Podcast appearances and mentions of heidi rodewald

Kristi Callan in conversation with David Eastaugh Vocalist and rhythm guitarist originally from Texas. Kristi Callan has performed with Wednesday Week, David Gray, Wondermints, Cruzados, Dave Davies, The Ventures, Big Soul, Lucky, The Roswell Sisters and others.  Founders of the band were the sisters Kristi and Kelly Callan—daughters of actress K Callan. The sisters formed their first group, The Undeclared, in 1979. The duo evolved into a trio, Goat Deity, in 1980, when they were joined by Steve Wynn. Wynn left to concentrate on his other band, The Dream Syndicate, and Kjehl Johansen (of The Urinals) joined on bass guitar, with the band name changing again to Narrow Adventure. With David Provost replacing Johansen in 1983, the band became Wednesday Week (named after the Undertones song), and they released their debut EP, Betsy's House, later that year.[1][2] Further lineup changes followed, with Provost being replaced by Heidi Rodewald at the end of 1983, and Tom Alford joining on lead guitar in early 1984. In 1985, David Nolte (of The Last) replaced Alford, giving the band its most stable lineup.

On this episode, Jeff and Soraya talk with all four members of Wednesday Week, Kelly Callan, Kristi Callan, Heidi Rodewald and David Nolte.

Don't pass on this strange episode. This week, Thicket & Thistle discusses Passing Strange, a comedy-drama rock musical from 2008. It's about a young African American's journey of self-discovery in Europe, with strong elements of philosophy, self-referential, and the artistic journey. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew. It opened on Broadway in 2008, to strong reviews and several awards. And then Spike Lee filmed the musical on Broadwayand releasing it in 2009. 

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Stew is a singer, musician, composer, playwright, and a powerhouse in the world of music and theater. For years he fronted the band Stew and the Negro Problem. He then went on to create and star in a play called Passing Strange which started off-Broadway and then went on to have a successful run on Broadway, where it garnered multiple Tonys and other awards, and was eventually turned into a feature film by Spike Lee. In all of Stew's work, he shines a bright light on what it means to be an African-American guy with a killer sense of humor and an acute sense of history and culture, in a world that wants to reduce everyone to stereotypes. Stew performed a live acoustic rendition of his song "Baldwin Country" and we spoke about "asshole-adjacent people," the role of comedy in music, the American vs European idea of freedom, what Reagan would say about today's mess, his ongoing collaboration with partner Heidi Rodewald, the audacity of craziness, and so much more.  Episode sponsor: Splendidcorp.com. Opening music: "Marchandise" written by Fugazi, performed by Pierre de Gaillande with James Fletcher, drums. Songs: "Baldwin Country" performed live by Stew, guitar and vocals. ""Merci Beaucoup M. Godard" from the Passing Strange Broadway soundtrack. "Man in a Dress" by Stew, "Black Men Ski," "Klown Wit Da Nuclear Code" and "Why do Black People Still Believe in God" by Stew and the Negro Problem. End credit music: "Hé" by Pixies, performed by Pierre de Gaillande, from the forthcoming album "franglais" by Bad Reputation. www.facebook.com/stewtnp

It's Gary and Frank together in the Booth for a cavalcade of theatergoer notes on shows we've recently seen around Chicago. First off, Frank tells us about his adventures in speech competition judging that's kept him away from home the past month. By all accounts, the dazzling array of young talented actors and orators is promising news for the future of theater and performance in the Chicago area. Just this afternoon, our boys went to Northlight Theatre to see the world premiere play Landladies by Sharyn Rothstein, directed by Jess McLeod. As luck would have it, this sparkling three-hander features actress Leah Karpel, who Frank has known since she was a baby some 25-odd years ago. Leah was gracious enough to spend a few minutes with us after the show talking about her role and the privilege of appearing in a world premiere, and we bring you some of that remote interview in this episode. Running through April 20. Next, we traveled to the Den Theatre to see a truly inspiring and brilliantly produced musical show called The Total Bent. Written by the acclaimed singer, songwriter, founder and leader of the punk-rock combo The Negro Problem, Stew, and his writing partner Heidi Rodewald, The Total Bent traces the lives of an established Gospel and R&B singer (magnificently played by Robert Cornelius) and his upstart young son (a dazzling debut by Gilbert Domally) as they navigate show business and the total bent of their lives together and apart. Though closed now, this show was one of the finest productions Chicago has seen in many years, so keep your eyes peeled for a revival. Director Lili-Anne Brown does amazing work keeping the story and the tension moving. Teaser Alert: Robert Cornelius and Lili-Anne Brown will be our guests next time on Episode 96! Have you heard of the very smart fish that scientists think can recognize itself in a mirror? Until now, the only species to have passed the mirror test were great apes, bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, Eurasian magpies and a single Asian elephant. Add to that list the cleaner wrasse, a 4-inch fish that lives in coral reefs. Read the full story here. Along those lines, Gary wishes that some annoying theatergoers were more self-aware! A Caryl Churchill play called A Number is receiving a striking production at Writers Theatre this spring. Running through June 9 in the Gillian Theatre, this 65-minute show is about parenting, cloning and going back to try to fix mistakes in your life. Gary was a bit lost in the narrative at times, but the two performances by William Brown and Nate Burger are compelling. Directed by Robin Witt, it's a roller coaster ride through a strikingly familiar future. As always with Writers, the production values and quality are top-notch. You can't go wrong with an evening out at Writers Theatre. Former President Jimmy Carter has become the longest-living president in US history. This past week, Mr. Carter, the nation's 39th president, reached the age of 94 years and 172 days. He has enjoyed the longest post-presidency in American history. His tireless resolve and heart have helped to improve life for millions of the world's poorest people. God bless Mr. Carter and his continued work for those in need. I'll Be Seeing You (aka Kiss of Death) Stanley Donan - The director and choreographer of classic musicals such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Singin' in the Rain, Royal Wedding, The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. Mr. Donan was frequently overshadowed by his collaborator Gene Kelly, but they made a grand team. By 1960, the Metro musical was no more and Donan became an accomplished director of comedy, romance and spoof thrillers, such as Charade and Two for the Road. Mr. Donan was married five times and is survived by his long-time partner, the writer, director and actor Elaine May. Stanley Donan was 94. Read the full Guardian obit by David Thomson here.  

Oct. 23, 2014. In a special appearance, Stew discusses his career as a playwright, songwriter, poet and lyricist. Adrien-Alice Hansel talks with him about the song lyric as poem and as a dramatic text, and takes a look at some interesting recent projects -- his song cycle "Brooklyn Omnibus" and a new show written for the 2014 Oregon Shakespeare Festival, "Family Album." Speaker Biography: Stew's rock musical "Passing Strange" took top Tony, Obie and Drama Desk awards, and inspired the Spike Lee documentary premiered at Sundance. Working with his band "The Negro Problem" and longtime collaborator Heidi Rodewald, Stew has created a powerful and provocative body of work -- songs and shows that chronicle a semiautobiographical musical journey and reveal "a razor-sharp literary eye and a wicked sense of humor" (Chicago Sun-Times). Speaker Biography: Adrien-Alice Hansel is literary director of Studio Theatre. For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6604

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE ADDAMS FAMILY, by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, & Andrew Lippa, at the Fox Theatre, (2) HENRY V, by William Shakespeare, at St. Louis Shakespeare, (3) PASSING STRANGE, by Stew & Heidi Rodewald, at New Line Theatre, (4) TOP GIRLS, by Caryl Churchill, at Webster University Conservatory, (5) REASONS TO BE PRETTY, by Neil LaBute, at The NonProphet Theater Co., (6) THE VIOLINIST, by Susan Berardi, at Inspired Productions, (7) RABBIT HOLE, by David Lindsey-Abaire, at Insight Theatre Co., (8) SOUTH PACIFIC, by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, & Joshua Logan, at The Alpha Players, and (9) THE HOT L BALTIMORE, by Lanford Wilson, at Soundstage Productions.

Art, authenticity, race and identity mix it up in the music of the acclaimed singer-songwriter known as Stew. He discusses his musical "Passing Strange," now out in a screen version from Spike Lee.

With backgrounds rooted in rock and roll, television comedy and comics, our 4 guests have made the leap from their day jobs to the stages of Broadway and Off Broadway with their musicals. Ben Katchor ("The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island"), David Javerbaum ("Cry-Baby"), Heidi Rodewald ("Passing Strange") and Stew ("Passing Strange") discuss adjusting to the collaborative world of theatre, the rules of theatre they think were made to be broken, their reaction to producers' notes, and how they feel their shows fit within the context of traditional musicals.

With backgrounds rooted in rock and roll, television comedy and comics, our 4 guests have made the leap from their day jobs to the stages of Broadway and Off Broadway with their musicals. Ben Katchor (The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island), David Javerbaum (Cry-Baby), Heidi Rodewald (Passing Strange) and Stew (2008 Tony Award for Best Book for Passing Strange) discuss adjusting to the collaborative world of theatre, the rules of theatre they think were made to be broken, their reaction to producers' notes, and how they feel their shows fit within the context of traditional musicals.

Writer/composer/performers Stew and Heidi Rodewald on their hit, Broadway rock musical "Passing Strange;" also film expert Jerry Carlson on Hitchcock's film classic. "The 39 Steps" and the new hit Broadway stage adaptation.