In this new podcast, Paul chats with communications expert Michael Chad Hoeppner about his new book, “Don’t Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life.” In this age of technology it seems more difficult to communicate effectively with others, but Hoeppner teaches that everyone can improve their speaking skills! Hoeppner is an expert on effective speaking, has coached presidential candidates, prominent CEO’s and many others on their communication skills. Now, he shares his secrets in this new book.

Because Paul also has an extensive background in studying, teaching and training in communication, this conversation is especially engaging and goes beyond the typical surface level chat. There’s a lot to learn by watching or listening to this interview.

The book can be purchased at www. Amazon.com or www.HachetteBooks.com

One of AGT’s true break out comedians (he placed 2nd in the 10th season of AGT) plays the Den Theatre on Friday night January 31st and Saturday night February 1st at 7:15pm and 9:30pm (2 shows each night). And great news: his new special will be recorded during those performances!

Drew is known for his self-deprecating humor addressing his stutter, height and so many other things. A truly hilarious comedian who warmed hearts and charmed audiences the entire season right up through the finals! From his support dog Stella and his relationship with his wife, Drew comments on his personal life as well as life on the road and current events. He has millions of followers on social media and this conversation is both funny and insightful as Drew shares some personal views and comments that explain his approach to comedy.

Tickets for his shows can be purchased at: www.thedentheatre.com and don’t wait because these shows will surely sell out fast!

The relationship between First Daughter Patti Davis and her parents, President Ronald Reagan and mom Nancy Reagan, was strained to say the least. In her new book, “Dear Mom and Dad: A Letter About Family, Memory and the America We Once Knew,” the former first daughter writes a very personal and tough memoir in the form of a letter to her parents. Would she say what she writes in the book directly to them today? How real were the portrayals in the media of her historic parents? What lessons can we all learn from her difficult childhood and upbringing given that few of us had a father who was President of the United States. It’s a powerful work and Patti is very candid in her answers…. The book is available in bookstores and at Amazon

In this podcast, Paul sits down with author Mike Thomasto discuss a new biography of Johnny Carson. We learn about the late night legend that was Johnny Carson from the mind of Chicago author Bill Zehme in this new book Carson the Magnificent: An Intimate Portrait. Bill’s work began in 2002 when he was given the chance to interview Carson, and later work on this biography following Johnny’s death. When Bill passed in 2023, the baton, and hundreds of pages of work, were passed to his research assistant on numerous other biographies, Mike Thomas. Mike had went on to write for The Chicago Sun-Times. He picked up the project (and Bill’s magnum opus) to give us this deeply intimate look behind the man who gave us 30 years of truly magnificent late night television. You can find the book on Amazon or from Simon & Schuster.

In this new podcast, author Tripp Whetsell discusses his new biography of television legend, Norman Lear. The book, “Norman Lear: His Life and Times”, tells the life story of the man who created TV shows that changed the media form. “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons,” and the list goes on with the amazing programs Lear created through the 1970s and beyond. He tackled issues that were rarely addressed before and certainly not in the realm of situation comedy. Sexual identity, abortion, bigotry and so much more. Lear found a way to make us find humor in the difficult issues of the day with the hope and goal of us finding the absurdity of harboring such feelings. His work changed the face of television forever….it involved struggles with the censors and the “suits” but he took them all on. This is that complete story….the fascinating life of a focused and dedicated media figure. You can buy the book at normanlearbio.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

On this new podcast, Paul chats with singer/songwriter Rich Schuler whose musical tribute, “Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas” plays over the holidays from December 19th through the 22nd at the Broadway Playhouse.

The show is an intimate holiday experience taking us back to the 1970’s where John Denver was at the top of the charts and his popularity playing classic songs like: Rocky Mountain High, Country Roads, Annie’s Song along with a myriad of Christmas classics. Rich not only resembles Denver but sounds so much like him that the concert will be like getting transported back in time. Along with stories and information you might not know about John Denver, this show will be a real treat.

Show schedule (including evening and matinees) along with tickets can be found at: www.BroadwayInChicago.com

In this new podcast, Paul chats with performers Corey Mach (who plays William Shakespeare) and Michael Canu (“Romeo”) about the incredibly high energy and fun jukebox musical “& Juliet” here for a short run. Utilizing the music of Max Martin with songs you will know very well (‘Since You Been Gone’ ‘Baby One More Time”, ‘Larger than Life’, and so much more), this high energy cast and lit up stage will have you singing along and dancing in your seat! Lots of plot surprises and you do NOT have to know anything about Shakespeare or the play (though knowing some basics enhances the laughs).

Read the review below for more info….& Juliet plays through December 15th at the Cadillac Palace and tickets may be purchased on line at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

REVIEW: & Juliet

By: Paul Lisnek, “Behind the Curtain,” WGNRadio.com

****/4

& Juliet is Witty, Smart, and a Whole lot of Fun!

Imagine if the legendary and classic love story by Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet ended a bit differently.  Instead of Juliet meeting her demise at the end of the play, she actually lives on to give Love a second chance! That’s the premise of this incredibly fun jukebox musical (which is far better than most in that genre and we can confirm that it IS a jukebox musical because a jukebox often joins the set elements), and add the energy and brightness of “Six,” and you have an over the top evening that will have you leaving the theater singing, dancing, and with a huge smile on your face.

The idea of changing the ending comes not from Shakespeare himself, who is a leading character in this work and played authentically by Corey Mach, but from his incredibly strong wife, Anne Hathaway (perfectly captured by Teal Wicks) who makes it clear that this revised work is going to show the strength of women! Not sure how that would have gone over circa 1600, but in 2024, audiences are all in! And a strong Juliet, powerfully portrayed and vocalized by Rachel Simone Webb.

Indeed ALL of the voices in this production are powerful individually and blend together for a stunning chorus that bring new life to the iconic playlist written by Max Martin (and his various partners). Half the fun is seeing where classic songs like “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” Baby One More Time,” and others get placed to add support and sometimes whimsy to the moment.

The sets, lights and even bursts of confetti make this a party!

& Juliet may be a story from 1600, but it thrives in 2024 and will have you leave the theater asking, “Why isn’t this classic known as “Juliet & Romeo?” Indeed, women have earned top billing and this show gives it to them royally.

& Juliet is NOT to be missed but you have only until December 15th to see it at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

In this new podcast, Paul chats with the cast and director of “Falsettos” playing through Dec 15th at the Court Theatre (in cooperation with TimeLine Theatre Company). Set in the late 1970’s and early ‘80s, it’s the story of a Jewish couple with a son who live on the Upper West Side when the husband falls in love with a younger man. How they deal with the challenges to family and relationships and try to seek balance, when…the ultimate challenge confronts them all.

Joining in the conversation are cast members Stephen Schellhardt (Marvin), Jack Ball (Whizzer, Marvin’s Lover), Sarah Bockel (Trina, Marvin’s wife), Jackson Evans (Mendel the psychiatrist) and the production’s director, Nick Boland. The show is funny, sad, engaging and most of all, warm.

Falsettos plays through December 15th at the Court Theatre (in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company); Tickets can be purchased at www.courttheatre.org.

Following is Paul’s review of the show:

Review: Falsettos

Playing at Court Theatre through December 15th.

****/4

Don’t Walk, MARCH to the Court Theatre (in collaboration with TimeLine Theatre) to see “Falsettos” (once known by other titles including “March of the Falsettos) while there are still tickets available. This show is NOT to be missed.

Falsettos is a charming, funny, warm and engaging production that has maintained its impact and importance over the 40+ years since it first appeared on Broadway (in various forms until the current version which had a relatively recent revival with Andrew Rannels and Stephanie J Block).

A critical part of getting this show right is in the casting…and in this Timeline/Court production, the casting is nothing short of sheer perfection.

It’s a story of family, love, challenges, crisis and a desire to establish a new normal amidst the onset of a devastating health crisis. Set in the late 1970s, early ‘80s, (and first produced in that era), the experience of the show was devastating and heart-wrenching. It’s just as meaningful today but in a different way. Society (well at least urban areas like Chicago) have come a long way. Today, we look at same sex relationships as no different than any others. And all relationships come with their challenges, some more than others, but the relationships in Falsettos strained the boundaries of that time, but today trigger our empathy and connection.

Stephen Schellhardt as Marvin and Jack Ball as Whizzer make the perfect couple. The difference in their ages and in life paths could easily happen today, but back then, it was a much more difficult road to navigate, let alone that the relationship was a same sex one, and these actors navigate it with realism and depth.

Special shout out goes to Jackson Evans as Mendel. Evans always brings a sense of unique whimsy to his roles…he’s often  cast in lighter fare which lets his natural comedic skills shine. But here, he must also exercise his dramatic skills and weave between the two which he does with a skillful exactness. He’s allowed to use his voice and range much more than in the typical role I’ve seen him play, and this actor has incredible talent. His cultivating the relationship with Trina (played in fabulous form by Sarah Bockel) and young Jason (played strongly on opening night by Charlie Long) helps the audience connect to those characters.

William Finn and James LaPine exhibit a fantastic collaboration in the book and music which keep the audience with them from the opening moments to the end.

Falsettos is exactly what theater should be…unforgettable. Don’t miss it!

Jared Kirchheimer is a Chicago-based actor, writer, director and producer. Never giving up on his life dream to be a filmmaker, Jared balances a career in civil engineering with his efforts to pursue his dream projects. And now, “Say Her” is being screened with a bright future ahead for the film. This movie tells the story of weightlifter Clayton Marks (played by Jared), an aging weightlifter who will not let go of his long shot dream of competing in the Olympics. Inspired by the hard work of a Chicagoan, the dreams and hopes of young people who often find themselves caught up in city violence, this is the story of determination and drive to pursue a dream. Even if that dream does not come through for Jared, he may see it grow to reality in the lives and dreams of the next generation…..

You can follow “Say Her” on social media to watch for upcoming screenings and its likely expanded showings in the weeks and months to come.

Whether you are a Die Hard fan, or you’ve never even heard of the movie, this is one show you don’t want to miss! Yippee Ki Yay (the parody celebration of Die Hard), stars acclaimed writer, actor and poet Richard Marsh in a genre-bending stage show retelling of the 1988 action hit from the perspective of one man, alternating with the other “John McClane” Darrel Bailey throughout the month long run. Will you get Rich or Darrel, will they wear shoes? Only one way to find out!

In this atypical Behind the Curtain interview, we step into the mind of a Die Hard superfan with a twist! In the first of its kind, Marsh is interviewed by two people, one being a self proclaimed “die hard Die Hard fan” and the other having never seen the film before opening night. You’ll be surprised to find out which is which!

Come out to Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, get tickets together, have a few laughs, and learn just what exactly a TV dinner feels like from now until December 15th!