A conversation with Kate Luckinbill, granddaughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Kate discusses what life is like growing up with legendary grandparents and talks about two new books which seek to set the record straight about her famous grandparents. First, Desi Arnaz: A Book is a reissue of Desi Arnaz’s candid autobiography, updated with new photos, a foreword by his granddaughter Kate Luckinbill, and an afterward by Lucie Arnaz. It offers a fresh look at the life and career of the Cuban-born entertainer who helped shape I Love Lucy and American television and what Desi had planned to do and write after the book came out, projects he was never able to complete. And: Lucy & Desi: The Love Letters is a collection of previously unseen letters between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz that reveals their romance during the World War II years in their own words, from their early courtship through the I Love Lucy years and beyond. Illustrated with rare family photos and reproductions of the original letters, it offers an intimate look at one of Hollywood’s most famous and complicated love stories. With an introduction by their daughter Lucie Arnaz.
The Link:
https://youtu.be/g3CIe4OWZ0w?si=gIi2Y5QdJxieJqGL
Good People follows Margaret (Margie) Walsh (played quite convincingly by Jodi Kingsley), a middle aged single mother in South Boston who loses her low wage Dollar Store job and faces eviction in the face of caring for her special needs daughter. Newly unemployed, she reaches out to Mike (well played by Bryan Breau), her old boyfriend who escaped their rough neighborhood to become a successful doctor, hoping he can help her find work. Margie shows up for what turns out to be a cancelled party at Mike’s comfortable suburban home where she meets his wife Kate (perfectly portrayed by Sandra Adjoumani). At that point, the play unspools into a tense, funny, and uneasy reunion that forces all three to confront the role of luck, class, and personal responsibility in how “good” people can end up on such different paths.
Plays thru August 23rd at Theater Wit
The Link:
https://youtu.be/kXmkJ2o3v-4?si=fHSPauaygznXtBa0
Alex Edelman’s ‘What Are You Going To Do’ is a sharp, hourlong, narrative standup show in which Alex looks at his own life—family, faith, and politics—for fast jokes and uneasy questions about responsibility and identity. Drawing on stories from a Jerusalem amputee hospital, his Jewish upbringing, seashell obsessions, and trips to places like Graceland, Edelman uses his signature storytelling style to ask whether he should be doing something more meaningful with his time, and what it actually means to be a decent person in a world filled with chaos. Songwriter Benji Pasek (of Dear Even Hansen fame) also makes a cameo in the interview Tickets: www.Steppenwolf.org
The Link:
https://youtu.be/1Z6M77xVaJk?si=wByH5-ldqISh5Xv7
Adam Rapp co-wrote the book for The Outsiders, bringing a playwright’s sharp sense of character and emotional tension to the award winning musical’s adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel. Drawing on a personal connection to the story’s themes of class, family, and adolescent intensity, he helped shape the show into something that feels both raw and theatrical. Hear Paul’s insightful chat with Adam about his career, his family life with brother Anthony Rapp(star of RENT), and what motivates him to undertake projects.
The Link:
https://youtu.be/FhzmPocZ_Yk?si=DOXgq-HqoFUZaigV
“& Juliet” is a jukebox musical that flips Shakespeare’s tragedy on its head: instead of dying for Romeo, Juliet gets a second chance at life, love, and self-discovery. It uses pop hits by Max Martin to tell a playful, energetic story about choosing your own path. This tour(and interview) stars Joey Fatone as Lance
https://youtu.be/WR1-5dxweds?si=HMAirIO0Nc1e_SB3
Directed by Catherine Davis, Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise from teenage songwriter to one of the most celebrated solo artists in music history. Featuring beloved hits including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and many more, the musical celebrates the soundtrack of a generation. Along with Catherine, joining the conversation here are Anna Marie Abbate (Carole King) and Al Katz-Mariani (Gerry Goffin) The show has a very limited run so get your tickets at highlandparkplayers.org/tickets now!
Link to Interview:
https://youtu.be/UglG41lqZRI?si=f9_KWiaCnGhJHrRk
Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. SUFFS tells the story of the suffragist movement and the women whom fought tirelessly for the right to vote, the remarkable friendships, the heartbreak, and how this movement brought them together—or, in some cases, tore them apart. Laura Stracko appears in multiple roles as Alva Belmont and Phoebe Burn. Suffs plays thru July 19th
https://youtu.be/HdGQI6e10po?si=Of7jfkKItZq08NnU
When a prodigal son returns to blue collar New England, his homecoming sets off a spiraling crisis for two families, threatening not only their relationships but their very identities. In Mia Chung’s wildly inventive Catch as Catch Can(directed by the incomparable Amy Morton) three actors take on six roles, bridging generation and gender, in a theatrical tour-de-force that upends the kitchen sink drama and asks what happens when we refuse to play the roles we’re prescribed. Starring Gary Cole, Tim Hopper and Steppenwolf artistic co-director Audrey Francis, this ferocious Chicago premiere must be witnessed to be believed. This one is a true master class in acting for actors!
The link:
https://youtu.be/qqIkjRJViLE?si=j1n6LwibVuTS91JA
Water for Elephants:
The national tour of Water for Elephants is a high-energy musical set in the world of a traveling circus, following a young man who finds love, purpose, and a new home after jumping a moving train. It’s known for its big spectacle, acrobatics, and emotional story. Joining the conversation is Robert (Bob) Tully who plays the role of Mr. Jankowski.
https://youtu.be/O4x25bmfb98?si=VXKFP7WSsXn94kr_
Damn Yankees:
Theo Ubique’s Damn Yankees is a high-energy revival of the Tony Award-winning musical, in which a devoted baseball fan makes a devilish deal to help the Washington Senators beat the Yankees. It blends romance, comedy, and classic songs like “Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants” into a playful, fast-moving night at the theater. Joining in the conversation are: Luke Nowakowski (Joe Boyd), Tommy Thurston (Mr. Applegate) and Jenny Couch (Lola). A thoughtful and deep conversation about the meaning of the show.
https://youtu.be/7JxY302aJUQ?si=LYU7SA6gV8Hbcrvb
Kinky Boots is back in town!! Starting June 9th and playing thru June 21st at the Nederlander! Tickets at www.BroadwayinChicago.com Check out my interview with “Lola” played by Omari Collins…an in-depth and meaningful conversation. Watch the full interview here!\
https://youtu.be/_gyV-mn5y7o?si=ziLhfbBSmek39kP3
The national tour of Spamalot is a revival of Monty Python’s absurdist musical comedy, sending King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on a gleefully ridiculous quest for the Holy Grail. It features the show’s signature mix of sharp satire, big musical numbers, and classic Python nonsense, including the Knights Who Say “Ni!” and other beloved bits. The original production tried out in Chicago in 2004 moving to Broadway; this is the 2023 Revival of the show.
Interviewed here is Leo Roberts who plays Sir Galahad (and others)
Chicago is a dazzling and longest running Broadway musical set in the roaring 1920s; it garnered 6 Tony Awards. The story merges murder, fame, and scandal and is known for its jazzy score, iconic bob Fosse choreography, and biting satire of celebrity culture. It’s the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they fight for headlines and attention helped by lawyer Billy Flynn (Played by Max Cervantes and the subject of this interview).
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Jazz Age novel to dazzling life on stage. Set in the roaring 1920s, the show follows mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsessive love for Daisy Buchanan against a backdrop of lavish parties, bootleg glamour, and heartbreak. With a vibrant original score, stunning choreography, and timeless themes of ambition and illusion, this musical reimagines the classic story for a new generation—where the American Dream still lives.
The link: CCC Gatsby – 4-22-26
Frank McCourt’s “The Irish….And how they Got That Way” is more than a musical review. It’s a warm and affectionate tribute to the heart of a people that struggled through a rough and difficult history to ultimately build our city and indeed much of the country. The talented cast of 4 (along with the on stage musicians) weaves history and music with story and laughter to tell the story of this amazing culture.
Joining in the conversation is the entire cast: Emily Goldberg, Michael Mahler, Leah Morrow and Luke Nowakowski as well as the director David Girolmo all of whom provide insight into the story and history.
The production runs thru March 15th at Porchlight Music Theatre located in the Ruth Page Center; and tickets can be purchased at: www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org
https://youtu.be/JW8aTSY6WBI?si=LVaW601nEL1zgBf9
also…it can be found (and this may be easier:
TOPIC: Remy Bumppo’s “Hedda Gabler” at Theater Wit thru March 8th
The story is based on a 19th century work by Ibsen but this Broadway adaptation presents a powerful Hedda Gabler, a woman who desires to escape from a loveless, ordinary existence from her return from her honeymoon when she already finds herself bored of her husband and seeking a return to her wild and independent days of whims.
Joining in the conversation are: Aurora Real de Asua (who plays Hedda Gabler and is an ensemble member of Remy Bumppo), Felipe Carrasco (playing Ejlert Lovborg) and director Marti Lyons (also artistic director of Remy Bumppo Theatre Company)
The production runs thru March 8th and tickets can be purchased at: www.remybumppo.org
The link:
https://youtu.be/yW-FMR3Z9do?si=wmkeNkoyeggGrB8a
