Booth 46

E. Faye Butler has been acting and performing for 48 years and has been proud to call Chicago her home. She is currently playing the title character in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ at The Goodman Theatre, and she joined Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. They discuss her groundbreaking work in theater and Chicago, […]

Chicago native and accomplished film/television/stage actor Harry Lennix returns to his hometown as associate director and music director of The Goodman Theatre’s production of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, which has been extended through May 3rd. Harry joined WGN Radio’s Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, LIVE from Petterino’s to talk about how how great […]

David Byrne does it all. Music, writing, producing, art, filmmaking, co-founding one of the greatest American rock bands of all-time…And now the Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist is here in Chicago with his ‘Theater of the Mind’, as part of The Goodman Theatre. David joined WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46, LIVE from […]

Pat Quinn served as Illinois’ governor from 2009-2015. During that time, the Chicago native abolished the death penalty, made Illinois the 16th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, signed the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act into law, is recognized as one of the foremost governors advocating for animal welfare, and accomplished much, […]

It’s almost Oscars weekend, so let’s talk movies! To do so, Steve Dale sat in Booth 46 at Petterino’s for a fantastic conversation with film critics Michael Phillips and Rebecca Ford. Was 2025 a good year for movies? Which of the Best Picture nominees should we watch before the Academy Awards air? Why should we […]

Dennis Watkins is an award-winning, third-generation magician and mind-reader, with a one-of-a-kind venue located at 50 W. Randolph called The Magic Parlour. From the comforts of Petterino’s in The Loop, Watkins joins host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 podcast to talk about his career, his inspiration, and much more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8000290/8000290_2026-02-27-050230.64kmono.mp3 As you listen to […]

The Joffrey Ballet was founded in 1956, and has become one of the world’s premier dance companies over the past 70 years. For the past 30 years, it has called Chicago home. From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale talked to Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron about its history, how it […]

Albert Friedman returns to the Booth 46 Podcast, after being a guest on our debut episode, and brought with him Bernard Cherkasov from the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. While the museum in Skokie is closed for renovations, the Holocaust Museum presents ‘Experience360’, which is now open at 360 N. State Street. From the […]

Forgiveness. Empathy. Compassion. Kindness. That’s what F.E.C.K. stands for in the title of Chaz Ebert’s new book, ‘It’s Time To Give A FECK.‘ (available to order on Amazon). While Chaz is excited about the book’s success so far, she wants people to take those principles to heart and practice them. She joined Steve Dale on […]

Mark and Anne Burnell have been making music and performing together in Chicago for more than 30 years. From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, they joined Steve Dale on the Booth 46 podcast to talk about their legendary careers, how they met, and oh yeah…Mark playing his keyboard while having brain surgery. You should […]

Set in a hidden library speakeasy at The Lion Theatre, in the heart of the Chicago Loop (182 N. Wabash Ave.), five Shakespeare-loving actors meet to perform one of their favorite shows…and one of them takes several shots right off the top. From Petterino’s in Chicago, Steve Dale is joined by actors Mo Reilly and Benjamin […]

When you hear “Chicago”, what comes to mind first? From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, Steve Dale is joined by World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement and Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds on the Booth 46 Podcast. While both organizations are different and serve separate purposes, they both represent Chicago and show those […]

Does Santa Claus use GPS? What has Scrooge learned from the three ghosts? Who would win in a fight between the two? These are actual questions that are asked and answered on the latest episode of The Booth 46 Podcast, as Steve Dale is visited (and joined) by actor Chiké Johnson and theatre writer/reviewer Alan […]

*cue the Johnny Carson theme* WGN Radio’s David Plier isn’t just a host at our station but also the President and CEO of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. David joined Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, from the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, to talk about the re-opening of the museum, which […]

The Chicago International Film Festival, presented by non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Cinema/Chicago, is back for its 61st year! In collaboration with Petterino’s, Steve Dale is joined by CIFF Programmer Sam Flancher and directors Sven Bresser (REEDLAND) and James Choi (Before the Call) on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about the acclaimed festival, which will feature movies of […]

In collaboration with Petterino’s and from the heart of downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by best-selling children’s author Falisa Ray and recording artist Liv Warfield. Falisa’s son, Aaron, is the inspiration of her book, Raising Simba, and she talks to Steve about their journey from the Chicago projects to his landing of the lead […]

It’s hard to believe but the Goodman Theatre is joining WGN Radio in the “Centennial Club”! In collaboration with Petterino’s, WGN’s Steve Dale is joined by Executive Director John Collins and Artistic Director Susan Booth on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about one of the most noted theater institutions in America. The Goodman received the Regional Theatre Tony […]

In collaboration with Petterino’s in downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by the the stars of ’44: The Musical’, T.J. Wilkins and Shanice, who play Barack and Michelle Obama, for a conversation in their famous Booth 46. Steve Dale talks to T.J. and Shanice about their stories as accomplished recording artists, their music, what it’s […]

In collaboration with Petterino’s in downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, for a conversation in their famous Booth 46. It’s not often that Mayor Johnson gets to do fun interviews, but this is definitely one of them. Mayor Johnson talks about what it’s like being the […]

Steve Dale pulls back the curtain with two stars of the hit musical, MJ! Steve is joined by Chicago’s own Brandon Lee Harris, who steps into the moonwalking shoes of Michael Jackson, and Devin Bowles, who plays Joseph — Michael’s complicated and not-so-likable father. Together, they dig into what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what surprises even the most […]

The premiere of our newest podcast produced at Chicago's legendary Petterino's Restaurant.

Petterino’s is not only in the heart of the Loop, it is the heart of the Loop! A modern-day throwback that defines today’s downtown Chicago, iconic Petterino’s is surrounded by theater, culture, and the movers and the shakers of the city. It’s the perfect setting for Booth 46! Recorded live to capture the buzz of […]