Click on any entry in Barry Bradford’s Speaking Schedule for full details.

  • Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius

    North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

     Gracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television and film. And yet if I asked you to name the greatest comedienne's of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading

  • Ask A Broadway Star Anything

    North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

    If you love theater, this is a fabulous opportunity - your chance to ask a Broadway star anything! Megan Sikora is one of Broadway's most popular performers! She is the first winner of the Chita Rivera Award, given to the … Continue reading

  • Mel Brooks

    Private Venue

    Mel Brooks wrote, directed, and starred in some of the funniest movies of all time. He even wrote the music for them! As a TV writer, working for the great Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks contributed to perhaps the funniest TV … Continue reading

  • Steve Martin

    Lake Forest Library 360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL, United States

    A common cliché in show business is to refer to someone as "one of a kind." Often that is hyperbole. But in the case of Steve Martin, it is literally true! There is no one who has a skill set … Continue reading

  • The Life Of Robin Williams

    Private Venue

    The Life Of Robin Williams Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians of all time.  His improvisational skills were almost other-worldly!  Yet behind the comic persona lay a complex man- intensely charitable and compassionate but plagued by insecurity, battling addictions, and … Continue reading

  • The Marx Brothers

    Highland Park Country Club 1201 Park Avenue West, Highland Park IL, IL, United States

    The Marx Brothers were much, much better than you remember! Their humor uplifted American spirits during the Depression and established new standards for comedy. The Marx Brothers' combination of odd and unique talents, including a harp-playing mime, a Jewish comic … Continue reading

  • Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius

    Highland Park Country Club 1201 Park Avenue West, Highland Park IL, IL, United States

     Gracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television, and film. And yet if I asked you to name the greatest comedienne's of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading

  • Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius

    Private Venue

    Gracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television, and film. And yet, if I asked you to name the greatest comediennes of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    Private Venue

    Not only did Mary Tyler Moore “turn the world on with her smile,” as her iconic show’s theme song declared, she also influenced a generation of women to become more independent and to pursue successful and fulfilling careers. Moore’s own 50-plus-year … Continue reading

  • Bob Newhart

    Deerfield Public Library 920 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL, United States

    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 were legendary. … Continue reading