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

Chicago’s Best Broadway – 2019

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, United States

 Each year, Cultural Historian (and self-described Broadway nerd) Barry Bradford offers a fun, fast anddynamic program looking at some of the best Broadway musicals that will be playing in the Chicagoland area this year!   Every year brings a new … Continue reading

Fred Astaire – A Life in Film

Private Venue

Fred Astaire is rightfully considered by many critics to be the greatest dancer in the history of movies. Although the name of Fred Astaire is inevitably remembered alongside that of the underrated and glamorous singer/dancer Ginger Rogers, his career was … Continue reading

Holiday Inn The Irving Berlin Musical

Niles Senior Center 999 Civic Center Drive, Niles, IL, United States

Come and celebrate the holidays with the music of the incomparable Irving Berlin!  "Holiday Inn" is a brand-new stage adaptation of the timeless 1942 Irving Berlin omnibus musical movie. That classic film starred Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. The original "Holiday … Continue reading

Irving Berlin

Private Venue

Irving Berlin has often been called the most quintessentially American songwriter of all time. This is high praise for anyone – especially for an uneducated young immigrant from Russia who came to America not speaking a word of English. As … Continue reading

Chicago’s Best Broadway – 2019

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, United States

Each year, Cultural Historian (and self-described Broadway nerd) Barry Bradford offers a fun, fast anddynamic program looking at some of the best Broadway musicals that will be playing in the Chicagoland area this year!   Every year brings a new … Continue reading

George Gershwin

Private Venue

In a very short career, George Gershwin changed American music forever. He was one of the most beloved composers of music for Broadway. his songs and shows continue to be revived on the New York stage and in theaters around … Continue reading

Rodgers And Hammerstein

Private Venue

So just how good were Rodgers and Hammerstein? In a 16 year career, they wrote 11 musicals. Six of those musical are among the very best ever produced! The greatest  hits of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II include: √ … Continue reading

The Marx Brothers

Private Venue

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 … Continue reading

Best Of Recent Broadway – Part 1

Zoom

With Broadway shut down until next year, I want to share some of the best musicals to have played on 'The Great White Way' in the last five years. Today's session will feature the backstory, music and a critical review … Continue reading

The Marx Brothers

Private Venue

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 … Continue reading