Chicago Interviews

Will You Accept This Rose On Stage? Former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin Dishes on Her Role as BACHELOR LIVE Co-Host
by Rachel Weinberg - February 25, 2020, Chicago

Bachelor Nation fans of Chicago can experience all the drama of the popular reality show this March when THE BACHELOR LIVE ON STAGE arrives at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre. In advance of BACHELOR LIVE's arrival here, I chatted with former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, who is co-hosting...

Brian Jagde of MADAME BUTTERFLY at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Erica Miner - February 10, 2020, Chicago

The first thing to know about Brian Jagde is that his name is pronounced a?oeJade,a?? like the jewel...

On Wednesdays, She Wears Pink — Jonalyn Saxer Reflects on Playing the Role of Karen Smith in the MEAN GIRLS National Tour
by Rachel Weinberg - December 12, 2019, Chicago

Do you want to see Jonalyn Saxer fit her entire fist into her mouth? Actually, I don't know if the actor can do that, but she is showcasing her talents in the principal role of Karen Smith in the national tour of MEAN GIRLS (Fans of the original 2003 film will recognize that opening line as one of K...

John Ross Bowie Discusses Punk's Most Influential Band in His Play, FOUR CHORDS AND A GUN
by Maeve Riley - May 23, 2019, Chicago

Four Chords and a Gun is an intense black comedy about the infamous punk band the Ramones written by John Ross Bowie (“The Big Bang Theory”, “Speechless”). The play reveals the drama-filled 1979 recording session that led to The Ramones album, End of the Century, produced by the eccentric gun wieldi...

Broadway Veteran Lea Salonga Reflects on Her Touring and Broadway Experiences
by Rachel Weinberg - April 24, 2019, Chicago

In advance of her upcoming concert tour date in Chicago, legendary Broadway performer Lea Salonga chatted with BroadwayWorld about what audiences can expect from her Human Heart tour and her thoughts on representation in the current Broadway landscape....

Chicago actor Christine Bunuan returns in MISS SAIGON national tour
by Emily McClanathan - November 11, 2018, Chicago

Chicago actor Christine Bunuan stars as Gigi in the national tour of MISS SAIGON, which plays at Broadway in Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre November 14 through December 8. Bunuan recently spoke to BroadwayWorld Chicago about bringing this epic love story on the road....

Jess LeProtto on the humor and heart of HELLO, DOLLY!
by Emily McClanathan - October 20, 2018, Chicago

After performing in HELLO, DOLLY! on Broadway, Jess LeProtto currently stars as Barnaby Tucker in the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning revival. In advance of the tour's four-week engagement at Broadway in Chicago's Oriental Theatre, I spoke with Jess about taking this heart-warming, hil...

Shane O'Regan on a young soldier's experience of WWI in PRIVATE PEACEFUL
by Emily McClanathan - October 19, 2018, Chicago

The Irish Times Best Actor nominee Shane O'Regan stars in PRIVATE PEACEFUL, Simon Reade's stage adaptation of the novel by Michael Morpurgo, the celebrated author of WAR HORSE. This story of World War One charts the life of a young soldier, Thomas 'Tommo' Peaceful, who faces the firing squad for cow...

Carrie Compere Reflects on THE COLOR PURPLE'S Message of Self-Discovery and Human Connection
by Rachel Weinberg - July 13, 2018, Chicago

Chicago audiences will be able to experience the 2016 Tony Award-winning revival of THE COLOR PURPLE for the first time next week. But Carrie Compere, who plays the role of Sofia, is no stranger to the production. Compere first took on the role as an understudy and then a replacement during the prod...

Erin Burniston On Capturing Elvis's Legacy Onstage in HEARTBREAK HOTEL
by Rachel Weinberg - June 18, 2018, Chicago

I recently caught up with Erin Burniston, who plays the role of Elvis's girlfriend in HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Envisioned as the prequel to the long-running Chicago hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, HEARTBREAK HOTEL charts Elvis's rise to fame. Burniston chatted about the development process for this new musical...

Jeremy Morse On the Empowerment and Entertainment Served Up in WAITRESS
by Rachel Weinberg - June 15, 2018, Chicago

Actor Jeremy Morse discussed what it's been like to perform Sara Bareille's songs for the past three years in WAITRESS from its pre-Broadway engagement to the current tour, highlights of tour life, and of course, pie....

Chicago Native Amaris Sanchez Sings and Dances Her Way Through ON YOUR FEET!
by Rachel Weinberg - March 07, 2018, Chicago

I chatted with local Chicagoan Amaris Sanchez, who plays Little Gloria in the national tour of ON YOUR FEET! in advance of the show's arrival in Chicago....

The Czyk In: Chicago Theatre Podcast featuring MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Porchlight Music Theatre
by Patrick Rybarczyk - February 14, 2018, Chicago

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Casey Lyons of Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES
by M. William Panek - January 25, 2018, Chicago

Love Never Dies' Casey Lyons took some time on his day off to answer questions for BroadwayWorld before the tour hits Chicago February 14 through March 4, 2018....

Autumn Hurlbert Discusses Adventures and Laughs On Tour with SOMETHING ROTTEN!
by Rachel Weinberg - June 29, 2017, Chicago

Autumn Hurlbert is taking it back to the '90s (namely, 1595) in the role of Portia as part of the first national tour of SOMETHING ROTTEN! This new musical chronicles a fictitious rivalry between playwright brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom who, at the advice of a fortune teller, create the world's fir...

THE KING AND I's Manna Nichols Chats About The Relevance of This Classic Musical
by Rachel Weinberg - June 01, 2017, Chicago

Following a Tony Award-winning Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater in 2015 and 2016, Bartlett Sher's THE KING AND I is now hitting the road on a national tour and arrives in Chicago this month. In advance of the production's arrival, I spoke with cast member Manna Nichols. Nichols plays the ro...

10 ON TUESDAY with Derek Van Barham
by M. William Panek - May 23, 2017, Chicago

BroadwayWorld Chicago brings you 10 on Tuesday, featuring artists in and around the city. This week's questionnaire participant - Mr. Derek Van Barham!...

10 ON TUESDAY with Veronica Garza
by M. William Panek - May 16, 2017, Chicago

This week's 10 ON TUESDAY participant - recent Jeff Award nominee for her duel roles in Underscore Theatre Company's Tonya and Nancy: The Rock Opera, Veronica Garza!...

10 on Tuesday with Christea Parent
by Misha Davenport - May 09, 2017, Chicago

10 on Tuesday with Christea Parent...

10 on Tuesday with Royen Kent
by Misha Davenport - May 02, 2017, Chicago

10 on Tuesday with Royen Kent...

Lisa O'Hare and Bryce Pinkham Share Why It's 'Loverly' to Reunite for MY FAIR LADY
by Rachel Weinberg - April 28, 2017, Chicago

Shortly before performances began for MY FAIR LADY at Lyric Opera, I had the opportunity to sit down with Lisa O'Hare (Eliza Doolittle) and Bryce Pinkham (Freddy Eynsford-Hill) for a conversation backstage at the opera house. O'Hare and Pinkham are no strangers to working together, as they both orig...

10 on Tuesday with Molly LeCaptain
by Misha Davenport - April 25, 2017, Chicago

10 on Tuesday with Molly LeCaptain...

The Czyk In Podcast, Episode 12: Lane Anthony Flores And Rob Lindley of THE TEMPERAMENTALS at About Face Theatre
by Patrick Rybarczyk - February 03, 2017, Chicago

Patrick Rybarczyk, host of The Czyk In and Broadway World Chicago contributor, talks with Lane Anthony Flores and Rob Lindley both starring in About Face Theatre's production of Jon Marans' The Temperamentals. We discuss details about the Mattachine Society, the relevance of the show opening on inau...

Travis Turner Gears Up for an Outrageous Run of BOOTYCANDY at Windy City Playhouse
by Rachel Weinberg - January 27, 2017, Chicago

I had the chance to speak with local actor Travis Turner at Steppenwolf's Front Bar just before he began previews for BOOTYCANDY at Windy City Playhouse, in which he plays the lead role of Sutter. Over the past year, Turner has performed in The Second City's LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER! parody at Lyric O...

Chicago Native Artis Olds Returns to Stomping Ground for Limited Engagement of STOMP
by Kailey Hansen - November 22, 2016, Chicago

Rusty trash cans and old shopping carts become music in the 'international percussion sensation', Stomp. Coming to Chicago this holiday season is a unique musical experience that's sweeping the globe. Performer Artis Olds returns to his 'stomping ground' for a limited engagement at the Broadway Play...

Broadway's Kevin Kern Stars in FINDING NEVERLAND, Flying to Chicago This Fall
by Kailey Hansen - November 18, 2016, Chicago

Neverland is no longer the 'second star to the right and straight on till morning.' Instead, it's tucked into Chicago's Loop district on West Randolph Street. Fresh off a run on the Great White Way, Finding Neverland comes to the Windy City to share the story of J.M. Barrie, the writer behind the be...

An Exclusive Q&A with A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS's Veronica Garza
by Kailey Hansen - November 15, 2016, Chicago

What would Charlie Brown say to a cold Chicago winter? Probably, 'good grief!'...

ANNIE's Gilgamesh Taggett Discusses the Show's Hopeful 'American Spirit'
by Kailey Hansen - November 07, 2016, Chicago

This fall, Broadway's beloved classic finds a home in Chicago. Annie, Sandy and the gang appear at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for Annie's acclaimed national tour. Gilgamesh Taggett, the production's original Oliver Warbucks, joins Broadway World for an exclusive interview on bringing this heartfelt...

Melissa Glasgow Spreads Holiday Cheer in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL
by Kailey Hansen - November 01, 2016, Chicago

We all know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen--but they hardly compare to their red-nosed counterpart. The 'most famous reindeer of all' flies through Chicago this winter, and along with him comes a dose of incomparable holiday magic. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical brings this classic...

Broadway's Robert Petkoff Discusses the Meaningful Magic of FUN HOME
by Kailey Hansen - October 24, 2016, Chicago

For two weeks only, the biggest musical of 2015 takes up residence in the Windy City. Fun Home, based on Alison Bechdel's acclaimed graphic novel, brings a woman's memories to life as she looks back on her relationship with her father. Joining Broadway World for an exclusive interview is stage and s...

Winter Is Coming! Comedian Ali Brice Discusses Bringing GRAEME OF THRONES to the Windy City
by Kailey Hansen - October 18, 2016, Chicago

'Winter is coming' a little early this year. Graeme of Thrones, West End's hilarious parody of George R.R. Martin's smash-hit series, arrives in Chicago for a run that's as short as the lives of many characters on Game of Thrones....

Sarah Sirota of CHEERS LIVE Talks Bringing TV's Beloved Classic to the Stage
by Kailey Hansen - September 20, 2016, Chicago

'Wouldn't you like to get away?'...

Jerre Dye, Janice O'Neil, Erica Weiss, And Mike Dailey of DISTANCE at Strawdog Theatre Company
by Patrick Rybarczyk - September 06, 2016, Chicago

EPISODE 11 is now available! Hear my conversation with playwright Jerre Dye whose play Distance is currently making its world premiere at Strawdog Theatre Company. We're joined by director Erica Weiss and cast member Janice O'Neill. Strawdog ensemble member, Mike Dailey, also discusses the company's...

Lauren Molina Dishes on Broadway, The Skivvies, and Goodman's WONDERFUL TOWN
by Kailey Hansen - August 25, 2016, Chicago

In the upcoming revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1953 classic, Lauren Molina plays a young woman who dreams of making it big in New York City. In reality, she's swapped the Big Apple for the Windy City to star in Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman's production of Wonderful Town, premiering at the Goodma...