AN IRREVERENT AND FUN LOOK AT THE ARTS
Playtime with Bill Turck & Kerri Kendall (Sundays from 1pm-3pm CST) takes an irreverent look at the arts and how the arts can change the world. Find out why this award-winning show has grown a national and international audience. From music, photography, the visual arts, poetry, film, theater, dance, comedy and writing, “Playtime” brings you celebrity guests and aspiring-to-be-celebrity new artists and writers, helpful how-to’s, and more from around the world. Plus your radio catharsis #BlameBill, Bishop Lainie Petersen's exclusive Theater Report, Megan Williamson on galleries and art spaces, Chloe Fourte on film, Chip Ratliff with “Practice Your Purpose,” and more.
It’s radio with a purpose. Something to think about. Something to feel good about.
“Playtime with Bill Turck and Kerri Kendall” airs live Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Central. Also catch the Facebook Live feed. Find episodes below.
Like others in the creative arts, “"Playtime” has been directly affected by COVID-19. We rely on advertisers like Ravinia, Eckhartz Press, The Chicago Writers Association, Rascal Martinez, Hilton / Asmus Contemporary, and many of the great theaters around Chicagoland for advertising. Many of those friends have had to shut their doors and await an uncertain future.
“Playtime” is a one-of-a-kind program and your consistent voice for the arts. Please consider supporting us in this time of need by visiting our Patreon page.
WE THANK OUR SPONSORS
ABOUT KERRI & BILL
Bill Turck is the author of more than five books, an artist, critically acclaimed playwright, and talk radio host in Chicago. He has been called the most dangerous voice on the Left. His latest book, A Tragic Fate, is an unflinching look at the events leading up to the shooting down of Malaysia Air Flight 17. His first novel, Broken, was recommended by NAMI for its treatment of PTSD. In 2006 he published Everything for Love, a memoir of his experiences during the siege of Sarajevo.
He has written and produced two critically acclaimed plays, “Occupy my Heart” and “The People’s Republic of Edward Snowden.” He hosted "Helter Skelter," a weekly radio show dedicated to issues, society, and politics on Que4 radio in Chicago and was an organizing board member of Chicago's only community radio station dedicated to supporting diversity in media.
Bill has nearly two decades experience in the airline industry, working for both Lufthansa and United Airlines. Additionally, he is an expert in Balkan and European history, nationalism, PTSD, and issues of genocide and racism. For more information, visit his website at wcturckhelterskelter.wordpress.com.
Kerri Kendall is a Playboy Playmate, Certified Master Level Energy Healer, Certified Reflexologist & Intuitive Reader. Published in Playboy at the young age of 18, Kerri maintained regular jobs while continuing to work for the magazine. She has been published in numerous newsstand specials and videos and has done a multitude of public appearances and autograph signings.
In 1996 Kerri made the bold decision to put her modeling career on hold, as well as her career as a hair extensions specialist in Del Mar, California, and left the country to travel like a modern-day gypsy. On this soul-searching trip she hitchhiked all over the U.K., and lived in a car on the island of Tenerife, where she made jewelry on the beach and sold it to tourists. It was during this time that she honed her natural gift of intuition and energy reading by learning about the art of tarot.
Kerri now lives in Chicago where she is fulfilling her dream of doing energy healings and intuitive spiritual readings that focus on the positive, and helping people overcome their personal obstacles and challenges. To read more about what Kerri does as a healer, or to book an appointment, visit her website at healingwithkerri.com.
LISTEN
Ocotber 2021
On this episode: Lainie Petersen with the Theater Report, Our exclusive Hidden History of the Song, and the hidden history of The Monster Mash. From the critically acclaimed long running one-man show, I’m not a comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce, Ronnie Marmo. National Veterans Art Museum director of collections and gallery operations, Megan Owoc. And it is Halloween, apart from asking Ronnie who he’s going as this year, we catch up with ghost hunters Bob Jensen and Caitin Bees and ask them about the depiction of a ghost on a 3500-year-old Babylonian Tablet and find out about other more contemporary specters and hauntings
September 2021
On this show, Lainie Petersen with the Theater Report, and an all-new Hidden History of the Song: The final part 3, Revolution 1971. From Khartoum, Sudan, Ninyaz Aziza on her new song with Mo Sabbagh and Moiz Rehman. Adem Dalipi on his new single and music life after Covid. Brendan Foster from NVAM, Dr. Daryl Wilson from the legendary Chicago punk band The Bollweevils and 94 years young…more of our conversation with Artist Leo Segedin. And Bill’s rant about elitism in Art.
We all wish that Playtime could be as popular as boarding passes out of Kabul, Before that happens there is third Coast Review.com. This is what's trending at Third Coast Review.com… In Film, Lisa Trifone reviews Kay Cannon’s Modernized Cinderella. Go to our FB page and see whether Cinarella is worth your time and your dime. Steve procopy measures the sci-Fi thriller Zone 414 against Ridley Scott’s classic Blade Runner, and finds Shea Wingham’s performance engaging in a gritty emotional film set in the Midwest, The Gateway. Plus Nancy Bishop with theater news, Nicholas Bashill in food with the latest beer course-Hefeweizen, events and more…And that's what's trending at 3CR...
August 2021
July 2021
June 27, 2021
June 20, 2021
june 13, 2021
june 6, 2021
May 30, 2021
May 23, 2021
May 16, 2021
May 9, 2021
May 2, 2021
“THe Virginia” Part II
The exciting, powerful and groundbreaking conclusion of this iconic and timeless story, "The Virginian", complete with a showdown.
WC Turck created a new twist, or two, to the story which will revolutionize "The Virginian" for all time.
Directed by George J. Manisco (Road to Perdition, The Front Page) and stunningly rendered by a great cast.
April 25, 2021
“THe Virginian” Part I
Adapted by WC Turck and Produced/Directed by George J. Manisco and stunningly rendered by a great cast.
“A new radio adaptation of the 1902 Broadway play “The Virginian,” a love story set in the Old West, will be performed over the next two Sundays by a cast of 20 on the arts show “Playtime” with Bill Turck and Kerri Kendall. The radio version is produced and directed by Chicago actor George J. Manisco from an adaptation by Turck and Manisco. Manisco said he’d long been a fan of the TV series “The Virginian,” starring the late James Drury. Timothy Drury will be on hand to dedicate the radio performance to his father.” - Robert Feder
April 18, 2021
APRIL 12, 2021
APRIL 5, 2021
This week on "Playtime," Bill and Kerri catch up on art news from around the world: an indigenous-themed exhibition in Australia suddenly cancelled, the NFT scam, and more. Al James visits Due Lira Italian Ristorante in Lincoln Square. “Quantum Mirror” artist Adrian Stein joins us. And we have a new installment of our Hidden History of Music segment, this time examining The Roots of Reggae — with details you won't find in Wikipedia, or anywhere else but here!
MARCH 28, 2021
This week on "Playtime," photographer Timothy Hiatt joins us to talk about his new book, Muses, and the art of portraiture. Then we hear from singer-songwriter Lou Heneise, and from the Adler Planetarium, Ryu Mizuno talks about the museum’s partnership with Art on the Mart.
In the show’s second hour, Lainie Petersen has the weekly Theater Report, actor and author Reagan J. Pasternak talks about her book for grieving the loss of a pet, Griffin's Heart, Chicago singer-songwriter Layla Frankel gives us the details on her upcoming EP, and we present an all-new Hidden History of the Song, this time focusing on Punk Roots.
MARCH 21, 2021
This week Bill and Kerri talk with Chicago author Sandra Colbert about her new collection of short stories, Reflections and Echoes, and Timothy Drury, son of television's “The Virginian,” James Drury, on his latest multimedia musical project. Plus, Lainie Petersen's Theater Report and another installment of our Hidden History of Music segment, where the spotlight will once again be on women of Mersey Beat (part two).
MARCH 14, 2021
Devin Marie
On this episode, tune in for interviews with Rockford singer-songwriter and “American Idol” contestant Adem Dalipi, New York singer-songwriter Devin Marie, and Brice Woodall on his latest album release.
Plus, Lainie Petersen's Theater Report and another installment of our Hidden History of Music segment, where the spotlight will be on Mersey Beat's only woman artist.
MARCH 7, 2021
On this episode, we get a Breaking Royal News update from Fred Weintraub of WCGO's Hannah and Fred Show! From London Ontario, singer-songwriter Charlie Weber, Soulsoundart.com's Samson Weinberg on Synesthesia. Plus, we cover Skiffle in our Hidden History of the Song segment, talk to author Gerrel Jones, and get the latest from Lanie Petersen in her weekly Theater Report.
FEBRUARY 21, 2021
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
On this episode of "Playtime," we welcome comedian Mark James Heath for a special event announcement, super fan and Tik Tok influencer Dr. Panda, filmmakers Michael Glover Smith and Rob Christopher on their critically acclaimed documentary “Roy's World: Barry Gifford's Chicago,” a lovefest from Soul Stories creators Victoria Reeves and DJ Johnny Price, and from Egypt, singer/songwriter Asmaa Naga. Plus, Al James takes us to Colletti's Italian Restaurant, which is celebrating 75 years in Chicago; we hear about a powerful new exhibit at the Weinberg/Newton Gallery, Lainie Petersen has the weekly Theater Report, and we feature new music from Anna Soltys, Brandon James, Touch and a new voice from Rockford, Adam Dalipi. All that in just two hours!
JANUARY 31, 2021
On this week’s show, we welcome back acting and positivity coach Tony Rossi, and veteran screenwriter Lyn Vaus debuts his new musical venture, Reality Anonymous. Plus, our new “Behind the Music” segment on the history of classic songs and Lainie Petersen's exclusive Theater Report.
JANUARY 24, 2021
On this week's episode, we talk to the author of The Loop: The “L” Tracks That Shaped and Saved Chicago, a man you would hate to play Chicago Trivial Pursuit against, Patrick T. Reardon. Then we're joined by Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's Andrew Pond and award-winning and internationally produced writer Cris Eli Blak talking about their torn-from-the-headlines latest streaming audio play and the future of streaming theater. She has practically grown up on this show and is about to break out with a new song -- we welcome Sol back to the program. And we're joined by an inspirational young artist we discovered on Tik Tok recently, Gideon DiMiglio, the ArmlessBandit. Plus, Lainie Petersen has the weekly Theater Report, we take a look at the evolution of a classic and feature new music from Sol, Todd Warner Moore, and Reality Anonymous.
JANUARY 17, 2021
From the great state of Texas, singer/performer Carlynne Sutterfield from CarbonLily joins us. We hear from Third Coast Review's Nancy Bishop, author of the new book Chicago Girl: Essays on the Arts, Politics and Life. We wake up Todd Warner Moore in Hong Kong to talk about his latest (and final?) album, “Three Waterfalls.” Bill Paige, author of Everything I Know I Learned From Rock Stars: Conversations 1975-1995, checks in from Thailand. And HotHouse's Marguerite Horberg joins us to talk about “Jazz Plaza: HotHouse Meets Havana,” streaming Jan. 21-24.
JANUARY 10, 2021
Fresh off Playtime's Concert for Croatia, a virtual benefit for earthquake victims, AJ Rosales joins us to talk about the concert and his great new album, “Manifestations.” Ethan Sellers talks about Tautologic's new single. Al James is out at King Crab House, 1816 N. Halsted in Chicago, and Bill and Kerri talk with political prisoner, dissident and Kurdish artist Zehra Dogan. Plus, Lainie Petersen has the Theater Report and we find out what's trending at ThirdCoastReview.com.
JANUARY 3, 2021
This week "Playtime" presents The History of Music with friends Chip Ratliff and Levi Stress. We talk about bluesman Robert Johnson and the history behind the genre of Stagger Lee. Plus, Kerri discusses where to dine after the theater in ancient Pompeii. We have rare music clips, including the first known melody from 3,600 years ago. Lainie Petersen checks in with some important theater news from Lyric Opera of Chicago, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and more, and we have music from Amy Kohn and the exclusive single from this week's release by Reality Anonymous and Lyn Vaus.
DECEMBER 27, 2020
This week "Playtime" was damn near live, with a roundup of what's trending at ThirdCoastReview.com, new music from Black and White, Chip Ratliff and the Foons, an all-new Theater Report and wine review from Lainie Petersen, and our annual radio play "Santa, You're Fired!" Plus, a replay of our conversation on censorship, the arts and social media with Playboy and glamour photographer David Mecey.
The episode is dedicated to Tammy Szostek.
DECEMBER 20, 2020
Sunday on “Playtime,” it's all about creative women. We talk to award-winning author Katey Schultz for her critically acclaimed novel of the Afghan war, Still Come Home, and Mary Lang Sollinger on her award-winning book From Inspiration To Activism: A Personal Journey Through Obama's Presidential Campaign, plus Mean Mary on her stunning and emotional new album "Alone," a great gift available at meanmary.com. We’ll also hear from Lainie Petersen with her weekly Theater Report and wine review, and music from this amazing talent Carbonlily, with the jazziest and coolest version of one of Bill’s childhood favorites off her latest must-have album, “Merry and Bright” at www.carbonlily.org/music.
DECEMBER 13, 2020
This week on "Playtime," Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year finalist, the author of Grace, Dan Burns; artist and Son jarocho musician Guillermo Delgado; Chicago market president for Bank of America Paul Lambert on BOA's partnership and special event with the Goodman Theater this holiday season. Plus, Lainie Petersen with the Theater Report, fashion and Playboy photographer David Mecey on censorship and social media, and a brand new song by a young woman who made her debut on "Playtime" three years ago.
DECEMBER 6, 2020
On this episode, authors Dana Killion and Elizabeth Wetmore, artist and Playboy Playmate Cristy Thom, and hip-hop artist Levi Stress. Plus, Lainie Petersen with the Theater Report, magician Al James takes us for Greek cuisine to Barba Yiannis Grecian Taverna, and a new feature, the Marginally Useful News with Carmella and Lou!
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
NOVEMBER 22, 2020
NOVEMBER 15, 2020
On this episode of "Playtime," Bill and Kerri are joined by author Stephanie Duesing and executive director of TeachRock.org Bill Carbone, plus Lainie Petersen with the weekly Theater Report, and the best indie music on the radio.
NOVEMBER 8, 2020
NOVEMBER 1, 2020
On this episode of “Playtime,” the inspirational hip-hop music of Rob Howze, Red Spot Rhythm Section's frontman Joshua Siegel on their new album, and Kate Wisel, author of Driving in Cars with Homeless Men, a Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year finalist. Then, Al James takes us to Chicago Joe’s and answers the question, "Who is Joe?" and Lainie Petersen has the weekly Theater Report. Plus, new, unreleased music from Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre.
OCTOBER 25, 2020
This week Bill and Kerri make way for "The Melania Trump Voter Pep Rally for Biden," created by Lauren LoGiudice (Melania Trump) and Jesse Sneddon (Secret Service Agent Johnson Smith), and featuring Carmen Lynch (“The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and “The Human Centipod” podcast). With special guests Anita Wise (“Seinfeld”), Camille Theobold (Netflix), Jeannine Cook of Harriet’s Bookshop (Oprah's Book Club), and Alex Spenser, candidate for U.S. Congress, 2nd District of Oregon, and music from March Urselli and Vince Pastano, Joey Johnson, Cathy Grier, and Biddl3.
OCTOBER 18, 2020
On this episode: From Los Angeles, actor-director Sean Smith on his new film; singer-songwriter Audrey Foxx; Grammy-nominated Ray Grant; and David Witter, author of The Oldest Chicago.
Also available: the Facebook Live video
OCTOBER 11, 2020
This week, blues great Kirk Fletcher on his new album, “My Blues Pathway”; author Dan Klefstad talks re-envisioning the vampire novel with his great new book, Fiona's Guardians; and magician Al James takes us to a crazy new restaurant in Rogers Park, Beard and Belly. Plus, the Theater Report with Lainie Petersen, singer-songwriter Anna Soltys, comic Lauren Loguidice and the First Lady gives us the scoop from within the White House!
OCTOBER 4, 2020
On an all-new “Playtime,” stars of NBC's “Chicago PD,” Marina Squerciati, Jason Beghe and Patrick Flueger, are our guests, and Melissa Carlson and Alina Jenine Taber drop by too. Plus singer, songwriter and producer Knox Fortune, best known for his work with Chance the Rapper. Patrick Boswell Courage Award recipients Antoni Miller and Lina Abobied join us and we chat with Charlie Petrach from the Party Company LLC on his support for PatrickLivesOn.org.
This show is dedicated to PatrickLivesOn.org, supporting and inspiring kids to choose hope not guns. Please consider donating today.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
The Patrick Lives On Radiothon. We go Hollywood with stars from two great NBC shows: Torrey DeVitto from "Chicago Med" and Joe Minoso and David Eigenberg from "Chicago Fire," all supporting PatrickLivesOn.org and local food pantries. Go to patrickliveson.org and help make a difference in kids' lives by making a tax-deductible donation. The phone lines will be open again for donations Sunday, October 4 during "Playtime." Call in at 877-711-5611!
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
This week we celebrate 30 years of Kerri Kendall as a Playboy Playmate (Miss September 1990). We talk with celebrity, fashion and Playboy photographer David Mecey and Playmates Tina Bockrath, Donna Perry and Victoria Fuller, who talks about her artistic heritage. Lainie Petersen has the weekly Theater Report, we find out what's trending at ThirdCoastReview.org and have our weekly visit with Melania Trump, our behind-the-lines reporter.
JUNE 14, 2020
On this episode we hear from Worldwide West Side guitar man Johnny Burgin on his latest album, Phillip-Michael Scales on his new hit single, and Baderbrau's Nathan Weber on his futuristic adventure Xenochrist.
Plus, Lainie Petersen with the Theater Report, and a special birthday edition of Blame Bill!
And he may not look like it, but Bill was thrilled to wear a dress on Sunday’s show. That’s because it meant that the Chicago Independent Media Alliance met its fundraising goal! Bill and the organization’s founder, Tracy Baim, each promised to wear a dress if the fundraising goal was achieved. Photo by Kerri.
DECEMBER 15, 2019
In this week’s first hour, we have a rare candid conversation with one of the world's foremost photographers, David Yarrow, plus Lainie Petersen with an expanded holiday Theater Report! In hour two, Kerri and Bill talk with 92-year-old painter and educator Leo Segedin (pictured). Leo recalls Chicago during the Second World War, growing up Jewish during the Holocaust, and more. Wrapping up the hour, concert photographer Jim Sumaria talks about his new book, Classic Rock: Photographs From Yesterday and Today. Plus, one of the world's premier guitarists, Reentko Dirks, with his powerful and moving song, “Ramallah.”
DECEMBER 1, 2019
This week we check in with Chicago Chorale ahead of their December 14th holiday concert at Ravinia, and ask the question, who's bringing the Schnapps? Chicago bluegrass? Cox's Army (pictured) is live in Studio A! From Prof. David M. Sokol we hear a harrowing World War II story about artist Otto Neumann and his Jewish wife hiding in plain sight in Nazi Germany. Al James takes us to Mirabella Italian Cuisine on Addison; you will love owner/chef Arturo! We discuss some great local art events, and our friend Carolina Juarez from the Rogers Park Business Alliance talks about a great upcoming art event for last-minute gifts. Plus, the Theater Report with Her Bishopness Lainie Petersen. And we have new music from Todd Warner Moore and some of the best local books from the year for gift ideas.
