Theatre Chat

Love Chicago theatre and can't stop talking about it? Or perhaps new in town and want a valuable insider's perspective on the scene? The Sun-Times is there for you. Hedy Weiss, theatre and dance critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is host of a new video web chat session direct from the Sun-Times newsroom. "Stage Right With Hedy Weiss" airs Thursdays at 3:30pm, and serves as a live video-based web discussion forum on all things related to Chicago theatre and dance.

In these sessions, Hedy discusses recent openings, recommends shows, gives updates on recent Chicago premieres that have gone on to Broadway and elsewhere, and answers any and all theatre related questions and comments live on-air that viewers send in. There will also be a special Tony Awards discussion with Hedy live on Wednesday the 14th at 1:30pm, including multiple nominee August: Osage County and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Regional Theatre award.

All past clips are archived and can be seen at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stage-right-with-hedy-weiss. Viewing is free, although a log-on (also free) is required to participate. Like an interactive version of YouTube, Ustream allows users to create and broadcast discussions, performances, announcements, etc. and receive instant feedback through live video technology.

In other theatre chat-related news, the cast of the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys, currently in an open run at the Bank Of America Theatre (formerly LaSalle Bank Theatre (formerly Schubert)), is hosting a limited series of four "Stage Side Chats" for audience members on each Tuesday from May 20 to June 10 following the performance. The chats are brief question-and-answer sessions with the cast of Jersey Boys about this phenomenally successful show and the singing group that inspired it.