Out Chicago (Full Episodes)

On this week's show: – Anthony Rapp, star of “ Anthony Rapp: Home for the Holidays ,” December 17-20 at The Joan & Paul Theatre in Chicago – Colin Kelty, co-founder of  Stars & Garters  retro entertainment venue (3914 N. Clark St. in Chicago) Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/...

On this week's show: – Singer-songwriter Paul Williams (rebroadcast of a previous “Out Chicago” interview) – Christopher Pazdernik, Jeff Award-winning director and producer, and managing director of  Season of Concern , an organization founded in 1987 to support Chicago theater practitioners afflicted with AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses; today they act as the short-te...

On this week's show: – Asher McMaher, executive director of Trans Up Front IL – Tara Mallen, artistic director of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble , on their 30th anniversary season and December 9 benefit screening of “ Ghostlight ” – Paul Oakley Stovall of Writers Theatre, which is performing “ As You Like It ” through December 14 Catch “Out Chicago&rdquo...

On this week's show: – Karen Reitan, president and CEO of the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago – Lesley Ann Warren,‬ Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, who is hosting “ Clue: The Movie 40th Anniversary Screening ,” November 16 at Chicago’s Studebaker Theater –  Russell Thomas  of Lyric Opera of Chicago; he is currently appearing in “...

On this week's show: – John Waters – Chase Glenn, new executive director of the  GenderCool Project – Tim Rhoze and Bria Walker-Rhoze of “ The Baldwin|Giovanni Experience ,” which will have its world premier at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, November 1-16 Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT  (heartlan...

On this week's show: – Jess Wilcox, curator of Wrightwood 659’s “ Scott Burton: Shape Shift ,” a comprehensive look at artist Scott Burton, who blurred the boundaries between art and design, identity and public space – Marielle Kraft, indie-pop singer-songwriter who  performs at Schubas Tavern  in Chicago on October 23; her new, debut album is “ The Ri...

On this week's show: – Kathy Tholin, chair of the Indivisible Chicago  Alliance – Miz Cracker, RuPaul’s Drag Race star, who returns to Chicagoland with an all-new Halloween spectacular,  Crack-O-Lantern: Things that Scare Me , 10/25 – Eileen Dixon, director/co-adapter of Redtwist Theatre’s “ Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You’ve Never Hea...

On this week's show: – Madison  Alderperson Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford , 2026 candidate for Wisconsin Assembly – Jessica Esquivel, Ph. D., co-founder of Oyanova Enterprises –  Sasha Velour , gender-fluid drag queen and visual artist – Alison Gash,  professor of political science  at the University of Oregon,  contributor  to The Washington M...

On this week's show: – John Parker and Jim Pounds, co-hosts of " The Gaily Show " on WCPT 820 – JJ Niemann, star of "Catch Me If You Can," playing at the Marriott Theatre through October 19 – Jen Kober, actor and comedian; she plays Zanies Rosemont October 1  Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/ou...

On this week's show: – “Gangsta Baby” playwright and actor Cameron Rasdaal-Monro and director Rikki Beadle-Blair. Open Space Arts  is presenting the American premiere of the London hit September 19-October 5. – Jeffrey McHale, director of “ It’s Dorothy ,” playing Sunday, September 21, as the Documentary Centerpiece of  Reeling 2025: The Chicago...

Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are: – Ceramic artists and community organizers Lesley Bevan and Susan McBride; they talk about Pots to the People: Seconds for the First Amendment , happening Saturday, September 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Countess Luann de Lesseps, who brings her show " Marry F Kill " to Chicago's Vic Theatre, Saturday, Se...

On this week's show: – Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Equality Illinois – Ellen Krug , trans activist, lawyer, author of "Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change" and "Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life" – Hayley Rice, artistic director of Babes with Blades Theatre Company , which presents the Fighting Words Festival , September 6-7 and September 13-14 Ca...

On this week's show: – Alison Gash,  professor of political science  at the University of Oregon,  contributor  to The Washington Monthly, and  co-founder/president  of OurSchool, a nurturing and creative anti-racist space for LGBTQ+ young people – Anjali Bhimani of “ Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern ,” now playing at Broadway in...

On this week's show: – Chicago’s very own Brandon Lee Harris, star of the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical “ MJ ,” returning to Chicago for a run at the Nederlander Theatre, August 12-31 – Suzie Toot, tap dancing star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, the Queen of She Already Done Had Herses, and the star of the queer horror film “Big Easy Queens&rd...

On this week's show, Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Tania Richard and their guests are: - Allie N. Steve Mullen of " Dear Steve . . . It's Allie ," a "a theatrical autobiography told with songs and stories and pictures," at The Steppenwolf August 8 and 9 - Griffin Binnicker, cast member in " Parade ," Aug 5-17 at CIBC Theatre - Jonathan "Jojo" Alsberry and Michael Anderson of Dance For Life...

On this week's show: – State Sen. Mike Simmons  (D-IL),  candidate  for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois –  Sasha Velour , gender-fluid drag queen and visual artist performing  “The Big Reveal Live Show” at Steppenwolf , August 1-3 –  Brooke Eden , country artist performing August 9 at  Northalsted Market Days Catch “Ou...

On this week's show: – Chilina Kennedy, star of " Billie Jean ," playing through August 10 at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre – William Lindsey Cochran of Great Moments in Vinyl ; they'll be performing music of The Police August 7 at Evanston SPACE . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the...

On this week's show: - Caleb Mathura, cast member of "Always Something There . . ." at the Marriott Theatre through August 10 - Charles Askenaizer, director of Invictus Theatre Co Chicago's "Angels in America," playing through September 7 - Michael Herrman , chief executive officer of Chicago House Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsigna...

On this week's show: – Jack Schneider, assistant curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art ‘s new exhibit, “ City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago ” – Zahra Baker and Shanta Nurullah, co-creators and performers in “ OM Mission ,” playing through June 28th at the  About Face Theatre – Manny Petty and Queeny from  Thirst Trap Sa...

On this week's show: - Regene Odon, cast member in the touring company of " Kimberly Akimbo ," the Tony Award-winning musical playing at the  CIBC Theatre through June 22nd. - Leah Rauch, education director at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center ,  which on June 19th hosts author Wendy Holden for a powerful conversation about her new novel, "The Teacher of Auschwitz,"...

On this week's show: - Melissa McMahon of Woodstock Pride - Austin Nelson Jr, cast member in " 42 Balloons ," playing through June 29 at Chicago Shakespeare - Ricky Sim , star of the comedy solo show "Coming Out To Dead People" at the Annoyance Theatre June 14 - Charlie Wein, director of marketing and communications for the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, talking about Midsommarfest , June 13-1...

"Out Chicago" is live at the Buffalo Grove Pride parade and show hosts Ken Mejia-Beal, Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by: - Peter Thaddeus, artist and Youth Outlook lead - Allie Gillies Palatine, volunteer and advocate for many causes and mom to a trans daughter who helps other parents to navigate - Kristal Larson, the first trans elected official in Lake County - Kevin Morrison, Cook Coun...

On this week's show: - Tracy Baim, co-founder and owner of Windy City Times, talking about " Windy City Times @40: Breaking News. Breaking Silence. " The exhibit opens May 30 at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. - Spencer Tweedy , musician - Kristal Larson , executive director of LGBTQ+ Center Lake County Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartla...

On this week's show: - Chicago Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward) - Ilesa Duncan, executive and producing director at Pegasus Theatre Chicago and director of " Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery ," playing through June 15 - Will Wilhelm, co-creator/performer in " Gender Play, or what you Will ," playing through May 24 at the Steppenwolf Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:...

On this week's show: - Actor Mark David Kaplan, star of " Titanic: The Musical ," playing at the Marriott Theater through June 1     - Ed Hall, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre artistic director, on the 2025/2026 season, which will feature a new play about tennis legend Billie Jean King and the U.S. premiere of " Broke Back Mountain ."   Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from...