On today’s episode we are joined by company members from Fat Theater Project’s production of “Kassandra at the Top of the World”.

Eileen Tull is a Chicago-based storyteller, theater-maker, poet, educator, solo-show performer and founding artistic director of Fat Theater Project. She has performed throughout the country, from San Francisco to New York City, including in the New Seeds Festival, United Solo, Dallas Solo Festival, and Fringe Festivals in Chicago, Cincinnati, Minnesota & San Francisco. Her work has been seen all over Chicago in bookstores, art galleries, bars, old mansions, other non-traditional spaces, and sometimes even in theaters.

Recent directing credits include Household Spirits (Theater Wit), STEPS (Improv Playhouse), No Exit, Happy Days, SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical and Funny, Like An Abortion. She is a drama instructor with the Chicago Park District, where she has taught creative classes to folks of all ages for over 10 years. In 2022, she self-published her first poetry collection, 33 Poems About Peanut Butter.

Eileen graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in theatre this June will graduate with her MFA in Directing & Playwriting from Randolph College.

Maya Moreau received her BFA in Musical Theater from Northern Michigan University in May of 2025, and is a proud member of Gwydion Theater Company!

She moved to Chicago just in October 2025 to pursue acting and is beyond thrilled to be making her Chicago acting debut as there titular role in Kassandra at the Top of the World . A committed activist, Maya is passionate about using her artistic practice in order to support feminism and climate injustice initiatives. 

Kassandra at the Top of the World is running now through April 18th at Berger Park Coach House Theater, 6205 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago. All performances are at 7pm, and run Wednesdays thru Saturdays. For tickets please visit this link.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Eileen Tull and Maya Moreau. Now let’s got to the top of the show!

Today’s guest is a Chicago-based theatre maker known for her work as a director, teaching artist, private audition coach, and college audition coach.

She launched her professional career over two decades ago in St. Louis, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster University's Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts. In the early years of her career, she performed at renowned venues such as The MUNY, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

In 2013, she relocated to New York City, where she quickly joined Actors' Equity Association after touring with Theatreworks USA’s Henry and Mudge. That same year, she began working as a coach and advisor at Broadway Artists Alliance and launched her private coaching studio. For over a decade, she has empowered actors to harness their unique strengths and present their most authentic selves in the audition room.

While continuing to perform off-Broadway and on tour her passion gradually shifted toward directing and she immersed herself in learning all facets of theatre-making, while teaching and directing youth productions at prestigious institutions such as New York City Center, The New York Pops, Arts-Ignite, Broadway for Arts Education, and Applause NY. In 2016, she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Center Of Creative Arts of St. Louis.

Since moving to Chicago in 2020, she has served as Managing Director of the award-winning Actors Training Center in Wilmette, where she continues to mentor passionate performers of all ages. Finally, she earned she Master of Arts in Directing from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2021.

Tickets to her upcoming projects can be found at Citadel Theatre and Oil Lamp Theater's respective websites.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Christina Ramirez. Now let’s go to the top of the show!

Today's guest started his directing career in college and has been directing in Chicago since 1986. He has since gone on to direct plays, musicals and symphony concerts from Broadway to London and everywhere in between.

For a time, he was the co-artistic director for the Apple Tree Theater in Highland Park, and was the artistic director of Drury Lane Oakbrook from 1993 to 1998.

His two piano staging of My Fair Lady played both at McCarter Theater in New Jersey and Hartford Stage in Connecticut in 2004, after its debut at Chicago's Court Theater.

In 2005. He made his Broadway directorial debut with The Color Purple, followed by the revival of The Apple Tree in 2006. In 2009, he directed a lauded production of West Side Story at the Stratford Festival of Canada.

During his tenure as associate artistic director for Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He inaugurated their musical theater wing, directing several Stephen Sondheim musicals, including A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George (twice!) Road Show, and Gypsy.

He returned to Broadway in 2015, directing Honeymoon in Vegas, and has staged multiple revivals for New York City Center Encores!

His next big project is the 50th anniversary of the concert of the century, which is a one night only gala concert at Carnegie Hall on May 5th, 2026. For more information on the concert, please visit this link.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with my very good friend Gary Griffin. Now let's go to the top of the show.

I first met today’s guests when I was 17 ears old, while they were singing with The New Rochelle Opera Company, which my mom ran for 40 years. When I moved to Chicago in 2007, they hadn’t yet returned to the city. But ever since they have, it has been my extreme pleasure to become as close as family, which is why it is such a thrill to have them on today’s episode.

Hailed as “absolutely fearless”, cabaret singer Cindy Firing is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University’s theatre department. She honed her stage skills in Off-Off Broadway and opera houses before succumbing to the seduction of cabaret. Cindy's first solo cabaret Brass Ring enjoyed successful runs in Chicago at Davenport’s and in Philadelphia at Dino’s Backstage. She followed up that success with her celebrated solo show titled You & I: Cindy Firing pays tribute to Barbara Cook receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics in NYC, Chicago & Provincetown.

Her first duet endeavor Carry On! along with singer Josephine Sanges, was described as “reminiscent of a legendary, albeit fictional pairing of Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand” providing “mad cap humor and fun for the whole audience”. She is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Chicago Cabaret Professionals and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets

In 2024 she spread her artistic wings to direct husband and our second guest today, Alex Magno, in his highly praised debut show. 

Alex joined the Chicago Cabaret Professionals 3 years ago making a splash with his solo show, Alex Magno: The Richest Man in Town, which features songs and stories about things money can’t buy.

His singing career began in Chicago where he sang with the Lyric Opera for 7 years and from there, moved to New York where he sang with The Metropolitan Opera supplemental chorus for 14 years. During the off season he sang many roles with regional Companies in and around NYC, and eventually started and ran the Inward Opera company in upper Manhattan for 5 years, made affordable by grants from the city. Hospitality always in his blood, after his years in the opera he returned to Chicago to open a restaurant with his friend Phil Stefani. It was there that Cabaret filled his desire to continue singing. Nowadays, this spirited baritone enjoys playing the host whether on stage or at home.

More information and tickets for the Chicago Cabaret Professionals upcoming events can be found at https://chicagocabaret.org/

I hope you enjoy my conversation with my dear friends, Cindy Firing and Alex Magno. Now let’s go to the top of the show!

Those of you who follow me on social media are aware that in January of this year I began rehearsal for my first book musical in 14 years! That show is On Your Feet at Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook. It’s been an incredible experience and I’ve fallen in love with the entire cast! We’ve become such a close knit family which, believe me when I tell you, is a very rare thing. Well, today’s episode I’m thrilled to have on the two leads of our show.

Originally from Mexico City, Gaby Albo who plays Gloria Estefan is a graduate of AMDA and has been seen in the National Tours of Six and On Your Feet, and such iconic shows as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Cats, Aladdin and the Spanish TV series, Mentiras. She also played Gloria in the world premiere of On Your Feet! en Español.

Gaby has also sung around the world on Norwegian and Regent cruise lines and was a semifinalist on the TV competition “La Voz.” (Which is the Mexican version of the US TV show “The Voice”.

Samuel Garnica is a Venezuelan Actor, Singer and voice over artist. He studied at the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), where he graduated with a degree in Social Communications and Audiovisual Arts.

Among his many credits are appearing opposite Gaby as Emilio Estefan in the 2nd Broadway National Tour of On Your Feet and in On Your Feet! en Español. Additional credits include El Laurel de Apolo and La Canción with Repertorio Español, The Tempest with R.Evolucion Latina, and Superhero Roberto Clemente and La Cucarachita Martina both with Teatro SEA. 

As a voice over artist, he has voiced radio and TV ads for such brands as Papa John’s, Publix, Pepsi and Corona.

Together they have received rave reviews for their portrayals of Gloria and Emilio Estefan all over the country as well as our current production at Drury Lane.

On Your Feet at Drury Lane Theatre runs until Sunday, March 22nd. For tickets please visit ⁠https://drurylanetheatre.com⁠ or simply click the link in our show notes. You can follow Gaby and Samuel on Instagram at gaby.albo and samgarnik, respectively.

I’m so excited to have on today’s episode my fellow cast mates and very good friends, Gaby Albo and Samuel Garnica. Now let’s go, to the top of the show!

March is National Cabaret Month and today's episode is part of our series celebrating some of Chicago’s amazing cabaret artists!

Today’s guest are a married couple known for innovative vocal jazz arrangements paired with the immediacy and intimacy of cabaret-style storytelling. 

Anne Burnell is a vocalist and songwriter whose work has been presented at jazz clubs, concert halls, and festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival, Taste of Chicago, and Plymouth Arts Wine & Jazz Festival. Her solo recordings include Blues in the Night - a Harold Arlen tribute arranged by Count Basie Band veteran Bob Ojeda, and Summer Days & Dreamy Nights, produced and arranged by Henry Johnson. Summer Days & Dreamy Nights also featuring some of her original songs that earned her a Billboard Magazine Certificate of Achievement in Songwriting. Anne served as President of Chicago Cabaret Professionals from 2019–2023, during which time she received the organization’s Excellence in Cabaret Service Award.
Mark Burnell is a pianist, vocalist, and arranger hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “silky smooth and highly polished”. He has worked with Dave Frishberg, Richie Cole, Louie Bellson, Connie Francis, and Ward Swingle, among many others, and has toured internationally throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America. A dedicated educator, Mark taught jazz at Northwestern University and Roosevelt University, trained vocalists for ten years at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his BFA and MFA, and directed the CMU Jazz Choir. He is one of Chicago’s most in-demand pianists and music directors and leads a weekly jazz trio at Tortoise Supper Club.

Together, they tour nationally and internationally, presenting Chicago-rooted jazz and cabaret on stages in New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Panama, and beyond. Their work has been supported by Chicago Dept of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois ArtsTour, and the City of Chicago Band Roster. Finally, they were the 2024 recipients of the Gold Coast Award from Chicago Cabaret Professionals

While National Cabaret Month is in March, Chicago hosts it’s annual Cabaret week each year in May (Anne explains why this is during the interview) and during this year’s festivities, Anne and Mark will be appearing at the Gateway Lounge at the Copernicus Center on Thursday, May 14th. For more info on that event please visit the link to Anne and Mark’s website in our show notes. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Anna Burnell and Mark Burnell. Now let’s go to the top of the show!

Today's guests are from Chicago’s 50 year old, South Side theater-making institution, Free Street Theatre.

Katrina Dion is a Chicago based director and producer, known for her radical youth work at Free Street Theater where she acts as Producing Artistic Director. In her 10 years at Free Street, Katrina has directed over 11 original plays, mentored over 200 youth, and produced over 40 shows. Recently, Katrina directed The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa, presented by Concrete Content, for which she was named “Best Stage Director,” in the Chicago Reader Best of 2022 awards. In addition, Dion acts as an adjunct professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University, her alma mater. In 2019, Dion was listed as one of the top “50 People Performing for Chicago Theatre.” Her work has been featured in magazines such as Teen Vogue, and she has facilitated workshops across the country at places such as The National Civil Rights Museum, the Obama Foundation, ProPublic Illinois, and more.

Tanuja Devi Jagernauth is an Indo-Caribbean PIC abolitionist, writer, theater-maker, and yoga educator who believes in the necessity of creation during times of destruction. She is an In/House Artist-in-Residence with Free Street Theater, a member of the Playground Chicago writer pool, and the co-facilitator of Understory, a biweekly virtual space for activists and organizers to gather and contemplate that which they hold sacred. She is the writer and director of Free Street’s current production of Rupture/Repair, now playing until March 7th. For tickets, please visit freestreet.org or simply click the link in our show notes.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Katrina Dion and Tanuja Devi Jagernauth. Now let’s go to the top of the show!

Today's guest started his theater-making career as a member of Chicago's Second City.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. He has worked on stage and backstage throughout the area as an actor, improv performer, storyteller, director, head of marketing, and Executive Director. He is currently the Chief Marketing and programing officer for the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which includes the Paramount Theater and River Edge Park in Aurora.

His leadership has been integral in growing the Paramount subscriber base from 18,000 to 40,000 during his tenure.

I am so excited to share my conversation with dear friend, colleague, and mentor Jim Jarvis.

Now let's go to the top of the show.

Today’s guest is a composer, sound designer, musician and educator.

Select Credits as Composer/Co-Author include ADDING MACHINE at Next Theatre, Evanston (a shows he’s held that position for 2 additional times); A MINISTER'S WIFE  at Writers Theatre, Glencoe and Lincoln Center, GIFT OF THE MAGI at American Players Theatre, WI).

Select incidental music credits in NY and on Broadway include WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING (Lincoln Center, NYC) FIFTY WORDS (MCC Theater, NYC) and as as Composer/Sound Designer on Broadway include HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS. In Chicago, he has designed numerous productions for companies including Drury Lane Theatre, Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Writers' Theatre, Victory Gardens, Raven Theatre, Northlight Theatre and many others.

He has served in all of the capacities in over 300 productions at venues across the country including Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Ford's Theatre in Washington DC)

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Josh Schmidt.

Now let’s go to the top of the show!

Today’s guest has lived and worked in Chicago as an award-winning playwright, composer and lyricist for 45 years. Much of his work has been seen world-wide.

In summer of 2025, Dramatic Publishing Company released his stage adaptation of Aldous Huxley's classic novel Brave New World, which is his 13th script in print. 

He has received the L. Arnold Weissberger Playwriting Award, the Midwestern Playwrights Festival Award, the Cunningham Commission Award, the Blue Ink Playwriting Award, three Playwriting Fellowship Awards from the Illinois Arts Council, and has been nominated for three Joseph Jefferson Awards, a Suzi Bass Award and an Emmy Award.

Finally, in December of 2025 he received the Innovation in Teaching Award from the University of Chicago Graham School, where he teaches playwriting and theatre appreciation.

We discuss all of this and much, much more in my conversation with  Douglas Post.

Now let’s go to the top of the show!