Conversations With Ed Tracy

Comedian Tom Dreesen joins the conversation to talk about 48 years in show business and counting, including 14 years on tour with Frank Sinatra and over 60 appearances on the Tonight Show.  Season 2 Episode 21 | Originally published August 3, 2017 

Legendary comedian Tom Dreesen talks about classmates, growing up and his first date.

Comedian Tom Dreesen talks about life lessons from his high school football coach, why he likes playing golf with Joe Pesci and mortality. 

Shattered Globe’s Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner joined the conversation to talk about her career, True West and what’s ahead. Season 1 Episode 8 | Originally published August 24, 2016

As successful social media entrepreneurs, bloggers and cook book authors, Kit Graham and Jocelyn Delk Adams, know a thing or two about “likes” and “followers.” Both joined the conversation to discuss their careers in food, travel and beyond.  Season 1 Episode 2 | Originally published July 8, 2016 

Sheldon Patinkin helped shape the Chicago comedy and theater scene as a writer, performer and director starting in the 1950s. He joined the conversation in 2013 to discuss his wide-ranging career, the development of The Second City and many of the extraordinary comedians he has worked with over the years.  Originally published September 19, 2013 

Long-time Chicago playwright and actor James Sherman sat down for a conversation at the Skokie Theatre to discuss his production The Ben Hecht Show.  Originally published June 29, 2016 | Season 1 Episode 6 

Actor Randall Newsome joins the conversation in advance of the opening of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! at Goodman Theatre to discuss O'Neill's work, his career and the unique skills he developed as a circus clown that have helped him along the way.  Season 2 Episode 19 | Originally published June 29, 2017 

Lookinglass co-founder and director David Catlin, adapted the high-flying, critically-acclaimed stage version of the Herman Melville classic Moby Dick in 2015. With the show now returning to Chicago after a national tour, David Catlin joined the conversation to discuss his early influences and the fascinating collaborative process behind the company's ambitious and powerful production. Season 2 Episode 20 | Originally published June 29, 2017

Ron Keaton, producer, actor and writer of the acclaimed Churchill one-man show was our first guest for Conversations with Ed Tracy at the Skokie Theatre. Ron discussed his long-time acting career, future goals for SoloChicago and performed a monologue from his 2015 Joseph Jefferson Award-winning performance of Churchill. Season 1 Episode 1 | Originally published July 28, 2016

John Zukowsky, Lee Bey and Rolf Achilles joined the conversation at the national launch of Building Chicago to discuss the evolving landscape of Chicago architecture in the 20th century.  Season 1 Episode 14 | Originally published November 10, 2016 

Bestselling author Steve Hamilton joins the conversation this week to discuss his new book in the Nick Mason series, Exit Strategy, the upcoming Lionsgate film project to be filmed in Chicago and what is it about the turbulent and violent world of Nick Mason that keeps us coming back for more. Season 2 Episode 18 | Originally published May 17, 2017

Actor and singer Evan Tyrone Martin joined the conversation to discuss his title role in the smash hit production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Paramount Theatre.  Season 2 Episode 17 | Originally published May 10, 2017

Actor and educator Kathleen Ruhl joined the conversation to discuss a Chicago theatrical career that spans five decades and the role that her daughter, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee, Sarah Ruhl, wrote for her about her family in For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday.  Season 2 Episode 16 | Originally published May 3, 2017

Paul Becker, the fourth generation in his family to make Becker violins and cellos, joined the conversation to talk about the extraordinary precision required in making Becker instruments and his family's remarkable legacy. Season 2 Episode 13 | Originally published April 13, 2017 

Actor and comedian Ed Kross joined the conversation to give an inside look on his career that has spanned improv on a cruise ship, theatre all over Chicago, a couple of high-profile film turns with Tom Hanks and George Clooney and lots of commercial work for one of Chicago's most gifted comic talents. Season 2 Episode 14 | Originally published April 20, 2017

Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet, joined the conversation to talk about the ever-evolving nature of ballet and the world-renowned choreographers assembled for Global Visionaries at the Auditorium Theatre.  Season 2 Episode 15 | Originally published April 25, 2017

Singer Robert Sims joined the conversation following a concert appearance in Detroit to talk about how his career was influenced by Robeson and Hayes and the challenges they faced breaking down barriers.  Season 2 Episode 3 | Originally published February 8, 2017

One of Chicago's most gifted jazz singers and vocal coaches, Elaine Dame, joined the conversation recorded at Winter’s Jazz Club to talk about her influences, career and future performances.  Season 2 Episode 12 | Originally published April 6, 2017

Legendary Irish musician John Williams joined the conversation just prior to a community session with a dozen musicians at the Celtic Knot in Chicago to talk about growing up in a musical family and how his music has served as a bridge to the past for the next generation. Season 2 Episode 8 | Originally published March 8, 2017