Introducing: The Paper Machete Radio Magazine

Introducing: The Paper Machete Radio Magazine
Rondi Reed Photo by Evan Hanover
Introducing: The Paper Machete Radio Magazine
Rondi Reed Photo by Evan Hanover

Introducing: The Paper Machete Radio Magazine

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Rondi Reed (Photo by Evan Hanover)

This week, we introduce a new podcast as part of our staple of programs and segments. It’s called The Paper Machete Radio Magazine. It’s based off the wildly popular live stage show The Paper Machete, which can be seen in Chicago at the Horseshoe every Saturday afternoon. The live stage show (and podcast) is hosted by Christopher Piatt. Piatt and his merry gang of writers and producers tell us that the Machete is where “journalists, comedians & storytellers discuss current events, pop culture and American manners.” Each week, Piatt challenges his creative and talented crew to writing assignments - which they perform live on stage.

Once the Saturday show is recorded, Christopher and producer Ali Weiss Klingler edit and produce a podcast version for you to download. It’s just that simple.

You can download the first one on iTunes here, or subscribe via Feedburner. This week’s episode dives deep for their “last ever podcast.” Rondi Reed, the Tony-award winning actress of August: Osage County, tells us about labor disputes in the theater world, and hits us with a few old-school Steppenwolf stories. Peter Kremedias of iO and Comedy Sportz talks about Denver and their rash of marijuana dispensaries. And Marcus Gilmer of The A.V. Club discusses his work as an escort…for Planned Parenthood. Finally, we wrap things up with a musical performance by Jessie Fisher and Erik Hellman. As usual, if you can hear us, this magazine is LIVE.

This Saturday’s line-up includes new WBEZ blogger Mark Bazer in his Machete debute, as well as The History Girls, Ken Barnard of Impress These Apes, Coya Paz and Ricky Gamboa of Barrel of Monkeys, Katie Rich as Patti Benassi of The Second City, Tim Sniffen also of The Second City, Aemilia Scott, and Brendan Dowling of Improvised Shakespeare. Also music by Will Phalen! Hear them cover the Bachmanns, Chicago’s new tourism motto, the debt ceiling and much more. 

And check back in weekly to get lineups and extra interviews and features about the Machete ensemble.