This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with theatre reviewer Carol Moore. Carol talks about her 15 years as a theatre critic in Indiana and in the Chicago area.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Scott Westerman who stars in the Artistic Home's The Time of Your Life. Scott speaks about playing Joe and the significance of the play as well as his direction of Macbeth last season.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Allison Hendrix, the director of Kokandy Production's Loving Repeating. She talks about the casting, the decision to do a show about Gertrude Stein, and all the details that go into doing a chamber musical.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alex Higgin-Houser, the artistic director of Underscore Theatre Company and director of their current production Borderlands: Three Chords and the Truth now playing at the Frontier Theatre.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Malcolm Ruhl from Ring of Fire: The Music Of Johnny Cash now running at the Mercury Theatre. He tells what it is like to be both musician and music director of a show.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Steve Pickering, the veteran actor and one of the stars of The Little Foxes at the Goodman Theatre. Steve talks about The Little Foxes and Lillian Hellman. He also talks about his long association with the Goodman Theatre and his time as artistic director of Next Theatre.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Anthony Crivello who plays Louis Prima in Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara now playing the the Royal George Theatre. Crivello talks about Louis Prima's life and career and what it is like to play such a legendary character. He also talks about his long and award-winning career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Fred Anzevino from Theo Ubique who directs Jesus Christ Superstar at No Exit Cafe. Fred talks in detail about the process of casting a rock opera in an intimate space and about the audition process.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Lia Mortensen, the star of Profiles Theatre's The Other Place. She talks of the challenge of doing the role and about her 30 year career as an actor and a director.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with playwright Bruce Graham. Bruce talks about his play White Guy On The Bus which is playing at Northlight Theatre. He also talks about being an actor, comic, college professor, and about his writing process.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with publicist Noreen Heron. Noreen talks about the roles of a publicist, how they help theatres sell tickets, and her background in theatre beginning with the Candleight Theatre.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with theatre critic Jacob Davis. Jacob talks about his ealry impressions of the Chicago theatre scene and his collegiate theatre training at the University of Illinois.
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What makes hyper-realism work on stage? ATC Artistic director PJ Paparelli and actor Keith Kupferer join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about developing and rehearsing the world-premiere production of Stephen Karam's play, The Humans.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jay Torrence, the author and one of the stars of Burning Bluebeard. Jay talks about his writing and production practices used to create Burning Bluebeard and about being in a play that he wrote.
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One of the pleasures of the Chicago store-front scene is seeing our great actors work in tiny spaces. This week's podcast features actors Brad Armacost and Coburn Goss and director Jeff Christian, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about playing up close and personal in Irish Theatre of Chicago's production of Conor McPherson's Shining City.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Patrick Belics, the artistic director at Spartan Theatre Company. He talks about their landmark production of Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day and the future of Spartan Theatre.
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Chicago's storefront theatre scene is bursting at the seams. How does a new company break in? After two break-even seasons, with a subscription base and a clutch of good reviews for their most recent production of Richard Greenberg's "Take Me Out", Eclectic Full Contact Theatre seems to have done it. Founding member Andrew Pond and Michael Woods join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about how and why they faced the challenge.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Francis Guinan, the star of The Night Alive currently playing at the Steppenwolf Theatre. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alex Weisman, the star of TimeLine Theatre's My Name is Asher Lev playing at Stage 773. Alex talks about the experience in doing the play.
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Under the auspices of Remy Bumppo Theatre, twelve experienced Chicago actors are gathering each Monday night in a rehearsal room on Ravenswood Ave to study scenes with eight of Chicago's leading directors. Anne Nicholson Weber listens in as director Lia Mortenson coaches participants through scenes from J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls, and interviews Lia and Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Annabel Armour about the purpose and structure of the "Master Scene Study Class".
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alex Sanchez the choreographer of On the Town at the Marriott Theatre. Alex talks about the challenges of doing a show not seen in Chicago in 70 years, needing triple threat performers and using a small in-the-round stage.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Ronald Keaton who wrote and stars in Churchill. He talks about how and why he came to do a solo show about Winston Churchill. He also talks about his involvement with SoloChicago- a new theatre company dedicated to mounting solo Equity-based theatre.
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How can the theatre reach a generation that is used to sampling its art before buying? Or, put another way, what is the theatrical equivalent of movie trailers or Spotify? That's the question currently being posed by a new theatre company in town, The Common Room. Founders Mary Hollis Inboden, Alexander Lane and Benno Nelson join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their current experiment along these lines - a weekly live show, cheap and short, that features scenes from several productions currently playing around Chicago.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Gerald Frantzen, the artistic director at Chicago Folks Operetta and translator and male lead in their production of Ball at the Savoy at Stage773. He talks about the usa premier of the German operetta from 1932 that was banned by the Nazis. Ball at the Savoy is part operetta and part jazz-infused Broadway musical. He also speaks about the mission of Chicago Folks Operetta.
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Each year, a Chicago actor is chosen to spend a year training and acting at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. Under the aegis of the Chicago Associates of the Stratford Festival, each year's Chicago Fellow is given the opportunity to train at the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, and to act as a member of the company. On this week's podcast, former Fellows Melanie Keller and Erin Neal join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their experiences at the Festival.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Andrew Hobgood, the artistic director at the New Colony and director of their hit show, Orville and Wilbur Did It!. Andrew talks about the process of developing their shows in detail emphasizing the collaboration of the actors with the playwright.
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Rivendell Theatre Ensemble has a spanking new home, a focused mission, and a fine production of Courtney Baron's new play, Eat Your Heart Out. Artistic Director Tara Mallen, founding ensemble member Mary Cross, and her husband and fellow cast-member Michael Szeles join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the history of the company, the challenges of acting with your spouse, and the technical demands of a script that cuts rapidly back and forth among multiple story lines.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Roslyn Alexander. She talks about writing and performing her one person show, The Passions of Emma Goldman, and her preparation to do a 90 minute one person show and her career.
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Vieux Carre was one of Tennessee Williams' first plays and one of his last -- begun in the late 30s but not completed until forty years later, near the end of the playwright's life. The premiere production was a major Broadway flop and, despite the importance of its writer, the play has been seldom produced since then. Now Raven Theatre has brought it to Chicago audiences. Director Cody Estle, dramaturg Lukas Brasherfons and set designer Ray Toler join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the history, merits and challenges of this little known Williams work.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Edward Hibbert, one of the stars from the Lyric Opera's production of The Sound of Music. He talks about his role in the show as well as his time on the hit TV show Frasier and his major Broadway credits.
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The provocative title of Mike Bartlett's play, "Cock", refers to both sexuality and cock fighting. Profiles Theatre cast members Christopher Sheard, Jake Szczepaniak, Eleni Pappageorge and Torrey Hanson join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss sex on stage, acting without thinking and what an actor's friends should wear to a performance.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jonathan Abarbanel. He talks about being the chairman of the Executive committee of the American Theatre Critic association and how they help select the Regional Tony Award theatre and all about the process of ATCA's playwright award. He also talks about his career as a theatre critic.
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What are the pleasures and pitfalls of composing incidental music for a play? Chicago composers Christopher Kriz (multiple Jeff award nominee, including for his music for Lifeline Theatre's 2013 production of Pride and Prejudice) and Daniel Knox (Jeff-nominated for his music for Mary Arrchie's production of The Glass Menagerie), and actor/violinist Greg Hirte (incidental music for Piven Theatre's production of The Language Archive), join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their work.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actress Amanda Drinkall. Amanda talks about her role in Venus In Fur at the Goodman Theatre and her acting career.
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What makes a text suitable for the signature circus-infused style of Lookingglass Theatre? Director David Catlin and Acrobatic/ Circus Choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their production of The Little Prince, adapted from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's beloved classic by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Peter Oyloe, Jackie Intres and Christian Libonati. Christian talks about their latest show The Snow Queen, Jackie talks about the educational and community programs at the NW Side Chicago venue (Filament Theatre) and Peter talks about the new space and the plans for the near future for the venue.
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How -- and why -- would you tell the tragic story of the 1903 Iroquois Theatre disaster as a clown piece? Playwright/actor Jay Torrence and director Halena Kays join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the development of their unlikely and haunting hit, Burning Bluebeard, which was originally created at The Neo-Futurists and is now being remounted by The Ruffians at Theatre Wit.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Chicgo Tribune critic Chris Jones about his book Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater As Seen By Chicago Tribune Critics. Chris talks about how and why he chose the 101 reviews in the book and he also gives advise to young critics.
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What is it like to make a career in Chicago theatrical design? Scenery designer Angie Weber Miller and costume designer Emily Waecker -- both 2013 Equity Jeff Award winners -- join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their careers, their processes and their award-winning designs.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actor David Lively. David talks about playing Horace in Hello, Dolly! at Drury Lane Oakbrook and also about his long career in musicals and classical theatre.
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What are the special challenges of making theatre for a young audience? Why is "simple" difficult? Director Henry Godinez and actors Karl Hamilton and Mark David Kaplan join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss Chicago Children's Theatre's production of A Year with Frog & Toad, a family musical adapted by Robert Reale and Willie Reale from the children's books by Arnold Lobel.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Millicent Hurley Spencer, the star of The Trip to Bountiful at Raven Theatre. She talks about her preparation and execution of the role of Carrie Watts in the Horton Foote classic drama.
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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.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Walter Stearns - the Executive director of the Mercury Theater and the director of their current show, The Color Purple. He talks about the challenges of mounting an epic musical at his intimate theatre plus the upcoming shows at the Mercury.
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For two decades, Michael Shannon and Guy Van Swearingen have been making theatre at 1531 N. Wells Street, the home of A Red Orchid Theatre. On this week's podcast, Guy and Michael join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their partnership of 20 years and their current collaboration in Sam Shepard's Simpatico.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Erik Gernand - the author of The Beautiful Dark at Redtwist Theatre. Erik explains how and why he chose his topic and how the creative process works for creating a new work for the theatre.
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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.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Chance Bone and Andrew Swanson. They talk about the process they used to co-write Jackalope Theatre's The Casuals playing at the Storefront Theater.
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The prolific Cole Porter wrote nearly 900 songs. So if you set out to create an original revue of his work, where do you begin? And where do you end up? Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino and music director Aaron Benham join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their current revue, A Cole Porter Songbook.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Usman Ally, one of the stars of The Jungle Book at the Goodman Theatre. He talks about the collaborative process in creating a new musical.
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The Q Brothers' hip-hop adaptation of Othello is bringing new audiences to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. CST Creative Producer Rick Boynton, who helped develop Othello: The Remix, joins brothers GQ and JQ to discuss their work with Anne Nicholson Weber.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Mary Williamson and Peter Oyloe who star in Redtwist's Reverb. They talk about the physical fight combat and how intense the show is.
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What is it like to make a life in the musical theatre? Elizabeth Lanza has been working in Chicago storefront theatre for several years and is now making her equity debut as Nellie in Marriott Theatre's South Pacific. Broadway veteran Stephen Buntrock plays her Emile. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the challenges and rewards of their collaboration and their careers.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Gene Weygandt - the star of Barnum. Gene talks all about playing PT Barnum and the production at the Mercury Theater. He also talks about his days in Wicked.
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What does it mean to a playwright to be a member of an ensemble? Tarell Alvin McCraney joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2010 during the run of his trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays. He's back in Chicago for the world-premiere of his Steppenwolf-commissioned play, Head of Passes. He and Steppenwolf Artistic Director, Martha Lavey, join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their current collaboration and on-going relationship.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Gitta Jacobs, the producer of Theo Ubique's Smokey Joe's Cafe that is now remounted at the Royal George Theatre. She talks about shows she has produced and her 19 years on the Jeff Committee.
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Transformation is both the subject and the central technique of Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets, currently playing at Northlight Theatre. Director J.R. Sullivan and actors Brian Vaughn and David Ivers join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about how they created signature gestures and silhouettes to distinguish the 15 characters that Vaughn and Ivers play between them.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Lili-Anne Brown about her new show See What I Wanna See which is part of Steppenwolf's Grange Rep series. She also talks about Bailiwick Chicago.
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How do designers and director work together to create a unified imaginative world? Director Devon de Mayo and lighting designer Heather Gilbert join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about staging Next Theatre's production of Everything Is Illuminated.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alexis J Rogers who plays Billie Holiday in Porchight Music Theatre's production of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She tells about how she studied Billie Holiday's life and singing style and how emotionally draining her role is. She also talks about her many roles in Chicago theatre.
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How does a play get written? In particular, how does a verse play about two college English teachers lecturing on the poetry of William Blake to save their jobs after having public sex on the campus green get written? Mickle Maher joins Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the genesis of his play, There Is A Happiness That Morning Is, which is currently being remounted by Theater Oobleck at Victory Gardens; and about drafts and redrafts, writing in verse, and finding one's voice as a writer.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Debargo Sanyal the star of Disconnect at Victory Garden Theatre. He talks about the challenges of playing a young Indian debt collector and his career in TV and film.
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Circle Theatre, resident in Forest Park and then Oak Park for over 25 years, has moved to Chicago with a remount of their acclaimed production of When the Rain Stops Falling, currently playing at the Greenhouse Theater. Cast members Anita Hoffman, Catherine Price-Griffin and Mary Redmon join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Australian playwright Andrew Bovell's fascinating play.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Doreen Feitelberg - a Jeff Committee member and freelance voice and dialect coach. She talks about the difference between accents and dialects and about why actor and directors need to use voice coaches.
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How and why might a theatre start a two-way conversation with its audience beyond the traditional talk-back? Stuart Carden, Associate Artistic Director at Writers' Theatre, joins Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Writers' "The Making of" series.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Sirena Irwin who plays Lucy in the Broadway In Chicago production of I Love Lucy Live On Stage at the Broadway Playhouse. She talks about the daunting task of playing Lucy - the iconic comedian.
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How do you cast a new light on a classic? Hans Fleischmann, director of Mary Arrchie's current hit production of Tennesse Williams' The Glass Menagerie, along with cast members Joanne Dubach and Walter Briggs, join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss Fleischmann's concept for the production, the avant garde elements of Williams' original conception of the play, how film inspired their staging and the challenges facing an actor/director.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with theatre critic Larry Boomer. Larry talks about his background reviewing plays and he talks about his favorite shows of 2012.
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Seventeen years ago, actors Brad Armacost, Lia Mortensen and Si Osborne starred in a production of Brian Friel's Faith Healer that took Chicago by storm, running four months in a tiny storefront space and then joining the line-up in Steppenwolf's inaugural studio theatre series. They are remounting that production at The Den Theatre, again under the direction of J.R Sullivan, and join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Friel's tricky play and the return to a pivotal experience in their development as artists.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with John Reeger - the actor and the playwright of four musicals with the late Julie Shannon. He talks about The Christmas Schooner and how he and Julie collaborated to write musicals. He also talks about the memorial celebration of Julie Shannon's life and work.
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The American Blues Theater has been presenting a version of It's a Wonderful Life: Live! at the Biograph every holiday season for the last eight years Four members of the cast -- Kevin R. Kelly, John Mohrlein, Gwendolyn Whiteside and Shawn J. Goudie.- join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the history of this perennial Chicago favorite, the style and aesthetic of the production, how Foley Artist Shawn Goudie creates the sound effects, and some of the extras -- carol singing, live jingles for local businesses, and "audiograms" -- that contribute to the show's warm, community spirit.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Nick Sandys -- the artistic director at Remy Bumppos think theatre. Nick talks about their new show You Never Can Tell as well as Remy Bumppo and the mission of the theatre company.
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What's it like to reprise a role you first played 14 years ago? Lookingglass actors Raymond Fox, Doug Hara and Louise Lamson join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their long association with Mary Zimmerman's play Metamorphoses, how to keep a performance alive and fresh over a long run, and how their performances have changed over time.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Anthony Freud - the General Director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He talks about his background, the current Lyric opera season and his vision for the future of the Lyric Opera.
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Education and outreach are a big part of what many Chicago theatres do. Three leaders in this field -- Hallie Gordon (Artistic and Education Director For Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre), Marilyn Halperin (Director of Education and Communications at Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Nicole O'Connell (Director of Education at Writers Theatre) -- join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss how and why their theatres are reaching out to teachers and students in the Chicago public schools.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with TaRon Patton, the director of Bulrusher by Congo Square Theatre. She talks about Bulrusher and the upcoming shows at Congo Square Theatre.
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How and why do you put science on stage? This week's podcast features two of the artists involved with the production of Peter Parnell's QED, currently being produced by theatre4humanity and Collaboraction. Rob Riley plays physicist Richard Feynman in the show; Matthew Grayson designed the sound and graphics. Matt is also a professor of engineering at Northwestern University where he produced an earlier incarnation of this production as part of an annual series of plays about science. Rob and Matt join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Feynman, left- and right-brain creativity, and the creative combustion that results when artists and scientists collaborate.
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What lies behind the art of singing Stephen Sondheim's music? Carmen Cusack and Jason Danieley join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about what they've learned performing the lead roles in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's current production of Sunday in the Park with George.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jackie Taylor from Black Ensemble Theater - she talks about what the fine job Rueben Echoles did with One Name Onlyand also talked about her company's mission and the future of the Black Ensemble Theater.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jeremy Ramey- the music director for Theo Ubique's Smokey Joe's Cafe and Jeff Award winner for Light in the Pizza- he talks about the challengers of music direction as well as being a conductor/musician and his career from child protege to Doctorate from Juilliard School of Music.
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Why is Edward Albee's writing like Shakespeare? Why is an Albee script like a musical score? Why are Albee lines so hard to learn? On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber is joined by actors Patrick Clear and Annabel Armour and director Nick Sandys to talk about Remy Bumppo's current production of Seascape and the lessons they've learned about how to perform Albee's work.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Larry Adams who plays the lead in 42nd Street at Theatre At The Center in Munster. He talks about the show as well as his long career as a leading song and dance performer in Chicago.
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This week's podcast features director Jennifer Green and stage manager Jessica Forella, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their experiences working with the young cast of Piven Theatre Workshop's current production of Tusk Tusk by Polly Stenham -- how they went about working on adult materials with child actors, how the processes of casting and rehearsing differ, and why they got better at their jobs doing this show.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Bill Larkin who plays Edward Kleban in Porchlight Music Theatre's production of A Class Act.
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Our podcast this week focuses on Cor Theatre's inaugural production of Skin Tight by Gary Henderson. Joining us to talk about the show and the company are Victoria Deiorio (Co-Founder, Director), Tosha Fowler (Co-Founder, cast member), Scott Cummins (Fight Director) and Julia Neary (Fight Director / Movement). They talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the physicality of the piece, including the metaphorical uses of movement, how a fight is choreographed to tell a story, and how actors depicting lovers become comfortable with physical intimacy on stage.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Marilyn Eisenberg. She talks about her life changing experiences after seeing musical theatre as well as her favorite theate companies in the Chicago area.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Stan Klein--the actor and co-star of Nickel History with Tony Fitzpatrick talks about his show and about how he created Firecat Projects in Chicago that is a home for artists to show their creations with being charged any fees.
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This week's podcast focuses on Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's new initative to take their production of The Taming of the Shrew into Chicago's neighborhood parks. Director of Production Chris Plevin and cast members Ericka Ratcliff (Kate) and Matt Mueller (Petruchio) join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the challeges and rewards of producing Shakespeare outside in broad daylight for audiences in neighborhoods around the city.
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On this week's podcast, we air Part 2 of a two-part series focusing on the recently disbanded company, New Leaf Theatre. Artistic Director Jessica Hutchinson, Managing Director Eleanor Hyde, resident scenic designer Michelle Lilly, and resident sound designer Nick Keenan join Anne Nicholson Weber to discss their decision to disband the company, choices they might make differently in hindsight, and some interesting new models for producing store-front theatre in this city.
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On this week's podcast, we air Part 1 of a two-part series focusing on the recently disbanded company, New Leaf Theatre. This week in Part 1, Artistic Director Jessica Hutchinson, Managing Director Eleanor Hyde, resident scenic designer Michelle Lilly, and resident sound designer Nick Keenan join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about New Leaf's history, culture and successes. Next week, we will conclude the conversation with Part 2, the story of the ensemble's decision to disband the company at the end of the run of their most recent show, a critcially-acclaimed production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Tony Fitzpatrick- the author, playwright, artist, actor who is staring in Nickel History: The Nation of Heat at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre--he talks about the entire trilogy that included The Train and Stations Lost and he recalls Studs Terkel--his mentor.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are Monty Cole and Brian Loevner, two of the three members of the Chicago Commercial Collective -- a new entity in town that plans to produce commercial remounts of non-profit shows that would otherwise "close too soon." Monty and Brian talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the genesis of the collective, their plans for the future, and their inaugural production -- a remount of Keith Huff's A Steady Rain, which the collective is producing in association with Chicago Dramatists where the show was originally developed and premiered.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Danielle Brothers who is appearing in Theo Ubique's Time After Time, the Julie Styne revue. She talks about her singing style and how much the audience motivates her singing.
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On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews composer Andre Pluess and book writer and lyricist Andy White about their new musical, Eastland, which is currently being premiered at Lookingglass Theatre. They explain the process of developing the piece, its roots in Chicago history, and the nature of their collaboration.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alison Kelly who runs the Chicago Folks Operetta company along with her husband. They have two operettas running- The Cousin from Nowhere and The Circus Princess. Alison talks about the shows and why they do German/Viennese operettas.
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This week's podcast interview focuses on the production of Joanthan Larson's Rent, which is currently playing at American Theatre Company, co-produced by About Face Theatre. Director David Cromer and cast members Derrick Trumbly (Roger) and Eduardo Placer (Angel) talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about Cromer's re-examination of the iconic show and reconfiguration of the ATC space, Trumbly's performance of "One Song Glory" and Placer's experience learning a role in four days to step into a production that had already opened.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Adam Whiteman, the playwright/composer of Music Mad, How Chief O' Neill Saved the Soul of Ireland which is now playing at Chief O'neill's Pub.
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This week's podcast features actors Mike Nussbaum and Coburn Goss, who are currently playing in Mark St. Germain's two-hander, Freud's Last Session, at The Mercury Theatre. Anne Nicholson Weber talks to Mike and Coburn about the challenges of playing historical figures Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis, of taking over the roles from the New York actors who opened the production here in Chicago, the response of the audience to this play of ideas, and observations on the art of acting.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Peter Oyloe who stars in Filament Theatre Ensemble's Hank Williams: Lost Highway. He talks about the show, why the theatre ensemble chose to do it, and he also performs some musical samples from the show.
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This week's podcast features three members of the cast of A Little Night Music currently playing at Writers' Theatre. Shannon Cochran, Deanna Dunagan and Tiffany Scott join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the developmental phases of an actress' career and the challenges and joys of playing a scaled-down, intimate version of Sondheim's masterpiece.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actress Kate Arrington. She talks about her current show The Iceman Cometh, which is playing at the Goodman Theatre, as well as her acting career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with playwright Neil LaBute. He talks about his show, In A Forest, Dark and Deep which is currently playing at the Profiles Theatre as well as his creative process.
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Our podcast guests are Mark Messing, composer, and Mickle Maher, playwright and one of the founders of Theatre Oobleck. They talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about their original chamber opera, The Hunchback Variations; about the rationale behind Theatre Oobleck's distinctive process of working without a director; and about serendipity in art.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actor Charles Newell, the artistic director at Court Theatre and the director of their current show Angels in America. He talks about the show as well as his career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actor Frank Galati who adapted and directed The March which is currently playing at the Steppenwolf Theatre. He talks about the show as well as his career.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are director Eric Hoff and fight choreographer Ryan Bourque. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the development and staging of Ike Holter's new play, Hit the Wall, currently being performed by The Inconvenience as part of the Steppenwolf Garage series -- the challenges of creating a convincing riot on stage using only 10 actors; underscoring a stage fight without turning it into a dance; and their exploration of gender and period setting through movement.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with actor Brad Armacost who is currently in Seanachai Theatre Company's A Moon For the Misbegotton which is playing at the Irish American Heritage Center. He talks about the production and his amazing career in Chicago.
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This week's podcast features director Greg Kolack and ensemble member Matt Babbs, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Redtwist Theatre's production of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later -- how the project came to be, their approach to documentary theatre, Greg's experiences interviewing some of the subjects of the play, and Redtwist's simultaneous production of a fully-staged reading of the original The Laramie Project.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jack Zimmerman, the PR manager for the Lyric Opera of Chicago and a storyteller with a CD "The Gift." Jack talks of why he is a storyteller with personal stories about growing up on Chicago's South Side.
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This week's podcast focuses on Raven Theatre's production of Arthur Miller's The Price. Director Michael Menendian and ensemble member Chuck Spencer join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the challenges of producing Miller, the uses of a crowded set and the universality of the play's theme.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Heather Beck who plays Patsy Cline in Always...Patsy Cline at the Theatre at the Center in Munster. She talks the show as well as life on a cruise ship as a singer.
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This week's podcast focuses on the Idle Muse Theatre Company's production of Shakespeare's R & J, which is currently playing at The Side Project. Director Tristan Brandon and cast members Curtis Jackson and Andrew Lund join host Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their approach to the verse and how it was affected by the adaptor's conceit that the play is being performed by four school boys; and also about the casting process and how a newly-arrived actor integrates into the Chicago theatre scene.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Nathan Gunn, the opera baritone staring in Show Boat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He talks about his career and the challenges of moving from opera to a Broadway show and back.
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This week's guests on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast are Dawn Gray of Gray Talent Group and Becca Knights of Simon Casting. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to share an insider's perspective on what they're looking for in an actor, why Chicago theatre and improv credentials can lead to film, television or commercial work, and how an actor in Chicago can make a balanced career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Dennis Watkins from the House Theatre who is currently starring in Death and Harry Houdini which is playing at the Chopin Theatre. He talks about the show and his magic.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with actor Patrick Clear who is currently appearing in Race at the Goodman Theatre. He talks about the play as well as his long career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Jon Steinhagen. He talks about his two latest shows to play in Chicago, Blizzard '67 and Dating Walter Dante.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Ben Fuchsen, the Executive Producer of Oracle Productions and Brad Jayhan-Little, the Executive Director. They explain their innovative Theatre Public Access Program that includes free tickets for all Oracle theatre productions among other sponsoring techniques.
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This week's podcast features Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton, the "Doyle" and "Debbie" of the Doyle & Debbie Show, which is currently playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Bruce's process as writer and lyricist, the impulse for the show, and how Bruce and Jenny came together almost six years ago to debut this country music satire.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Joe Stead about how and why he started his theatre review website in 2000 and about the rise of the internet as a reviewing forum.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Dennis Polkow, a writer from New City and other publications. He talks about the Chicago music scene including opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are David Rosenberg, Communications Director at Steppenwolf Theatre, and Cathy Taylor, of Cathy Taylor PR. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to explain the role of the publicist, their relationship to an ever-evolving press, and how they help a show find its audience.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Gwendolyn Whiteside, the producing artistic director of American Blues Theater. She talks their current show, It's It's A Wonderful Life: Live At The Biograph, and the ABT's history and what they have coming.
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This week on the TalkTheatreinChicago podcast, actor Steve Pickering and director Matt Miller join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their production of Conor McPherson's St. Nicholas currently running at the Irish American Heritage Center under the auspices of Seanachai Theatre and Shanghai Low Theatricals. They talk about McPherson's sensibility and the unique challenges of this one-man show.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Timothy Edward Kane from An Iliad at Court Theatre. Kane talks about the challenges of doing a one person show about Homer's Iliad.
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Our podcast this week features Greg Allen, founding director of The Neo-Futurists, and Bilal Dardai, one of the ensemble members. They take Anne Nicholson Weber through the history of the company that has been playing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind for 23 years and explain its unique aesthetic and methodology.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Hershey Felder about his new one-man show, Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein which is currently playing at the Royal George Theatre.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Carlo Garcia who is an actor, director and producing director at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. He talks about his current show, Red Light Winter, as well as his career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Jim Corti, the new Artistic Director of the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. He talks about the new Broadway musical series at the theatre and the upcoming shows.
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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.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with actor Frank Nall. He talks about his current show, the Artistic Home's A Touch of the Poet playing at Stage 773.
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This week on our podcast interview, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Black Ensemble Theatre founder and Executive Director, Jackie Taylor, about the company's 35-year history making theatre and fighting racism in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Steve Scott, the associate producer of Goodman Theatre and freelance director. He talks about his current show Elling, which he is directing at the Redtwist Theatre, as well as his directing process and long career.
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This week's podcast features Barbara Gaines and Criss Henderson, the Artistic and Executive Directors of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to review the company's 25-year history, flexion points along the way, and what lies ahead.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Aaron Thielen, the lead Artistic Director at Marriott Theatre and the book writer of For The Boys. He talks about creating a new work for the stage and he previews his latest new musical Hero to be mounted in 2012 at the Marriott Theatre.
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On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Michael Weber, the newly-appointed Artistic Director at Porchlight Music Theatre. They discuss his plans for the company and what "Chicago-style" musical theatre might look like.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Richard Friedman, the Managing Director at the Theatre at the Center in Munster. In the past he was also managing director/producer at Northlight Theatre and the Organic Theatre.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are Tanya Palmer, Director of New Play Development at Goodman Theatre, and Rebecca Rugg, Artistic Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the process of new play development and the new play festivals that each theatre will be mounting this fall: Goodman's New Stages Amplified and Steppenwolf's First Look Festival.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Evan Jackson, the Artistic Director of Idle Muse Theatre and director of their current production of The Lion in Winter.
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This week's podcast focuses on Writers Theatre. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the company's beginnings in the back of a North Shore bookstore; the philosophy and strategy that have shaped its culture; and new opportunities arising as the company embarks on its 20th season.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Naomi Wallace who is the playwright featured this year with the Eclipse Theatre Company. She talk about her show The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek and One Flea Spare as well as her upcoming visit to Chicago.
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On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber talks with producer Sharon Evans and storytellers Matt Miller and Jeffrey Sweet about the Filet of Solo Festival currently playing in various Roger's Park venues. They talk about the history and scope of the festival, the storytelling scene in Chicago generally, and some of the specific pieces included in this year's festival.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Ann Filmer, the artistic director of the 16th Street Theater. She talks about their production of Rebecca Gilman's The Crowd You're In With and her direction of Tony Fitzpatrick's Stations Lost at the Steppenwolf Garage as well of why she founded 16th Street Theater.
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Our podcast guest this week is Timothy Douglas, the new Artistic Director of Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. He joins Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss how he is integrating his personal aesthetic with that of the company, how his identity as an African-American enters into that dynamic, and what the company has planned for the 2011-2012 season.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Josh Rollins, the playwright of A Girl With Sun in Her Eyes. He talks about the production and the characters and about the challenge of writing a police procedural play.
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Our guest on this week's podcast is Philip Dawkins, writer of The Homosexuals, which is currently being premiered by About Face Theatre at The Victory Gardens Biograph. Dawkins talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about the evolution of the script, why it appeals to a broad audience, and some of its themes, including generational shifts in what it means to be gay, and friendships that are interlaced with sex.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Hugh Spencer, the director and president of The Saints, an organization of volunteers for the performing arts. He talks about how The Saints provide help to theaters for a variety of activities including ushering at performances, grant support and more.
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Jonathan Berry, director of Steep Theatre's hit production of Festen, and Peter Moore, Steep's Artistic Director and a member of the cast, join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss Steep Theatre's recent successes, including their riveting staging of the play adapted from the Dogme 95 film Festen (which was released in the U.S. as The Celebration).
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Scotty Zacher, the founder and editor of the Chicago Theater Beat website. He talks about his love for the Chicago theatre scene as well as his goals of the site.
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On this week's podcast, cast members John Mahoney, Rondi Reed and Tom Cox join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Northlight Theatre's hit show, The Outgoing Tide, by Bruce Graham. They discuss how they create believable family relationships on stage, why they love to act in Chicago, and how audiences are reacting to the content and tone of the piece.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with actress Bethany Thomas, one of the stars of Porgy and Bess which is currently playing at the Court Theatre. She talks about the show as well as her acting career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Dennis Zacek, the Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theater who is retiring after 34 years with the theater. He talks about his time at Victory Gardens as well as what he has planned for the future.
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This week's podcast completes our coverage of the Chicago Theatre Symposium, which launches this Wednesday at Columbia College of Chicago. John Green, Chair of the Theatre Department at Columbia, along with faculty members Albert Williams and Coya Paz join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their goals for the symposium and to preview some of the highlights.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Arvid Sponberg, a Professor of English at Valparaiso University and theatre historian. He talks about the creation of the first ever Chicago Theatre Symposium which will occur May 18-22.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Steven Hill, the owner/operations manager at New Rock Theatre (formerly LaCosta Theatre). He talks about the challenges and opportunities with owning and operating a theatre venue.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with actress Carolyn Faye Kramer. She talks about her leading role in Filament Theatre Ensemble's Eurydice and what it is like to act in a new large loft theatre space at Lacuna Artist's Loft in Pilsen. She also talks about the late night Filament show, Orpheus.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with James Bohnen, the outgoing artistic director of Remy Bumppo Theatre and the director of The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?. Bohnen talks about how he started Remy Bumppo and its history and his philosophy of directing.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Annabel Armour. She talks about her performance as Stevie in Remy Bumppo Theatre's The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? and what is is like to be a longtime ensemble member at Remy Bumppo.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Austin Cook, the music director of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein. He talks about what he did with the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and about his classical background.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Sara Pavlak, the star of Agnes Of God by Hubris Productions at The Greenhouse Theater Center. She talks about the show as well as her acting career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Omen Sade, the star of Servant of Two Masters at Piccolo Theatre. He talks about the show as well as Commedia Dell'Arte as a theatre style.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Madrid St. Angelo, the Artistic Director of UrbanTheater Company. He talks about his current show Sonnets for an Old Century that he is directing at the Steppenwolf Theatre.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Aaron Todd Douglas, the director of Radio Golf which is currently playing at the Raven Theatre.
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Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Bob Falls and Exective Director Roche Schulfer join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the Belarus Free Theatre - a theatre company "on the run." How did Chicago become a temporary refuge for the company? What is their future? What did we in Chicago learn from them as artists and activists?
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Robert Kauzlaric who has adapted 10 plays for Lifeline Theatre. They talk about the current one he has adapted, The Moonstone which is now playing at Lifeline.
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This week's podcast features the production of Danai Gugira's play, Eclipsed, which is currently playing at Northlight Theatre. Director Hallie Gordon and cast member Paige Collins join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the psychic cost of exploring the chaotic and violent world of Liberian Civil War where the play is set, about the process of creating an ensemble piece and about audience responses to tough material.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Luke Heiden about a couple subjects. First they talk about the role and importance of stage management in live theatre. Also they talk about the struggles of making it as a playwright.
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This week our podcast guests are director Max Truax, composer Jonathan Guillen and costume designer Nevena Todorovic. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their original operatic setting of Werner Müller's Hamletmachine at Trap Door Theatre, including its inception in a dream and its creation over five short and hair-raising weeks.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with David Zak, the former Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory. He talks about what he has been working on recently including his experience with the theatre scene in Korea and London.
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Our guest on this week's podcast interview is Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. She joins Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about the League's political advocacy on behalf of the Chicago theatre community in the run-up to the City elections.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel- the Dueling Critics on WBEZ. They talk about the state of the Chicago theatre scene as well as opinions on some recent shows.
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Our featured guest this week is Jenny Avery, the newly-appointed Artistic Director at Next Theatre. Jenny talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about how this job found her, how the company weathered its recent, very public crisis, and what she sees ahead.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Brenda Didier, the director and choregrapher of Theo Ubique's Cats playing at the No Exit Cafe. She talks about the challenges of putting the show onto the small stage.
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This week's podcast explores the stage magic in Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol. William Brown (Director), Scott Conn (Production Manager) and Matt Chandler (Assistant Production Manager) join Anne Nicholson Weber to explain how -- and why -- the ghost of Jacob Marley is dragged back into the fireplace, the Ghost of Christmas Past flies, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come stands 12 feet tall and appears out of nowhere.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with Bernie Yvon, the star of The Music Man currently playing at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. He talks about his role as Harold Hill as well as his acting career.
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This week's podcast features The House Theatre of Chicago's current production of The Nutcracker. Director/choreographer Tommy Rapley and book writer/cast member Jake Minton talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the development of the piece from the original source material into the original 2007 production at Steppenwolf and now to the remounting at the Chopin Theatre. Along the way they talk about why dark material can be appropriate even for younger children, the challenges of playing in the round, and the rewards of getting a second chance working with the same material.
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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.
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Our guests this week are Mason Ames, Phillipe Normand-Jenny and Florian Zumkehr, three members of the hyperkinetic cast of Traces, the circus-based show currently playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. They talk about how they became circus artists, Montreal as a hub of the circus community, the evolution of circus from traditional to new forms, and why they love performing in Traces.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with the music and lyrics composer Neil Bartram and the book writer Brian Hill of Chicago Muse's The Story Of My Life playing at the Victory Gardens Theater. They talk about the process of bringing their show to stage.
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This week's podcast guest is Robert Falls, Artistic Director of the Goodman Theatre and the director of Goodman's current production of Chekov's The Seagull. Falls talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about his exploration of the theories Constantin Stanislavski -- the author of two classic texts on acting who was also Chekov's collaborator and director -- in the context of rehearsing Chekov's play.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jon Steinhagen about his current role as Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof which is currently playing at the Raven Theatre.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Benno Nelson talks with Director Steve Wilson and actresses Najwa Brown and Jaiden Fallo about A Red Orchid Theatre's The Iliad which was adapted by Craig Wright for the young women of A Red Orchid's Youth Ensemble.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Allison Powell, the adapter of Filament Theatre Ensemble's Choose Thine Own Adventure.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are Director James Bohnen, and actors Greg Matthew Anderson and Ernest Perry, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss Remy Bumppo's production of Tom Stoppard's Night and Day and the challenges of putting Stoppard's ideas and language on the stage.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Mary Zimmerman, the adapter and director of Candide playing at the Goodman Theatre. She talks about the show and her process of bringing it to stage.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago Podcast, Tom Williams interviews Lisa Wolf- one of the hosts of "Hollywood 360" which is on WIND 560 AM every Saturday night from 8pm-1am.
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Director Matt Miller and actors Brad Armacost and Sarah Wellington join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss Seanachai Theatre's production of The Weir, by Conor McPherson, which is currently playing at the Irish American Heritage Center. They talk about storytelling, listening on stage, and what makes McPherson's deceptively simple play so powerful.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have a double feature on two new shows at Theatre Wit. First Tom Williams talks with playwright Kathleen Akerley and actor Dylan Stuckey about Sideshow Theatre Company's Theories Of The Sun. In part 2 Tom talks with director Marston Sullivan and music director Nicholas Davio from BoHo Theatre's Big River.
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For this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber is joined by the heads of the theatre departments at three Chicago institutions. John Culbert of Depaul University, John Green of Columbia College and Rives Collins of Northwestern University talk with Anne about how their theatre training programs affect the ecology of the Chicago theatre community (and vice versa), what makes Chicago's scene unique and why theatre education matters.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Andrew Carter and Terry Hamilton who are currently in TimeLine Theatre's production of Frost/Nixon. They talk about the show as well as how they prepared for the roles of David Frost and Richard Nixon.
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Our podcast this week features Peter Handler, Program Officer at the Driehaus Foundation -- a local foundation with a strong history of supporting dance and theatre in Chicago. He talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about his foundation's history and philosophy of supporting emerging and small theatre companies and artists.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with two members of the Filament Theatre Ensemble; Artistic Director Julie Ritchey and Managing Director Christian Libonati. They talk about the history of the Filament Theatre as well as their upcoming shows.
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On this week's episode of Talk Theatre In Chicago Benno Nelson talks with Jeremy Wechsler, the artistic director of Theater Wit, which is hosting the Chicago Theater Anti-Conference taking place Aug 20 - 22.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Broadway legend George Hearn. He talks about his recent show at Ravinia, A Little Sondheim Music, his upcoming show of Annie Get Your Gun, as well as his acting career.
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This week's podcast features four members of The New Colony -- Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, writers Will Cavedo and Benno Nelson, and Music Director Henry Riggs -- who join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss their current show, That Sordid Little Story, and the distinctive group process the company uses to generate new works targeted to a younger theatre audience.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Kevin Mayes, the executive director of Bailiwick Chicago. He talks about the theatre company as well as their current two shows, Aida and F**king Men.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Peter Yarrow who is best known from the folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary. He talks about their upcoming show at Ravinia later this month as well as how they continue after the passing of Mary Travers.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Jim Lynch, the author of The Tallest Man as well as the director John Mossman. They talk about the show as well as The Artistic Home.
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This week, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Fred Anzevino, the Artistic Director and one of the founders of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. They talk about Theo Ubique's development and history, the current show (a revue of the music of Harold Arlen called Sweet and Hot), and cabaret theatre in general.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Brian Posen, the new artistic director for Stage 773. He talks about his career in Chicago Theatre as well as buying the Theatre Building Chicago.
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This week's podcast features playwright Andrew Hinderaker, director Jonathan Berry and producer/actor Michael Patrick Thornton, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the three-year process of readings, workshops and rehearsals that will culminate later this week in The Gift Theatre Company's world-premiere of Hinderaker's new play, Suicide Incorporated.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago Podcast we talk with the president and chief executive officer of Ravinia Festival, Welz Kauffman. He talks about the very successful Ravinia Festival as well as the upcoming season.
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The topic of this week's podcast is the "stage magic" in Lifeline's production of Neverwhere. Director Paul Holmquist, Scenic and Properties Designer Alan Donahue, and Video/Projection Designer Charlie Alves join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about how you put an epic-sized, fantastical world onto the stage of a small storefront theatre.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with music composer Joshua Schmidt and lighting designer Keith Parham about their current show Baal by Tuta Theatre Chicago playing at the Chopin Theatre.
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Our guest on this week's podcast is Chicago producer Gigi Pritzker, who co-produced Million Dollar Quartet. She talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about the journey the show has taken from a first reading at her theatre incubator in the Coronet Theatre in L.A., through Daytona Beach, Seattle, and Chicago, and now on to Broadway, where the show is nominated for three Tony awards.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Jeremy Wechsler, the artistic director of Theater Wit. He talks about their new space and their current show, Spin.
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This week on Talk Theatre In Chicago, Benno Nelson sits down to talk with Nic Dimond, artistic director of Strawdog Theatre to talk about the upcoming season, and the day to day job of running a company.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Dennis Kelly, one of the stars of The Hiding Place playing at the Provision Theater. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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This week's podcast profiles Stephen Ouimette, who is currently appearing as Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.  He talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about his wide-ranging career acting for theatre and television (including as Oliver in the popular tv series Slings & Arrows), voicing animated films and directing for the stage.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Terry McCabe, the Artisitc Director of City Lit Theater Company. He talks about their current show The Body Snatchers as well as their upcoming season.
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On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber is joined by the Artistic Director at Court Theatre, Charlie Newell, and the Court Theatre's resident dramaturg, Drew Dir. They discuss the Court's current production of The Illusion, a free adaptation by Tony Kushner of Pierre Corneille's French Baroque masterpiece, and describe an unusual collaboration with professors and students at the University of Chicago to investigate the original Corneille text, Corneille's world and Kushner's adaptation.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with playwright and director Emilie Beck and her father Bernard Beck who is appearing in her one-man show Number Of People playing at the Piven Theatre in Evanston.
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Our guests on this week's interview podcast are Kirsten Fitzgerald, Mierka Girten and Natalie West -- three of the cast members from Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh, which is currently playing at A Red Orchid Theatre. They talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about comic acting, playing drunk and the actor's dual relationship with the other actors and with the audience.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with actress Emily Skinner who is one of the stars of Billy Elliot The Musical at the Ford Oriental Theatre. She talks about her role in the hit musical as well as her acting career.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Benno Nelson talks about theatre and accounting with Martin Kamensky from Rockstar CPA and Andrew Hobgood from The New Colony.
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This week's on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast features actress Renee Matthews who talks with Tom Williams about her current role in Over The Tavern at Noble Fool as well as her great acting career.
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This week's podcast is something a little different. Last month, the League of Chicago Theatre's hosted an event at Chicago Dramatists centered on a new book called Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play, which was recently published by Theatre Devleopment Fund. Outrageous Fortune is a study of the lives of America playwrights, the relationship between playwrights and non-profit producers, and the process by which new plays get produced. The book has caused something of a stir in theatrical circles.

Theatre in Chicago was at Chicago Dramatists that day, and we recorded the opening presentation by Victoria Bailey, Executive Director of Theatre Development Fund, and Todd London, one of the book's authors, which summarizes the findings of the book. This week's podcast is the recording of that presentaiton.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with actor Dale Benson who is currently starring in Noises Off at the Theatre at the Center. He talks about the role as well as his acting career.
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This week's interview podcast features the cast of The Brothers Size, which is the middle play in Tarell Alvin McCraney's trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays, currently playing at Steppenwolf Theatre. Phillip James Brannon, K. Todd Freeman and Glenn Davis talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about their approach to McCraney's poetic voice, his mythic influences and the unusual three-man triangle at the heart of the play.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Mary Beth Fisher who is currently starring in The Year of Magical Thinking at the Court Theater. She talks about the one-person show as well as how she met with author Joan Didion to prespare for the role.
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The subject of this week's interview podcast is Noel Coward.  Jim Corti, director of Writers Theatre's Oh Coward, and Gary Griffin, director of Private Lives at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about Coward's aesthetic and how each of them chose to re-examine Coward's work with today's audiences in mind.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Sara Sheperd who is currently starring in Funny Girl as Fanny Brice at the Drury Lane- Oakbrook. She talks about the role as well as her acting career.
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The three winners of the 24th Annual Young Playwrights Festival at Pegasus Players are college freshmen Gabriella Bonamici, Giziang Lee, and Kat Blackburn. Gabi, Gigi and Kat are joined by festival director Ilesa Duncan and one of the three playwright mentors, Andrew Hinderaker, to talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the selection, mentoring and production processes that culminate this month with a professional production of the three winning scripts.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with actor Larry Yando about his career and his reoccurring role as Scrooge at the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Hershey Felder, the pianist, actor, playwright and producer of shows such as George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin and Beethoven, As I Knew Him. He talks with Tom about his these three very successful one-man shows.
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Raven Theatre Company's production of Death of a Salesman is the focus of this week's podcast. Actors Chuck Spencer (Willy Loman), Jason Huysman (Bif Loman) and Greg Caldwell (Happy Loman) talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about their take on Arthur Miller's great play, the shadow cast by earlier actors who have played the role of Willy, and how they've built the father-brother-son relationships that are at the heart of this production -- and, along the way, they enact two scenes from the play.
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On this episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Michael Colucci, the founder and Artistic Director of Redtwist Theatre. He talks about the theatre's season as well as the success of the theatre.
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This week Benno Nelson sits in on the first day of auditions for The Plagiarists' upcoming The Wreck of The Medusa. He talks with the production team - co-writer Greg Peters and director Jack Tamburri - as well as actors - Tony Kaehny, Griffin Sharps, and Anderson Lawfer - about the ins and outs of auditioning for theater in Chicago.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Kimberly Senior who is the director of the Redtwist Theatre's production The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. She talks about the show as well as her background as a director.
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The subject of this week's podcast is Mary Arrchie Theatre's production of How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found, by Finn Kennedy. Director Richard Cotovsky and actors Carlo Lorenzo Garcia and Kevin Stark describe how they got the show on its feet, taking us step-by-step from table reading to performance.
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This week on the Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast we talk with William Mason, the general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. He talks about his role as well as the Lyric Opera's season. Mason has been the general director since 1997 and has been with the company for more than four decades. Previously, he served as director of operations, artistic, and production for 16 years.
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This week's podcast features Boho Theatre's production of The Glorious Ones. Music Director Nick Sula, and cast members Dana Tretta (Armanda) and Danni Smith (Columbina) join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the role of the music director and the challenges and joys of producing musical theatre in a shoe box.
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Our podcast this week features Mike Nussbaum, one of the stars of Remy Bumppo Theatre's Heroes playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center. He talks about the show as well as his acting career that has spanned six decades.
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Our podcast this week features Michael Montenegro, artistic director of the newly-founded puppet theatre, Theatre Zarko. He talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about Theatre Zarko's debut production, The Sublime Beauty of Hands/ Klown Kantos, and the unique capabilities and limitations of puppet theatre.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Ed Rutherford who is the adapter and director of the Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of The Last Unicorn which is playing at the City Lit Theater. He talks about the show, how he went about getting the rights to it as well as some of his future projects.
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Our podcast this week features producer Sandy Shinner, director Eddie Torres and actor Desmin Borges, who join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their contributions to the hit production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity currently playing at Victory Gardens Theater. They discuss the Ignition Festival of plays by young playwrights of color, the process of developing a world premiere script by a young and relatively inexperienced writer, and the challenges posed by the script itself, including its physically demanding scenes of professional wrestling and its treatment of racial stereotyping.
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On this week's episode we talk with Paul Kalina who is the Clowing Director for the hit show Animal Crackers playing at the Goodman Theatre. He talks about his work with the show as well as his clowing background as a member of 500 Clown.
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Podcast host Benno Nelson talks with Robert McLean, Geoff Coates, Christopher M. Walsh, Patrick Blashill, and Sean Sinitski about their current show Treasure Island, playing at the Lifeline Theatre, with a focus on the fight choreography in the show.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with actor Michael Shannon. He talks about his current show, Mistakes Were Made, as well as his acting career on both stage and screen.
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The focus of this week's Theatre in Chicago podcast is Caffeine Theatre's production of Under Milk Wood, by poet Dylan Thomas. Anne Nicholson Weber interviews actors Jacqui Jackson and Dave Skvarla, director Paul S. Holmquist and sound designer Thomas Dixon about the special challenges of staging this poetic script about the day-in-the-life of a Welsh village.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we talk with Tim Gregory, the Artistic Director of Provision Theater Company. He talks about thier current show, Cotton Patch Gospel, as well as their new space and upcoming season.
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Benno Nelson talks with Josh Sobel, Kirsten Fitzgerald, and Jason Gerace about interns in the arts and theater. Josh is the intern at A Red Orchid Theatre, Kirsten is the artistic director and ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theatre, and Jason is an Artistic Associate with American Theater Company.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Rebecca Finnegan, one of the stars of Cabaret playing at Drury Lane Oakbrook. She talks about the show as well as his career.
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Summer Smart, Max Quinlan and Mary Ernster - the three principals in Marriott Theatre's current production of The Light in the Piazza - join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the training of the singing actor, their process for preparing some of the musical numbers in the show and what makes this piece unusual.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Stef Tovar, one of the producers and stars of High Fidelity...The Musical playing at Piper's Alley. He talks about the show as well as his career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Benno Nelson talks with actors Patrick Clear, Joel Stanley Huff, and E.B. Smith about their current roles in Macbeth which is playing at the First Folio Theatre.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with actor Levi Kreis, one of the stars of Million Dollar Quartet. He talks about his role as Jerry Lee Lewis as well as his career.
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Our guests on this week's podcast are three Chicago stage managers -- David Castellanos, Patia Bartlett and Erica Foster -- who talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about what the heck it is that stage managers really do.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Stacey Flaster, the director and choreographer of Footloose playing at Theatre At The Center in Munster. She talks about the show as well as her career.
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Our guest on this week's podcast is Henry Godinez, who is a Resident Artistic Associate at Goodman Theatre. Godinez talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about Goodman's current production of Jose Rivera's Boleros for the Disenchanted, which he directed; his contributions to Latino theatre in Chicago; and about the goals of culturally-centered theatre.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Michael Harvey who is starring in Little Brother which is playing at the Athenaeum Theatre. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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Our podcast this week features composer Joshua Schmidt and lyricist Jan Tranen. They join Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about their collaboration on A Minister's Wife - the new musical based on George Bernard Shaw's play Candida commissioned and produced by Writers' Theatre.
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This week we interview the president and chief executive officer of Ravinia Festival, Welz Kauffman. He talks about the very successful Ravinia Festival.
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This week's podcast focuses on Lifeline Theatre's production of Busman's Honeymoon. Adaptor Frances Limoncelli and actors Jenifer Tyler and Peter Greenberg discuss the technical challenges of staging a mystery novel and speaking Dorothy Sayers' brainy dialogue, and romance on (and off) stage.
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An interview with actor Richard Strimer, one of the stars of Crazy For You currently playing at the Theatre At The Center in Munster, Indiana. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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This week, our interview podcast focuses on sound design. Designers Nick Keenan, Ray Nardelli and Joshua Horvath join host Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the sound design of two current productions (The Piano Lesson at Court Theatre and Rock 'n Roll at Goodman Theatre), and broader issues as the meshing of amplified and non-amplified sound, spatial design, where the sounds come from, and differences between the theatrical cultures of Chicago and New York.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we visit with BJ Jones, the Artistic Director of the Northlight Theatre. He talks about their current show The Lieutenant Of Inishmore as well as their upcoming season.
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This week's podcast focuses on TimeLine Theatre's production of The History Boys by Alan Bennett. First, dialect coach Eva Beneman and actor Will Allan talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about dialect -- how to teach it and why it matters. Then director Nick Bowling and actor Donald Brearley join the discussion to talk about the concept of "ensemble".
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with internationally acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig. He talks about his career and very successful shows including Crazy For You and Lend Me A Tenor.
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On this week's podcast, Kris Vire joins Anne Nicholson Weber to talk about his work as a theatre writer for Time Out Chicago and his new appointment as Theatre Editor for the magazine.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we interview Kirsten Fitzgerald, the Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre and one of the stars of their current show Pumpgirl. She talks about her theatre as well as their current hit show.
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This week's interview podcast focuses Steppenwolf Theatre's production of The Tempest. Actors Frank Galati (Prospero), Jon Michael Hill (Ariel) and K. Todd Freeman (Caliban) discuss how Steppenwolf's culture and style affected their take on Shakespeare, their use of the Viewpoints technique, their work on verse-speaking, and the reverberations of race in the production.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Regina Taylor, the author of Magnolia currently playing at the Goodman Theatre. She talks about the show as well as her very successful acting career.
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Our guest on this week's Talk Theatre Podcast is actor Kevin Cox, who talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about the creation of his critically-acclaimed version of the Frankenstein monster for Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's production of Playing With Fire, by Barbara Field. Cox discusses his collaboration with Adam Kander (who plays a younger version of the same character), and the unique physical and vocal demands of this challenging role.
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This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we interview the Artistic Director of the Porchlight Music Theatre, Walter Stearns. He talks about their current show Pacific Overtures as well as their upcoming shows.
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Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls and The Neo-Futurists Founding Director Greg Allen join us this week to discuss the final production in Goodman's Eugene O'Neill Festival, Allen's deconstructed version of Strange Interlude. They talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about how different festival directors faced the challenges posed by O'Neill in the 21st century, the resilience of the classics and the need to reinvent them, the energy created when the audience is divided about a production, and the rewards of the festival format.
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This week we revisit with our first guest ever on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Dorothy Milne, the Artistic Director of the Lifeline Theatre. She talks about her theatre's current show as well as the current season and thoughts about the Chicago theatre scene.
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This week's Talk Theatre podcast features Christina Calvit and Marilyn Campbell, who talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the hows and whys of adapting novels for the stage: how to choose the aspects of the novel that will be staged, how to reduce the text to its essentials, how to stage narration, and, most importantly, why do it in the first place. Christina Calvit's adaptation of Mariette in Ecstacy recently opened at Lifeline Theatre, and Marilyn Campbell's adaptation of Crime and Punishment, which was developed at Writers' Theatre, is now being produced around the world.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with producer Tony D'Angelo who talks about his upcoming show The Quiet Man Tales which will play at the Chicago Theatre.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast features playwright Brett Neveu and Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam in conversation with Anne Nicholson Weber. They discuss the challenges of commissioning and developing new plays, the chemistry between playwright, director and company, and Neveu's play, Old Glory, which was commissioned through the Literary Development Initiative at Writers Theatre, and premiered there last Thursday.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with Janet Ulrich Brooks who is starring in Not Enough Air which is playing at the TimeLine Theatre.
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This week's podcast focuses on a production of Fires in the Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith, which is currently playing at the 16th Street Theatre in Berwyn. Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Ann Filmer, who directed the show, and cast members Cheri Lynne and Caroline Rau about Anna Deavere Smith's work, reinventing the monologue as a four-person show, inside-out vs outside-in acting and their anxieties about transgressing racial identities.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast we have an interview with actor Brian Dennehy who is starring in Desire Under The Elms which is playing at the Goodman Theatre.
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Scenic designers Brian Sidney Bembridge, Jack Magaw and Todd Rosenthal join Anne Nicholson Weber on this week's Talk Theatre In Chicago's podcast to talk about the language of scenic design, their design process, and their collaboration with the director and other members of the design team.
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This week we have a double interview with one of the stars of Miss Saigon, Joseph Anthony Foronda, as well as the Director Rachel Rockwell.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast features Criss Henderson, Executive Director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about Chicago Shakespeare's World's Stage Series -- how shows from around the world are chosen for the series, the logistical and artistic challenges of bringing them to Chicago, and the importance of exposing Chicago artists and audiences to theatre from around the world.
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An interview with Max McLean, one of the adapters and the star of the hit show The Screwtape Letters which is playing at the Mercury Theatre. He talks about the show as well his career.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago interview podcast features Chicago lyricist and composer, Julie Shannon, who created the perennial favorite, The Christmas Schooner, with Chicago actor and book writer John Reeger. Shannon talks about her very happy collaboration with Reeger, the continuing success of the show around the country and beyond, the evolution of her career, and how she sets about to write a song.
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An interview with Rudy Hogenmiller the Artisitc Director of Light Opera Works. He talks about their upcoming show The Music Man as well as their upcoming season.
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This week on the Talk Theatre in Chicago interview podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews actors Mary Ann Thebus and Lia Mortensen about their work in Next Theatre's production of Lisa Kron's Well -- an autobiographical performance piece that examines illness, mothers and daughters, and the artistic process.
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An interview with Damian Arnold, the prodcuer of the hit show Don't Dress For Dinner which is currently playing at the Royal George Theatre.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago interview podcast focuses on Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends -- a new musical playing at No Exit Café. Anne Nicholson Weber first interviews the book writer, lyricist and composer -- Joanne Koch, Owen Kalt and Ilya Levinson -- about creating the show, and then interviews the show's star, Bethany Thomas, about her performance as Belle Barth.
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An interview with Nathaniel Swift, the Artisitc Director of Eclipse Theatre Company. He talks about their current show The Autumn Garden as well as their upcoming season.
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This week's podcast interview features the artistic directors of three Chicago-area theatres: PJ Paparelli of American Theatre Company; David Catlin of Lookingglass Theatre; and Mark Weston of Apple Tree Theatre. They discuss how they put together a season, who contributes to programming decisions, and the criteria and goals that inform the choice of what plays to produce.
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An interview with actor Brian McCaskill who is one of the stars of Million Dollar Quartet which is now playing at the Apollo Theater. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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This week on the Talk Theatre podcast, our topic is Sean Graney's production of Edward II, by Christopher Marlowe, which is currently running at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Graney and cast members Karen Aldridge and Jeffrey Carlson join Anne Nicholson Weber to discuss the production's unconventional "promenade"-style staging -- what it is, how it works, and its effect on the actors and audience.
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An interview with director James Powell. He talks about his current show Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage which is making its pre-Broadway US Premiere at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast features three Chicago casting directors -- Erica Daniels from Steppenwolf Theatre; Bob Mason from Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Matt Miller from TP&R Casting -- who join Anne Nicholson Weber for a lively discussion of the art of casting.
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An interview with Charlie Newell, the Artisitc Director of Court Theatre. He talks about their current show Caroline, or Change as well as their upcoming shows.
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast features Deborah Clapp, the new Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres, talking with Anne Nicholson Weber about the League's mission and current projects.
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An interview with actor David Girolmo who stars in Porchlight Music Theatre's Candide which is playing at the Theatre Building Chicago. He talks about the show as well as his acting career.
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This week's guest on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast is Richard Christiansen, who has written about the arts in Chicago for more than forty years, including as Chief Critic at the Chicago Tribune. Christiansen talks with Anne Nicholson Weber about his vision for a performing arts museum in Chicago, and his book, A Theatre of Our Own: A History and Memoir of 1001 Nights in Chicago.
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An interview with Nick Bowling and PJ Powers from the Timeline Theatre Company. They talk about their current show, Weekend, as well as the upcoming season and history of the theatre.
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An interview with Steppenwolf Theatre's Artistic Director, Martha Lavey, who discusses with Anne Nicholson Weber the past and future of the company, its recent successes and her leadership style.
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An interview with Beata Pilch, the founder and Artisitc Director of Trap Door Theatre. She talks about the theatre as well as their upcoming shows including No Darkness Round My Stone.
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This week on Talk Theatre in Chicago, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Joyce Piven, co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of the Piven Theatre Workshop, along with Artistic Director, Jennifer Green, and faculty member Susan Payne. They discuss the Piven philosophy of acting training, child actors, their own personal connections to the Workshop, and the crucial importance of play in a mediatized culture.
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An interview with Henry Godinez, the Resident Artistic Associate of the Goodman Theatre. He talks about his role as curator of the 4th biennial Latino Theatre Festival.
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Dirty Dancing, Second City, and more. Chicago's Theatre News is hosted by Dustin Mote
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This week's Talk Theatre in Chicago Podcast features three local critics: Chris Jones, Chief Critic for The Chicago Tribune; Tony Adler, Arts Editor for The Reader; and free-lance reviewer Kerry Reid. They talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the job of the critic, what gets reviewed, the importance of context and the joy of surprise.
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An interview with Lara Filip, the author and director of Ouroboros Theatre Company's Cyrano: Translated. She talks about the show as well as the Ouroboros Theatre Company.
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This week, our Talk Theatre in Chicago inteview podcast features lighting designer Chris Binder and choreographer Sylvia Hernandez DiStasi talking with Anne Nicholson Weber about their work on Lookingglass Alice. They discuss the challenges of circus-infused theatre, the unique culture of the Lookingglass Theatre, and the evolution of the show through its six remountings. 
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An interview with playwright David Alex. He talks about his current show Onto Infinity, which will play at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, as well as his insights into the playwrighting process.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks with Sheldon Patinkin, one of the founders of Second City and head of the theatre department at Columbia College Chicago, about his new book, "No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance": A History of the American Musical Theatre.
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An interview with actor Ed Rutherford who stars in Promethean Theatre Ensemble's Six Characters in Search of an Author which is playing at City Lit Theater. He talks about the show as well as the Promethean Theatre Ensemble.
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On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, we have an interview with Artistic Director Hallie Gordon who talks about how she chooses the shows for Theater On The Lake, the quirks of producing theatre on the Chicago Park District's nickel, and her hopes for the venue. She is joined by Elizabeth Margolius, who will be remounting Bohemian Theatre Ensemble’s Songs for a New World this summer at the theater.
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An interview with Arnold Johnston, the co-creator of Jacques Brel's Lonesome Losers of The Night, presented by Theo Ubique at the No Exit Cafe. He talks about the show and how he went about translating the songs of the noted Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.
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Anne Nicholson Weber interviews the Artistic Director of the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Richard Cotovsky, company member Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, and director Kevin Christopher Fox about their production of John Patrick Shanley's Beggars In The House Of Plenty, which is currently playing at the Angel Island Theater.
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An interview with playwright Brett Neveu. He talks about his current show, Gas For Less which is playing at the Goodman Theatre as well as his career as a playwright.
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An interview with playwright Todd Logan. He talks about his show, Botanic Garden playing at the Piccolo Theatre in Evanston.
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An interview with director Jason Moore. He talks about his show, Avenue Q which will be playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
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An interview with director, choreographer and author David H. Bell. He talks about his recent show, Knute Rockne All-American, as well as some of his future shows.
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An interview with Brian Dickie, the General Director of the Chicago Opera Theatre. He talks about their current show Don Giovanni, as well as their current season.
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An interview with James Bohnen, the Artistic Director of Remy Bumppo Theatre. He talks about their current show Bronte, their upcoming show On the Verge as well as the history of Remy Bumppo Theatre.
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An interview with Julieanne Ehre, the Artistic Director of Greasy Joan & Co. She talks about their current show Macbeth as well as the history of Greasy Joan & Co.
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An interview with Alison Vesely, the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of First Folio Shakespeare Festival. She talks about their current show, Driving Miss Daisy, as well the history of First Folio and how it was started.
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An interview with Tony Award winnning composer Stephen Flaherty. He talks about his show A Man Of No Importance playing at the Bailiwick Repertory, as well as Ragtime in which he won a Tony Award.
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An interview with actor James Moye, one of the stars of The Drowsy Chaperone playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. He talks about the show and also how he got his acting start here in Chicago.
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An interview with playwirght Horton Foote along with his daughter, actress Hallie Foote. They talk about The Trip to Bountiful as well as their careers.
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An Interview with actress Summer Smart, the star of Sweet Charity playing at the Drury Lane-Oakbrook. She talks about the show as well as her acting career.
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An Interview with actress Lois Smith, the star of The Trip To Bountiful playing at the Goodman Theatre. She talks about the show as well as her career on stage, film and television.
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An Interview with Keith Huff, the playwright of the hit show A Steady Rain playing at the Royal George Theatre. He talks about the show as well as his career as a playwright.
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An Interview with Connie Canaday Howard, the Artistic Director of the Theatre Ensemble. She discusses her current play Rabbit Hole as well as her career.
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An interview with Linda Eder, the star concert and broadway vocalist. She talks about her upcoming show at the Rosemont Theatre as well as her career and her time on Broadway.
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An interview with James Harms, one of the stars of La Cage aux Folles playing at the Theatre At The Center. He talks about the show as well as his career.
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An Interview with Denise McGowan, one of the hosts of "Monday Night Live" at Petterino's. She talks about their weekly show in which singers showcase their talent with standard show tunes and cabaret.
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An interview with stage and screen star Patty Duke. She talks about her very successful career as well as her upcoming appearance in Blue Yonder at the Theatre at Western Springs.
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An interview with the “Voice of Hollywood,” Marni Nixon. She talks about her experiences performing as the singing voice in many movies, including for Deborah Kerr in The King and I, Natalie Wood in West Side Story, and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. She also talks about her current role as Mrs. Higgins in the touring production of My Fair Lady.
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An Interview with Robert Falls, the Artistic Director of the Goodman Theatre. He discusses his current play Shining City as well as his career as a director.
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An Interview with Alex Levy, the Artistic Director of Pegasus Players. He discusses their current 22nd Annual Young Playwrights Festival and the four plays in this years festival.
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An interview with Gary Griffin, the director of The Goodbye Girl playing at Drury Lane- Oakbrook. He talks about the play as well as his directing career including his work with The Color Purple.
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An interview with Stephen Louis Grush, one of the stars of Good Boys And True playing at the Steppenwolf Theatre. He talks about the play as well as his career as both an actor and a playwright.
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An interview with Gregg Opelka, the playwright of Marrying Terry playing at the Victory Gardens Theater Greenhouse. He talks about the play as well as his career as a composer, lyricist and playwright.
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An interview with Tovah Feldshuh, the star of Tea At Five playing at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. She talks about the show as well as her acting career on Broadway and film.
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An interview with Heidi Kettenring, one of the stars of Little Women playing at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. She talks about the show as well as her acting career including her time as one of the stars in Wicked.
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An interview with Vincent L. Lonergan and Shawn Pfautsch, the stars of Signal Ensemble Theatre's Old Wicked Songs playing at the Chopin Theatre. They talk about the show as well as their acting careers.
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An interview with Erica Elam, one of the stars of Remy Bumppo Theatre's The Philadelphia Story, playing at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse. She talks about her role as Tracy Lords in the show as well as her acting career.
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An interview with Eric Rosen, the founding Artistic Director of About Face Theatre. He talks about their current show Wedding Play, as well as his future move to the Artistic Director's post at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
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An interview with actress Karen Aldridge. She discusses her career, including her starring role in The Cook, now playing at the Goodman Theatre.
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An interview with playwright Jeffrey Sweet. He talks about many of his plays, his affiliation with the Victory Gardnes Theater for the last 25 years as a resident playwright, as well as a new book coming out next year of an anthology of nine of his plays called "The Value of Names and Other Plays By Jeffrey Sweet."
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An interview with Kyle DeSantis, the Managing Director of the Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre and the Drury Lane Water Tower Place Theatre. He talks about the current shows and about the vision of the theatres.
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An interview with Doug Peck, the musical Director of I Do, I Do now playing a the American Theatre Company. He talks to Tom Williams about his musical direction and his role in the show.
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An interview with Diane Hires, the Equity Chair of the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. She talks about the Jeff Awards and also the equity nominees for the 39th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony that will be held on Monday, October 29, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
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An interview with Austin Tichenor, one of the writers from the Reduced Shakespeare Company. He talks about his shows The Bible: The Complete Word of God and Completely Hollywood which are playing at the Royal George Theatre.
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Interview with Bill Pullinsi, Artistic Director of Theatre at the Center, he talks to Tom Williams about his latest show "Hello, Dolly!" and his career working in Chicago Theatre.
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An interview with Maury Yeston, the Tony Award winning composer and lyricist. He talks about his show "Phantom" playing at the Theatre Building Chicago, and about his career.
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An interview with Chaon Cross, one of the stars of "Cymbeline" playing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. She talks about the show, her acting career and how she landed in Chicago.
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An interview with Marc Robin, the director of "The Producers" playing at the Marriott Theatre. He talks with Tom Williams about the show and his successful career in Chicago.
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An interview with Louis Contey, the director of "Paradise Lost" playing at the TimeLine Theatre. He talks with Tom Williams about the show and his directing career in Chicago.
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A phone interview with Greg Kolack, Director of "The Odd Couple" now playing at the Oakbrook Terrace Drury Lane Theatre. He talks to Tom Williams about directing the show and his past experiences with Chicago theaters.
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An interview with Ron Hawking who stars in "The Men and Their Music" playing at the Mercury Theatre. He talks with Tom Williams about the show and his career in Chicago.
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A phone interview with James Dunn from Raven Theatre's "Resort 76". He talks with Tom Williams about the show and his other experiences in the Chicago Theatre scene.
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An interview with the theatre critic for the Pioneer Press, Beverly Friend. She talks to Tom Williams about being a theatre critic and how she got her start.
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An interview with Michael Mahler who was in Joe, The Musical at the Chicago Dramatists, wrote the family musical How Can You Run with a Shell on your Back? and now is moving to star in Forbidden Broadway. He talks to Tom Williams about his roles and his career in Chicago theatre.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks with Chicago actors Ian Novak and Brendan Averett, two alumni of the prestigious Fellows Program of the Chicago Associates of the Stratford Festival. They discuss their experiences training in classical technique at the renowned Stratford Festival, some of the legendary theatre artists they worked with there, and the ideas and skills they brought back when they returned to their lives as Chicago actors.
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An interview with Anthony Guerrero, the Executive Director of Hubris Productions and one of the stars in Love! Valour! Compassion! He talks about the play as well as his theatre company.
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An interview with Terry James, the Executive Producer of the Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire. He talks about their current show, Married Alive, as well as his role at one of the best regional theatres in the country.
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This week on Talk Theatre in Chicago, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews "500 Clown" company-members Paul Kalina and Molly Brennan about their versions of Macbeth and Frankenstein, which are currently playing at Steppenwolf, and the company's method, philosophy of clowning and unique relationship with their audiences.
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An interview with Maura Kidwell who is in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Actors Workshop Theatre. She talks about the show and also about being a young actress in Chicago.
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An interview with Jack Hickey, the Artistic Director of the Oak Park Festival Theatre. He talks about their current show Talley's Folly as well as their upcoming season.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks with playwright Claudia Allen about the process of adapting Stuart Dybek's novel, I Sailed With Magellan, for the Victory Gardens stage.
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An interview with Producer Max Wagner about The Strange Tree Group's "Mr. Spacky…The Man Who Was Continuously Followed by Wolves". He talks about the play and his experiences producing for Chicago storefront theatres.
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An interview with David Zak, Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, about their latest show "Jerry Springer - The Opera". He talks about his experiences directing and rehearsing this cutting edge opera.
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Gabe Greene and Richard Pettengill talk with Anne Nicholson Weber about the crucial role of the audience as participant in the theatrical creation, and the many resources available to theatergoers who want to deepen their understanding of a particular play, production or company.
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Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Marilyn Campbell, Joanie Schultz and Ann Filmer about the upcoming Estrogen Fest - a ten-day festival of music, theater, dance, poetry, visual and performance art programs, discussions and workshops, by or about women.
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An interview with Eugene Dizon and Walter Stearns from Porchlight Music Theatre. They talk about their latest show "Ragtime" now playing at the Theatre Building Chicago.
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An interview with Susan Hart and Ben Viccellio from "Oedipus Complex" coming soon to the Goodman Theatre. They talk about the show and working with Director Frank Galati.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks with director Jimmy McDermott, puppet artist Michael Montenegro and actor Larry Neumann, Jr. about their collaboration on The Puppetmaster of Lodz by Gilles Ségal, currently playing at Writers’ Theatre. They discuss how a novice learns to play a “puppetmaster,” some of the unique capabilities and limitations of puppet work, and the challenges of realizing Ségal’s genre-bending text about a holocaust survivor who cannot be persuaded that the war is over.
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An interview with Playwright Tony Fiorentino about his new show "Fraternal Instinct" now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre. He talks to Tom Williams about why he wrote the show, and his background here in Chicago.
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An interview with Glenn Hering and Jeff Marks from the Jeff Committee. They talk to Tom Williams about the structure of the Joseph Jefferson Awards and how the process of judging the shows works.
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An interview with Lia D. Mortensen and Daniel Cantor from David Lindsey-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole" at the Goodman Theatre. They talk to Tom Williams about the play and their experiences as actors.
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An interview with Peter Oyloe from The Actors Workshop Theatre production of Equus. He talks to Critic Tom Williams about how he prepared for this very emotionally demanding role.
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This week on Talk Theatre In Chicago, we talk with Jamil Khoury and Malik Gillani about the impetus for the founding of their company, Silk Road Theatre Project, in the aftermath of 9/11, the challenges of working together as business and life partners, and their current show, Golden Child, by David Henry Hwang.
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An interview with the Founders of Signal Ensemble: Ronan Marra, Christopher Prentice, and Joseph Stearns. They talk to Tom Williams about their latest show 'The Wier' and how they formed the company.
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On this week's episode of Talk Theatre in Chicago, we talk to Janet Carl Smith, Julie Burros and Claire Geall Sutton from the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs about the role of theatre in the cultural life of the city, and how the Department of Cultural Affairs is working to support Chicago's theatre community.
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An interview with Lee Pelty from Theatre at the Center's "Fiddler on the Roof". He talks to Tom Williams about his over 2000 times performing the role of Tevye, and his experiences working with Director William Pullinsi.
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An interview with Jason Loewith and David Cromer "The Adding Machine" by Next Theatre. They sit down with Anne Nicholson Weber and discuss the processes involved in bringing this production to the stage.
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An interview with Linda Reiter from Shattered Globe Theatre's "The Price". She talks to Tom Williams about her role in the production and her past experiences with Shattered Globe.
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An interview with George Wendt and Richard Thomas from "Twelve Angry Men". They talk with Tom Williams about the production tour and their past experiences in the theatre.
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An interview with the The House Theatre founding members Dennis Watkins and Nathan Allen. They talk to Tom Williams about their latest show "The Sparrow" and their experiences founding The House Theatre of Chicago
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An interview with Mikhael Tara Garver, Director of "Faith Healer" by Uma Productions. She talks to Tom Williams about the show and her experiences as a co-founder of Uma Productions.
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An interview with Tony Award winning Actress Cherry Jones who stars in the hit "Doubt". She talks to Anne Nicholson Weber about the show and her role as Sister Aloysius.
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An interview with Kevin Massey from The Three Musketeers now playing at Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre. He talks to Joe Stead about his role, D’Artagnan, and his experiences in theater.
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An interview with Theatre Critic Al Bresloff. He talks to fellow critic Tom Williams about his life in the theatre and some favorite shows of the past year.
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An interview with Margie Korshak, head of the Public Relations firm Margie Korshak, Inc. She talks about her experiences being Chicago's First Lady of PR and promoting some of the biggest shows in Chicago.
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An interview with Michael Smith from the Snow Queen. He talks to Tom Williams about his experiences working with Frank Galati and his role in this new holiday classic.
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An interview with Felicia Fields from the Broadway hit "The Color Purple". She talks to Tom Williams about the show, her role as Sofia, and her excitement in bringing the show to Chicago in April.
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An Interview with Jonathan Weir who is playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre. He talks to Tom Williams about playing Ebenzer Scrooge in the Chicago holiday classic which is the Goodman's 29th Annual production.
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An interview with Producing Director Bob Knuth and Artistic Director Kevin Bellie from Circle Theatre. They talk to Tom Williams about the Circle Theatre and their latest production "Meet Me in St. Louis".
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An interview with Hadley Fraser from the "The Pirate Queen". He talks to Tom Williams about his character in the Pre-Broadway World Premiere show.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks to director Lisa Portes and cast members Meighan Gerachis and Juan Villa about "Elliott, A Soldier's Fugue", by Quiara Allegria Hudes. They discuss the artistic challenges presented by the unusual form of the play, the emotional impact it has had on veterans, and the organizational challenges and rewards of co-production.
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An interview with Nick Sandys of Remy Bumppo about their latest play "The Real Thing". He talks to critic Joe Stead about his career, his passions, and his favorite playwright Tom Stoppard.
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Anne Nicholson Weber talks with Frances Limoncelli of Lifeline Theatre, Tom Arvetis of Vittum Theatre, and Andrew Lines of Tireswing Theatre about making theatre for children in Chicago.
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Interview with Michael Menendian, the Artisitic Director for Raven Theatre Company. He talks about their latest show 'American Buffalo' and the future of Raven Theatre.
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A great interview with playwright, screenwriter and film director Neil LaBute. He talks to Anne Nicolson Weber about his latest show "Wrecks" and the Profiles Theatre production of "Fat Pig" which is now playing in Chicago.
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An interview with local Choreographer Stacey Flaster from "Madame X". She talks to Tom Williams about her shows and her life as a Chicago Choreographer.
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An interview with Gene Janson from Remy Bumppo's "The Best Man". He talks to Tom Williams about the show and his career in the theatre.

We posted this podcast interview on October 2nd. We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Gene on October 4th. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
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An interview with David Cromer, he talks to Anne Nicolson Weber about his latest production with Shattered Globe Theatre "Come Back, Little Sheba".
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An interview with Josh Solomon and Matt Dyson of One Theatre's "Lend Me A Tenor" now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre. They talk to Tom Williams about the show, the company, and their backgrounds.
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An interview with Greg Allen of the Neo-Futurists and B.J. Jones of Northlight Theatre. They talk to Anne Nicolson Weber about "The Last Two Minutes of The Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen" a Neo-Futurists show produced at Northlight Theatre.
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A phone interview with Playwright Christopher Durang. He talks to Chicago Critic Tom Williams about his shows running on Chicago stages.
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An interview with Eileen LaCario from Broadway in Chicago. She talks with Chicago Critic Tom Williams about Broadway in Chicago's past and future shows.
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An interview with playwright James Walker about his new play "Proving Mr. Jennings" at the Actors Workshop Theatre. He talks with Tom Williams about his latest work and his future plans.
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Anne Nicholson Weber interviews Anish Jethmalani, the Artistic Director of Eclipse Theatre. Anish talks about the Eclipse Theatre Company's "One Playwright-One Season".
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John Sparks, the Artistic Director of the Theatre Building Chicago, talks with Tom Williams about "Stages 2006", a three-day festival which performs a total of eight new musicals.
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Derrick Trumbly & Bill Larkin from "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at Drury Lane Water Tower Place. They talk to Tom Williams about what it takes to perform this incredibly fun show.
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An interview with Stuart Oken, the Artistic Director of the American Music Theatre Project, and Dominic Missimi, Director of the Musical Theatre Program at Northwestern University. They talk to Tom Williams about their current production with the University's American Musical Theatre Project.
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Steppenwolf Theatre's Director of New Play Development talks to Tom Williams about the creative process involved in developing new plays and what it takes to get your play read by Steppenwolf.
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An interview with Artistic Director Jackie Taylor from Black Ensemble Theatre. She talks to Tom Williams about her new show "Don’t Make Me Over (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick)" and her experiences running Chicago's premiere Black theatre company.
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An interview with producer Libby Adler Mages about her new show "The Water Coolers". She talks with Tom Williams about her Tony Awards, her future projects, and her life in the theatre industry.
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An interview with Matthew Friedman from Billy Joel's "Movin' Out". He talks with Tom Williams about the show, what it's like to be on tour, and what it takes to perform a show like "Movin' Out" all around the country.
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An in-depth interview Gift Theatre's Michael Patrick Thornton. He talks to Chicago Critic Tom Williams about his accident, his career, and his future in the theatre industry.
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An interview with playwright James Sherman about his new play "Half and Half" at the Victory Gardens Theatre. He talks with Tom Williams about his latest work, his style of writing, and his relationship with the Victory Gardens.
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An Interview with Stephen Genovese and Eric Lindahl from Bohemian Ensemble Theatre's "Side Show". They talk about the show, the company's journey, and their experiences with Chicago theatre.
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An interview with Peter Moore and Jim Poole from Steep Theatre Company. They talk to Tom Williams about the company's history, their own backgrounds, and their new show "Bang the Drum Slowly."
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Talk Theatre in Chicago talks with Raymond Fox from Lookingglass Theatre's "The Old Curiosity Shop". He talks about what it takes to adapt a Charles Dicken's novel for the stage and some of his experiences working for the theatre.
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We sit and talk to Matthew Holzfeind and Emily Schwartz from The Strange Tree Groups "Funeral Wedding (The Alvin Play)". They talk about their past together and what it was like to produce this rarely seen play.
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An intervew with Timeline Theatre's Artistic Director - P.J.Powers. He sits down with Tom Williams and discusses their musical production of "Fiorello!". They also talk about the history and future of Timeline Theatre Company.
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Interview with Will Schutz from "Holmes and Watson" by City Lit Theatre in Edgewater. He talks with Tom Williams about his new show and what it takes to be a Chicagoland actor
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Sandy Hackett talks to Tom Williams about his show "The Tribute" a recreation of the Rat Pack Vegas show starring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop now showing at the Royal George Theatre.
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Interview with Amanda Kloots from Spamalot. She discusses with Tom Williams what it's like to tour with a hit broadway musical in the city where it premiered.
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An Interview with actress Iris Lieberman from Spitfire Grill. She talks about her newest show, her history with Chicago theatre, and gives some advice to young actors.
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A wonderful phone interview with Chicago theatre critic Jonathan Abarbanel. Tom Williams profiles his fellow critic in an interview full of insight, advice, and frankness about what it takes to be an excellent Theatre Critic in Chicago.
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A phone interview with Don Hall, the Producer of the 9th Annual Chicago Improv Festival. Don talk's about the festival's star-shined line up, the fresh faces that will be making an appearance, and the processes involved to get improv troupes from all over to come to Chicago and strut their stuff.
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An interview with Michael Colucci and Jan Ellen Graves from the Actors Workshop Theatre about their new show, their marriage, and their experiences running a storefront theatre in Chicago.
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Roche Schulfer, Executive Director of the Goodman Theatre, talks with Tom Williams about the Goodman's Mamet Festival and some of his experiences with one of the greatest theatres in Chicago.
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Russ Tutterow, the Artistic Director of Chicago Dramatists, talks about their new play "Voyeurs and Venus" and their new book "New Plays From Chicago"
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Actor and Playwright Neil Giuntoli talks to Critic Tom Williams about The Prop Theatre's world premiere production "Hizzoner"
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Chicago Critic Tom Williams interviews Sean Graney, the Director of The Hypocrites "Angels in America". They also discuss his past productions as well as his unique approach to directing theatre.
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Chicago Critic Tom Williams interviews Craig Joseph, the Director of White Horse Theatre Company's "The Cradle Will Rock". They discuss the play's history and cast as well as Craig's unique approach to theatre.
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Critic Joe Stead interviews Sherman Yellen (Book and Lyrics for "Josephine Tonight!") and John Sparks (Artistic Director for Theatre Building Chicago) and talks about their new musical "Josephine Tonight!"
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Chicago Critic Tom Williams sits down with the Artisitc Director of the Lifeline Theatre, Dorothy Milne, to discuss the theatre and what they have in store for the upcoming shows.
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