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

Audra McDonald (PM)

Zoom

Audra McDonald is a phenomenally talented singer. Her range is otherworldly! The amazing Audra McDonald has sung everything from Broadway to popular music to opera and earned acclaim at every turn. Audra Mcdonald is also a passionately committed humanitarian, recognized … Continue reading

Broadway 2022

North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

  The situation on Broadway has been very fluid with some long-running shows closing, new shows opening, and popular shows going on hiatus during outbreaks of COVID. However, Broadway audiences are being treated to some of the best plays and … 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

Audra McDonald

Private Venue

Audra McDonald is a phenomenally talented singer. Her range is otherworldly! The amazing Audra McDonald has sung everything from Broadway to popular music to opera and earned acclaim at every turn. Audra Mcdonald is also a passionately committed humanitarian, recognized … Continue reading

Broadway 2022

Northbrook Senior Center 3323 Walters Ave, Northbrook, United States

  The situation on Broadway has been very fluid with some long-running shows closing, new shows opening, and popular shows going on hiatus during outbreaks of COVID. However, Broadway audiences are being treated to some of the best plays and … Continue reading

Women Writers Of Broadway Musicals

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With a few noticeable exceptions, writing lyrics for Broadway has been the domain of men.  Oscar Hammerstein. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Irving Berlin. Stephen Sondheim. Call Porter. All were great! But it is no longer just a man's world! Today, we feature … Continue reading

Irving Berlin

Cook Memorial Library 413 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, United States

Irving Berlin has often been called the quintessential 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 with … Continue reading

Rodgers And Hammerstein

Cook Memorial Library 413 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, United States

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

Women Writers Of Broadway Musicals

North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, Northfield

With a few noticeable exceptions, writing lyrics for Broadway has been the domain of men.  Oscar Hammerstein. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Irving Berlin. Stephen Sondheim. Call Porter. All were great! But it is no longer just a man's world! Today, we feature … Continue reading