CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy

Lookinglass co-founder and director David Catlin, adapted the high-flying, critically-acclaimed stage version of the Herman Melville classic Moby Dick in 2015. With the show now returning to Chicago after a national tour, David Catlin joined the conversation to discuss his early influences and the fascinating collaborative process behind the company's ambitious and powerful production.

Season 2 Episode 20 | Originally published June 29, 2017

Ron Keaton, producer, actor and writer of the acclaimed Churchill one-man show was our first guest for Conversations with Ed Tracy at the Skokie Theatre. Ron discussed his long-time acting career, future goals for SoloChicago and performed a monologue from his 2015 Joseph Jefferson Award-winning performance of Churchill.

Season 1 Episode 1 | Originally published July 28, 2016

John Zukowsky, Lee Bey and Rolf Achilles joined the conversation at the national launch of Building Chicago to discuss the evolving landscape of Chicago architecture in the 20th century.

Season 1 Episode 14 | Originally published November 10, 2016

Bestselling author Steve Hamilton joins the conversation this week to discuss his new book in the Nick Mason series, Exit Strategy, the upcoming Lionsgate film project to be filmed in Chicago and what is it about the turbulent and violent world of Nick Mason that keeps us coming back for more.

Season 2 Episode 18 | Originally published May 17, 2017

Actor and singer Evan Tyrone Martin joined the conversation to discuss his title role in the smash hit production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Paramount Theatre.

Season 2 Episode 17 | Originally published May 10, 2017

Actor and educator Kathleen Ruhl joined the conversation to discuss a Chicago theatrical career that spans five decades and the role that her daughter, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee, Sarah Ruhl, wrote for her about her family in For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday.

Season 2 Episode 16 | Originally published May 3, 2017

Paul Becker, the fourth generation in his family to make Becker violins and cellos, joined the conversation to talk about the extraordinary precision required in making Becker instruments and his family's remarkable legacy.

Season 2 Episode 13 | Originally published April 13, 2017

Actor and comedian Ed Kross joined the conversation to give an inside look on his career that has spanned improv on a cruise ship, theatre all over Chicago, a couple of high-profile film turns with Tom Hanks and George Clooney and lots of commercial work for one of Chicago's most gifted comic talents.

Season 2 Episode 14 | Originally published April 20, 2017

Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet, joined the conversation to talk about the ever-evolving nature of ballet and the world-renowned choreographers assembled for Global Visionaries at the Auditorium Theatre. Season 2 Episode 15 | Originally published April 25, 2017

Singer Robert Sims joined the conversation following a concert appearance in Detroit to talk about how his career was influenced by Robeson and Hayes and the challenges they faced breaking down barriers. Season 2 Episode 3 | Originally published February 8, 2017