Singer Steve Biossat joined the conversation to talk about the relaunch of Speakeasy Swing with vocalists Alyssa Allgood and Marcus Gress, growing up in the US and abroad, and how that affected his approach to music and working in Chicago's busy music scene.
Season 2 Episode 7 | Originally published March 2, 2017
Actor James Earl Jones II joined the conversation for a frank and open discussion about living with Tourette’s and how the musical of The Scottsboro Boys story helps to broaden our understanding of a very dark and tumultuous time in our history.
Season 2 Episode 6 | Originally published February 22, 2017
Jim Frazier, Gold Star Family member in Illinois who leads Gold Star Survivor Outreach efforts, joined the conversation on May 25, 2016 as part of our live Skokie Theatre series in advance of the 2016 City of Chicago Memorial Day ceremony and parade. The discussion is centered on the important work being done to support Gold Star Family members in Illinois and across the country.
Originally published August 10, 2016 | Season 1 Episode 3
Singer Tammy McCann joined the conversation fresh from a concert in Norway to talk about her upcoming appearances at Winter’s Jazz Club, the City Winery debut of Jeannie Tanner’s Words & Music, the 8th Annual Chi-Town Jazz Festival, and the most important part of her life, raising a young family in Chicago.
Season 2 Episode 5 | Originally published February 16, 2017
Since arriving on the Chicago music scene in the late 60’s, Bonnie Koloc has established herself as one of our most gifted and beloved singers, songwriters and visual artists. On October 22nd, 2013, as Monroe Anderson and Ed Tracy prepared for the Chicago Conversations PBS television program on Old Town School, Bonnie Koloc joined a live edition of the show at the Hubbard Inn in which she discussed her extraordinary career, the challenges she faced with recording companies and includes a performance of Amelia Earhart's Last Flight.
Season 1 - From the Archives | Originally published May 24, 2017
Acclaimed non-fiction author and historian, Arnie Bernstein, joined the conversation at the Skokie Theatre to discuss his book Swastika Nation, which explores Fritz Kuhn and the 1930s Bund movement in the United States. Recorded live at the Skokie Theatre.
Originally published August 17, 2016 | Season 1 Episode 4
Actor André De Shields joined the conversation to talk about his upcoming show, an extraordinary 46-year career and what it is that keeps bringing him back to Chicago.
Season 1 Episode 7 | Originally published August 17, 2016
Shakespeare 400 Chicago Festival Producer, Doreen Sayegh, joined the conversation to discuss everything that has been happening twixt wake and sleep, including what's coming up this fall and a treasury of everlasting “scholarly” joy called City Desk 400.
Season 1 Episode 9 | Originally published August 31, 2016
Matt Crowle, the six-time Jefferson award nominated actor, choreographer and dance instructor joined the conversation to talk about who helped to shape his performance philosophy, recognizing talent, the importance of training, and, working with one of his best friends, Bill Larkin.
Season 1 Episode 10 | Originally published September 28, 2016
Singer Paul Marinaro joined the conversation to talk about his musical career, the Birdland show in NYC, what’s coming up next, and a dog named Titus.
Season 1 Episode 11 | Originally published October 13, 2016
Artistic Director of Northwestern University's American Music Theatre Project, David Bell, joined the conversation for an in-depth discussion about the challenges of developing new works for Broadway, the impact and accessibility of workshop programs for emerging artists and what’s ahead for the AMTP.
Season 1 Episode 12 | Originally published October 27, 2016
Singer and actor Angela Ingersoll joined the conversation to discuss the run with Judy Garland, what’s happening next for her live concert career and how she met and fell for the special ‘Jersey Boy’ in her life.
Season 2 Episode 4 | Originally published February 10, 2017
Comedian and Actor Bill Larkin joined the conversation to talk about Chicago’s musical theatre community and his new album.
Season 1 Episode 16 | Originally published December 8, 2016