Chicago Shakes

Shannon Cochran’s ‘Paranormal’

Stage actor Shannon Cochran (August: Osage County) brings her horror movie bona fides (The Ring; The Hand That Rocks The Cradle) to the phenomenal new stage play Paranormal Activity, an original new story based on the successful film franchise now running at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (followed by the Ahmanson Theatre in LA, American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and the Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington DC). Shannon discusses the precision with which playwright Levi Holloway and director Felix Barrett ratchet up the tension; how everyone has demonic qualities they struggle to suppress (or, as actors, tap into); how to not play the ending; the importance of keeping audiences literally and metaphorically in the dark; and how making audiences laugh in a theatre is not even as great as making audiences jump, scream, and then laugh in a theatre! (Length 20:13)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:13 — 23.2MB)

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By austin, ago

Rome Sweet Rome

The Q Brothers Collective (Othello: The Remix; Funk It Up About Nothing) have created Rome Sweet Rome, a wild and satirical new “add-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar now running at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through October 19, 2025. Bri Sudia and Danielle Davis are stand-out members of a glorious ensemble, and they discuss how they’ve gotten comfortable with rapping and the “Q Vibe”; how having a percussion background really helps; how joy and satire are sometimes the only tools we have in troubled times; and how a comedy about the unintended consequences of political violence feels more necessary than ever. (Length 13:40)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:40 — 15.7MB)

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By austin, ago

Writing ‘Billie Jean’

Playwright Lauren Gunderson returns to discuss her new play Billie Jean, about tennis and civil rights legend Billie Jean King, now having its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Gunderson reflects on the similarities between sports and theatre and how they inform this spectacular new work; its surprisingly fast and enviable development process; the parallels to her earlier plays; the echoes of Shakespeare’s Henry V and how Wimbledon resembles Agincourt; and how Billie Jean, as Brandi Carlile said, “came out at 50 so that come out at 15.” (Length 18:56) (PICTURED: Chilina Kennedy as Billie Jean King in Chicago Shakespeare’s world premiere production of Billie Jean by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Marc Bruni. Running July 18–August 10, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Photo by Justin Barbin.)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:56 — 21.8MB)

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By austin, ago

Playing Bilbo Baggins

Fresh off its successful run at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale opens this week in Auckland, New Zealand, and Rick Hall discusses the challenges and pleasures of playing J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbit hero. Rick reveals the education he’s received in Middle-earth and the pride he feels in no longer being a bit of an idiot; the struggle of getting your high school trombone lip back; the fun of jumping through traps and making eight-second costume changes; getting real-time notes from the audience; lengthy discussions about hobbit feet; and the emotional power of a small(ish) ensemble telling an epic tale. (Length 20:59) (PICTURED: Spencer Davis Milford (l) as Frodo and Rick Hall (r) as Bilbo in rehearsal for The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, directed by Paul Hart. Photo by Liz Lauren, courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:59 — 24.1MB)

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By austin, ago

The RSC’s ‘Pericles’

Tamara Harvey, the new co-artistic director of the “other” RSC – the Royal Shakespeare Company – discusses her exquisite production of Pericles, and how it came to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and speaks to our current moment on both side of the Atlantic. Tamara reveals how Shakespeare’s characters navigate different kinds of leadership; how she and her co-artistic director Daniel Evans hope to reach across borders and collaborate with international artists; how the challenges of the play felts like a gift; her genius solution to the narrator; how she feels in collaboration with Shakespeare, and how his Pericles weaves a unique spell; and the vital importance of giving audiences badly-needed hope and joy. (Length 18:23)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:23 — 21.1MB)

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By austin, ago

Daniel Breaker’s ‘Judgment’

Daniel Breaker (Billions, Girls5eva) is appearing in Judgment Day in its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in a production starring Jason Alexander. Daniel (above left, opposite Alexander) talks about discovering the fun and function of the role in the room, and how he loves experimenting in the science lab of comedy; then shares his love for the next great American play; his surprising inspiration for Donkey, the role he originated in Shrek The Musical; the important distinction of being raised Baptist rather than Catholic; how and why he found so much humor playing Aaron Burr in Hamilton on tour and Broadway; and the relaxed pleasure of sitting in “the Adirondack chair of acting”. (Length 17:54) (Photos by Liz Lauren)

Podcast: Download (20.6MB)

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By austin, ago

CST’s Edward Hall

Edward Hall, the new artistic director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, discusses his return to Chicago and his new production of Richard III, starring Tony Award-nominated actor and double-amputee Paralympian medal-winning athlete Katy Sullivan in the title role. Edward reveals what went into his choice of play (and actor); the beauty of happy accidents and wonder of actor-driven Shakespeare; how Shakespeare’s plays are endlessly intriguing and endlessly relevant; the challenge of showing the things we’re saying; the musicality of the American approach to Shakespeare’s verse; inspiration from Game of Thrones, Succession and The Bear; and embracing the Chicago ethos of ensemble and the improv rule of making your scene partner look better. (Length 19:09)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 19:09 — 22.0MB)

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By austin, ago

Episode 597. Lady Macbeth Herself

Chaon Cross plays Lady Macbeth in the exciting and literally magical production of the Scottish play directed by Aaron Posner and Teller in the current production at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and discusses the challenges of finding the balance between the textual and theatrical and between character and razzmatazz; the difficulties of acting while performing magic; the art of creating a useful backstory; the pitfalls of human desires: the glory of creating a world; the relative usefulness of politics; and the surprising delight of speaking with Lady She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. (Length 21:16)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 21:16 — 24.7MB)

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By austin, ago