At least twice a week, Comedy editor Steve Heisler and I would have to consult on some event for which both of us had received a press release. The question: Is this Comedy, or is it Theater? Which section should list it? Both? Who should review it?
For Steve’s final episode of BOTB before departing TOC for some awesome new frontiers, we decided to have this conversation in public. We invited Jennifer Estlin of the Annoyance Theatre (the home of many of the genre-straddling shows we had to argue over) and Eric Roach of the Factory Theater to help us figure out the problem—or to figure out if it’s really a problem at all. Later in the show, Jonathan welcomed Robbie Q. Telfer, host of The Encyclopedia Show poetry showcase, to read from his work.
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I’m having a hard time today focusing on anything that isn’t election-related. Luckily the latest episode of Back of the Book, TOC’s new podcast that goes behind the scenes in arts and culture, delves into what might wind up being this election’s defining theme: the financial collapse.
Comedy editor Steve Heisler and I talk to ComedySportz’s Greg Werstler and Court Theatre’s Adam Thurman about selling the performing arts in an economic downturn. Later, Jonathan welcomes Lindsay Hunter, founder of the Quickies! Reading Series, to read her short story “Baby.”
Listen to "Back of the Book" by clicking "Play in Popup" or "Download" below. You can also download this podcast through iTunes by clicking on this icon:
To subscribe to an RSS feed of past and future Back of the Book podcasts, click the button below.
Welcome to the Back of the Book. Every few weeks, three of our editors will talk about an issue that faces the arts scene here in Chicago, how it affects Books, Theater, Comedy and the city at large. In addition, we’ll welcome a guest each week to share a fresh perspective, as well as feature a performance from a local up-and-comer.
This week, Steve Heisler and Kris Vire go to the polls on election-themed comedy and theater events and why "political" shows usually aren’t very political; Steve talks to onetime SNL writer and Big News creator Michael McCarthy about doing news-driven comedy in the Daily Show age; and Jonathan Messinger welcomes author Keir Graff, who reads an excerpt from his political thriller One Nation, Under God.
Listen to "Back of the Book" by clicking "Play in Popup" or "Download" below. You can also download this podcast through iTunes by clicking on this icon:
To subscribe to an RSS feed of past and future Back of the Book podcasts, click the button below.
It’s a pretty regular occurrence around these parts: Books editor Jonathan Messinger and I (we share a cube) will start a discussion about a venue or artist in our particular field, and Theater writer Kris Vire will come by to weigh in. The more we talk, the more we realize that, hey, our disciplines have a lot in common. Then we go back to work.
But after enough of these chats (and the gentle prodding of Web editor Scott Smith), we decided to record ourselves and put the ensuing conversations on the Internet, as some sort of podular broadcast.
Welcome to the Back of the Book. Every few weeks, Jonathan, Kris and myself will talk about an issue that faces the arts scene here in Chicago and how it affects Books, Theater, Comedy and the city at large. In addition, we’ll welcome a guest each week to share a fresh perspective, as well as feature a performance from a local up-and-comer.
First up: How hometown independent businesses can compete with huge corporate entities, a few words with Irasema Gonzalez, owner of Pilsen bookstore Tianguis, and a track from Rogers Park native John Roy’s forthcoming stand-up album.
Listen to "Back of the Book" by clicking "Play in Popup" or "Download" below. You can also download this podcast through iTunes by clicking on this icon:
