. . . I’m Lenny Bruce – Ronnie Marmo & Rikki Lee Travolta

. . . I’m Lenny Bruce – Ronnie Marmo & Rikki Lee Travolta

Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Ronnie Marmo appearing in “I’m Not a Comedian….I’m Lenny Bruce” under the direction of multi-award-winner Joe Mantegna at the Biograph Theater in Chicago. This production produced in partnership with Lenny Bruce’s daughter Kitty Bruce tells the story of the life and 

Elizabeth Swanson and Rikki Lee Talk About “A Street Car Named Desire” at the Paramount Theatre

Elizabeth Swanson and Rikki Lee Talk About “A Street Car Named Desire” at the Paramount Theatre

In this episode of “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee,” Rikki Lee Travolta interviews Elizabeth Swanson co-director of “A Streetcar Named Desire” (with artistic director Jim Corti) at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora featuring Amanda Drinkall as Blanche, Casey Hoekstra as Stanley, and Alina Taber as 

Aida – A Story of Love Jealousy & War – Podcast Review

Aida – A Story of Love Jealousy & War – Podcast Review

“Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi under the direction of Francesca Zamnello, and conducted by Enrique Mazzola is opera in the grand tradition at Lyric in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade. [*Please note there was confusion in the names on the podcast. 

Bill W and Dr. Bob – The Genesis of AA at the Biograph in Chicago

Bill W and Dr. Bob – The Genesis of AA at the Biograph in Chicago

Bill Wilson is an alcoholic who realized the help he needed could only come from someone who understood first hand what he was experiencing. After meeting a fellow sufferer of alcoholic addiction, the two realize this process could help others. As a result Bill and 

Reclamation of Madison Hemings – Podcast Theater Review

Reclamation of Madison Hemings – Podcast Theater Review

Can you shake loose the pain of the past and reclaim your legacy?  Shortly after the end of the Civil War two former slaves ruminate on their experiences living and working within Monticello, the estate of former President Thomas Jefferson. In doing so they find 

A Chorus Line – Skokie Theatre Review

A Chorus Line – Skokie Theatre Review

This Madkap Production of “A Chorus Line” at the Skokie Theater, directed by Wayne Mell is on pointe, tapping into the essence of a story of love and dedication to the art of dance. “A Chorus Line” is an anthology of songs and monologues bringing 

Pippin Reflects Fosse’s Quest for Meaning of Life

Pippin Reflects Fosse’s Quest for Meaning of Life

Pippin was co-written and originally directed and choreographed by Chicago native Bob Fosse in 1972 who was at the very epicenter of his highly successful and frenetic career and possibly the pinnacle of his drug addiction that at least partly explains this bizarre tale of 

Asian-American rockabilly musical podcast review

Asian-American rockabilly musical podcast review

An entertaining Asian-American rockabilly musical at the Lookingglass Theatre, Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon by Matthew C. Yee is a light romp with a dark twist followed by a hasty, muddled ending wrapped up in a cloud of very good music all of which is performed 

A tragic love story and cautionary tale of intolerance

A tragic love story and cautionary tale of intolerance

For a professional theater experience in Chicago you can’t do much better than the Lyric opera production of West Side Story. This Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim musical deemed cutting edge and somewhat avantgarde when first introduced is now a classic. West Side Story leans 

Discussion with Seven Time Jeopardy! Game Show Champion Brian Chang.

Discussion with Seven Time Jeopardy! Game Show Champion Brian Chang.

This podcast episode can be described as a day in the life of a Jeopardy! champion. As a huge fan of the popular game show I was very excited to talk with seven time winner Brian Chang about the behind the scenes action from a 

Interview with Maestro Constantine Orbelian at Kick-off of Mozart Immersive : The Soul of a Genius

Interview with Maestro Constantine Orbelian at Kick-off of Mozart Immersive : The Soul of a Genius

My wife Julie and I were on hand Friday, January 27th, 2023 at Lighthouse ArtSpace to celebrate the 267th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which included a sneak peek kickoff of their newest experiential exhibit – –  Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius. Before 

“Falling for Make Believe” a heartfelt story of hidden love

“Falling for Make Believe” a heartfelt story of hidden love

The duo of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were the genius songwriters behind several hit Broadway musicals with many of their numbers going on to become standards in the Great American Songbook. This Madkap Production of “Falling for Make Believe” at the Skokie Theatre purports