-Accomplished radio host and author, Studs Terkel, joins Janet Davies and 190 North as his normal interviewing roll is reversed.  Participating as the interviewee, Terkel  talks about his newest book and forty-five years of fond interviewing memories.

-Janet Davies, host of 190 North, gives television viewers a chance to reacquaint themselves with Chicago's theatrical side.  Bringing "Forever Plaid" to the set of 190 North, Janet gets a demonstration of why the nationally recognized quartet has been deemed the longest running musical in Chicago history.
 

-Feature contributor Bill Leff goes around town using only outdoor holiday lights as a visual aid.  Looking for extravagant and eccentric holiday decorations Bill takes 190 North on a lit tour of the city.

-Feature contributor Liza Cruzat takes 190 North to, American Girl Place, a doll store dedicated to women's history and girls enjoyment. 
 

"No one interviews like Studs because no one thinks like Studs," quotes Jules Feiffer.

Buster Keaton.  Lillian Gish.  Agnes DeMille.  Carol Channing.  Arthur Miller.  James Cagney.  Tennessee Willians.  Marlon Brando.  Frederico Fellini.  James Baldwin.  Edward Albee.  Yes, this list of names reads like a who's who of 20th century entertainment.  Add about 30 more show biz movers and shakers to the mix and you have a stellar cast of characters who were all interviewed by Studs Terkel.

All of these never-before-published interviews are gathered in a major new work from the Pulitzer Prize-winning oral historian. THE SPECTATOR: Talk About Movies and Plays With Those Who Made Them (The New Press; $26.95; Hardcover; October 1999) by Studs Terkel features a myriad of artfully arranged and annotated radio interviews.  "Most people know Studs Terkel from the prize-winning oral histories he has written about serious subjects - war, poverty, race, aging," writes Garry Wills in his introduction to the book.  "But we in Chicago know him also for his radio interviews with writers, artists, and performers who come through our city."  Perhaps few of Terkel's millions of readers around the world know that over the last forty-five years, as part of his nationally syndicated radio show, Terkel has interviewed some of the greatest luminaries of film and theater.

THE SPECTATOR offers a first-hand look at the actors, directors, playwrights, dancers, lyric lyricists, and others who created the dramatic arts of the 20th century.  And, because Terkel knows his subjects' work intimately, he asks precisely the questions that elicit the most revealing responses. 

For further information concerning Studs Terkel's books click on or type in www.thenewpress.com/compcat3htm#T.

For further information on Studs Terkel click on or type www.grandtimes.com/studs.html.

Since the fall of 1994, Chicago's "Forever Plaid" has continuously captivated audiences of all ages, celebrating milestone after milestone.  Previous "Plaid" honors date back to November 1998 when Chicago's "Forever Plaid"  became the longest-running production of "Forever Plaid" ever, surpassing the long-run theater records set by New York, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Minneapolis and Denver.  To date, "Forever Plaid" has grossed over $8 million and played to over 275,000 people.  In the Fall of 1995, the Chicago production of "Forever Plaid"  was honored with every Joseph Jefferson Award for which it was eligible, including "Best Production," "Best Director," "Best Ensemble," and "Best Musical Direction."

"Forever Plaid" has become an active part of the Chicago community, participating in such events as the 1999 Chicago Visitor's Choice Awards, the 1998 Marshal Field's Jingle Elf Parade, the 1997 ALS Mammoth Music Mart with Honorary Chairman Dick  Clark, the 1997 Brach's Holiday Parade, the 1996 Democratic Convention, and the Mayor's Office of Special Events Holiday Tree lighting in Daley Plaza.

"Forever Plaid"features such classic pop hits as "Rags to Riches," "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," "Catch a Falling Star," "Sixteen Tons," "Chain Gang," "Moments to Remember," and "heart and Soul," in addition to a hilarious 3 1/2-minute tribute to "The Ed Sullivan Show."  "Forever Plaid" is written, directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross.
 

Show times:  Wednesdays at 2 and 8 PM
                          Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 PM
                          Saturdays at 5 and 8 PM
                          Sundays at 3 and 7 PM

Location:       Royal George Cabaret Theatre
                         1641 N. Halsted Street
                         Chicago, IL 60614

Web info:     www.foreverplaid.com

American Girl Place is three floors and 35,000 square feet filled with things girls love.  Like the pages of the American Girl catalogue, American Girl Place reflects the past, present, and future of American girlhood, providing a place where girls can nourish their spirits, make lasting memories, and see a reflection of themselves and their interests in products and experiences designed just for them.  A bookstore, boutiques, a photo studio, a Cafe, and a Theater featuring a delightful musical bring to life the values that underlie the Powerful American Girl concept.

The upper level celebrates girls of today.  The American Girl Today dolls, designed to highlight the diversity of contemporary girls and the wide variety of their interests, are available with a full range of accessories, including in-line skates, camping gear, and a miniature computer.  A clothing boutique features seasonal selections of A.G. Gear, contemporary casual wear and lifestyle accessories for girls.  A Bitty Baby nursery offers the baby dolls, board books, and matching accessories from the Bitty Baby line.

On the main floor, girls can browse the bookstore stocked floor-to-ceiling with the best-selling books they love from American Girl, or visit a photo studio to get their picture on the cover of a souvenir issue of American Girl magazine--a personalized memento of a special day at American Girl Place.