Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain

Holiday at Goodman Theatre is a new adaptation of Philip Barry’s 1928 romantic comedy, reimagined by Tony Award–winning playwright Richard Greenberg and directed by Goodman’s legendary director, Robert Falls. The play presents the wealthy Seton family on New York’s Upper East Side, and introduces a young charismatic newcomer to the family whose romance with one of the Seton daughters upends their comfortable world and exposes tensions around money, ambition, and happiness.

This production keeps the story’s 1920s roots while giving the dialogue and characters a contemporary feeling as this story is set just before the pandemic hits. As a result, the story highlights the timeless question of whether we should work to live or live to work.

Joining in the conversation are two of the three Seton siblings: Bryce Gangel (playing Linda Seton and well known to Chicago audiences from performances at Court Theater, Remy Bumppo, Rivendell and more) and Wesley Taylor (playing Ned Seton but well known to Chicago for the pre-Broadway run of Addams Family, and also Broadway turns on Spongebob and Rock of Ages, as well as TV hit shows like Only Murders in the Building and Smash).

It’s a wonderful and in-depth conversation recorded on the luxurious set of Holiday!

The show plays ONLY through March 8th and Tickets can be purchased at: www.GoodmanTheatre.org

Little Shop of Horrors is truly a cult classic that has entertained audiences for over 4 years.  The story of a man-eating plant who seeks to take over the world is a musical full of great songs and fun.

Joining in the conversation are Jackson Evans (who plays Seymour), Maya Rowe (playing Audrey), Andrew Mueller (playing Orin the Dentist) and the production’s director, Tommy Rapley.

The show runs through March 15th and tickets can be purchased at: www.Marriotttheatre.com.

My review of the play follows and you can tune in to the interview here!

Review:  “Little Shop of Horrors”

By:

Paul Lisnek, Behind the Curtain, WGN+/WGNradio.com

****/4

Title: “Little Shop of Horrors” is a BIG night of FUN!

Little Shop first premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982 as a workshop and made it to off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre the same year, playing over 2200 performances; then it deservedly went on to Broadway in 2003 and it’s been produced and performed around the country ever since. But Marriott Lincolnshire offers a special production (as they often do), by insuring smiles on the audience members’ faces from young to older, and skillfully handling the technical challenges of working in the round, especially to make the ever-growing Audrey II man eating plant function beautifully. Perhaps most importantly, the cast is a familiar to Chicago group of solid well-known performers who add a large spirit and connect strongly with the audience. 

The show is nostalgic, but still fresh in many ways.

The production is sharp and clean, but brings a refreshing sense of humor, warmth and heart to this long-standing almost cult musical. Candidly, there are uncomfortable moments in a show that is 40 years old and addresses domestic violence with a touch of humor; it might have played back in the early ‘80’s but today, it’s difficult to watch, yet the cast keeps a lid on the humor of it but performs the script as written and required to make the plot work. The cast handles it well.

The show is certainly a bit campy but the cast’s chemistry is electric. Indeed, this sincere Seymour (played so warmly by the great Jackson Evans), and sensitive Audrey (another Chicago fave, Maya Rowe) bring genuine emotional warmth, allowing the absurdity and satire to coexist beautifully with its vulnerable love story. The show also works so well because of the talents of mark David Kaplan (Mr. Mushnik), Andrew Mueller (playing dentist Orin and so many others so well that you don’t even know it’s the same actor on stage!) and the amazing bass voice of the Lorenzo Rush, Jr. who we only hear until his curtain call) This cast gets the show’s darkly comic rhythm but perform with impressively nuanced performances, grounding the outrageous premise in authentic human relationships.

And Audrey II—may be a plant, but exudes life through inventive puppetry control and maneuvering and rightfully stands as a character in its own right.

Marriott Lincolnshire’s production is a triumph of imagination and theatrical craft, making it a must-see opener for this season’s opener at one of our beloved theaters.

Many people mistakenly believe that the AIDS and HIV crises are over. Nothing is further from the truth. AIDS Foundation Chicago continues to provide care and housing assistance for so many Chicagoans who may struggle to make ends meet while they continue their battle against HIV. It is true that medications are better and more helpful today than ever, but the need to help continues.

And so….for the 24th year, it is time for World of Chocolate!! This year, held on Friday February 27th at the amazing Artifact Events space at 4325 Ravenswood Ave in Chicago. The proceeds go to assist AIDS Foundation Chicago with its mission and services.

The night is incredibly fun! Not only will you sample the unique and amazing chocolate goodies of 15 vendors and bakers but there will be more chances to donate and assist with the popular Punchboard (buy a hole, stick your hand through and win a prize!) and help through the balloon drop and even donate to help paint a masterpiece guided by local artist Emma Lyons with the art piece then being sold through auction. Plus awards will be given for the People’s Choice favorite and other prizes determined by celebrity judges.

It’s an incredibly fun evening and all going to a good cause. Joining in the conversation is August Spree, the Senior Manager of Special Events for AIDS Foundation Chicago AND Chef Blaque of Steel City Bakery. It’s a fun chat which will get you ready for this great night.

Tickets can be purchased at: aidschicago.org/worldofchocolate but get them before this event sells out!

Everyone’s favorite childhood classic film is Mary Poppins! Based on the writings of P.J. Travers, the story underwent significant development and creating thanks to the work, not just of Walt Disney, but of the Sherman Brothers who wrote all of the classic music. Now, a new book, “Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film” by Todd James Pierce takes us inside all that transpired to make the classic film.

Julie Andrews was NOT the first choice for Mary Poppins and in fact, author Pamela Travers did not like her in the role! Why? What did Walt Disney say when Travers approached him at the Hollywood premiere to tell him she was ready to do some heavy editing? And so much more…

Check out this fun interview with the author Todd J. Pierce

There’s no wonder why Jonathan Spector’s “Eureka Day” won the 2025 Tony for Best Revival of a Play. Although written in 2018, it feels like this play could have been written this year as it brings to the front critical and divisive issues we face today as a society; but….it’s presented with a huge dose of humor and hilarity that will have you doubled over in laughter. The play is both painfully timely and refreshingly compassionate on a tough societal issue.

Set in a progressive private school in Berkeley, California the Eureka Day School finds itself facing a public health crisis, an outbreak of mumps. This play was written pre-Covid, pre-current day intensity of vaccination issues, and yet it taps into this quagmire in a way that will have you leaving the theater without a sense of resolution, but with a better and deeper understanding of how these conflicts can tear a community apart. Joining in the conversation is P.J. Powers (who plays Don and he is also the Artistic Director of Timeline Theatre) and Rebekah Ward (who plays Suzanne, a board member and parent) who offer great insight into this incredibly timely play.

Watch until the end for a BONUS conversation with the cast, including insight into the mission and future of Timeline Theatre, which follows the original WGN+ broadcast portion.

Here is Paul’s Review of the play:

Review: “Eureka Day”

By:

Paul Lisnek, “Behind the Curtain,” WGN+; WGNRadio.com

****/4

Playing at the Broadway Playhouse through February 22nd; tickets at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

———

“Eureka! A Fantastic Show is Playing at the Broadway Playhouse!”

There’s no wonder why Jonathan Spector’s “Eureka Day” won the 2025 Tony for Best Revival of a Play. Although written in 2018, it feels like this play could have been written this year as it brings to the front critical and divisive issues we face today as a society; but….it’s presented with a huge dose of humor and hilarity that will have you doubled over in laughter. The play is both painfully timely and refreshingly compassionate on a tough societal issue.

Set in a progressive private school in Berkely, California the Eureka Day School finds itself facing a public health crisis, an outbreak of mumps. This play was written pre-Covid, pre-current day intensity of vaccination issues, and yet it taps into this quagmire in a way that will have you leaving the theater without a sense of resolution, but with a better and deeper understanding of how these conflicts can tear a community apart.

It’s not easy to layer humor with heartbreak but the perfect pacing and timing of this show, incredibly directed by Chicago directing legend Lili-Anne Brown, achieves that delicate balance. Never falling too far into satire or sentiment, every scene is played to breathe, laugh and sometimes bite.

It’s the balance of emotions and character traits in this play that makes it SO good. It’s laugh-out-loud hysterical but so intensely thought provoking that you will find yourself reconsidering your views on a very volatile topic. This cast plays their characters to perfection. With intensity, charm, idealism, warmth and a bit of quirky eccentricity, these are characters living personal contradictions.

Bravo to Timeline Theater for creating another classic production for which they have been known in this community for nearly 30 years. Timeline always ties its productions to critical, if not well-known moments in history; in this play Spector finds that he has tripped over and into current events to craft a play you won’t soon forget and will urge your friends to be sure NOT to miss.

Siah Berlatsky is a local playwright who, at the age of 15, began to write a funny sophisticated play called “Malapert Love.” Completed when she was 21, who would imagine that the work would be performed in Chicago at the Artistic Home where it was awarded the Jeff Award for Best New Work in 2023 and THEN…and invitation to launch off-Broadway in NYC. This happened because the play was selected by The Tank NYC, an award-winning non-profit performing arts space, as one of five fall Core Productions. This great story reflects the works, themes and techniques of Shakespeare written centuries ago…but which resonates with the modern audience.

A great story of local Chicago’s Very Own artist does well!

Joining in the conversation is playwright Siah Berlatsky and the play’s director (also an accomplished actor) Julian Hester who talk about the challenges of making a new work successful.

There’s little doubt that Stephen Sondheim has created some of the best musical theater ever written. And now, Madkap Productions presents Stephen Sondheim’s classic “Company “ at the Skokie Theatre from February 6 to March 1st.

The original Broadway production was nominated for 14 Tony awards and won 6 and its no wonder why as it includes songs like Ladies Who Lunch, Side By Side By Side and so many more classics.

On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried status. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his friends explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse; the forever single Robert is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood.

Joining in the conversation is the production’s director Steve Scott, legendary producer of Goodman Theater until 2017 and director of over 300 productions. Also joining the chat from the cast are Graham Todd who plays Bobby, Fatima Zahara who plays Susan (wife and ex-wife to Peter), Aidan Sternberg who plays Peter and Kelly Killorin as Kathy.

Tickets can be purchased at www.SkokieTheatre.org

“Stereophonic” is a dramatic play that follows a fictional rock band in 1976 as they navigate the hectic and complex process of recording their new album, their second album, and at the same time, exploring fame, conflict, and artistic struggle.

The play tells the story of an unnamed British-American rock band seeking superstardom and amidst the various dynamics that ensue.

Joining in the conversation are: Claire DeJean, playing Diana, a tambourine player and the girlfriend of Peter and Denver Milord, playing Peter, a guitarist, boyfriend of Diana and the self-appointed leader of the band.

Stereophonic plays at the CIBC through February 8th and tickets can be purchased at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

Carole King is truly a living legend. Her Tapestry album remains as one of the most iconic albums of all time. Her extraordinary career as songwriter, performer, environmentalist and political activist has made its permanent mark on society for over half a century.

This book relies on a multitude of interviews and extensive research to bring to life King’s professional accomplishments, her personal challenges and her everlasting contributions.

You’ll also be surprised at the steps the author Jane Eisner took to make this project as personal as possible…watch this extended podcast interview going beyond the original WGN+ stream!

The book can be purchased on line or at bookstores everywhere.

There was no one like Johnny Carson, host of the Tonight Show for 30 years during which he hosted around 4500 episodes with more than 25,000 guests.

Author Mark Malkoff interviewed over 400 people (many of which can be heard at www.CarsonPodcast.com) and took a dozen years to write this book. It’s a history of the show but filled with countless stories of the celebrities who appeared, those who did not, and the games Carson played with the audience, and the most classic moments in the show….Malkoff knows them all!

“Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend” is available on line and at bookstores.

More information can be found at: www.MarkMalkoff.com