Brad Meltzer is a New York Times Best Selling author of thrillers, non-fiction plots and conspiracy books and even children’s books. He’s an amazing author with an incredible writing style.

On this new podcast, Brad talks about his latest works: “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill  Kennedy – and Why it Failed “ and “Make Magic: The Book of Inspiration You Didn’t Know You Needed.” Plus he talks about his latest childrens book coming out in May on the Beatles!

Also Brad shares stories from his life…he’s as engaging in conversation as he is in his writing.

You can learn more about him at: www.BradMeltzer.com

This new podcast is also the PREMIERE episode of the show on WGN+. You can download that app on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick. Behind the Curtain streams on WGN+ on Saturdays at 10:30am, 4:30pm and Sundays at 4pm.  Catch it there!

After the show airs on WGN+ you will find it on WGNRadio.com, YouTube, Spotify, Apple and also at www.AroundtheTownChicago..”

Paul chats with Burt Kearns, author of a new biography of Shemp Howard, one of the original Three Stooges. Lots of surprises in this discussion as Burt shares that many of the facts relayed by Shemp’s real life brother Moe in his autobiography just aren’t true. Kearns has done extensive research of this more complex member of the Stooges. Shemp had a career outside of the Stooges and you might be surprised to learn all that he did on his own.

Plus, is the cause of Shemp’s death what the doctors said it was? Lots interesting questions raised in this new book available from www.Amazon.com and signed copies plus more at: www.ShempBook.com

Moulin Rouge was long awaited when it first came to Chicago a few years ago and now it is back!! The winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical! It’s been called spectacular and euphoric…this show is truly beautiful to watch. With music from Lady Gaga to the Beatles, this high energy wonder is back.

Playing the lead role of Christian is Jay Armstrong Johnson. His previous performances on Broadway include: Parade, HAIR, Catch Me if You Can, and Phantom Of the Opera. Jay has appeared in concert at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center among other venues. If you have never seen the production of Moulin Rouge, this is your chance…

And you only have until April 20th. Tickets can be purchased at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

In this new podcast, Paul chats with author and podcast host Aaron Mahnke whose new book “Cabinet of Curiosities” is an incredible page-turner of fun! The stories told in the book bring history to life and the amazing tales of coincidence and fates determined by chance or perhaps fate make every page of this book a page turner! From the individual who wanted to be buried in a Pringles can, to Abraham Lincoln’s son being rescued by the brother of…John Wilkes Booth, and hundreds of other stories that amaze and astound.

Aaron has produced a number of popular and incredible podcasts and programs you have likely come across and enjoyed.

Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of The Unbelievable, the unsettling, and the Bizarre is an incredible read, a fantastic listen…and why not begin your journey with this fascinating conversation here.

The book is available at www.Amazon.com and www.StMartins.com

We hold presidents accountable for how they handle the federal budget and overall economic condition of the country. But, what is to be learned when we study how a president handled their own money? It’s a fascinating book and author Megan Gorman has all the scoop on all the presidents.

Which president handled their money better than all the others? What about how our most recent Presidents Trump and Biden handled their finances? It’s all part of the discussion, the answers will likely surprise you!

Perhaps most importantly, what is to be learned from the presidents for us to better handle our own finances? As Gorman says, a president is just like us, ordinary people who worry about their own money and budgets, they just reach a pinnacle that the rest of us can only dream about, so what lessons can we take from that very small club?

All the Presidents’ Money can be purchased from www.Amazon.com and www.allthepresidentsmoney.com

One of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s earliest works (written when he was just 17!) and a classic in musical theater, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is playing now through March 30th at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre as its kick-off to the 50th season. But with orchestration and some re-imagining that makes it current for today’s audience, this show is full of energy, delight and songs you wont’ be able to get out of your head. Joining in the conversation are the Narrator (Played by the amazing Kaitlyn Davis last seen in her Jeff Award winning performance as Carole King in Beautiful), Joseph himself (played by the charming Devin DeSantis, previously seen in Honeymoon in Vegas, and Goodman’s Matchbox Magic Flute), and production director Amber Mak (who also directed Buddy, Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast in Chicagoland theaters). And to add a different twist, Brent Mulvey, the Director of Food and Beverage for the Marriott talks about the special “Joseph” curated menu offered in the on-site Three Embers restaurant, and Brent shares the plans for the upcoming season’s food show tie-ins.

It’s a delightful conversation about the meaning of the show today, the power of the music and how the show has shifted from its roots.

Joseph is playing through March 30th and tickets can be purchased at: www.tickets.marriottheatre.com

Most people know Robert Sean Leonard from his role as Dr. James Wilson in the medical drama House, or his star turn as a young man in Dead Poet’s Society (1989) with Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and others. Now, Leonard appears as Jerry, the best friend of Robert (played by Ian Barford) and who is having an affair with Robert’s wife Emma (played by the legendary Helen Hunt). The work of Harold Pinter, the play is based on true events in Pinter’s own life. In this conversation, Robert talks about his amazing career, the challenges of being in a play that tells the story in reverse time order, and his view of Chicago theater audiences.

Playing through March 30th Only! Tickets can be purchased at: www.GoodmanTheatre.org

Paul Lisnek with Robert Sean Leonard

You have likely come across magician and illusionist Xavier Mortimer on social media. He has millions of followers and his posts and videos have been viewed billions of times! And now, this 5-time winner of best magic show in Las Vegas comes to Chicago for one weekend only!

In this conversation, Xavier talks about his start as a street performer, many visits on Penn & Teller Fool Us and the myriad of illusions he creates all over that have made him an internet sensation.

Xavier will appear at the CIBC Theatre from Friday, March 21st – Saturday, March 23rd. You can learn more about his tour at: www.XavierMagic.com and you can purchase tickets for the Chicago shows at: www.BroadwayInChicago.com

In this new podcast, several cast members join in a discussion of this 2022 Pulitzer Prize winning play. Based on (or perhaps paying tribute to) Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the characters are a reflection of those in Hamlet. But this re-telling takes place in the backyard of a southern barbeque which becomes the setting for the characters dealing with black, queer discovery of self and indeed their stories of resilience.  Joining in the conversation are: Trumane Alston (Juicy) the son of Tedra (played by Anji White) who faces some serious challenges in finding himself. Also in the cast is Chicago’s Very Own and stage favorite E. Faye Butler(playing Rabby) whose over the top performance will keep you in stitches…E. Faye owns that stage whenever and wherever she appears! And also Sheldon Brown (playing Larry) who you likely saw starring with Norm Lewis in the national tour of “A Soldier’s Play.”

What would Shakespeare think of this re-telling of one of his classics? And how does this modern day version resonate with today’s audiences? Simply put, this is one fabulous show you should not miss!

Tickets for Fat Ham playing through March 9th can be purchased at: www.GoodmanTheatre.org

Review: “Fat Ham” at Goodman Theatre

****/4

To see or not to see! There is NO question: See Fat Ham!  Yes, it’s a re-telling in very modern terms of Shakespeare’s classic Hamlet. If I were to select a famous phrase that represents the message to the audience from this Pulitzer Prize winning (for Drama) play it would be: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

A barbeque set in the south is the playground for a story of Black, queer discovery in which we see the strength of character strength grow before our eyes thru a somewhat dysfunctional family afternoon. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet that “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” And in this production, there’s lots of thinking, lots of imagining…and the story is told thru masterful casting!

No matter the size of her role, Chicago’s very own E. Faye Butler commands the stage as Rabby, a larger than life figure who tries to control her family which is clearly beyond her control. But of course all eyes are on Juicy (warmly and thoughtfully portrayed by Trumane Alston) because without a sense of sympathy for a character who is strongly contemplating committing a violent act, this show can’t work. Strong performances are turned in by every single actor who embodies their role making even the exaggerated character play very real…and very relatable.

There is no need to trim any Fat from Fat Ham…it’s perfectly done as is….it’s not to be missed.

One suggestion: you’ll want to make after show reservations for dinner, because there’s little chance you can walk out of the theater not craving some ribs, ham…and for vegetarians, some really good mac and cheese!

Goodman has created another classic production that rivals any version you would have seen on Broadway.

In this new podcast, the worlds of history, theater and politics collide in a powerful drama called: “Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley.” On February 18th, 1965, American author, orator and civil rights leader James Baldwin (portrayed here by Teagle F. Bougere) debated American conservative intellectual and founding Editor of the National Review William Buckley (portrayed by Eric T. Miller) at the famed Cambridge Union at Britain’s University of Cambridge. Captivating the audience, it was recorded and broadcast in England. Years later, adapter/director Christopher McElroen chose to adapt the transcript of the debate for presentation as a theatrical production. And now, Timeline Theatre Company in partnership with the Theatre School at DePaul University and The American Vicarious, presents the Debate with the audience as witness just as the audience was 60 years ago.

The issues addressed resonate today as profoundly as they did 60 years ago and each performance includes a post-show conversation for audience members to express their views and interact with the actors.

This show is an experience and perfectly presented as only Timeline Theatre can do it. Playing through March 2nd, tickets can be purchased at: www.TimelineTheatre.com