Podcast appearances and mentions of ron oj parson

Benny is a loner whose identity revolves around his wife and children. Gil is a free spirit who longs to fulfill his potential. When the two strangers meet, they form an instant, deep bond. But slowly cracks start to form and their fresh bromance begins to crumble. A new Chicago Shakespeare Theater play called “Hymn” is an entertaining journey with some good old school music and elements of Black male friendship woven throughout the narrative. Reset sits down with the play's director Ron OJ Parson to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Rebecca Spence (left) and Netta Walker play Eleanor of Aquitaine and Alice Capet, the estranged wife and mistress, respectively, of Henry II, in the Court Theatre production of James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Spence and Walker discuss what it's like to be playing the smartest characters in the play; the joy of facing off in their second onstage collaboration; the highly flattering comparison they make to Robert Preston; the privilege of working with such a sensitive ensemble of actors (and a director who trusts them); and how they navigate their power as women in a play with such, as they say in the 12th century, Big Dagger Energy. (Length 20:23) (Photo by Michael Brosilow.)

Tyla Abercrumbie is an actor, director, and playwright whose play Relentless was produced by Chicago's Timeline Theatre Company, called "The best new work here in years," by the Chicago Tribune, then subsequently presented by the Goodman Theatre. Relentless tells the story of two sisters who return to Philadelphia in 1919 to settle the estate of their mother and make family discoveries that change their knowledge of the past and will possibly determine their future. Tyla talks about her play came to be; what inspired it but also (more importantly) what motivated it; how her acting informs her writing; her goals for a large canon; the joy of costumes, both wearing them and writing for them; the fun of doing it the way Shakespeare did it; and how disparate ideas come together as if they were meant to be – which they probably were. (Length 21:40) (PICTURED: Ayanna Bria Bakari and Jane Ladymore in the Timeline Theatre Company's production of Tyla Abercrumbie's Relentless, at the Goodman Theatre, directed by Ron OJ Parson.) The post Tyla Abercrumbie's ‘Relentless' appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Ron OJ Parson is a multiple award-winning director and Resident Artist at the 2022 Tony-winning regional theater Court Theatre in Chicago, where his production of Arsenic and Old Lace opens this Saturday night. Ron's extraordinary range includes over 30 productions of August Wilson's plays, musicals, classics, and world premieres, and he discusses how he approaches each script, regardless of genre; how the best direction is collaboration; bonding with Brian Dennehy and formative mentoring from Marion McClinton and Stephen McKinley Henderson; the art of not doing all that much to the play while you're doing the harder work of just doing the play; how he's one of the folks responsible for it being a golden age of August Wilson in Chicago (and elsewhere); and how believes in the fundamental importance of laughter, not just as entertainment but as catharsis. Can you say #RonaissanceMan? (Length 18:33) (Photo of Ron OJ Parson by Joe Mazza.) The post Ron OJ Parson appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The Court Theatre last week won the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The award recognizes the theater for “Fostering local talent,” according to the American Theater Wing, which manages the award. The Court is the University of Chicago's professional theater company. Its current production, Two Trains Running, is the Court's ninth of ten plays in August Wilson's Century Cycle, which documents Black life in the 20th century. Reset checks in with Charlie Newell, the Court's artistic director, and Ron OJ Parson, director of Two Trains Running. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Char Daston Guests: Ron OJ Parson, Angel Ysaguirre

Matthew chats with director Ron OJ Parson. The two talk about Relentless (Ron's current project being shown at the Goodman Theatre till May 8th), returning to familiar work, and The Twilight Zone

Pauline Hopkins is thought to be the first Black woman to pen a sci-fi novel. Actor LaQuis Harkins reads chapter four of the novel “Of One Blood.” Directed by Ron OJ Parson.

Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson was one of the few Black women diarists of the early 20th century. She also worked as an educator for most of her life. Actor Kierra Bunch reads three selections from her first book “Violets and Other Tales”: “Three Thoughts,” “The Woman,” “Paul to Virginia.” Directed by Ron OJ Parson.

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is getting an amazing production right now at the Writers Theatre in Chicago , directed by Ron OJ Parson and starring Tony-nominee Felicia P. Fields in the title role, and the four outstanding actors who play her musicians -- David Alan Anderson as Toledo, Kelvin Roston, Jr. as Levee, A.C. Smith as Slow Drag, and Alfred H. Wilson as Cutler (pictured above, left to right) -- sat down for a roundtable discussion about the roles they play; the extraordinary bond they've forged; comparisons to Shakespeare; dialogue as music and words turned into poetry; the familiarity of the characters; shout-outs to King Oliver and Buddy Bolden; strong communities; August Wilson's incredible legacy, the shape of his ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle, and his ability to turn innate speech into poetry and familiar characters into titans. A one an' a two…y'all know what to do… (Length 22:01) Photos by Michael Brosilow. Courtesy of Writers Theatre. The post ‘Ma Rainey's' Band appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

I've been burning the midnight oil prepping for next week's Southeastern Theatre Conference in Knoxville so pardon my delay in posting this episode. Today's news includes three theatres with new 2019 summer seasons, two managing directors leaving their posts, and two interviews that I found interesting and wanted to share. Join the mailing list to receive notices about upcoming issues, the weekly newsletter and a link to this podcast simply text TREADINGTHEBOARD to 22828. SEASON ANNOUNCEMENTS Weston Playhouse Theatre Company (VT) Tent Theatre (MO) The Barnstormers (NH) WHO'S IN AND WHO'S OUT Rich Whittington, founding managing director, retires from Triad Stage. James Haskins, current managing director for Wilma Theater will be relocating to Minneapolis to become the managing director at the Guthrie Theater. (American Theatre Magazine) ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS RollingOut.com interviews Ron OJ Parson, director/actor, on directing Sweat at The Goodman Theatre opening in March. StageCraft with Gordon Cox. In the latest podcast, Cox interviews  Laura Benanti as she talks about her latest role as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center.   To purchase an issue of Treading the Boards go to ACLTheatreResources.com. THANKS FOR LISTENING AND HAVE A CREATIVE DAY!  

We were thrilled to welcome Brett Neveu to the booth just two days after being in the audience for the press opening of his marvelous new play, To Catch A Fish at Timeline Theatre. This production, masterfully directed by Ron OJ Parson, features one of the best ensemble casts we've ever seen, with standout performances by  Geno Walker, Al'Jaleel McGhee, Tiffany Addison, and Linda Bright Clay. We recently saw Al'Jaleel and Linda in Antoinette Nwandu's Breach at Victory Gardens. What a treat to see their work again so soon! Based on a true news story set in Milwaukee, Brett's play is about family and love and explores different types of love in a profound and very moving way. Timeline's 99 seat theatre makes for an intimate experience.  All the seats are good. The show runs through July 1 and is an absolute must see! This play came out of the Playwrights Collective at Timeline, which sounds like a very cool process for the writers. Brett, like our friend and recent guest Stuart Dybek, teaches writing at Northwestern University. He teaches classes in writing plays, television, and films. We are hoping to sit in on a class! Brett is a member of A Red Orchid's ensemble and has done 10 world premieres there. He has been interviewed by Booth One friend and guest, Mark Larson, for his book about Ensemble in Chicago Theatre and shares some of his insights about being part of an ensemble. A Red Orchid's theatre space is quite small and intimate, which sparks Brett's inspiration. As he says, "It challenges the actors and audience to communicate in a dangerous and interesting way." He studied writing at the University of Iowa along with some other amazing playwrights who are his good friends, such as Rebecca Gilman and Naomi Wallace. Brett plays in a band called The Last Afternoons. Multi-talented much? Kiss of Death: Florence Berman:         What a story! Florence Berman and her husband Maurie, started SuperDawg in 1948 as a way to pay the bills as they were going through school at Northwestern. All these years later, it is iconic. And we are happy to report that Brett Neveau and his daughter consider it to be an all-time favorite place. Read her beautiful obit by Maureen O'Donnell here.

We celebrate Booth One's 50th! episode with guest co-host, Jim Reho. For the past several years, Jim has resided in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the South Side and joins us to give a great tour. Learn more facts about Chicago's South Side. Jim reports on some of the highlights in his part of Chicago. For starters, check out some of the best thin crust pizza anywhere at Vito & Nick's, 84th & Pulaski. They have been around for 90 years! Another Reho favorite is a place that serves Korean/Polish cuisine. We are planning a "Roscoe at Large" visit to check out this great concept at Kimski! Read a 4 star review here. For excellent musical programming in a beautiful setting, hear a concert at Thalia Hall. Built in the 1890's as a replica of the Prague Opera House, it was one of the most ornate theaters of its time. Located in the Pilsen neighborhood, it has wonderful acoustics and you can even rent part of the balcony. Talk about Booth One! Check out the fascinating history. We are planning to see a show there and will report back. Between Christmas and New Years was the highest grossing week in Broadway history. 359,495 people saw a Broadway show that week. Jim talks about his favorite classic American musicals, including Carousel, a Booth One favorite. Listening to the original cast album the other night, Jim says there are 4 indelible songs he can list off the top of his head. He asks Gary if there are any songs in Hamilton that will live throughout history. Gary's response is there are probably half a dozen. Jim reveals that while he majored in English, his undergraduate minor was in - get this, the History of the American Musical Theatre! Gary reports on his trip to Writers Theatre to see East Texas Hot Links and says, "You will not see better acting anywhere...It is a powerful, bold and troubling statement. I couldn't recommend it more highly." Read one of the many rave reviews here. This Pulitzer Prize finalist was written by Eugene Lee and directed splendidly by Ron OJ Parson. Speaking of Ron, he's directed a production of Blues for An Alabama Sky, running now at the Court Theatre in Hyde Park. We are looking forward to a featuring the marvelous Court Theatre on an upcoming episode. Gary talks about the Kennedy Center Honors, which featured a stunning tribute to Mavis Staples by Bonnie Raitt and Andra Day, backed by a gospel choir. Read details here.  And watch President Obama's introduction here. Jim and Gary discuss Bonnie Raitt's lovely relationship with her father, John, who was the original Billy Bigalow in Carousel in 1945! See John and Bonnie sing a gorgeous duet of Hey There with the Boston Pops when he was 85. Another highlight of our winter theater season on Booth One was seeing The Christians at Steppenwolf. Gary and Jim talk about the fascinating questions the show raises about faith, death and forgiveness. Again, with crazy good acting - across the board! Chris Jones' review for the Chicago Tribune gives you a great sense of the play. Try to see it in person. Unforgettable! Gary calls for a sequel. Kiss of Death: Learn about Sister Francis Ann Carr, a powerful member of the Shaker community.  Read full obituary. From the Times Union obit, "The Shakers are a Christian religious group founded in 18th century in England. They practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, and their model of equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s, the group's website explains...They are also known for their simple living, architecture, and furniture." The Shakers offered homes to children or families who had nowhere else to go. Sister Francis was one of the last three practicing Shakers in her communal village.

In “East Texas Hot Links”, a play by Eugene Lee, seven strong willed neighbors join forces to protect one of their own. The year is 1955, and times are changing in the Jim Crow South. But for all that changes, some things remain the same. We talked about the play, and how some of its themes connect with today’s realities. Host Richard Steele was joined by: • “East Texas Hot Links” director Ron OJ Parson, and • Alfred Wilson, who plays Columbus Frye Then, we revisited a story of learning to heal through the art of Latin drumming. Plus, we heard about an artist learning to push forward towards her dreams. For those stories, we were joined by Vocalo Storrytelling Workshop Alumni: • Brittney Leanne Williams • Gloria Guaderrama

Is it necessary to say something new when you produce a classic text? Director Ron OJ Parson and actor Greta Oglesby join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their intimate production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, which is currently playing at Timeline Theatre.

Kimberly Senior directed the production of Harold Pinter's Old Times that is currently playing at Strawdog Theatre. Ron OJ Parson is directing the production of Pinter's The Caretaker that will open at Writers' Theatre in a few weeks. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the distinctive challenges of precision, rhythm and open-endedness that characterize Pinter's work.

On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Ron OJ Parson, the director of Home which is currently playing at Court Theatre. Ron talks about the show as well as bringing it to stage.