The Chicago International Film Festival, presented by non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Cinema/Chicago, is back for its 61st year!

In collaboration with Petterino’s, Steve Dale is joined by CIFF Programmer Sam Flancher and directors Sven Bresser (REEDLAND) and James Choi (Before the Call) on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about the acclaimed festival, which will feature movies of all from around the world. They also talk about the films that influence their work, the state of the industry, big budget studio films vs. independent films, and much more!

The festival goes until Sunday, October 26th. While you listen to the episode, go to ChicagoFilmFestival.com to see what’s screening and where!

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 7 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Steve Dale with Chicago International Film Festival progammer Sam Flancher and directors James Choi and Sven Bresser at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Director Sven Bresser on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The group answering Steve Dale’s question about their favorite films. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Director James Choi educating Steve Dale on the genre of Yacht Rock. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• CIFF Programmer Sam Flancher on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• In the booth at Petterino’s with Steve Dale and engineer Dan Long. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale got some great movie recommendations from this conversation. That’s for sure. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

In collaboration with Petterino’s and from the heart of downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by best-selling children’s author Falisa Ray and recording artist Liv Warfield.

Falisa’s son, Aaron, is the inspiration of her book, Raising Simba, and she talks to Steve about their journey from the Chicago projects to his landing of the lead role in Broadway’s version of The Lion King (now playing in Chicago at The Cadillac Palace Theater). Liv has worked with stars like Prince and Ann Wilson from Heart, and has made numerous national TV appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with David Letterman. You can see her perform at Teatro ZinZanni at the Cambria Hotel.

Listen to more of Falisa and Liv’s stories in Episode 6 of The Booth 46 Podcast.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 6 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• It’s not an episode of Booth 46 without the Petterino’s peppermint ice cream. Liv Warfield and Falisa Ray with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

It’s hard to believe but the Goodman Theatre is joining WGN Radio in the “Centennial Club”!

In collaboration with Petterino’s, WGN’s Steve Dale is joined by Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about one of the most noted theater institutions in America. The Goodman received the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 1992, recognizing its national artistic excellence, dozens of Jefferson Awards and many other honors – and for good reason. Even today with the current production, Ashland Avenue, the Goodman reaches for breaking new ground and defining excellence in storytelling.

Listen to the full episode below as Steve, John and Susan talk about the history of The Goodman, some of its famous playwrights (like David Mamet, Arthur Miller and Studs Terkel), how essential their work is today, and much more!

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 5 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, live from Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Follow the Goodman Theatre on Facebook and Instagram. And see what else is coming to Broadway In Chicago at broadwayinchicago.com.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

In collaboration with Petterino’s in downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by the the stars of ’44: The Musical’, T.J. Wilkins and Shanice, who play Barack and Michelle Obama, for a conversation in their famous Booth 46.

Steve Dale talks to T.J. and Shanice about their stories as accomplished recording artists, their music, what it’s like to play the Obamas (who also have caricatures on the wall behind them in the booth), and much more. ’44’ is at The Studebaker Theater until September 21st and it’s a show for everyone, regardless of your politics. Listen below for more!

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 4 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Shanice and T.J. Wilkins holding pictures of the characters they play in ’44: The Musical’. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A great conversation in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• T.J. Wilkins talking about competing on The Voice as part of Team Usher. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Shanice talking about breaking ground in ‘Les Miserable’ as the first black woman to play Éponine in the show. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• “Broadway in a bowl” on its way to Booth 46. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• When you visit Petterino’s, you can take a photo in Booth 46 itself with this very classy microphone. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• T.J. Wilkins and Shanice with WGN Radio’s Steve Dale, as they record Episode of the Booth 46 podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Follow Shanice on Instagram at @shaniceonline. Follow T.J. Wilkins on Instagram at @iamtjwilkins. And see what else is coming to Broadway In Chicago at broadwayinchicago.com.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

In collaboration with Petterino’s in downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, for a conversation in their famous Booth 46.

It’s not often that Mayor Johnson gets to do fun interviews, but this is definitely one of them. Mayor Johnson talks about what it’s like being the mayor and representing all 77 of Chicago’s neighborhoods, what sets Chicago apart from everywhere else and why he loves it, how its downtown rivals New York’s and other major cities, how he’s refueled by the people, and much more. Mayor Johnson also has great recommendations for families and people coming to visit. It’s a good opportunity to get to know Chicago’s mayor better so take a listen below:

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 3 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• A fun conversation with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• You’ll know what Steve said to get this reaction when you take a listen. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson trying “Broadway in a Bowl” (Petterino’s peppermint ice cream). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson’s drink of choice for the episode: Iced Tea. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale after hearing about Mayor Johnson’s favorite job (besides being mayor). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Brandon Johnson and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Steve Dale pulls back the curtain with two stars of the hit musical, MJ!

Steve is joined by Chicago’s own Brandon Lee Harris, who steps into the moonwalking shoes of Michael Jackson, and Devin Bowles, who plays Joseph — Michael’s complicated and not-so-likable father. Together, they dig into what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what surprises even the most devoted fans of the King of Pop’s life.

How did Harris, the friendly Chicago kid, land a leading role in a Broadway in Chicago show? And how did Bowles go from sports superfan to showbiz mentor — with a knack for belting the National Anthem at a moment’s notice? In fact, when Steve “dropped the hat” during their chat at Petterino’s and Bowles rose to the challenge right on cue. MJ is at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, August 12–24, 2025. Listen to the full episode below:

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 2 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• A pano shot of the entrance to Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A view from the engineer’s board during Episode 2’s recording. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• We’ll assume Steve said something funny. . Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Laughter is contagious with this group. . Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The ‘MJ’ cocktail at Petterino’s. . Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

From the heart of Chicago, Albert Friedman and Lou Raizin help Steve Dale kickoff a new WGN Radio podcast called ‘Booth 46’, which will be live from Petterino’s Restaurant twice monthly.

Mr. Friedman, chairman and CEO of Friedman Properties (and the unofficial Mayor of River North), and Mr. Raizin, CEO of Broadway in Chicago, are two of the most influential, behind-the-scenes architects of city planning.  You’ll hear a rare peek behind-the-briefcase, and you’ll be among the first to hear about plans for the downtown Cultural Stadium, which includes how soon you may soon be slammed by poetry in a downtown alley, or how a colossal “Quack-Zilla” may be coming to town. Listen to the full episode below:

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 1 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• WGN Radio mics setup in Booth 46 at Petterino’s, pre-show. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s Steve Dale, in the middle of the wall of caricatures. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A cheers to kickoff the podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale with Albert Friedman and Lou Raziin on the first episode of ‘Booth 46.’ Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A candid shot over Mr. Friedman’s shoulder. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• You hear about the peppermint ice cream on the podcast. Now you can see it. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Lou Raizin after signing his picture at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Albert Friedman and Lou Raizin help Steve Dale make an exciting announcement about a new WGN Radio podcast coming soon called Booth 46 that’ll be live from Petterino’s Restaurant. Mr. Friedman, chairman and CEO of Friedman Properties, and Raizin, CEO of Broadway in Chicago, are two of the most influential architects of City planning behind the scenes. The trio explains what you can expect from the podcast and who will be featured. 

From June 2021, Steve Dale talks with Loni Anderson of WKRP in Cincinnati, who reminisces about her four seasons on the show. She elaborates on the groundbreaking role that was Jennifer Marlowe as not being “eye-candy” but an intelligent person as well, which was rare at the time. Anderson also looks back to her 12-year relationship with the late Burt Reynolds and discusses who he was outside of acting. Anderson has died just days before her 80th birthday.

Todd Purdom, author of Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television, joins Steve Dale to talk about the book and how Desi Arnaz impacted media. Todd talks about Desi’s life, his television career, and more!

You can purchase the book here: Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television