The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, the new book by Robert Loerzel and James A. Pierce, is getting attention from TV, radio, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and websites. Here’s a rundown of the media coverage:
WTTW’s Chicago Tonight — Nick Blumberg interviews Loerzel, Pierce, theater owner Jerry Mickelson, and theater caretaker David Syfczak—with new footage filmed inside the theater, September 8, 2025. Read Blumberg’s article and watch the video.
Third Coast Review — Dan Kelly interviews Loerzel, November 23, 2025.
Windy City Times — “As Uptown Theatre marks 100 Years, its ties with Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community resurface” by Brian Kirst, November 14, 2025. Interview with Pierce and Brad Suster of Preservation Chicago.
The Cliff Dwellers — Video of the November 5, 2025, presentation at the Cliff Dwellers Club, featuring Loerzel and Pierce, plus an introduction by Chris Jones, who also led an audience Q&A, including comments by Uptown Theatre owner Jerry Mickelson.
WGN Radio’s Steve and Johnnie — Steve King and Johnnie Putnam interview Loerzel, September 6, 2025. (Also look for this episode, “Getting a Little Wiser With Johnnie and Steve,” in Apple podcasts or your podcast player.)
ABC 7’s Eyewitness News in the Morning — Tanja Babich interviews Loerzel and Preservation Chicago’s Ward Miller, August 24, 2025.
WGN’s After Hours With Rick Kogan — Rick Kogan interviews Loerzel and Pierce, August 24, 2025. (This also can be heard as a podcast episode, available here through Apple — or check your other podcast services.)
Eddie Arruza video — “Chicago’s Uptown Theater at 100” — including new footage filmed inside the theater and interviews with Loerzel, Pierce, Uptown Theatre owner Jerry Mickelson, theater caretaker David Syfczak, and Alderwoman Angela Clay. Posted on YouTube and aired on CAN TV, August 18, 2025.
WBEZ: “The Uptown Theatre turns 100 with a new book and serious questions about its future” by Mark Guarino, August 15, 2025. This story is also featured on the Chicago Sun-Times website and appeared in the newspaper’s print edition on August 18, 2025.
WBEZ’s Reset — Mariah Woelfel interviews Loerzel, David Syfczak, and Preservation Chicago’s Ward Miller, August 20, 2025.
WGN Morning News — Robin Baumgarten and Larry Potash interview Loerzel, August 15, 2015.
Chicago History Podcast — Episode 812: Chicago’s Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel, interviewed by Tommy Henry, August 16, 2025.
WDCB’s The Arts Section — Host Gary Zidek talks with Loerzel and Pierce, August 17, 2025.
Fox 32’s Paris on Politics — Paris Schutz interviews Loerzel, August 20, 2025.
Chicago Tribune — “Uptown Theatre: 100 years of glory and decay” by Robert Loerzel, August 10, 2025.
Chicago magazine — “Every Man a King: As the shuttered Uptown Theatre turns 100, a new book relives its storied past and pleads for its restoration. Here’s what we learned,” by Paula Kamen, September 2025 issue.
Block Club Chicago — “Will The Uptown Theatre Ever Reopen? Historic Movie Palace Turns 100 Amid Latest Revival Effort” by Mack Liederman and Madison Savedra, August 14, 2025. (Also featured in the Block Club Chicago Podcast.)
Axios: “Uptown Theatre turns 100 with book, portrait” by Monica Eng, August 13, 2025.
WGN Evening News — Ben Bradley and Dina Blair interview Loerzel, August 11, 2025.
WGN Radio — Bob Sirott interviews Pierce, August 11, 2025.
F-Stop: A Photography Magazine — “Book Review: The Uptown by Robert Loerzel and James A. Pierce” by Cary Benbow, July 30, 2025.
Live From the Heartland: Pierce discusses the book with host Michael James, June 20, 2025.
The Courier-Times of New Castle, Indiana: An article about Pierce, a native of New Castle, and The Uptown, July 9, 2025.
Other recent coverage of the Uptown Theatre and its 100th birthday:
Chicago Tribune — Commentary by Jerry Mickelson: “Why I bought the Uptown Theatre and fight for its restoration,” August 13, 2025.