In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with legendary protector of the American Songbook, Michael Feinstein, and Hollywood Museum Founder and President Donelle Dadigan to discuss the amazing career of Jose Iturbi. Feinstein does not do many interviews was happy to join in this important discussion to bring a name back to the forefront of the American Music scene.

A name not as well known today, Jose Iturbi was one of the great classical recording artists and appearing in a host of American classical musicals in the 1940’s through the 1950s. This incredible book and cd set is coffee table quality offering 16 cds remastered by Sony Classical and a text that walks thru Iturbi’s life written by Michael Feinstein. Iturbi was Dadigan’s Godfather so she knew him and his work quite well and is custodian of so many photographs and memorabilia that appear in this book. It is truly a beautiful work to behold and one any fan of classical music or the classical American Musical will want to own.

The book/CD set is available on Amazon.com.

In this new podcast, Paul chats with the NYT best selling author of “Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself,” Luke Russert. Luke is the son of legendary political analyst and host of NBC’s Meet the Press, Tim Russert who died so young and unexpectedly in the heat of the 2008 election. The book chronicles Luke’s world-wide adventure to not only cope with the unexpected loss of his dad, but to also find his own way in life. Although he was an ascending television news reporter with MSNBC, Luke realized this was not to be his path and he needed to find his way, along with signs of support and presence from his Dad. This interview goes well beyond the conversation with Luke on the WGN Midday News Fix segment and Luke shares very personal details about his life not asked about in other interviews….

The book can be ordered from Amazon.com

In this special new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the legendary creator of “Laugh In,” and so much more, George Schlatter. Schlatter, now 93, has related his many stories and memories in a new book, “Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy.” Filled with amazing accounts, he shares the history of how Laugh In came to be and the risks taken by the clearly fearless Schlatter!

Laugh In brought to us now legendary talents including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Rowan and Martin and so many more. Classic moments in TV history including getting Richard Nixon to appear to deliver the classic line, “Sock it to me!”

But George’s career also brought him to work with Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Ronald Reagan (and a bunch of monkeys who were under contract) and so many more… they’re all in this very funny, engaging, and candid book.

And, I surprise George during the interview with a special call in from…the great Lily Tomlin! You won’t want to miss this one!!

Still Laughing is available in bookstores and at Amazon.com. PLUS,  the audio book version of STILL LAUGHING will be released on November 28th!

In this new podcast, Paul chats with the NYT best selling author of “A Warning,’ Miles Taylor about his latest book: “Blowback: A Warning to Save Democracy From The Next Trump.” Taylor is an expert on national security and public policy and served as Chief of Staff with the US Department of Homeland Security. His first book, “”A Warning” was published under the name Anonymous and Washington was abuzz for a year wondering who had written the tell all warning about the serious concerns reflected in how the Trump administration was conducting its business. Eventually, Taylor came out as the author and this book is his follow up message….

In conjunction with the new book, Miles hosts a new podcast called “The Whistleblowers: Inside the Trump Administration,” which explores the people behind the government revelations that truly rocked the country in tumultuous times.

The book is available on Amazon.com and the podcast is from iHeartMedia and can be heard on their website or wherever you get your podcasts.

On this podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with author Jonathan Eig to discuss his latest book, “King: A Life,” truly the definitive biography of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. With its vivid language and extensive research, King: A Life offers a complete and new portrait of this true American legend. But Eig shows us that MLK was just a man, with faults and weaknesses, but a man who also recast American race relations so as to become our only modern-day founding father. This is King, the deep thinker, the brilliant strategist who led one of history’s greatest movements and man whose work and mission continues to live on today. It’s an amazing work you should add to your reading list! “King: A Life” is available at bookstores and from Amazon.com.

In this new podcast, Paul visits with the star of “I’m Not a Comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce,” directed by multi-award winner Joe Mantegna. Ronnie transforms into Lenny Bruce in this one man show which played in Chicago for 6 months at the Royal George (until Covid stepped in) and returned for another 6 months at Venus Cabaret. But now, for one night only, Ronnie performs at the beautiful North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. As Ronnie says, “Lenny’s is the voice this country needs right now. In the 1960s, he exposed many of the untouchable subjects that are in the news again today: religious, racism, immigration and more.” Interestingly, Lenny was a comedian who today, has strong appeal to people on the left and the right. it’s a play and performance that will leave you thinking…..

If you don’t know about Lenny Bruce, you should…..if you do, then you will find this show does him justice and brings him back to life. If you saw the show previously during its Chicago runs, then Ronnie assures that there is new material and a truly different sense about how the show feels as you watch it for the second, or the third time.

There are two performances only at 2pm and 8pm…..one night only: Saturday, September 9th…..and tickets can be purchased at: www.northShoreCenter.org

You can also learn more about Lenny Bruce and the show by visiting: www.LennyBruceOnStage.com

In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with author Alex Prud’homme a freelance writer and author about this new book on what Presidents ate from the time of Washington until today. Prud’homme is the nephew of famed “French Chef” Julia Child and likely related to cajun chef Paul Prud’homme so he comes from the world of food. This book paints pictures of the food worlds of our country’s most famous people: Presidents. From Washington’s Love of wine to Thomas Jefferson’s meals cookbook, and the elite elegance of FDR and JFK to the more mundane and every person tastes of Truman, LBJ and Reagan…a truly fascinating book. You’ll love the conversation and will definitely want to pick up a copy of the book at Amazon.com.

In this new podcast, Paul chats with an amazing and talented magician, mentalist, and performer, Henok Negash appearing every Wednesday on the Main Stage at Chicago Magic Lounge. Henok is truly different from the typical magician or magic act. He has a warmth and connection with the audience that builds strong trust as his presentation proceeds through a series of mind-boggling feats that will leave your jaw dropped!

Working well with audience members in a safe environment, where no one is made to feel uncomfortable, it is the stories of audience members that become the framework for Henok’s variety of illusions…. In fact, that is part of the magic.

The entire evening at Chicago Magic Lounge is special with table magic at the bar outside the showroom, followed by magicians who perform for you in the showroom at your table (while you eat delicious hot items like beef, chicken or veggie sliders among many other very tasty offerings, and a full bar). And then, on Wednesdays, Henok takes the stage and from your entry into his “Friend Zone,” through all of the interplay through the show, you will have a fantastic night. And if you wish to enjoy a nightcap at the outside bar along with additional magic, then stay on!

Chicago Magic Lounge is located at 5050 N. Clark Street and don’t be surprised if you have trouble finding the entrance….it’s all part of the magical illusions of the evening…you’ll soon figure it out…..Tickets can be purchased at: www.ChicagoMagicLounge.com.

Henok is in Chicago just through Sept 27th so please treat yourself and don’t miss out on this very fun and special evening….

Here is Paul’s review of Henok’s show from Opening Night:

If you are not yet aware that Chicago is the original  home of close-up magic, it’s time to get on board. Especially while the artist in residence at the Chicago Magic Lounge is Henok Negash, an LA based talent who will be spending several months in Chicago to entertain and mesmerize audiences. What makes a magician effective and truly magical, is the ability to connect with the audience….lure them in, involve them in the act and even create a sense of emotional connection to the amazement that unfolds. Negash is among the best. From the opening moments of his show, Henok warms up the audience, involves them and ultimately builds sufficient trust to have some audience members share their personal life stories, all of which he uses to builds the excitement and create a “WOW” effect. He’s different from most in that way. By definition, every performance will be unique because it relies on the life experiences of the audience members. So the feats of magic may be the same from show to show, but each time, the impact will be different. Whether you’ve been to The Magic Lounge before or not, this is a show you do NOT want to miss…Henok Negash is a magician’s magician…..he gets it exactly right!

****/4

In this new podcast, Paul chats with the cast of 6 time Tony Award Winning “Kinky Boots” produced by the Highland Park Players. The leading players are all here: Anania Williams (Lola), Ben Frankart (Charlie) and Hannah Kip (Lauren) talk about starring in this Broadway classic story of a shoe factory that is about to shut down because times have changed…until a drag queen steps up to save the day!

Tickets can be purchased at: www.highlandparkplayers.com. The production runs from August 18-27th only and Behind the Curtain viewers/listeners can get a $5 discount off their tickets for the first week from the launch of this interview! Just use code: LOLA when ordering your tickets.

In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the cast of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land” now playing through August 20th at Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater. Steppenwolf Co-Founder Jeff Perry (playing Hirst), Mark Ulrich (playing Spooner), and Samuel Roukin (playing Foster) talk about the challenges of performing in a Pinter production. What’s the plot? Who are these characters? Do they mean what they say? All of these questions are easy for most plays. But in the classic Pinter play, the simplest of questions present the greatest areas of confusion; the audience is challenged to draw their own conclusions. Indeed, seeing the play more than once will likely lead audience members to come to different conclusions each time about the meaning of the characters and the play.

The cast talks about how they view their roles and how to tackle a Pinter play which offers the challenge of dialogue, pause and emphasis. ​It’s an intriguing conversation about a very intriguing and not-often-produced play in Chicago.

No Man’s Land plays through August 20th and tickets can be purchased at: www.steppenwolf.org