Actor Jeffrey Carlson is leading the cast of the Goodman Theatre’s Measure for Measure. This radical take on the Shakespeare classic by Robert Falls is sure to entertain audiences with its dark comedy. He portrays Lucio a link between the underworld and high society.
Jeffrey may be remembered for his important part in All My Children as the rock star Zarf then revealed to be a transgender woman Zoe who was a lesbian. The show won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Daily Drama in the process.
Carlson is classically trained studied in Julliard. He debuted on Broadway in Albert Albee’s The Goat or Who is Sylvia? with Bill Pullman and Sally Field. He played Marilyn in Boy George’s Taboo where he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.
He is no stranger to Shakespeare with performances in Washington D.C. in Hamlet among many others. Carlson brings this experience to the current production where Nunn went backstage to explore his journey to this production.
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Jeffrey. Your story is interesting since birth. I read your mom was an All My Children fan.
Jeffrey Carlson: Yes, she named me after Dr. Jeff Martin then many years later I wound up on the show!
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The Jim Henson Company has a brand new bag called Stuffed and Unstrung, a new live show where six puppeteers and host Patrick Bristow create a brand new comedy every night.
Patrick is the co-creator along with Brian Henson, the son of Jim Henson, as well as being the director and host. This master improviser has appeared in a many television shows such as Ellen, Seinfeld, and Friends. His film credits include Twilight of the Golds, Austin Powers, and Showgirls among others.
Windy City Times went to meet the host with the most who plays on our team.
Jerry Nunn: Hey, Patrick. Did you grow up loving puppets?
Patrick Bristow: As much as any kid did with The Muppets but I never thought I would be working with puppets let alone with the Henson Company. When the chance came to teach some improv classes to the puppeteers, I thought it would be fun. I knew I would have to match up improv skills with the limitations of what a puppeteer does. For an improvisation teacher who was with The Groundlings for years this was a new area for me to explore.
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Actor extraordinaire Wade McCollum is heading to town in a dress made of flip-flops and a song in his heart. Starring as Tick/Mitzi in the first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert should come easy to the talented performer with a strong background.
He’s been seen in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Angels in America, The SantaLand Diaries, and Dracula.
Adapted from the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the musical version tells the story of two drag queens and a transsexual hitting the road together for a gig in Alice Springs a resort town in Australia. Along the way they encounters crazy characters, lots of adventures all the while keeping it a gay old time.
Nunn talked to Wade about wigs on a Wednesday before the show wafted into town.
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Wade. How did you career get started?
Wade McCollum: I dropped out of high school to become a professional actor. I went to school in Ashland, Oregon and that is where the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is. They taught a class when I was a junior then I realized that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I have worked ever since. It was a lightning bolt. When you find your calling you find your calling!
How I got from role to role is hard to explain. It is such a nonlinear bizarre path. It has been quite an adventure.
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Rock of Ages has taken over this summer both on the big screen and on stage. Chicago is lucky enough to have a nine-week run of the live production.
Set in 1987 at a bar called The Bourbon Room on the Sunset Strip, the story follows rocker Drew Boley and newcomer Sherrie Christian on their quest for love and music.
Nunn talked to Chris Sams who plays the Mayor in this production who just so happens to be openly gay in real life.
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Chris. So you are originally from Texas. Did you go to school there for theater?
Chris Sams: No I did not. Both of my degrees are in speech communications.
JN: How did you wind up in this show then?
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Chicago’s very own magician Luis Carreon brings a special two night show entitled Bending Minds and Bending Dreams to the Magic, Inc. stage this week.
This new generation of magician hails straight from Mexico City combining mental feats as well as old school card tricks. He has appeared on Tengo Talento, the Spanish language equivalent of America’s Got Talent as well as an upcoming episode of Sabado Gigante. Carreon has performed for Shakira, Jim Carrey, and even the master himself Chris Angel.
We visited the illusionist at the magic store to see what tricks he has up his sleeve.
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Luis. Where are from originally?
LC: (Luis Carreon) I was born in Mexico City. I came to the United States around the age of nine. I am 23 now.
How long have you been making magic?
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One of the most beloved television programs in history has been playing to packed houses down at the Broadway Playhouse. I Love Lucy Live transports audiences back in time where they become part of the show watching it filmed as if they were at a live taping in California set in the ‘50s.
This flashback variety show reenacts two episodes from the actual TV sitcom set at the Tropicana Nightclub and the home of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Of course their neighbors Ethel and Fred Mertz are around to add to the hijinks and laughter. This version has been extended since last year thanks to the Lucy lovers and a fun trip down memory lane.
We sat down with Bill Mendieta, who plays the unforgettable Ricky to learn about the man behind the accent.
Extra: Hi, Bill. You are originally from San Francisco?
Bill Mendieta: I was born there and my family still lives there. I try to go back often. I have a big family. They were all involved in arts, music, and dancing. My parents watched classic movies and television so it is fitting I am in this show.
Did you always want to perform?
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The Book of Mormon may refer to the sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement in some circles but in Broadway’s case it’s a hit Tony Award winning musical. From the twisted minds of the creators of South Park and Avenue Q, this production not only took home Best Musical from the Tonys but also won a Grammy that year.
The story revolves around two Mormon missionaries sent to a village in Uganda to convert locals. Things go awry when the village people are more concerned about war, famine and AIDS than being converted.
Ben Platt plays Elder Cunningham, one of the missionaries sent to Uganda with a love for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings that he mixes with religion. Platt recently made his cinematic debut in Pitch Perfect and has nationally toured with the musical Caroline, or Change.
We talked to him right before he arrived for the huge Chicago opening.
Jerry Nunn: Hello, Ben. What is your acting history?
Ben Platt: I’m from LA. My whole family grew up there. My dad was in business. Everyone sang and performed growing up. I was singing as young as three and four years old doing show tunes in school. I then grew into working at the few venues that they have there for theater in LA. As I got older I started venturing into New York more often doing readings and workshops. I did a tour of Caroline, or Change. I took time off to do the movie Pitch Perfect and now doing Book of Mormon.
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