Shows
BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationDazzling Movement Direction – Choreographer & Actor Breon Arzell – Episode 105Booth One first encountered Breon's work seeing The Total Bent, produced by Haven & About Face Theatres. We were all blown away by Lili-Anne Brown's direction and the marvelous performances, including friend of the show, Robert Cornelius and new friend, Breon Arzell, who also choreographed this great musical. Here are some of the rave reviews. The production design was extraordinary. We were especially wowed by the choreography and costumes, designed by previous guest and friend, Christine Pasqual.
You can catch some of his brilliant work in the remote production of Kill Move Paradise. Absolutely not to be missed. We have...
2020-04-0656 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Blank Slate – Genius Improvisor, Actor, & Voice-Over Artist David Pasquesi – Episode 104We always love our amazingly talented guests, but this time we were Star Struck! David Pasquesi is a brilliant artist and one of the nicest people you're ever likely to meet. He is a master improvisor and has created memorable performances in many movies and TV series. He was excellent as Julia Louis Dreyfuss's ex-husband, Andrew in VEEP and had a great role as the "local alchemist" on the weird and wonderful Lodge 49. He also has done some infamous and long running voice-over spots for clients like McDonalds and Anheuser Busch. We have included his remarkable commercial reel in this...
2020-02-111h 00BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Zacek Tapes – Victory Gardens’ Artistic Director Emeritus Dennis Zacek – Episode 103Dennis Zacek, founding member and Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theatre for 34 years, joined us in the Booth for a fascinating conversation about playwrights, directing, and the history of Chicago theatre. He shares his experiences directing over 250 productions, including his current production of Waiting for Godot, which runs at Victory Gardens through December 15.
Dr. Z is an icon of the Chicago theatre community, having been at the forefront of the storefront theatre movement in the mid-1970s. In 2014, Victory Gardens received the special Regional Theatre Tony Award for outstanding contributions to the American theatre landscape.
The Zacek Tapes is a...
2019-11-2258 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationLuminous Power Couple – Regina Victor & Wardell Julius Clark – Episode 102Wardell Julius Clark and Regina Victor are stars who just keep growing in our Chicago theatre community. We had an amazing time talking with them recently about all of their adventures. They are work and life partners and as Gary said, "extraordinary creative artists and human beings." They also did a beautiful job introducing the show. Voice over agents, take note.
Regina Victor works as a theatre director, producer, dramaturg, arts journalist, and mentor. Regina is a non-binary femme who grew up in Oakland, now residing in Chicago. Regina attended boarding school at Phillips Exeter, then studied theatre, religion, and...
2019-10-3056 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationMover and Shaker – Erica Daniels, Executive Director of Victory Gardens – Episode 101We were thrilled to have Erica Daniels Strater join us in the Booth, starting our next 100 episodes off in style! She has been an agent, casting director, Associate Artistic Director, president, and now Executive Director. All at top-flight companies.
Erica has so many dear friends in the Chicago theatre community. She helped us all out when we were with small companies who needed casting help and couldn't afford our own casting directors. Her email response would come back pronto with a list of really great suggestions for a role. Early in her career, she joined her close friend and mentor...
2019-10-1958 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGame Changers – Michael and Mona Heath – Episode 100!We chose Michael and Mona Heath for our 100th episode because they are the most amazing angels to the Chicago theatre community. With backgrounds in applied mathematics and computer science, they have dedicated their time, energy, and savings to supporting Chicago theatre artists. Last year, they paid full price to see 336 shows! And that is while living part time in Champaign/Urbana. Not to mention building the mainstage theatre, dressing rooms, and lounge at The Den Theatre. They are the production sponsors of so much important work, including "His Shadow" at 16th Street Theatre, which opens tonight!
So much more...
2019-09-1251 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationOur Favorite (and First) Costume Designer – Christine Pascual – Episode 99Christine has created beautiful designs for many of our all-time favorite productions! Check out this list of her recent projects! From Dutch Masters to La Ruta to East Texas Hot Links and To Catch a Fish. All great, great shows!
The costumes we think were the most breathtaking were for The Total Bent. Robert Cornelius's suits (and shoes!) were just perfect, as were all the other costumes, especially the cape she made for Gilbert Domally's character.
Much more to say. Want to publish the audio of this great interview and will update these show notes very son!
2019-09-0155 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and Conversation“Astonish Me” – Theatre Historian & Critic Jonathan Abarbanel – Episode 98Jonathan Abarbanel, our first theatre critic guest, comes with great perspective not just as a theatre historian and scholar but also as an artist. He's been an actor, dramaturg, playwright, and producer, so he knows what it means and takes to bring work to the stage. He's the immediate past president of the American Theatre Critics Association. He's reviewed Chicago theatre for 50 years and continues as a great critic for the Windy City Times and Footlights magazine.
He and Kerry Reid are the "Dueling Critics" on The Arts Section on WDCB public radio. This marvelous and nuanced conversation about Isaac...
2019-07-1658 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationCut to the Chaos – PBS Producer & Documentarian Daniel Andries – Episode 97Seven-time Emmy award winner, WTTW producer, and documentary filmmaker Dan Andries joins us in the Booth! He arrived at the studio having just toured the Hamilton Exhibition on Northerly Island. Sounds like something we need to visit.
We recently discovered that Dan was creating a series of pieces for WTTW called "Stage Players." They are very short interview pieces honoring all of the kinds of people who make Chicago theatre great. They appear between other programs and are excellent. It's amazing how much they convey in such a short period of time. We have had some of the same amazing g...
2019-05-2757 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationQuadruple Threats! – Lili-Anne Brown & Robert Cornelius – Episode 96Join our rollicking conversation with two of the most talented artists we know, Lili-Anne Brown and Robert Cornelius. Lili-Anne is the luminous director of many great productions and also an accomplished actor, singer, and educator. Robert, who has appeared on our show before (episode 67), is a brilliant actor, singer, educator, and designer. These are just some of their many gifts.
Booth One has had the honor of witnessing two of their thrilling collaborations this season in The Total Bent produced by Haven and About Face and in Lottery Day, onstage now through April 28 at the Goodman. Gary and Frank talked...
2019-04-1953 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTheatergoers Digest – Gary and Frank – Episode 95It's Gary and Frank together in the Booth for a cavalcade of theatergoer notes on shows we've recently seen around Chicago. First off, Frank tells us about his adventures in speech competition judging that's kept him away from home the past month. By all accounts, the dazzling array of young talented actors and orators is promising news for the future of theater and performance in the Chicago area.
Just this afternoon, our boys went to Northlight Theatre to see the world premiere play Landladies by Sharyn Rothstein, directed by Jess McLeod. As luck would have it, this sparkling three-hander features...
2019-04-1846 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationCreating a Safe Space – Stage Managers Malcolm Ewen and Laura Glenn – Episode 94Gary welcomes to the Booth two true Chicago theatre professionals - both long-time stage managers at Steppenwolf Theatre - Malcolm Ewen and Laura Glenn. No one has better behind-the scenes stories than great stage managers. Malcolm has been at Steppenwolf since 1987 and was most recently welcomed into the company's elite Ensemble, an honor he didn't even know was possible. He is the first stage manager to become an ensemble member. Malcolm has taken 4 shows to Broadway, including The Grapes of Wrath and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, which were both honored with Tony awards. He has also stage managed at...
2019-03-311h 00BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRed Rex – Director Jonathan Berry and Actor Jessica Dean Turner – Episode 93Gary welcomes director Jonathan Berry and actor Jessica Dean Turner from the new hit play Red Rex to the Booth today. Written by Ike Holter as the newest in his Rightlynd series of plays, Red Rex is is receiving a world premiere by Steep Theatre and is being presented in their 55-seat space at 1115 W. Berwyn through March 30. Gary called it "one of the most moving, thought-provoking and beautifully produced plays he's seen in many a season."
The production is about members of a Chicago storefront theater company who are working on a new play being presented by a Chicago...
2019-03-1152 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationDivision Street Princess – Author Elaine Soloway – Episode 92We were thrilled to welcome Elaine Soloway to the booth for episode 92! Check out her bio here. She is something else. Between her two memoirs, her Roman à clef, the essays she writes for her blogs, and having part of her life fictionalized on the television show, Transparent, Elaine is "living out loud." Learn about her books and essays by going to Elaine's website. Or friend her on Facebook. At 80 years old, she regularly communicates on social media and has 4,000 FB friends!
Elaine grew up on Division Street in Chicago. Her memoir about those years is called Division Street Princess. We hig...
2019-02-1259 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Year of Chicago Theatre, with Mark Kelly & Sandra Marquez – Episode 91We are thrilled to be part of the launch of the "Year of Chicago Theatre", helmed by the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE) Commisioner, Mark Kelly.
Mark at the Chicago Jazz Festival
Mark joined us to talk about this first-ever City initiative that is "calling on the world to recognize the power of Chicago Theatre." Partnering with the League of Chicago Theatres and all of the individual theatres, the goal is: "to be a Chicagoan, you are welcome into a Chicago Theatre."
From the City's press release: "To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go...
2019-01-2558 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRenaissance Man – Artist & Illustrator Tom Bachtell – Episode 90Join us in a great conversation with brilliant artist and illustrator Tom Bachtell. Learn how this self-taught artist became the best thing about the New Yorker's "Talk of the Town". He is still doing stunning caricatures and illustrations for the magazine 23 years later. Check out this wonderful piece Neil Steinberg recently wrote about Tom in the Sun-Times.
Tom tells us that "People are bundles of ambiguity. That's what I try to capture in portraits."
2018-12-2452 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTo Never Forget – La Ruta – Isaac Gomez & Karen Rodriguez – Episode 89Rising stars Isaac Gomez & Karen Rodriguez join us in the Booth to talk about the rehearsal process for their world premiere production of Isaac's play, La Ruta, at Steppenwolf Theatre. Previews begin December 13 and the show runs through January 27. We are going to press opening on December 20 and cannot wait! This amazing project features a number of Steppenwolf debuts: It is Isaac's as a playwright, ensemble member Sandra Marquez's as a director, and Karen's as a new ensemble member!
Director Sandra Marquez with Karen Rodriguez
Isaac tells us that the play is "about a community of women who are...
2018-12-1658 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationNena’s Notes – Fashion Expert & Writer Nena Ivon – Episode 88Fashion world icon Nena Ivon joins us in the Booth to talk about her astounding career, her varied interests in all things cultural, and so much more! - A legend in Chicago, Nena Ivon was the fashion and special events director at Saks Fifth Avenue fr...
2018-11-1351 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationAlways Say Yes…-Actor Francis Guinan – Episode 87Gary and Frank welcome one of the finest actors we've ever had the pleasure to meet to Booth One! Francis Guinan has been with the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble since 1979 and has appeared in a remarkable number of shows.
2018-10-3058 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Film Report from TIFF – Frank and Dan at the Toronto International Film Festival – Episode 86Booth One's Frank Tourangeau and his husband, filmmaker Dan Pal, who serves as Booth One's film correspondent, have just returned from a trip to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and have much to report!
2018-10-1155 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationLife’s a Spell – Playwright and Librettist Jerre Dye – Episode 85We welcome to the Booth this week the very talented and vibrant Jerre Dye. Recommended by a recent genius guest, Cecelia Wingate, Jerre is a Southerner by birth, having grown up in a small town in Mississippi. He is a playwright, actor,
2018-09-1853 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRoscoe’s BACK for a guest appearance! – Episode 84While Frank is out of town, we welcome Ross Fraser, founding co-host of Booth One, back to the studio. He is clearly excited to be back behind a microphone and in rare form. - Gary and Roscoe revisit some favorite topics such as,
2018-09-0649 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTalk about Southern Charm – Brilliant Director & Actress Cecelia Wingate – Episode 83We welcome the remarkably talented actress and stage director Cecelia Wingate to Booth One this week. Hailing from Memphis, TN, Cecelia is a driving force in the vibrant theater scene there. Gary recalls seeing her breathtaking performance in Chicago i...
2018-08-1353 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRick Kogan – A Class Act – Episode 82Legendary Chicago newspaperman, radio host, and author Rick Kogan joins us in the Booth to share some great stories and lively conversation. - He's a big fan of our show and has listened to a number of past episodes that he's told us are terrific.
2018-07-301h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationBelieve – with Gary and Frank – Episode 81Gary and Frank catch up and discuss a couple of recent theatrical viewings. First off, we get an inside look at Frank's eastern European trip which took him away from Booth One for a couple of episodes. He tells of his experiences in Warsaw, Krakow,
2018-07-1647 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Max & Tony Fitzpatrick Show- Episode 80Today we welcome to the Booth acclaimed artist, author, and actor Tony Fitzpatrick, and his son and podcast partner, Max. They are quite a team. Max also manages Adventureland Gallery at 1513 N. Western. Where there is great art and free beer! -
2018-07-0254 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationMonologues for Civilians – Director & Litigation Coach, Richard ShavzinLong time friend and Gary's collaborator on the legendary Klub Kokomo joins us in the Booth to talk about that amazing production and his career as an actor, director, producer, and coach to trial lawyers. -
2018-06-1945 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationYou’re On! – Actress Jennifer Engstrom – Episode 78The endlessly fascinating Jennifer Engstrom graces us in the Booth today. Jen is a long-time ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theatre (as is our last guest, playwright Brett Neveu). She has appeared in over a dozen productions there and at many other gr...
2018-05-2954 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTo Catch a Fish – Playwright Brett Neveu – Episode 77We were thrilled to welcome Brett Neveu to the booth just two days after being in the audience for the press opening of his marvelous new play, To Catch A Fish at Timeline Theatre. This production, masterfully directed by Ron OJ Parson,
2018-05-1457 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTo Catch a Fish – Playwright Brett Neveu – Episode 77We were thrilled to welcome Brett Neveu to the booth just two days after being in the audience for the press opening of his marvelous new play, To Catch A Fish at Timeline Theatre. This production, masterfully directed by Ron OJ Parson,
2018-05-1457 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGypsys, Tramps & Thieves – Episode 76Gary reports on the wonderful time we had at the Writers Theatre Gala at the Four Seasons. We were guests of Mary Pat & Andy Studdert. It was such a fun evening, featuring sensational entertainment with a Motown theme.
2018-05-0345 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGypsys, Tramps & Thieves – Episode 76Gary reports on the wonderful time we had at the Writers Theatre Gala at the Four Seasons. We were guests of Mary Pat & Andy Studdert. It was such a fun evening, featuring sensational entertainment with a Motown theme.
2018-05-0345 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationFabulous Fiction – with Writer and Teacher Stuart Dybek – Episode 75Booth One proudly welcomes back to the program writer and teacher Stuart Dybek. Stuart previously appeared on Episode 37, where he spoke about the art of the short story and his approach and inspirations for writing fiction and poetry.
2018-04-161h 02BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationFabulous Fiction – with Writer and Teacher Stuart Dybek – Episode 75Booth One proudly welcomes back to the program writer and teacher Stuart Dybek. Stuart previously appeared on Episode 37, where he spoke about the art of the short story and his approach and inspirations for writing fiction and poetry.
2018-04-161h 02BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Never Ending Story – Author Mark Larson Returns – Episode 74Gary welcomes back to the Booth author Mark Larson, whose oral history is a chronicle of the past, present and future of Chicago Theatre. Having recently turned in his manuscript to date, Mark had interviews come through with Pulitzer Prize winning pla...
2018-04-0352 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Never Ending Story – Author Mark Larson Returns – Episode 74Gary welcomes back to the Booth author Mark Larson, whose oral history is a chronicle of the past, present and future of Chicago Theatre. Having recently turned in his manuscript to date, Mark had interviews come through with Pulitzer Prize winning pla...
2018-04-0352 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Daring Young Man – Aerialist Javen Ulambayar – Episode 73Aerialist, circus performer and actor Javen Ulambayar visits Booth One this week with Gary and Frank, as we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary on the air! - Javen is a native of Mongolia and emigrated to the United States when he was 17 with his parent...
2018-03-0556 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Daring Young Man – Aerialist Javen Ulambayar – Episode 73Aerialist, circus performer and actor Javen Ulambayar visits Booth One this week with Gary and Frank, as we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary on the air! - Javen is a native of Mongolia and emigrated to the United States when he was 17 with his parent...
2018-03-0556 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Envelope, Please – Gary, Frank and The 90th Oscars – Episode 72It's Oscar season, and Gary and Frank delve into the nominees, snubs and surprises for the 90th Annual Academy Awards. - On a sad note, Gary announces that our dear Roscoe, founding co-host, will not be re-joining us in the Booth any time soon.
2018-02-1250 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Envelope, Please – Gary, Frank and The 90th Oscars – Episode 72It's Oscar season, and Gary and Frank delve into the nominees, snubs and surprises for the 90th Annual Academy Awards. - On a sad note, Gary announces that our dear Roscoe, founding co-host, will not be re-joining us in the Booth any time soon.
2018-02-1250 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationDynamic Duo – Delia Kropp and Penny Slusher – Episode 71Actresses Delia Kropp and Penny Slusher join Gary and Frank in the Booth this week. Penny, a longtime favorite of ours, recently appeared in the Steppenwolf Theatre production of The Minutes, the new play from Tracy Letts.
2018-01-2857 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationDynamic Duo – Delia Kropp and Penny Slusher – Episode 71Actresses Delia Kropp and Penny Slusher join Gary and Frank in the Booth this week. Penny, a longtime favorite of ours, recently appeared in the Steppenwolf Theatre production of The Minutes, the new play from Tracy Letts.
2018-01-2857 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationPride Films and Plays: Dan Pal & Nelson Rodriguez – Episode 70Gary and Frank welcome two of the great leaders of Chicago's Pride Films & Plays to Booth One.
Nelson Rodriguez is Artistic Director of Pride Films and Plays. Filmmaker Dan Pal is running the Pride Film Fest, which happens on the second Tuesday of each month. Check out the line-up for January's festival here.
Pride Films and Plays brings a 4-show season of excellent LGBTQ programming to the Chicago theatre community. Housed at the Pride Arts Center at 4139 N. Broadway, PFP also hosts the aforementioned Pride Film Fest and rents its two spaces to other theater companies.
Dan Pal is a...
2018-01-0850 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Great White Way – Giving Thanks for Broadway and Beyond – Episode 69Mentor, Educator and Theatre aficionado Frank Tourangeau (Episode 54) returns and joins Gary as this week's co-host in the Booth. Gary and Betsy have just returned from a glorious Thanksgiving week in New York,
2017-12-1159 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGetting the Shot – Photographer and Theatre Artist Stephan Mazurek – Episode 68Gary's guest this week is photographer, explorer, and theatre artist Stephan Mazurek. Stephan is a storyteller - on screens, on stages, on buildings and on the web. He is a director of photography, still photographer, writer,
2017-11-2053 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationHeart and Soul – Musician & Actor Robert Cornelius – Episode 67Our guest in the Booth this week is the multi-talented Robert Cornelius. Singer, Actor, Songwriter, Band Leader, Educator, Activist, and Writer - he excels at them all! And...we learn that he can design and construct costumes as well. A long-time friend of the show, we were finally able to work it out with his busy schedule to have him on.
Robert grew up on the South Side and studied theatre and psychology at Western Illinois University. When he came back to Chicago, he got cast in Rosencrantz & Gildernstern Are Dead at Stage Left. He quickly became a company...
2017-10-3055 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Great Escape – The Red Lion Pub’s Colin Cordwell – Episode 66Colin Cordwell, proprietor of the The Red Lion English pub, brings his uncanny insights and encyclopedic knowledge to Booth One this week. Colin has seen it all in his 40 years watching "a conveyor belt of humanity go past me" behind one of Chicago's g...
2017-10-1650 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationInvading Nirvana – Episode 65We welcome actor, director, audiobook narrator, and author Kevin Theis back to Booth One to talk about his new book, Invading Nirvana, A Chicagoan in the City of Angels. This hilarious and informative book serves as a blueprint for any actor considerin...
2017-10-021h 02BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTrevor the Musical – Episode 64It was thrilling to welcome to the Booth two of the stars and the Assistant Director of Writers Theatre's world premiere production of Trevor the Musical.
Eli Tokash, who plays Trevor, is magnificent on stage and off. He just lights up the room. He has met his match with co-star, Tori Whaples, who is Cathy in the show. And what can we say about Tyrone Phillips, who is doing amazing and exciting work in every aspect of his career.
Trevor began as a monologue written and performed by James Lecesne for his Drama Desk award-winning one man show Word of...
2017-09-1853 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRenaissance Woman – Vocal Coach & Director Mary Jo DuPrey – Episode 63Booth One welcomes Mary Jo DuPrey, who recently visited Chicago from Los Angeles for some meetings about possible directing projects. - Mary Jo trained as an actress at Vassar. She then worked with her sister Katie Agresta, a legendary vocal coach,
2017-08-2158 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationEnsemble Chicago – Oral Historian Mark Larson – Episode 62Gary and popular co-host Paul Stroili, welcome special guest Mark Larson to the Booth. Mark is an educator, writer and oral historian, currently working on a book of interviews called Ensemble Chicago: The Making of a Theater Town, An Oral History. Mark has spoken to literally hundreds of theatre professionals, spanning the Chicago theatrical eras from the early 1950s to the present. From Joyce Piven and Alan Arkin to Michael Shannon and Evan Linder, Mark has recorded the stories of playwrights, actors, critics, designers, stage managers, teachers, comedians, artistic directors, producers, executives, and everyone in between. We know you will...
2017-08-0759 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationKissing Frogs – Julia Maish – Episode 61Chill out with a mid-summer edition of Booth One!
Gary's good friend and storyteller extraordinaire Julia Maish joins us in the Booth this week. Julia is Manager of Media Relations for WTTW and WFMT and has worked as an actress and jazz singer in Chicago.
We ask Julia about her early days working with The Second City. She was the sole administrative employee when she was there and tells an hilarious story about how on her last day, her boss swept all the cash from the safe into a paper bag to compensate her for the many vacation days she...
2017-07-1653 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationBroadway Cavalcade – Episode 60Gary welcomes actor, director, producer, choreographer, casting and teaching professional Stephen Schellhardt to the co-host chair of Booth One this week. Longtime listeners to the program may remember Stephen as a panel guest when we recorded our all-...
2017-07-031h 02BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationPass Over – Playwright Antoinette Nwandu & Director Danya TaymorGary interviews playwright Antoinette Nwandu and director Danya Taymor during rehearsals of Nwandu's play Pass Over, on site at the Steppenwolf Theatre. We are attending a press performance on June 13 and cannot wait!
They share fascinating insights about the process of creating a world premiere, with Antoinette developing the script throughout the rehearsal period. These two are absolutely inspiring as artistic collaborators. So much mutual respect, affection, and humor. Booth One would love to be in the rehearsal room!
Antoinette describes Pass Over: “At its core, this play asks us collectively to consider the value of black lives, specifically the li...
2017-06-1138 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGluteal Amnesia – Audio Book Narrator & Theatre Artist Extraordinaire, Kevin Theis – Episode 58Booth One welcomes back co-host Paul Stroili, and special guest Kevin Theis, actor, writer, director and audio book narrator, for some wild and wacky conversation. Kevin recently directed The My Way Residential, a world premiere play by Geraldine Aaron for the Irish Theatre of Chicago, running though June 25, 2017 at the Den Theatre. Can't wait to see it!
In our ongoing fascination with shark stories, we discovered this: When porn star Molly Cavalli dropped down under water into a shark cage wearing a "white hot swimsuit," her presence apparently enticed a 10-foot lemon shark. The next thing you know she's screaming...
2017-05-2852 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationAll About Process – Director/Choreographer Rachel RockwellBooth One welcomes the amazing Rachel Rockwell to our studios amidst her action-packed schedule. Her beautiful production of Shakespeare in Love has just opened at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and she has about a million other irons in the fire.
As a choreographer, Rachel was nominated for Joseph Jefferson Awards for The King & I (2007) and A Chorus Line (2011). As a director, she received Jeff Award nominations for Miss Saigon (2009); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee—Best Musical (2009); Ragtime (2010) and 42nd Street (2011). For her acclaimed Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre production of Ragtime (11 Jeff nominations and seven awards), she received the Jo...
2017-05-081h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTime Lapsed Continuousness – Court Theatre Artistic Director Charlie NewellGary and the Booth One crew are pleased to welcome award-winning artistic director of Court Theatre, Mr. Charles Newell to the program. Court is the resident professional theater company of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park. Charlie has been AD at Court since 1994. Under his leadership, Court has, in the words of playwright Tony Kushner, "developed a spectacular reputation as one of the most important theaters in the country." Charlie's directing credits span a spectrum from classic Shakespeare to world premiere dramas and comedies, from musicals to opera. He is the recipient of four Joseph Jefferson Awards for directing...
2017-04-2338 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTap Dancing for Beginners – Episode 55April Fools' Day finds us recording our 55th Episode! Returning friend of the show Paul Stroili co-hosts this toe-tapping episode with Gary in Booth One. Paul reveals that he is a motorcycle enthusiast and that his father once raced motorcycles in Europe. Riding a "Hog" is a skill that Gary has long wanted to acquire, though driving a Vespa is probably closer to his ability levels of balance and coordination.
Paul gives an update on his hit interactive theatrical production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Some cast changes are in store, at least through the summer, but the good news...
2017-04-1055 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationFrankly Speaking – Theatre teacher and director Frank Tourangeau – Episode 54Guest co-host Frank Tourangeau joins Gary in Booth One this week. Frank is a director, educator, speech coach, and all-around performing arts aficionado, whose knowledge of Chicago and New York theater is wide-ranging and insightful. I guess we should call him "Doctor" Tourangeau, as he holds a PhD in Speech and Performance Art from Southern Illinois University, and did his dissertation on the interactions of right brain/left brain as it relates to emotional cognition in performance. Wow. One of the smartest people we know!
Frank once coached our producer in high school speech competitions and relates a few stories...
2017-03-2056 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Bolt of Lightning – Danni Smith, Musical Theatre Superstar – Episode 53Gary welcomes 4-time Jeff Award winner Danni Smith to the Booth this week, in a lively discussion of her career, growing up in Indiana, her recent lauded performances in Jesus Christ, Superstar, Man of La Mancha, and the currently-running Mamma Mia at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. Gary and Roscoe first encountered Danni at the Theo Ubique, where she was just marvelous in the role of Mary Magdalene. Not only was she a highlight of the show, she was also our table server at the intimate space. Oh, what fine actors do to make it in this business! Danni treasures the t...
2017-03-0656 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationWhen More is Truly More – Episode 52Booth One continues its string of lively guest co-host episodes with our good friend Paul Stroili, actor, writer, director and filmmaker, sitting in the hot seat for still-recuperating Roscoe. Who has, by the way, rented a Barca Lounger to watch movies from for his convalescence. We're going to need a photo of that. Frequent Booth One listeners will remember that Paul has appeared on past episodes, talking about his long-running hit production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding and just being his hilarious, Booth One type entertaining self. He's working on writing a sequel to that outstanding piece of audience interactive...
2017-02-2052 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTragedy Tomorrow – Sean Graney, The Hypocrites Founder and Artistic Director – Episode 51Our special guest in the Booth this week is Sean Graney, the highly acclaimed Artistic Director of one of our favorite Chicago off-Loop theater companies, The Hypocrites. While Roscoe continues to recover from his health condition, Gary goes one-on-one with Sean in a lively and informative discussion of Graney's background, his founding of The Hypocrites 20 years ago, his experiences with acting, playwriting, adapting and directing, and a host of other theatre-related topics.
Sean began his theatrical life in Boston. After school, he chose Chicago as the place to lay down his creative roots. Sean has received wide recognition for his...
2017-01-3059 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationIntroducing South Side Correspondent, Jim Reho – Episode 50We celebrate Booth One's 50th! episode with guest co-host, Jim Reho. For the past several years, Jim has resided in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the South Side and joins us to give a great tour. Learn more facts about Chicago's South Side.
Jim reports on some of the highlights in his part of Chicago. For starters, check out some of the best thin crust pizza anywhere at Vito & Nick's, 84th & Pulaski. They have been around for 90 years!
Another Reho favorite is a place that serves Korean/Polish cuisine. We are planning a "Roscoe at Large" visit to...
2017-01-1652 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and Conversation2016 Year End Wrap Up – Episode 49Gary and Roscoe wrap up 2016 - and good riddance to a challenging year - with an episode of year-end theater going and a few fun lists.
First we revisit Hamilton and our recent viewing of the new Chicago production. From our Booth One perspective in the 11th row at the PrivateBank Theatre, this sit-down company is hands down as dynamic, entertaining and exciting as the Broadway show we saw in New York in May. It's not just a traveling road company - the show's creators have put together a virtual replica of the Broadway smash and re-produced one of the...
2017-01-0256 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationAlmost Famous – Episode 48Roscoe and Gary feel on the cusp of stardom and celebrity as they record Episode 48 in time for the holidays. Basking in the great feedback and listener response to our Charna Halpern interview on the last episode, the boys dream of Booth One seating at the great establishments of the world, particularly the Old Ebbett Grill in Washington, DC, where the shellfish is always fresh and the oysters are always briny and cold.
We announce the winner of our Hamilton ticket raffle - that lucky someone who will accompany Gary and Roscoe to the Chicago production on Dec. 4. And the...
2016-12-1256 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTruth in Comedy – Charna Halpern, iO Founder & Artistic Director – Episode 47Gary and Roscoe record Episode 47 before a live audience at Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre as part of the 1st Annual Chicago Podcast Festival. Special guest in the Booth Charna Halpern discusses the legendary iO Theater in Chicago, and her work over a 30-year career using improvisation to develop and discover future comedy stars.
Her theaters have been a prime conduit of talented performers, writers, and directors for film and television. Graduates of the iO have appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, among dozens of others. Mike Myers called Charna Halpern "The...
2016-11-2845 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationAnd the Emmy Goes to…Writer and Producer Jay Martel – Episode 46Peabody and Emmy Award winner Jay Martel joins us in Booth One via Skype all the way from Hollywood! It's our first long-distance interview show and the technology involved has Gary and Roscoe a bit daunted, so we've brought in our audio guru John Lisiecki to run sound for us today. Great to have John back in the studio!
Jay won an Emmy this year as Executive Producer on the brilliant sketch comedy show Key & Peele, now available in full episodes at Comedy Central. One of their recurring sketches became so iconic that Luther, Barack Obama's "Anger Translator" appeared w...
2016-11-141h 06BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationPotpourri – Episode 45Gary and Roscoe romp through a medley of miscellany, joined unexpectedly by friend-of-the-show Paul Stroili of Episode 43 fame. Paul was loitering outside an Edible Arrangements franchise near our studio, shamelessly advertising for his new hit Chicago show Tony n' Tina's Wedding. So Gary invited him in for a visit and a chat on the air. More about Edible Arrangements than you ever wanted to know...
Roscoe reviews The Scivvies for our listeners - singer/actor/musicians Nick Cearly and Lauren Molina from New York, who perform in their underwear stripped down arrangements of eclectic covers and eccentric originals. Roscoe "charms"...
2016-10-3158 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationLife is a Cabaret – Musical Artist Beckie Menzie – Episode 44Gary and Roscoe are pleased and excited to welcome cabaret artist Beckie Menzie to Booth One this week. Beckie is an award-winning performer, teacher, song writer, musical director and vocal coach, a staple of the Windy City music scene, and nationally recognized as one of the country's finest cabaret entertainers. Along with her musical partner Tom Michael, they have been called, "Sizzling...immensely appealing...one of the most compelling duos in cabaret today!"
Beckie is from Pierceton, IN, but a Chicago girl through and through. She learned piano at an early age and fell in love with music and the...
2016-10-171h 06BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationIt’s A Wonderful Town! – Episode 43Gary and Roscoe greet Autumn in Chicago with anticipation and merriment. While discussing pie fights and pet peeves, Roscoe admits to being officially notified by the Library of Congress about misrepresenting the number of screenings of the newly restored and fully assembled 1927 Laurel and Hardy film The Battle of the Century. Seems he saw the third American screening at Cinecon, not the first. A minor quibble, but worthy of correction.
Gary's latest Sourpuss Smithers peeve concerns the use of the helper word "like". As in "Like he heard this woman on like the train using the word 'like' like as...
2016-10-031h 00BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThree On The Aisle – Actor/Director Paul Stroili Visits Booth One – Episode 42Gary and Roscoe welcome to The Booth stage and film actor, director, writer and producer Paul Stroili, recently relocated back to Chicago from Los Angeles. Paul's wit, charm and remarkable storytelling make him one of our most hilarious guests to date. See Paul's full bio here. Paul previously co-hosted an entertainment talk radio show in Los Angeles called "State of the Arts" with Michael Sterling, and is pretty savvy behind the mic, as you'll hear. He tells about some of the iconic guests they had on the show, including Carol Channing, Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris.
Roscoe takes us through...
2016-09-191h 00BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationAnything Goes, but Don’t Rain On My Parade – Episode 41Gary and Roscoe are back in form for a whirlwind episode, encompassing everything from elephants to Greenland sharks, from Porter to Streisand, from War Paint to Byhalia, Mississippi. Our new Audience Participation Manager Michelle Houle sits in with us at the studio.
First, a shout out to friend-of-the-show Billy Lawless's new restaurant Coda di Volpe, recently opened in the Southport/Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Frequent Booth One listeners will recall Billy's splendid guest appearance during our Taste of Chicago Episode 39. Gary and our producer Betsy were treated like royalty at the Friends and Family soft opening of Coda, and the...
2016-09-051h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe Next Big Thing: Evan Linder, Tyrone Phillips and Byhalia, Mississippi – Episode 40Gary and Roscoe return once more to the friendly confines of Steppenwolf Theatre to chat with two of the creative geniuses behind a terrific new play, Byhalia, Mississippi, now getting a remounted production through August 21st at the 1700 Theatre, under the auspices of Steppenwolf's Visiting Company Initiative.
Playwright Evan Linder and Director Tyrone Phillips share their thoughts on the creative process of crafting a play, working organically with actors and designers, growing up in the South, their first experiences in the theatre, and the themes addressed in Byhalia, Mississippi.
Evan is a founding member and the Co-Artistic Director of The...
2016-08-1554 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationRoscoe at Large and The Sunday Spotlight – Episode 39Roscoe ventures out on the town to bring us this lively episode of conversation about theatre, cabaret and Stephen Sondheim. We get his impressions of what's new and exciting, as well as a perspective on some old favorites. Then stay tuned for our live podcast from Writers Theatre and their Sunday Spotlight focused on Company! Photo at left shows us making the magic with a very smart and savvy audience.
First, Roscoe tells us about War Paint, the world premiere musical at the Goodman Theatre, starring Broadway veterans Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole.Written and directed by the creative team...
2016-08-011h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationBooth One Tastes Chicago with Restaurateur Billy Lawless Jr. – Episode 38Recording live from the 2016 Taste of Chicago, Gary and Roscoe enjoy the elements and the sound of Buckingham Fountain while talking in depth with friend of the show, successful restaurateur Billy Lawless Jr. Billy's stable of establishments include The Gage web site, The Dawson web site, Acanto web site and the new Beacon Tavern web site. Enjoy the photographs of these beautifully designed restaurants, then go see them in person!
We talk food, customer experience, service and location, location, location! Billy describes the thinking behind his restaurants' menus and wine lists and his great Beverage Director, Jon McDaniel. We talk...
2016-07-1850 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationMirror, Mirror – Author Stuart Dybek Reflects on Imagery and Character – Episode 37Gary and Roscoe have long wanted to get award-winning author Stuart Dybek on the show, and now we have! Boy, was it ever worth the wait. Dybek is one of America's finest writers of literary fiction, particularly the short story form. His work has been said to "move easily between the gritty reality of urban decay, and a magical realm of lyricism and transcendence linked to music, art and religion." Read this glowing NYT review of his latest work. The reviewer writes that Dybek is "not only our most relevant writer, but maybe our best."
If you haven't read any...
2016-07-0459 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationWords & Music – Carlos Kalmar and Christopher Bell of the Grant Park Music Festival – Episode 36Meet the artists who lead Chicago's world-class summer music festival. Principle Conductor and Artistic Director Carlos Kalmar and Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell share the microphone with Gary in this behind-the-scenes conversation at the Grant Park Music Festival. Now in its 12th Season at the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, the GPMF is the nation's only free outdoor classical music series of its kind. Read about its fascinating history here.
First up, Maestro Kalmar discusses the non-stop fevered nature of putting on a 10-week program of music and entertainment, and how two of the festival's key words...
2016-06-2644 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationStars & Constellations – Actor Jon Michael Hill – Episode 35Gary and Roscoe's "little grey cells" get a workout when rising star and Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Jon Michael Hill Read Bio visits the show. Coming to you remotely from the new 80-seat 1700 Theatre performance space at Steppenwolf.
Jon is currently starring in Constellations by Nick Payne at the Upstairs Theater at Steppenwolf, along with the luminous Jessie Fisher. "It's a beautiful, elliptical and elegant exploration of all that is possible when two people meet," says Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro. "It deals, simultaneously, with the beauty and mystery found in the unknowable vastness of the universe and the ways i...
2016-06-1253 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationWe Ought To Be in Pictures – with Photographer Marc Hauser – Episode 34Coming to you from the Chicago studio of famed photographer Marc Hauser, this edition of Booth One focuses (no pun intended) on Marc's work over 5 decades of taking celebrity portraits around the world. Along the way, we discuss his inspiring journey and the meaning of life.
Marc began taking photographs as a teenager in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette. At age 13, he was already working for Hugh Hefner and Playboy magazine.
Hauser has taken photographs for Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Life Magazine and Marshall Fields, as well as film shoots, album covers, concerts and family portraits.
Marc relates his...
2016-06-051h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationDeath of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf – Episode 33Gary and Roscoe weren't able to get Blanche, Willy, George or Martha on the show this week, so they have to depend on the kindness of strangers. More on that in a minute, but first....
The strangest stranger of all, Carly "Lilith" Fiorina, took only 6 days to bring Ted Cruz's presidential campaign to ruin - 5 years and 357 days less than it took her to destroy HP! Like a bad penny, she keeps turning up. Won't surprise the boys if she is Trump's VP choice. Watch Carly do a disappearing act as she falls from the stage at a Cruz rally...
2016-05-2350 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationChatting with Chita – Rivera, that is! – Episode 32Yes, Chita Rivera! Roscoe and Gary sit down with the musical theater legend in her room at the Carlyle Hotel for an intimate chat about dance, her career, Kander & Ebb, and a host of other engaging topics.
(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ChitaFur.jpg)
The two-time Tony Award winner - for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman - has been nominated a record 10 times for that prestigious award. A native of Washington, DC, Chita began her professional life as a dancer with George Balanchine's School of American Ballet. In 1951, she was cast in her first theatrical role in...
2016-05-091h 09BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationSister Helen Prejean – Episode 31An Exclusive Interview with Sister Helen Prejean is the
Topic of our Booth One Podcast this Week.
Sister Helen is in town in support of the Quality of Mercy Project, a three-month public programming initiative examining the complex issues that arise from the production of Dead Man Walking: forgiveness, compassion, the death penalty, mass incarceration, racial inequality, and social injustice. We are pleased she agreed to spend some time talking to us in our studio. Read more here.
Sister Helen Prejean (born in Baton Rouge, LA) is a Roman Catholic nun, a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph and a...
2016-04-2554 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationWhen Co-Hosts Are Two Of a Kind – Episode 30"Meet Gary who's lived most everywhere, from NYC to Lincoln Square. But Roscoe's only seen the sights a boy can see from Ashland heights. What a crazy pair!"
Our revised lyrics to The Patty Duke Show theme song are an opening homage to the great Patty Duke who passed away this week. Oscar winner at 16 for The Miracle Worker, and recipient of three Emmy Awards, Ms. Duke also starred in the truly awful Valley of the Dolls. An astounding career and a brave lady. read full bio
We celebrate our 30th episode with fun facts from 30 years ago, 1986: Martin Luther...
2016-04-1154 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationOf Easter and Elephants – Episode 29This is Booth One's second Easter holiday for Gary and Roscoe, having just passed the first anniversary of our podcast. Ross reprises his hilarious story of appearing as a young child in a photo in the Niles Daily Sun (Michigan) searching for an Easter Egg in the bushes with his "hind-end" in focus. We appeal to our Booth One podcast nation for a copy of this priceless photo. Happy hunting! And when in Chicago, don't forget to visit The Fudge Pot chocolate store in Old Town to satisfy your sweet tooth! visit their site
Gary talks about his beloved mother D...
2016-03-281h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationHail to the Secret Lives of Objects – Episode 28Gary and Roscoe share two astounding Booth One experiences, both figuratively and literally, on this week’s episode.
But first, Gary profiles the free diver who claims he hypnotized a shark in order to remove a fishing hook caught in its mouth. Talk about a fish tale. Read how to hypnotize a shark!We’re not sure we believe this entire story, but if it’s true, there’s hope for curing Gary’s phobia. Maybe.
Roscoe gets surprising news that one of his lifelong idols, famed actress and chanteuse Barbara Cook, will be appearing off-Broadway in May in a...
2016-03-141h 09BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationIn The Center Ring with David Catlin and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi – Episode 27Gary and Roscoe have Spring Fever, and it isn’t even Spring! Full Lyrics They’re frisky and spinning daydreams as we begin our second year of Booth One podcasts with two special guests this week.
Firstly, on a sad note, erstwhile BFF of Gary’s, Carly Fiorina (formerly Carlton S.), has laid her primary campaign to rest. After getting around 4 votes in New Hampshire, it was time to give up the ghost. Fortunately, someone found the perfect burial vault for her campaign …..an old HP copier!Now on to the heart of our episode – we welcome David Catlin Full p...
2016-02-281h 07BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationA Life in the Theater – Rick Boynton, Creative Producer at Chicago Shakespeare – Episode 26Gary and Roscoe welcome Chicago Shakepeare Theatre’s Creative Producer Rick Boynton to the show!
First a recap of those Republican candidates who have dropped from the race in the wake of the Iowa caucuses – Huckabee, Santorum and Paul. Gary’s “girlfriend” Carly Fiorina has nary a pulse and the smart money is on her taking a dive after New Hampshire. We’ll know by the time this episode airs.
Rick Boynton read full bio is currently Creative Producer at the world-famous Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier in Chicago Learn More. Which means he oversees all the amazing art t...
2016-02-151h 03BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationOur Silver Anniversary: Episode 25Happy Anniversary to us as we celebrate our 25th Episode of Booth One! Sing along with the Flintstones as we toast a milestone in our podcast history. Sing Along Here
As a token of this momentous occasion, Gary presents Roscoe with a “silver” quarter from the state commemorative collection, worth at most .25 cents. Don’t spend it all in one place, Roscoe.
It’s a Gallimaufry show today (gal·li·mau·fry ɡaləˈmôfrē/noun: plural noun: gallimaufries 1. a jumble or medley of things. 2. a dish made of diced from minced meat, especially a hash or ragout), as Gary and Rosco...
2016-02-0155 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationLive from Steppenwolf! Actress Melanie Neilan Joins the Podcast: Episode 24Booth One comes to you Live! from Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Read all about this Tony Award-winning Chicago theatre company and its wonderful ensemble and staff here. (https://www.steppenwolf.org/?gclid=CPyltu2LssoCFUc9gQodKwsHOA&gclsrc=aw.ds)
...
2016-01-181h 04BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGo Behind the Scenery at Writers Theatre with Artistic Director Michael Halberstam – Episode 23(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/writersnewspace-300x225.jpg)Happy New Year, Podcast listeners! Welcome to 2016 and a special episode of BOOTH ONE.
Frequent listeners of our show will be familiar with Writers Theatre of Glencoe, IL [check out the Writers website] (http://www.writerstheatre.org/), where Gary and Roscoe have seen some marvelous productions of dramatic and musical literature over the years.
We recently had the great good fortune to sit down with Writers founder and Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam (http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Halberstam.jpg)to discuss a wide range of topics, including the new multi-theatre complex scheduled...
2016-01-0459 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationZuzu Bailey from It’s A Wonderful Life Interviewed – Episode 22A hearty Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to our fans and listeners! Gary and Roscoe celebrate (http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Christmas.jpg)their first holiday podcast with Seasons Greetings!
2015-12-2156 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationThe “IT” factor in Booth One Experiences – Episode 21It's the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and Gary and Roscoe are in festive moods. They relate their favorite decorations and where you can see the best of the holiday season in Chicago.
2015-12-1455 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationHappy Thanksgiving with George: Episode 20Gary and Roscoe are joined once again by old friend George from Midlothian as we discuss(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Georgesmiling-e1439676968628.jpg) a wide range of topics on this, our 20th Episode! Thank you loyal listeners and fans for getting us this far. We plan to be around for many more.
Gary gets Roscoe's and George's take on the three-ring circus clown car that is the GOP Presidential Debate scene. Get a Republican POV (https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1097137623632166?fref=nf&pnref=story)
Gary's Keys to the Carly this week is that she looked more (http://booth-one.com...
2015-11-3058 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTrick or Treat: Episode 19Gary and Roscoe are in full Halloween mode(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/frankenstein.jpg) as they pay tribute to the holiday with some last-minute costume ideas. Check out Sam Apple's hilarious suggestions for ways to be the talk of ...
2015-11-1757 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationMargalit Fox Interview @ NYT – talk about Booth One! – Episode 18We are beyond thrilled to feature an interview with hero to the show, Margalit Fox! Brought to you from the newsroom of the New York Times.
Margalit is the author of most of the obituaries Gary chooses to read during "Kiss of Death," the concluding segment of each show episode. He selects them based on his fascination with the lives they depict and how beautifully they are written. Having the chance to talk with her at the Times was, as he says on the show, "one of the great Booth One experiences of my life!"(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11...
2015-11-091h 01BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationNew York, New York Pt. 1 – Episode 17Gary and Roscoe "start spreadin' the news" of their separate New York excursions to see what's happening on Broadway and around the Big Apple.
First, Gary updates us on what's new with fact-challenged Carly Fiorina in this week's "Keys to the Carly." Allergic to saying things that are true? Carly' (http://www.salon.com/2015/09/30/the_dark_art_of_boldly_lying_why_carly_fiorina_is_dick_cheneys_spiritual_successor/)s Pack of Lies (http://www.salon.com/2015/09/30/the_dark_art_of_boldly_lying_why_carly_fiorina_is_dick_cheneys_spiritual_successor/)
And beware those freshwater swimming excursions - conclusive evidence of G...
2015-11-0254 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationTalkSports is now Booth One! – Episode 16We're re-branding! TalkSports is now BOOTH ONE! (http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BoothOne.jpg)Named in honor of the famous "Booth One" at the Pump Room in the former Ambassador East hotel in Chicago's trendy River North. It was for decades the most sought-after seat in the house, as those celebrities seated there could be seen from the lobby, the bar and the rest of the room. [Booth One] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pump_Room,_Chicago) (http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GarlandandFamily.jpg)We strive to(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WagnerWood.jpg) bring you the finest Booth One...
2015-10-181h 00BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationJazz Great Kurt Elling Visits the Studio – Episode 15Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling sits down with Gary to discuss a broad range of topics. With Roscoe at Cinecon, Gary flies solo in this one-on-one interview session. Learn more about Kurt in this bio from a recent concert and at KurtElling.com Gary gives a little background on his friendship with Kurt. One highlight was when...
2015-09-211h 03BOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationCineCon Film Festival Profiled – Episode 14Roscoe talks about his impending annual trip to the Cinecon Film Festival. Very exciting.
We introduce a new segment called Keys to the Car-ly highlighting the "questionably brilliant" things Carly Fiorina, GOP Prez candidate, has to say about leadership, women and world affairs. Warning: this could be frightening to young children and rational adults!
* The winner of the Gift Card to restaurant Acanto is friend of the show.................................Dan Michel! Congratulations, Dan, and enjoy your meal! Acanto Home (http://www.acantochicago.com/)
Roscoe and Gary recount their experience at the recent Kurt Elling(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/KurtElling1.jpg) conce...
2015-09-1151 minBOOTH ONE - Celebrating Culture and ConversationGeorge from Midlothian Visits the Podcast – Episode 13(http://booth-one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Georgesmiling-e1439676968628-225x300.jpg)As promised in our first episode, George Schlichter joins us today! Friends since college - Gary, Roscoe and George share memories and a few laughs in this lucky Episode 13. They went to Illinois Wesleyan, Gary and Roscoe majoring in theatre and George in English. George talks about his college stage debut in Waiting for Godot.
They have all been roommates at various times and have tales to tell. George and Roscoe were sharing an apartment in Chicago in 1993 when Roscoe made a brief but successful return to the stage. A highlight...
2015-08-2158 min