Podcast appearances and mentions of nate burger

Director Laura Gordon and actor Nate Burger discuss the 2024 production of the Ring Round the Moon by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Christopher Fry, at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Enhance your experience and appreciation by listening to this lively interview before or after your theater visit.

For his final production as thirty-year artistic director of Chicago's Tony-winning Court Theatre, Charles Newell transforms Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead into an unexpectedly joyful celebration of legacy and theater. Newell reveals his lengthy relationship with not only Stoppard's plays but with the man himself, and shares how he cast two halves of a whole; how he chose to respond instinctively to what was happening in rehearsal rather than adhere to an intricate plan; and how he embraced the counterintuitive and seemingly-oxymoronic phrase “joyful requiem.” (PICTURED: Erik Hellman and Nate Burger as Guildenstern and Rosencrantz in the Court Theatre production of Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, directed by Charles Newell. Photo by Michael Brosilow.) (Length 20:20)

Actors Tracy Michelle Arnold and Nate Burger offer their insights into the world premiere production of Anton's Shorts by Anton Chekhov and Aaron Posner at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Enhance your experience and appreciation by listening to this lively interview before or after your theater visit.

Director Tim Ocell joins actors Nate Burger and Marcus Truschinski to discuss the 2022 production of Stones in His Pockets at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Enhance your experience and appreciation by listening to this lively interview before or after your theater visit. 

Director James DeVita joins actors Nate Burger and Alys Dickerson to discuss the 2022 production of Hamlet at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Enhance your experience and appreciation by listening to this lively interview before or after your theater visit.

At Ten Chimneys, James Pickering and Iannone will act out two scenes from plays associated with Broadway greats Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Nate Burger and Laura Rook will share scenes from their American Players Theatre production of the two-actor play "Mary's Wedding." And Florentine Opera director William Florescu will take us behind the scenes for highlights of some of the company's standout performances.

Jess and Nate talk about The Liar at Writers Theatre designed by Rachel Healy and Heir Apparent at Chicago Shakespeare designed by David Woolard. Finally breaking the Ana Kuzmanic streak (although Nate has never been in a show designed by her soooo). Also they discuss a bunch of junk unrelated to costumes but related to their friendship. And Life. and whatever.

What movie musical pairs best with what Marvel superhero movie? Nate Burger and Laura Rook, two married Chicago actors, are surviving the quarantine in the most entertaining and delightful of ways: Pairing Nate's favorite Marvel superhero movies with Laura's favorite movie musicals. Listen as they describe their method to this madness, and describe some similarities to Chris Pratt and Robert Preston; the beauty of healthy shirtless men in every genre (above); the glory of big musical numbers; which superhero movie qualifies as The Jesus Story (spoiler: most of them); the perfection of pairing Avengers: Age of Ultron with Little Shop of Horrors; surprisingly perfect pairings for Mamma Mia!, A Chorus Line, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; two terrific pairings for the two Ant-Man movies; and the importance of giving yourself permission to realize that enjoying fluffy garbage is the point. (Length 20:32)  The post Marvel Musical Movies appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Enhance your appreciation of American Players Theatre's 2019 production of Simon Stephen's adaption of A Doll's House by Henrik Isben with this enlightening conversation with director Kiera Fromm and actors Kelsey Brennan and Nate Burger.  Listen on your way to or from the theater to gain insight into the play and the artistic decisions that make the APT production special.

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.  

Enhance your appreciation of American Players Theatre's 2016 production of Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte, with this enlightening conversation with director Brenda DeVita and actors Laura Rook, who plays the dual roles of Mary and Flowers, and Nate Burger, who plays Charlie.  Listen on your way to or from the theater to gain insight into the play, and the artistic decisions that make the APT production special.

How do you make it funny? Director William Brown and cast members Laura Rook and Nate Burger join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the comedy - verbal, physical and situational - in Writers Theatre's production of David Ives play, The Liar, adapted from Pierre Corneille's 17th century script.