Click on any entry in Barry Bradford’s Speaking Schedule for full details.
Cultural History
Dick Van Dyke Show: Leading Television Into The 60s
North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, NorthfieldThe Dick Van Dyke Show is well remembered as one of the wittiest situation comedies in the history of television. What is less well remembered is that Carl Reiner's creation was a tremendously influential but deceptive innovator. The DIck Van … Continue reading
Barry’s Broadway Blockbusters Part I
Fremont Public Library 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, United StatesThis is a program that I am so excited about! Barry's Broadway blockbuster part one will look at some of the show-stopping moments on Broadway in the last 25 years. In this exciting brand-new program, cultural historian and Broadway maven … Continue reading
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Northbrook Senior Center 3323 Walters Ave, Northbrook, United StatesMore than just a TV classic, The Mary Tyler Moore Show changed the landscape of television and inspired audiences with its portrayal of a single, career-driven woman finding her way in a big city. Mary Tyler Moore didn’t just “turn … Continue reading
Sid Caesar – The Meteoric Career Of A Comic Genius
Private VenueSid Caesar: King Of Comedy
Sid Caesar may be the funniest man ever to appear on his own television show. Certainly no one ever had a greater writing team then he did. Sid Caesar’s television shows raised to the standards of television comedy to a level that you have ever been able to approach. Yet his personal life was very different than his successful land funny public persona. The hilarious film clips in this multimedia presentation will help you appreciate his comic genius. The story of his life will fascinate you as he spent so many years fighting demons that threatened to destroy him. You will definitely come away with a greater understanding and a deeper appreciation of the genius of Sid Caesar.
Jack Benny
North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, NorthfieldJack Benny holds two unique and quite wonderful distinctions. First, Jack Benny is almost universally regarded by critics, contemporaries and historians as having the best comic timing of any performer in show business. Jack Benny's ability to take a pause, … Continue reading
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau – The Odd Couple Of Comedy!
Private VenueIndividually, they were two of the best screen actors of their generation. Collectively they were one of the greatest movie teams of all time! Like Fred and Ginger, Tracy and Hepburn, Burns and Allen, when you think of one, you … Continue reading
The History Of Santa Claus!
Addolorata Villa 555 McHenry Rd, Wheeling, ILCome and learn the fascinating history of Santa Claus Who doesn't love Santa Claus? Even in countries like Japan, that don't celebrate Christmas, the visage of Jolly old Santa is well known to the public. Although Santa's origins can be … Continue reading
Irving Berlin Holiday Inn
UniperCome and celebrate the holidays with Holiday Inn The Irving Berlin Musical, featuring music from the incomparable Irving Berlin! "Holiday Inn" is a brand-new stage adaptation of the timeless 1942 great Irving Berlin omnibus musical movie. That classic film starred Fred Astaire … Continue reading
Bob Newhart
Private VenueLIVE EVENT: Bob Newhart turned 93 on September 5, 2022. He is a living legend and widely regarded as one of the nicest men in Hollywood history. Two of his sitcoms became iconic, and his appearances on the Tonight Show … Continue reading
The History Of Santa Claus!
UniperCome and learn the fascinating history of Santa! Who doesn't love Santa Claus? Although Santa's origins can be traced to a religious figure (Saint Nicholas) in Christian lore, over the years Santa Claus has morphed into a universally recognized symbol of kindness, … Continue reading