It's Showtime with Rikki Lee

Chicago’s The Annoyance Theatre has a history of creating iconic comedic gems that audiences can’t get enough of. Over the years the company has been home to such long-running hits as “Co-Ed Prison Sluts”, “Shark Tank the Musical”, and “The Real Live Brady Bunch”. A new comedy “The Little Orphan Boy” is promising to be the next big thing at The Annoyance. A musical parody of all orphans alone in the world making good stories such as “Annie”, “Oliver”, and “James and the Giant Peach”, this wacky comedic delight was such a hit that it's already on its second run and plans are in the works to bring it back again! Find out why! On this episode of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, cast members Chris Dritsas, Andrew Freeland, and Zach Hacker join host Rikki Lee Travolta to describe what is making this show so popular! In addition to being in the cast, Chris and Zach are also co-writers of the script, with music by John Love. “The Little Orphan Boy” plays at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago every Saturday through May 25, 2024. For tickets visit www.TheAnnoyance.com.

Sarah Sapperstein is a premier leading lady in Chicago’s vibrant fine arts community. She has appeared in over 100 Chicago-area theatre, musical theatre, opera, and cabaret productions since transplanting to the Windy City. On this episode of It's Showtime with Rikki Lee, the Life and Times Heartstrings Award-winning actress sits down with host Rikki Lee Travolta to explore her story as an artist. It’s a thought-provoking investigation that includes how she got her start, her approach to character development, and what attracts her to a project. One area they also explore is how she is able to work in such diverse musical styles as musical theatre, opera, and rock opera. Of great importance in their talk is being true to yourself including when embracing nontraditional casting opportunities. It's a fascinating interview with the star of such projects as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Doubt, Ragtime, Music Man, Into the Woods, Cabaret, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Take this opportunity to get to know the human side of one of Chicago's top talents.

"Steel Magnolias" is an American comedy-drama play about a group of women who congregate at the local hair salon in the south – Louisiana to be specific. It opened Off-Broadway in 1987 and had a star-studded film adaptation in 1989 featuring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah. Director Pat Henderson is now staging a dynamic production of "Steel Magnolias" at Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Featuring some of the Chicago suburbs strongest talents, the production manages to succeed as both a gripping tear-jerker and a playful comedy. "Steel Magnolias" runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Steel Beam Theatre through May 12. For tickets visit www.SteelBeamTheatre.com. On this episode of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, host Rikki Lee Travolta is joined by director Pat Henderson and two of the stars of "Steel Magnolias" – Alexus Buford and Julie Utrup-O’Nan. The group discusses what goes into casting and producing a production like this, the character development process, and why this powerful interpretation of "Steel Magnolias" is going to be so rewarding to audiences.

Texas is known for its barbecue and prime meats. Celebrity chef Robbie Shoults of Bear Creek Smokehouse in East Texas is a key example of why. Robbie is the third-generation owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse. He has been featured on the TODAY show and Rachel Ray. He is a five-time guest judge on The Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. His recipes have been featured on Yahoo.com, Taste of Home, The Food Network, and Meat + Poultry. In short, Robbie knows his way around the kitchen. Beyond being just a great cook and popular television personality, Robbie Shoults is an astute businessman. He has put the family smokehouse business on the map with the addition of a General Store that attracts shoppers from all over area. Online shoppers are just as ravenous in shopping for Bear Creek’s signature smoked meats and other delicacies and delights. On this episode of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, Robbie discusses the many attributes of Bear Creek Smokehouse, its online store, specialty holiday smoked turkeys, and the Cottage at the Creek five-star vacation property. For more information on Robbie Shoults and Bear Creek Smokehouse visit www.BearCreekSmokehouse.com. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of Robbie’s cookbook: Bear Bottom Bliss featuring 80 years of family recipes.

Taking a well-known story and presenting it from an alternative point of view can result in great entertainment. For its current production, Idle Muse Theater is presenting the original play "What the Weird Sisters Saw", an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”- as told from the perspective of the story’s witches. On this episode of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, artistic director Evan Jackson sits down with host Rikki Lee Travolta to discuss the Idle Muse “graphic novel on stage” approach to theatre, the core actors that make up the company’s talented ensemble, and the current production of “What the Weird Sisters Saw” playing through April 14, 2024 at The Edge Off-Broadway. It’s a very fun and informative half-hour getting to know one of Chicago’s premier theatre troupes and the process of reimagining the classics. For tickets to “What the Weird Sisters Saw” visit www.IdleMuse.org or call the box office at (773) 340-9438.