Critical Thinking with guest Chris Jones!

We are extremely honored to introduce our guest on today’s episode.

For two decades, our next guest has been the chief theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune and as such, is the influential voice for one of the most vibrant theatre scenes in the world.

He’s seen it all, reviews about 200 shows a year in Chicago alone, and covers every major Broadway opening, establishing himself as one of the nation's most prolific and well respected critics.

A veteran of Variety, who developed a specialty in covering those crucial pre-Broadway tryouts, and who has twice served on the Pulitzer Prize for Drama jury. He’s even beat-boxed on stage with Lin-Manuel Miranda (look it up on YouTube!)

In 2001, he was named by American Theatre magazine as one of the 12 most influential theater critics in America. He, also quite literally, wrote the book on Chicago's theatrical history—Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater was published in 2013, and his second publication, Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from 'Angels in America' to 'Hamilton', was published in 2015.

In 2016, the New York Times cited Jones as an important reason that Broadway shows try-out in Chicago, noting the role his reviews have played in helping producers improve productions for New York runs.

As of 2021, he took on an added role: As Editorial Page Editor for the Tribune he now balances his reviewing responsibilities with guiding the entire opinion section of a major metropolitan newspaper.

And all of that just scratches the surface of his many contributions and accolades!

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Chris Jones!

Now let’s go to the top of the show!

*SPECIAL THANKS!*We appreciate the help of the following friends of the podcast for helping curate questions for this episode:Bob BullenAaron DavidsonAndres EnriquezVince GerasoleJames ShermanRyan StajmigerMatt Whelan