Sondheim reigns larger in death, arguably, than he did in life. He changed the landscape of what a theatrical production could do. Taking this a step further, author and professor Richard Schoch recognized that nearly every Sondheim show has a message to teach all of us something in our own lives. His new book: “How Sondheim Can Change Your Life” presents the life messages present in nearly a dozen of Sondheim’s productions. Filled with anecdotes and stories, the book is a joy to read whether you are a huge Sondheim fan or just interested in learning more about this critical person in theater history.

Enjoy this conversation about the book AND stay tuned for the additional BONUS conversation between the author and Paul that follows the TV stream version of the show seen on WGN+.

How Sondheim Can Change Your Life is available in hardcover now, and is available in paperback on November 11th. It’s available in bookstores and online.

“44 – The Musical” is a satirical look at the rise and first term of the presidency of Barack Obama along with the myriad of characters who were part of that story. As told from the memory of Veep Joe Biden, we get Michelle Obama, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Sarah Palin, Ted Cruise and others.

This is NOT intended to be a political piece…it’s about having a fun and memorable evening in the theater…you’ll laugh and feel good regardless of what party to which you belong, if any.

Joining in the conversation are the writer/composer/director and lead producer of the production, Eli Bauman. Plus, you’ll meet TJ Wilkins (playing President Obama, and you may know TJ from his appearance on “The Voice.”); and Chad Doreck (playing Joe Biden) help tell the very funny and engaging story.

This production was a hit during a previous and brief run in Chicago (During the DNC) and received rave reviews during its run in Los Angeles…and now…it’s Back! But only through September 21st at the Studebaker Theatre. You can purchase tickets at: www.44theobamamusical.com/tickets.

Enjoy this humorous and engaging musical before it heads off to New York!

Indeed I’d call it a Bi-Partisan Laughfest full of music, song and humor people will enjoy on both sides of the aisle!

Pippin is one of the great fun musicals, the work of the magnificent Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell”) and now a new production presented by MadKap Productions at the Skokie Theatre, a nicely rehabbed venue perfect for intimate musical productions.

Joining in the conversation is Pippin himself (played by Connor Hensley Schroeder) and an interesting twist on the role of Lead Player (made famous by Ben Vereen on Broadway) here split between two fine actors: Andrew Buel and Hannah Mary Simpson whose interpersonal dynamics add great unexpected fun. And the heartwarming role of Berthe (Granny to some) is played by a Chicago treasure: Judy Rossignuolo-Rice; and the Director and set/lighting designer Pat Henderson explains her vision of this production.

If you’ve seen Pippin, it’s time to see the unexpected and reimagined version playing now at the Skokie Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased at: www.SkokieTheatre.org

The legendary Icon Leslie Uggams will be honored with the ICON Award from Porchlight Music Theatre on September 14th at Ritz Carlton. Ms Uggams was most recently seen in Season 3, Ep 7 of The Guilded Age, but she is legendary for playing Kizzy in Roots, Blind Al in the Deadpool movies, her Tony Award winning performance in “Hallelujah, Baby,” and her powerful performance as the Mother in American Fiction (2023). And truthfully, we haven’t begun to cover her incredible career.

Catch this interview with Ms. Uggams and then purchase tickets to attend the ICON Gala in her honor (and likely meet Ms. Uggams) on Sunday, September 14th for a grand lunch at The Ritz Carlton Hotel at Water Tower Place.

More information can be found and tickets can be purchased at: www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

From decades of small roles and comedy shows to making it big on HBO’s hit series “Somebody, Somewhere“, Jeff Hiller is now nominated for his first Emmy for his portrayal of Joel in its 3 season run. The road to fame wasn’t easy for Jeff, as he details in his new memoir, “Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success”.

In this podcast, Paul and Jeff explore his life growing up as a young, gay man (and hopeful pastor) in the southern region of the country known as Texas and why it took so long to make it as a successful comedian and TV star compared to child stars like Drew Barrymore, much of which is found in the pages (and footnotes) of his new book.

Jeff’s connection with his character Joel in “Somebody, Somewhere” goes much deeper than words on the script and we learn through the course of the interview just how much of his personal story comes through in the book and into his character in the show.

“Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success” is available at bookstores and online including Amazon.com.

And the Emmy Awards can be watched on Sunday, September 14th on CBS at 7pm CST

Paul goes behind the curtain with the managing artistic director of the Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater, Jacob Harvey and Keir Graff, author of the new book, Chicago’s Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic, and Murder, in which he takes you behind the scenes of one of Chicago’s cultural landmarks. The renovation of the structure for its recent 125th Anniversary is truly stunning and a must-see historic site in Chicago.

Who knew that the history of this site included performances by Bob Hope, Vincent Price, Yul Brenner, Henry Fonda and even a young Martin Sheen. In fact, the classic actress Jesssica Lange took violin lessons on this very site. From the human operated manual elevators (yes, still…..) to the historic galleries available for patrons to tour, this is truly an experience you don’t want to miss. Landmarked in 1978, the site offers an extensive variety of, not just performing arts, but businesses and artists of all sorts which are either artistic or arts adjacent.

From the ongoing Second Friday programs to the growing number of productions (the recently concluded musical “Personality,” and the upcoming “Sunday in the Park with George” presented by the amazing Porchlight Music Theatre, (not to mention the home of the fabulous show “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me”) there is just so much to experience and enjoy that you’ll want to listen/watch this interview and then hop on line to explore: www.fineartsbuilding.com

In this interview with John Mangum, the General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, we learn that in addition to the fabulous history of operas presented at the Lyric, there is so much more for non-opera lovers and families to enjoy.

This upcoming season will kick off with an Opening Concert Gala on October 10th starring Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Laura Benanti for a one night only performance.

Then a series of special classic movies take the screen but accompanied by the Lyric Opera Orchestra which provides the soundtrack which has been removed from the film. It creates an amazing sensory experience….and the movies this season will be Disney’s Coco (Oct 16 & 18) and Mary Poppins (April 10 & 11, 2026). And John discusses a very special engagement with Chicago’s Very Own Billy Corgan (of Smashing Pumpkins fame) who has created an amazing new piece called “A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” This amazing production airs only Nov 21st – 30th) and honestly, tickets are moving fast.

On this WGNRadio.com Podcast release, the discussion with John goes beyond the WGN+ stream looking at the food options available pre-theater in the classic Lyric building as well as a chat about some of the classic operas that are being staged in this upcoming season. Most important John talks about the experience of opera is not what it was decades ago….it’s an art form everyone should come and enjoy!

Tickets for all the Lyric Opera productions can be found at: www.LyricOpera.org

There is nothing like watching an exciting scene from a Marvel movie and being moved by the powerful score that enhances and gives the film its energy! One of America’s Most Celebrated Film Conductors, Anthony Parnther, conducts the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra for ONE night only on Friday, August 29th at 7:30pm in the Pavillion with seating, of course, on the lawn as well.

Parnther has conducted the movie scores for Academy Award-winning Oppenheimer, Grammy-winning Encanto, The Mandalorian, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, and so many more.

On this special night, you will view clips from Iron Man,, Captain America and Thor…a total of 23 clips from the Marvel universe with live accompaniment….and all under the baton of Maestro Parnther.

An evening not to be missed….

Tickets range from: $29 – 75 and can be purchased at: www.Ravinia.org

There is little doubt that the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award  for Best Play-winning work Angels in America by Tony Kushner is one of the most important plays written in decades if not the last century. A seven hour-experience (separated into two parts: Part One: Millennium Approaches, and Part Two: Perestroika) can be seen over two days or all in one day. The play cleverly weaves together realism with fantasy to create a complex examination of the social, sexual and religious issues facing the country that resonate powerfully today. Set in the 1980s and early 1990s, we see the challenge of the AIDS crisis and how a variety of classic characters, including both fictional and historical figures, face them.

The difficult production is taken on by the fabulous Chicago-based theater company Invictus Theatre Company led by Artistic Director Charles Askenaizer.

Charles joins the conversation as director of the production and is joined by cast members: Grant Carriker (playing Louis Ironson), Joe Bushell (playing Joe Pitt), Anne Trodden (playing Joe’s wife Harper Pitt), Brenden Zweibel (understudy for the role of Prior Walter), and Shane Roberie (understudy for the role of Roy Cohn).

Enjoy the full conversation about the play and the character roles as well as a conversation about the powerful message of the play and where the characters might be today. You can go to Invictus Theatre to get your tickets!

Hitch*Cocktails is a fully improvised comedic thriller which invites the audience to laugh and enjoy while partaking (if they wish) in a drinking game, while the cast creates it all on stage…also while partaking in drinking throughout the show. Added all together it’s a laugh filled evening which creates a murder mystery that would make Alfred Hitchcock, the master, proud…or at least smile….

“The Summer of Suspense specialty shows end Aug 30, but Hitch*Cocktails will continue every Friday at 9:30pm.” at Annoyance Theatre & Bar in The Annoyance Theatre located on Belmont near Clark. And after August 30th, the fun continues on Friday evenings. This show has been entertaining audiences for over a dozen years with some of the best improv talents in the city!

The audience gets involved during the summer run and well…you never know what is going to happen on stage. Fortunately, either does the cast! Joining in the conversation are: Bruce Phillips (the Executive Director of High Stakes Production which produces the show) and improv performers: Bri Fitzpatrick, Edgar Nevarez and Simon Tessmer.

And after the WGN+ TV Stream show, the cast stayed on for an extended BONUS conversation about the art of improvisation right here and on all podcast platforms.

Enjoy this inside behind the curtain look to the making of an improv master class!