It tells the story of how the film’s wildly ambitious concept, huge cast, and troubled production came together, and why it remains such a landmark in film comedy. One of the classic movies of modern times!

Drawing on more than eighty years of Sondheim’s activities, the book presents extremely rare, never-before- seen puzzles, treasure hunts, parlor games, board games, and crossword designs, alongside original interviews with celebrity friends and collaborators who played his games and analysis from puzzle designers and theater professionals.

Beyond telling the story, it invites readers to try solving Sondheim-style puzzles and adapt his games for their own use, offering a fresh angle on his creative process for fans of his shows and useful anecdotes for interviews or features that go beyond standard musical-theater biographies.

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.

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.

With on-screen lyrics, a lively crowd, and all the beloved hits—from “Summer Nights” to “You’re the One That I Want”—this interactive screening turns a classic movie night into a communal celebration of nostalgia and fun. Costumes encouraged, voices required.

Program emcee is Paul Lisnek, and this conversation includes Ravinia’s Erik Soderstrom, two actors who have played Danny and Sandy in a local production of Grease (Eric Amondson and Morgan Wolfe) and a member of the original Chicago cast of Grease who shares memories from the first production, Steve Munro

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

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 series is created and written by Tyler Isaac Martin and joining in the conversation is featured actor David Gow (Film: The Intruder; Play: The Inheritance-Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play)

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

Part rock concert, part street confession, the show follows an “internationally ignored signature song” from East Berlin telling a story of a botched surgery, a stolen identity, and a love that split her wide open.

The Chicago production features a distinctive rotating-cast concept: three performers—labeled Children of the Sun, Earth, and Moon—alternate through the roles of Hedwig, Yitzhak, and Tommy Gnosis each night, so no two performances are exactly the same.

Joining the conversation along with director Arlo Kiss, are the rotating cast of Kyle Reid Hass, Sage Reid Priest, and Zo, all 3 of which are Hedwig, Yitzhak, and Tommy Gnosis

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!

The book is part memoir and part guide to self action. His background includes struggles with shame, being bullied, and a near-giving-up moment that led him to sobriety, major life changes, and eventually to creating content centered on self-respect and accountability.

Misha joins Paul for an in-depth conversation his fans and future fans will find completely engaging. #MishaBrown #bestie #beyourownbestie #selfhelp

Laura Stracko appears in multiple roles as Alva Belmont and Phoebe Burn and talks to Paul about the show.

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.

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.

Paul chats with all 3 stars: Gary Cole, Tim Hopper and Steppenwolf Co-Artistic Director Audrey Francis, this ferocious Chicago premiere must be witnessed to be believed.

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 in which a devoted baseball fan makes a devilish deal to help the Washington Senators beat the Yankees.

Drawing on letters, news reports, private documents, and rare photographs, it offers an intimate look at their declining health, abandoned plans for a comeback and Laurel’s reflective later life as he watched a new generation discover “Stan & Ollie” on television.

This interview is of co-author Nico Cartenstildt (his co-authors are: Michael Ehret and Tyler St. Mark), also the author of a previous book on the legendary comedy team.

Exploring the mind and the science behind how it interacts with our memories, David and Mala, along with Director Andrew Scoville take you on a journey inside your mind that may or may not be different with every show as each is a one 'man' show acted by a different actor.

In this conversation, Paul goes behind the curtain with two of the actors playing 'David', Elizabeth Laidlaw and James Earl Jones II.

Find out more at https://theaterofthemindchicago.com/

Together, they create a new line of boots and discover that acceptance, friendship, and being yourself can change everything.

Christopher J. Lewis takes us behind the curtain growing up with of some of his dad's greatest moments. Dean Martin, Judy Garland and even 'Uncle Stan' are just a few of the names, plus we learn more about their legacy with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The core stars are Young & Strange (Richard Young and Sam Strange), a duo who began performing together as children and are known for inventive large-scale illusions. This interview features cast members: Fernando Velasco, an illusionist and escapologist known for daring escapes, and Liberty Larsen, a fourth-generation magician from the renowned creators of the Magic Castle, Genii Magazine, and the Academy of Magical Arts. She is known for blending theatrical magic with music and original performance style.

Drawing on extensive research and interviews, the book follows their intertwined friendships, rivalries, and collaborations as they sought to reinvent the dying studio system with personal, director-driven blockbusters like The Godfather, Jaws, Star Wars, and E.T., reshaping Hollywood and popular culture in the process.

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.

Directed by David Zippel, 'Going Bacharach: The Songs Of An Icon', is a musical revue featuring many of the classic Bacharach songs. Hilary Kole, Ta-Tynisa Wilson and John Pagano, best known for touring with Burt himself, all bring their vocal talents to the stage! Arranged and orchestrated by Adrian Galante, he also takes the stage, showcasing his love for Bacharach on piano and clarinet.

In this interview, Paul talks about some of his favorite iconic Burt Bacharach tracks, John's experience working with Burt for decades and how that played into Adrian's arrangement of this magnificent show.

Paul Lisnek chats with Audrey and Glenn in the Steppenwolf Theatre Library, located mere feet away from the new theatre in the round and together, they go behind the curtain of some of the shows coming up and how they curate the life of each show as artistic directors and actors.

From the brilliant mind of Academy Award-winning Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), 'Windfall' features Glenn with an ensemble cast in a powerfully relevant show about that which controls our lives: money. In June, Audrey takes the stage with Gary Cole and Tim Hopper in the "wildly inventive" 'Catch as Catch Can' in which each actor takes on a double role.

Go to Steppenwolf.org for tickets and remind yourself why Chicago is home to some of the greatest shows you won't catch anywhere else.

Then, the conversation shifts to Jeff Award recipient Brenda Didier and her reaction to the news but the conversation continues into her earliest successes on the stage and onward.

As a dancer, choreographer, director and Owner of the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance, her career has taken her all across the Chicago area with countless theatre shows and icons including the late, great Fred Anzevino, founder of the Theo Ubique Theatre.

Also seen on Conan, he was a favorite on NBC’s comedy talent series “Bring the Funny” in 2019 and regularly tours the country doing stand-up, now returning to Chicago! For an evening about his upbringing, pop culture and social commentary, you’ll want to get your tickets soon before his shows are all sold out!

Joining the conversation is A.D. Weaver who plays George Washington. Weaver is no stranger to Chicago audiences having appeared at Goodman, Drury Lane and Black Ensemble Theatre. But this role is clearly one that has had significant impact on his career and life.

If you haven’t seen Hamilton, this is your moment! If you have, then surely you’ll be returning to see it yet again!

Beyond the programs, Jeff and Paul discuss all the different ways to enjoy the park, travel and parking and the best way to get tickets. An important annual reveal you will want to watch here!