script into a theatrical event. Malkia reveals the ways in which a live audience and actors playing multiple characters lift a potentially naturalistic play into a theatrical realm; how she eschewed melodrama and discovered the mystery and curiosity she was looking for; how clowns can find the funny and serious actors the gravitas; and the value of always looking for – and finding – the light. (Length 18:23) The post Directing ‘Primary Trust' appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Award-winning actor Harry Lennix joins John Williams to talk about his role in Goodman Theatre‘s production of “Inherit the Wind,” playing through October 20th. Harry talks about the story of “Inherit the Wind,” the interesting conversation about evolution that the story brings up, the incredible cast and crew involved in the production, how relevant the […]

Award-winning actor Harry Lennix joins John Williams to talk about his role in Goodman Theatre‘s production of “Inherit the Wind,” playing through October 20th. Harry talks about the story of “Inherit the Wind,” the interesting conversation about evolution that the story brings up, the incredible cast and crew involved in the production, how relevant the […]

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 […]

Award-winning actor Harry Lennix joins John Williams to talk about his role in Goodman Theatre‘s production of “Inherit the Wind,” playing through October 20th. Harry talks about the story of “Inherit the Wind,” the interesting conversation about evolution that the story brings up, the incredible cast and crew involved in the production, how relevant the […]

Harry Lennix has an ease on stage isn't all too different than how Spencer Tracy played many roles, including Henry Drummond in the 1960 film Inherit the Wind (which he was nominated for an Oscar). In the play at the Goodman Theatre, the true story of Scopes Monkey Trial, Lennix is magnificent. The show may be decades […]

The Goodman Theatre reminds us that the more things change the more they remain the same in this production of the classic courtroom drama, “Inherit the Wind.”Small town school teacher Bertram Cates (Christopher Llewyn Ramirez) is on trial for breaking a state law that prohibits the teaching of evolution.

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes a closer look at two new opera productions taking the stage in Chicago that both share an interesting backstory. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review Goodman Theatre's INHERIT THE WIND. Later in the show, we'll hear from New Philharmonic music director Kirk Muspratt as he looks back at 20 years leading the suburban orchestra. And Gary talks with the executive artistic director of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival about some of the challenges the fest is facing.

Also in the news: This year's Lollapalooza had lowest arrests in past five years; Dolton laid off eight village employees; Performance at Goodman Theatre canceled one hour before it was to start and more.

Also in the news: This year's Lollapalooza had lowest arrests in past five years; Dolton laid off eight village employees; Performance at Goodman Theatre canceled one hour before it was to start and more.

Also in the news: This year's Lollapalooza had lowest arrests in past five years; Dolton laid off eight village employees; Performance at Goodman Theatre canceled one hour before it was to start and more.

“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” is the best musical I have seen in years.  Opening night was one to remember. John Berendt, the author of the best-selling book, was on hand for the curtain call and to see this new musical version written by Taylor Mac come to life. The excitement of the evening spilled out into the street as people chattered about what a great time this was. At the Goodman Theatre, 70 N Dearborn St, Chicago, through August 11, 2024. For tickets and information visit https://www.goodmantheatre.org 

This week, writers John Berendt and Taylor Mac discuss the Goodman Theatre's world-premiere stage musical adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Berendt is the author of the original book the musical is based on, and Mac wrote the book for the adaptation. Learn more about Midnight in the Garden of Good [...]

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with artist Alberto Aguilar to talk about his creative process and his new solo exhibition, GRID LUCK. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, joined Gary to review the Goodman Theater's much-talked about world premiere, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL. Later in the show, Gary talks to the person behind a new film series that aims to shed light on local Black filmmakers. Plus, a review of the new French language film, LAST SUMMER. And WDCB's Dan Bindert interviewed local musicians, Fareed Haque and Goran Ivanovic.

Dean, Dave, and Andy start this week off by talking about the NASCAR race today and the buzz around the city today. J. Harrison Ghee, Star of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” at the Goodman Theatre, joins Dean to talk about coming to Chicago for the production and more about the play. […]

Motherhood, ghosts, intergenerational trauma—find out how these themes serendipitously fit into Jennifer's life while starring in THE PENELOPIAD at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and coming across the novel, MOTHER DOLL by author Katya Apekina. Jennifer and Katya discuss how these themes and storytelling devices help audiences process life decisions, dealing with grief, and taking on new roles (in more ways than one), in our exciting 20th episode of THE BOOKSHELF with Jennifer Morrison. The Bookshelf with Jennifer Morrison is brought to you by ⁠Apartment 3C Productions⁠, and our amazing sponsors. Use the code JENSBOOKSHELF at the links below for special discounts offered exclusively for our listeners. AMIA: Get 30% off your purchase Link: www.helloamia.com AMIGO Coffee Roasters: Get 15% off your purchase Link: ⁠⁠www.amigoroasters.com⁠⁠ BEAM: Get 35% off a subscription or 15% off your purchase Link: ⁠⁠shopbeam.com/jensbookshelf⁠ SEED: Get 25% off your first order Link: https://seed.com/ FREDA: Get 15% off a one-time purchase - *exclusions include Brooke x Sam Wennerstrom collab boot. Link: https://fredasalvador.com/en-ca

Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer Prize-winning play English, a powerful, warm-hearted, and surprisingly funny play about four adult students in Iran studying for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), is getting an extraordinary production from director Hamid Dehghani that runs this summer at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. Hamid discusses how amazingly personal Toossi's play is and the extraordinary theatrical conceit at the heart of it; how both the play and the production embrace questions of identity through humor; the difficulty of being as funny in English as you are in Persian; how the incredibly specific becomes wonderfully universal; and how working on this script with these actors allowed Hamid to clarify his truest artistic self. (Length 19:16) (PICTURED: Shadee Vossoughi and Nikki Massoud in the Goodman Theatre and Guthrie Theatre co-production of Sanaz Toossi's English, directed by Hamid Dehghani. Photo by Liz Lauren.)

Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Midday to share another weekly review of a local theatrical production. This week, we take a look at The Matchbox Magic Flute, continuing at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington through June 16. Special note: Songs used in this interview were performed by the cast of The Matchbox Magic Flute at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.   (Photo by Liz Lauren)Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

LaNisa Renee Frederick is an award-winning actor, writer, content creator & voiceover artist based in Los Angeles. https://www.instagram.com/lanisafrederick/ The comedic powerhouse has exploded on the screen playing opposite Adam Samberg in BROOKLYN 99, YOUNG SHELDON, THE GOLDBERGS, and in the Emmy award-winning A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW.  Frederick honed her craft in Chicago, working and training at The Second City Chicago, performing on stages across the country including, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, and Woolly Mammoth. She has also worked on stages in Europe and Southeast Asia receiving international acclaim. LaNisa is the co-creator of Hashtag Booked. The groundbreaking Instagram sketch series which started in 2018 with co-creator Danielle Pinnock, examines the joys and heartaches of being an actress of color in the entertainment industry. ​Hashtag Booked's content has reached millions of views and has received national acclaim from media outlets including Forbes, Essence Magazine, and CNN. A commercial queen, Frederick has been in over 60 national commercials working alongside celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Queen Latifah, and Amy Poehler.   In addition, she is the voice behind the mic on several animations including Nickelodeon's BABY SHARK, Netflix's ADA TWIST, and Apple TV's INTERUPTING CHICKEN. Her video game work includes LEAGUE OF LEGENDS, WALKING DEAD, and most notably voicing “Syd” in CALL OF DUTY-MODERN WARFARE. As a writer LaNisa has become the true multi-hyphenate. She is a writer on a new Disney JR. animation and is in development for several shows. Including an adult animation that she co-created and a semi-biographical TV show chronicling her time raised in a doomsday cult.  Passionate about education, she has taught in both traditional and non-traditional education settings, curating arts-based programming for underserved student populations, including incarcerated students, recently-released youth, and students with severe cognitive disabilities. Frederick's training at the Steppenwolf Theatre exposed her to the guidance of industry powerhouses such as Amy Morton, Sheldon Patinkin, and K. Todd Freeman. She is moreover a proud graduate of Loyola University (Chicago, BA) and the University of Essex (UK, MA). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Today's guests: - Chuck Smith (Residential director, Goodman Theatre; @GoodmanTheatre) - Eric Zorn (Picayune Sentinel; @EricZorn) - Dr. Jennifer Avegno (Director, New Orleans Health Department; @AvegnoJennifer)

Today we interview Managing Director/COO and soon-to-be Executive Director/CEO of Goodman Theatre!! Make sure to donate to the GoFundMe in our podcast bio and follow the podcast on whatever platform you listen on

Amazing Mazie. Practicing kindness. Leadership.  Bobby was a little late to the party when discovering TOMMY, but now we can see him star on Broadway as Cousin Kevin in the Tony Nominated revival of TOMMY. This is his third Broadway show, and not only does Bobby discuss his approach to Cousin Kevin, but also talks very openly about what it's like to lead a show where most of the cast are Chicago transplants making their Broadway debut.  Bobby is currently reprising his performance in TOMMY from the Goodman Theatre's 30th anniversary production. Broadway: Company (dir. Marianne Elliott); A Bronx Tale (dirs. Robert De Niro & Jerry Zaks). Select theatre: 50th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's Mass at the Kennedy Center; My Fair Lady (dir. Michael Arden); A Funny Thing… Forum (dir. Jessica Stone); Starting Here, Starting Now (dir. Richard Maltby, Jr.); world premiere of Ken Ludwig's A Comedy of Tenors; three seasons at The Muny. Film/TV: If Beale Street Could Talk; Intervenors; “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”; “Madam Secretary”; “The Code.” Solo album: Along the Way. Training: University of Michigan; RADA. @bobby_conte In 1969, The Who created a rock opera that changed the course of music history. Today, it's back on Broadway in a dazzling all-new production, Tony Award®️ nominated for Best Musical Revival, that feels more relevant than ever. “Everything about this exhilarating production shakes you awake and leaves you buzzed: Knockout singing, superbly inventive stagecraft and a star-making performance from 24-year-old Ali Louis Bourzgui as the Pinball Wizard that's the most exciting New York stage debut in years.” (NY Post) “Broadway has nothing else like this wizardry going on, not this season and nothing I know of for next season. Visually and sonically overwhelming, it's a prescient masterpiece of a rock opera.” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of Ovid's Metamorphoses was on Broadway in 2002, it won a host of awards, including the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel awards for best play. Zimmerman took home the Tony award for best director. This spring, director Psalmayene 24 and an all-Black cast stage a new production of the play interpreted through the lens of the African diaspora.  Zimmerman joins us on the podcast to talk about the process of adapting Metamorphoses and The Odyssey, directing Shakespeare, and more. She is interviewed by Barbara Bogaev. Beyond Metamorphoses, Zimmerman has adapted other ancient texts for the stage, like The Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts, and Journey to the West. She has directed many of Shakespeare's plays, as well as operas at the Metropolitan Opera. She co-wrote the libretto for the Phillip Glass opera Galileo Galilei. The Matchbox Magic Flute, her new adaptation of Mozart, plays at DC's Shakespeare Theater Company this month, in association with the Goodman Theatre. From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast. Published May 7, 2024. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This episode was produced by Matt Frassica, with help from Kendra Hanna. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. Ben Lauer is the web producer. Leonor Fernandez edits our transcripts. We had technical help from from Northwestern University and Voice Trax West in Studio City, California. Final mixing services provided by Clean Cuts at Three Seas, Inc.

Melissa details her 2024 Chicago Theatre Week Experience. She saw shows at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakes, TimeLine Theatre, Writers Theatre, and Court Theatre, and she recommends them all! Resources MentionedChicago Theatre WeekLeague of Chicago TheatresChoose ChicagoGoodman TheatreChicago Shakespeare TheaterWriters TheatreCourt TheatreTimeLine Theatre Company Connect with host Melissa Schmitz***Sign up for the 101 Stage Adaptations Newsletter***101 Stage AdaptationsFollow the Podcast on Facebook & InstagramRead Melissa's plays on New Play ExchangeConnect with Melissa on LinkedInWays to support the show:- Buy Me a Coffee- Tell us your thoughts in our Listener Survey!- Give a 5-Star rating- Write a glowing review on Apple Podcasts - Send this episode to a friend- Share on social media (Tag us so we can thank you!)Creators: Host your podcast through Buzzsprout using my affiliate link & get a $20 credit on your paid account. Let your fans directly support you via Buy Me a Coffee (affiliate link).

Paul goes behind the curtain with actress Dot-Marie Jones (yep, Coach Beaste in Glee) to discuss the play, “Highway Patrol” playing now at the Goodman Theatre through Feb 18th. It's the story of a 13-year old fan named Cam dealing with a serious medical condition who catches the attention of Emmy Award winning  actress Dana […]

Behold – the late, great Edward Lionheart, a Shakespearean actor whose performances in Julius Caesar, Troilus and Cressida, Othello, Cymbeline, and others left him the laughingstock of London theatre critics, is dead.  And yet somehow, someone is knocking off said critics one at a time in truly Shakespearean fashion… albeit with slight alterations to the text.  Shylock may have wanted his pound his flesh – this killer takes the heart.  Joan of Arc might have burned at the stake – this killer fries his victims in a hair salon.  Peregrine Devlin, head of the London Critics Circle, is baffled, as are the police.  And yet – the order of the killings bear a striking resemblance to Lionheart's last repertory season.  What's going on with the Thames-side meths drinkers that have taken up residence in the crumbling Burbage Theatre?  And what might Edward's daughter, Edwina, have to do with everything?  Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend us your ears – for herein lies the tale of the deceased actor who set out to exact revenge, and succeeded, and the rest – is silence. Intro, Debate Society, Hot for Teacher (spoiler-free): 00:00-26:10Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy): 26:11-1:07:38Superlatives (spoiler-heavier): 1:07:39-1:28:17 Director Douglas HickoxScreenplay Anthony Greville-Bell, based on an idea by Stanley Mann and John KohnFeaturing Harry Andrews, Coral Browne, Robert Coote, Diana Dors, Jack Hawkins, Ian Hendry, Joan Hickson, Michael Hordern, Arthur Lowe, Robert Morley, Milo O'Shea, Dennis Price, Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Eric Sykes Ben Viccellio is an actor, writer and Associate Professor of Drama & Film at Kenyon College. His acting credits include the role of Oedipus in Frank Galati's Oedipus Complex at The Goodman Theatre; Cherry Orchard, Theatrical Essays, and the world premiere of Men of Tortuga at Steppenwolf; the role of Petruchio in Short Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth in Short Shakespeare: Macbeth, and Guildenstern in Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.  Ben has also also acted for film and television, as well as in the odd commercial... some of them, he claims, very odd. His writing for the stage has been produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Aspen. Our theme music is by Sir Cubworth, with embellishments by Edward Elgar.  Music from Theatre of Blood by Michael J. Lewis. For more information on this film (including why the Professor chose it, on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), the pod, essays from your hosts, and other assorted bric-a-brac, visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠scareupod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please subscribe to this podcast via Apple or Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave us a 5-star rating. Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Joe Dempsey and Austin Tichenor play Mr. Potter and Ebenezer Scrooge in, respectively, It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at the American Blues Theater and A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre. The two Chicago actors share their stories of being cast and the mixed blessing of being perfect casting for two miserable old characters. Dempsey also reveals an appreciation for Saturday Night Live's famous “Lost Ending” to the Frank Capra film; a shout-out to American Blues Theater's brand new performance space; what one taps into to play a scurvy little spider; the luck of getting emotional plausible deniability; having front-row seats to some of the finest acting ensembles anywhere; the value of being of service to great stories; and the ultimate privilege of fulfilling audience desires at this time of year. (Length 21:15)

Larry Yando (left, above) discusses playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theatre production of A Christmas Carol with his "Alternate Scrooge," the Reduced Shakespeare Company's own Austin Tichenor. The two actors talk about the challenge of being haunted by the Ghost of Productions Past; how Dickens's story continues to percolate in the off-season; how they navigate script changes, especially the little annoying ones; how Scrooge compares to some of the other great roles Yando's played (such as Scar in The Lion King, Prospero, Roy Cohn in Angels in America); how seeing another actor play “your” role can sometimes act like “an undigested bit of beef;” why the story stays relevant year after year; the value of staying on your toes; how and why Scrooge chooses Marley over Belle; and how if A Christmas Carol ended 20 minutes earlier, it'd be King Lear. (Length 21:48)

Jean Shepherd was born on July 26th, 1921 on the South Side of Chicago to Jean and Anna Shepherd. He grew up in Hammond, Indiana, which according to Shep was a “tough and mean” industrial city. As an adolescent, Shepherd worked as a mail boy in a steel mill. He began his radio career at the age of sixteen, doing weekly sportscasts for WJOB in Hammond. That job led to juvenile roles on network radio in Chicago, including that of Billy Fairchild in the serial “Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy.” One of the programs that later came to symbolize Shepherd's childhood, thanks to his 1983 film A Christmas Story, was Red Ryder. During World War II, Shepherd served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, installing radar equipment and furthering a lifelong dislike for authority figures. After the war, he studied acting in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre and briefly engineering and psychology at Indiana University. He left Indiana without a degree to take a radio gig in Cincinnati, which led him to a series of radio jobs, each better than the previous. After working at WTOD in Toledo, Ohio, Shepherd spent the early 1950s at WSAI and WLW in Cincinnati, and had a late-night broadcast on KYW in Philadelphia. He moved to New York for WOR and debuted on February 26th, 1955. WOR is a fifty-thousand watt clear-channel AM station and was the flagship affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System. Mutual Broadcasting had formed on September 28th, 1934 as a cooperative of stations WOR New York, WGN Chicago, WXYZ Detroit, and WLW Cincinnati. The members shared telephone-line transmission facilities and agreed to collectively enter into contracts with advertisers for their network shows. After a deal with Don Lee's chain of west coast networks, Mutual went coast-to-coast on December 29th, 1936. The other major networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, were corporations. When World War II ended, domestic manufacturing restrictions were lifted. TV became a focal point as the other networks pumped their radio profits into the new medium. Mutual's cooperative status meant it never had the resources to move into TV, although affiliates like WOR did run a local TV station in New York. Mutual remained a cooperative until 1952 when General Tire became the parent company. By 1955 radio was changing. Drama, which had dominated the dial for more than two decades, was on its way out due to both its and TV production costs. More and more network programming was being turned over to local affiliates. These local affiliates employed a new generation of hosts that had grown up with Jack Benny, Fred Allen, and other observant humorists. Shepherd's peers were Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, Rod Serling, and Steve Allen. Shepherd was working an overnight slot for WOR in 1956. Facing a lack of sponsorship, he was about to be fired when he did an unauthorized commercial for Sweetheart Soap who didn't sponsor his program. WOR immediately canned him. But, listeners complained in droves and Sweetheart actually offered to sponsor him. WOR immediately brought him back. The overnight slot allowed him to riff with little need for the kind of corporate oversight that faced daytime and primetime hosts. That year, during a discussion on how easy it was to manipulate the best-seller lists, Shepherd suggested that his listeners visit bookstores and ask for a copy of a fictional novel called I, Libertine by a Frederick R. Ewing. Fans of the show planted references so widely that there were claims it made The New York Times Best Seller list. It led to an actual book deal with Ballantine. Theodore Sturgeon wrote most of it with Shepherd's outline guiding him. Betty Ballantine finished the novel when Sturgeon fell asleep during a marathon writing session to meet the deadline. Famed illustrator Frank Kelly Freas did the cover art. The book was published on September 13th, 1956 with all proceeds going to charity.

Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) is kicking off their 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere performance of Franky D. Gonzalez's new play, The Tragedy of Othello. This entertaining and thought-provoking production is a 120-minute show which will begin October 19th and run for three consecutive weekends through November 5th, 2023.Franky Gonzalez stops by to talk about how his adaptation will retain the original plot but employ a modern aesthetic and language and set in Dallas in current times. The play centers on Imani Othello who encounters racism, sexism and ageism after being named the first Black woman head coach of a football team. The incredible Denise Lee will breathe life into the indomitable spirit of Othello. Franky D. Gonzalez is a Latino playwright based in Dallas and L.A. His work has appeared with The Lark, Sundance Institute, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, NNPN, LTC Carnaval, Latinx Playwrights Circle, Urbanite Theatre, Great Plains Theatre Conference, Goodman Theatre, The New Harmony Project, The Workshop Theater, LAByrinth Theater Company, Ars Nova, and Dallas Theater Center among others. He is the Bishop Arts Theatre Center Playwright-in-Residence.Also, hear a rather robust conversation between the guys about spiders and frogs and skunks. (oh my!)The Tragedy of Othello begins October 19 – November 5, 2023, for three consecutive weekends at the Bishop Arts Theatre Center at 215 S Tyler Street, Dallas, TX 75208. Tickets for The Tragedy of Othello can be purchased online at www.bishopartstheatre.org or by calling the box office at 214.948.0716 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chicago director Lili-Anne Brown brings extraordinary levels of funny and heart to the Goodman Theatre production of Pearl Cleage's wonderful comedy of class, The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years. Brown discusses the kind of rehearsal room she creates; how she worked her way up the theatrical ladder; how we don't talk enough about the value of comedy; how the comedy basics of high status versus low status goes too frequently unrecognized; how she gives license to her actors to explore and invent; how the best and funniest idea wins; and how the recipe always begins with great actors and giving them permission to try. (Length 21:08)

Today Ledslie talks to Dianah Wynter. Wynter was born and raised in New York. She directed Intimate Betrayal (1999), HappySAD (2009), and Daddy's Girl (1996), for which she received an Emmy nomination. Her stage directing credits include the world premiere of The Interrogation of Nathan Hale at South Coast Rep, Mules at San Francisco's Magic Theatre and American Conservatory Theatre (ACT), the latter starring Anika Noni Rose. She was a regular director for the Mark Taper's New Work Fest, and NEA Director Fellow for The Goodman Theatre. At Princeton, she composed music for Triangle club comedy revues, collaborating with classmates such as Douglas McGrath, David E. Kelley, Eric Schlosser and John Seabrook.A graduate of the Yale school of drama. She was asst director for Lloyd Richards on the world premieres of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Fences. She mounted the second company of Fences at Seattle Rep starring Frances Foster and Samuel L. Jackson. Dianah is an author and co-editor of Referentiality and the Films of Woody Allen (Palgrave Macmillan). Her most recent book is The Post Soul Cinema of Kasi Lemmons.In 2019, she was elected Chair of the Cinema & Television Arts department at Cal State Northridge (CSUN), which consistently ranks in the Hollywood Reporters Top 25 film schools. She is the first black woman to head a Top film school. During her term as Chair, she initiated the virtual production initiative, with the support of strategic partner, Halon Entertainment; by 2021, CSUN made it into the top 20 of The Wraps Top 50 Film Schools, breaking in at #17.