The Broadway National Tour of Chicago the Musical returns
to Chrysler
Hall
Feb 20th-22nd,
Illeana Kirven who plays Matron Mama Morton tells us about it
By Yiorgo
Interview
The razzle-dazzle that is the Broadway National Tour of Chicago the musical makes its triumphant return to Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia for five performances only Feb. 20th-22nd. So c’mon babe and see for yourself what Broadway’s longest-running musical for over 29 years of more than 10,000 performances, 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, and a Grammy® is all about if you have not seen it before, or see it for the second, third and fourth time.
It is a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most incredible danc-
ing that you will ever see. It takes place during the city of Chicago’s Jazz Age, when two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart, become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy. For tickets and more info go to https:// www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/ chicago-the-musical
Yiorgo: With us today is Illeana “Illy” Kirven who plays Matron Mama Morton. Tell us IIIy, why should people come to the show? What will they see, hear and experience?
Illy Kirven: Oh my goodness, they are
Spectacular free events including
NORFOLK, Va. — Sail250® Virginia today announced the official schedule of free events for the Commonwealth’s largest planned commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. The 12-day international maritime festival will bring more than 60 tall ships and military vessels representing 30 countries to Norfolk, June 19-23, and 11 Affiliate Harbors across the Chesapeake Bay Region, June 12-23, 2026.
Sail250® Virginia is one of five official national partner ports — New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston — commemorating the Semiquincentennial of the United States. The world fleet’s visit to Virginia will generate local, regional, national, and international media coverage and attract thousands of international visitors, including military and government dignitaries.
going to see, hear and experience a story that a lot of people don’t know this, that is actually based on a true story that happened in the 1920s with these ladies in prison. They literally razzle dazzle, they lie, they cheat, they killed obviously. There’s a scandal, and the lawyer is handsome and charismatic, and works for the money, even though he says he’s working for love. But he changes that story and makes it happen to where they get off for horrible crimes. It’s fun and it’s lighthearted, but the thing that is a truth, that actually did happen, is pretty remarkable, and in the 1920s we thought that they were nicer and kinder, but clearly they were looking out for themselves as well. It’s interesting
because you see the story, you watch them do these things, and you still cheer for these women, and you still want the best for them, and you fall in love with these characters. You are also going to hear some wonderful music. Most people know these tunes, which is terrific, when you are in a show, and people come in, and they can already sing along. They know when the opening starts, and when Velma’s hand goes into the air, it’s iconic. And they begin to cheer, and you’re like, “Oh, my God, we love them already.” And then also, you got some great characters like mine, which she gets the ball rolling
Highlights of the SAIL250® Virginia schedule — Norfolk Host City
Note: Event schedules for Affiliate Harbors may be found online at sail250virginia.com/ Virginia-Affiliate-Harbors. All schedules are subject to change. Visit sail250virginia.com for the most up-to-date information.
Gathering of the World Fleet Tues., June 16 - Thurs., June 18, 2026 Spectators can view the fleet as it gathers in the Lynnhaven Anchorage off Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, beginning Tuesday, June 16.
All ships in the Parade of Sail will be assembled by 2 p.m. on June 18. This is the only time spectators on land and water can view all the
“We are creating a once-in-a-generation event and an extraordinary opportunity to honor our naval heritage, strengthen global partnerships, and welcome millions of visitors to the Commonwealth,” said President & CEO Karen Scherberger. “The ships, the sailors, and the stories they carry will inspire millions. Together, we are making history again.”
Claire Marshall as Velma Kelly and Cast of CHICAGO in All That Jazz. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL)
Virginia International Tattoo 2026:
Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. — As the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States, there’s no better place to reflect on our shared story than Virginia.
The 2026 Virginia International Tattoo takes place April 16 — 19 at Scope Arena in Downtown Norfolk, proudly celebrating 250 Years of American Independence.
Tickets are on sale now and available online at vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, and in-person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office (440 Bank Street in Norfolk).
Presented in partnership with Virginia Tourism Corporation and The Hixon Family, join a cast of over 800 performers from across the globe in a dazzling display of military pageantry, precision, and passion, featuring massed pipes and drums, military bands, drill teams, dancers, choirs, and special guests. Expect heart-stirring moments of majesty and might, timeless traditions, and stirring tributes that will move and inspire.
“Each of the 2026 Tattoo’s seven performances will be just under two hours long, but the staff, cast, crew, and volunteers of the Tattoo will collectively spend more than 60,000 hours in order to make those two-hour performances happen,” said Scott Jackson, Producer/Director of the Virginia International Tattoo since 2002. “Our performers in 2026 come from five different nations and eight different time zones. That means every hour of every day from now until opening night, someone somewhere in the world will be preparing for the Virginia International Tattoo. Every hour of every day somewhere in the world people will be preparing to share their very best with you, the audience!”
Don’t miss the Virginia International Tattoo — America’s International Military Tattoo Tickets are available and on sale now at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.
What is the Tattoo?
The centuries-old tradition of Tattoo originated as a signal from drummers instructing Dutch innkeepers near military garrisons to “Doe den Tap-too” or “turn off the tap”. Hearing the call “Tap-too” soldiers would return to their barracks for an evening roll call. The
ensuing parade of soldiers evolved into a military marching band performance now known worldwide as “Tattoo.”
The Tattoos seen across the world today are ceremonial performances of military music by massed bands. Each Tattoo is influenced by the culture of the country they represent. Fans of these massed spectacles of music and might flock to the world’s great Tattoos including Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada. But the greatest Tattoo in the United States, and rivaling the largest in the world, is the Virginia International Tattoo.
Attending the Virginia International Tattoo
When: Thursday, April 16, 7:30 pm Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm Saturday, April 18, 7:30 pm Sunday, April 19, 2:30 pm
Where: Scope Arena 201 E. Brambleton Avenue Norfolk, Virginia
Tickets & Information
www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.
Stay up to date: Follow the Virginia International Tattoo on social media platforms @ VaTatt and subscribe to our Virginia International Tattoo YouTube page for the latest and greatest exclusive content, behind-thescenes, cast takeovers, and more!
Virginia International Tattoo 2026
Participating Nations
CANADA
Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums
FRANCE
Musique de la Marine Nationale
(National Band of the French Navy)
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea Army Military Band
and Honor Guard Battalion
UNITED KINGDOM
Dougie Anderson
King’s Color Squadron of the Royal Air Force
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
Hampton Roads Police Color Guards
Kilgore College Rangerettes
The Kiltie Band of York
Norfolk Fire-Rescue Honor Guard
Norfolk Public Schools Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
Old Dominion University Concert Choir
Rhodes Academy of Irish Dance
Rhythm Project
Tidewater Pipes and Drums
U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band
U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company
U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
*Subject to changes and additions. As of 2.2.2026
About Virginia International Tattoo: As it has been since 1997, one of the anchor events of the Virginia Arts Festival is the Virginia International Tattoo. Led by J. Scott Jackson, the Virginia International Tattoo has become the largest such event in North America and numbers among the largest Tattoos in the world. Selected by the American Bus Association—the nation’s premier travel organization—as the top event in the United States in 2016, the Virginia International Tattoo has drawn visitors from across the country and around the world and has welcomed performers from 31 nations. There simply is no comparable experience in the United States and no greater voice for expressing our nation’s gratitude to those who serve. Some of the most memorable of the 25 past Virginia International Tattoos have saluted the Tuskegee Airmen, Vietnam Veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and women in the military. Each show is a moving lesson in history and patriotism for every generation, including the more than 20,000 students who attend the Tattoo every year.
ships together at one time and in one place.
Spectacular 26-nautical-mile Parade of Sail
Friday, June 19, 2026
The centerpiece of Sail250® Virginia will be a magnificent Parade of Sail commanded by the Virginia Pilot Association. The parade launches at 7:30 a.m. at the Lynnhaven Anchorage off Shore Drive in Virginia Beach and arrives at docking locations in downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth beginning at noon. Fifteen public viewing sites along the 26-nautical-mile route will give spectators unprecedented access to this maritime spectacle, with additional viewing locations on Hampton and Portsmouth waterfronts. The US Navy’s famed Blue Angels will conduct a flyover during the 4.5-hour Parade of Sail, at a time to be announced. (See Parade route here.)
Four Days of FREE Public Events in Downtown Norfolk June 19-23, 2026*
Friday, June 19: Noon - 11 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: Noon - 11 p.m.
Sunday, June 21: Noon - 8 p.m.
Monday, June 22: Noon - 6 p.m.
All events are FREE and open to the public.
*All schedules subject to change. Visit sail250virginia.com for the updated information.
10 tall ship docking locations along 5 miles of continuous waterfront access: Waterside Marina, Otter Berth, Town Point Park, Nauticus, USS Wisconsin Basin, Freemason, NOAA, Front Street, US Army Corps of Engineers.
Daily public ship tours* beginning at 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19; Saturday-SundayMonday, June 20-22, 12 noon to 6 p.m. (*individual ship schedules subject to change.)
Interactive Education Center, Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Nauticus Outdoor Pavilion.
Concerts and live entertainment, Friday, June 19 to Monday, June 22
Fireworks on the Elizabeth River, Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, at 9:30 p.m.
Juneteenth National Holiday celebrations on June 19
50th annual Norfolk Harborfest festival activities, Friday, June 19 to Monday, June 22
Fleet departs for Baltimore, Tuesday a.m., June 23
FLEETEX 250 International Military Ships - Norfolk
Coinciding with Sail250® Virginia, the U.S. Navy will host FLEETEX 250, with allied and partner military ships from approximately 20 countries berthed at Norfolk Naval Base in preparation for the International Naval Review in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026.
International Crew Events and Cultural Exchange
More than 14,000 international officers, cadets, and crew members will participate in Sail250® Virginia and FLEETEX 250. Scheduled events include:
Sail250® Virginia International Soccer Tournament at Cutter Field, NSA Hampton Roads (Saturday, June 20 — Sunday, June 21, 2026) Parade of Cadets with units from all visiting ships in downtown Norfolk on Sunday, June 21, 2026,11 a.m. to noon.
International Fleet Arrives Across 12 Virginia Localities
All told, 63 ships from approximately 20 countries, including 34 tall ships (confirmed at this time, but subject to change), will comprise the fleet of vessels attending Sail250® Virginia and FLEETEX 250.
Historic vessels will arrive at Sail Virginia℠ Affiliate Harbors from June 12-14, 2026, including Alexandria, Hampton, Onancock, Richmond, Yorktown, and Smithfield/Isle of Wight, followed by additional ship visits and events June 18-23, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. Norfolk hosts the international fleet along the Elizabeth River downtown waterfront June 19-23, 2026.
The fleet departs for Baltimore on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with select ships beginning their departure on the evening of June
22, 2026. Northern Neck communities will have the opportunity to see ships headed to Baltimore throughout the day from recreational and charter vessels operating in the Chesapeake Bay from both the eastern and western shores.
Unprecedented statewide participation and impact
Sail250® Virginia represents 100 percent regional cooperation from 12 localities across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, the Peninsula, Upper Peninsula, and throughout the Chesapeake Bay Region: Alexandria, Onancock, Cape Charles, Yorktown, Hampton, Smithfield/Isle of Wight, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and the Northern Neck.
The event is projected to attract more than 3 million visitors over 10 days across 12 localities, approximately one-third visiting from out of state, with a potential economic impact of over $150 million. More than 4,000 personnel are involved in planning, public safety, maritime operations, and logistics. Statewide education is also a major beneficiary of Sail250® Virginia through the AdoptA-Ship program, which connects K-12 and higher education students with visiting ships and crews.
“Norfolk is proud to serve as host city for Sail250® Virginia and values the unprecedented cooperation from our partner communities across the Chesapeake Bay
region,” said Scherberger. “Virginia will welcome the world in 2026. Host city Norfolk and the Affiliate Harbors are reaffirming their place as harbors of history and ports of international friendship.”
“Together, we are making history again,” Scherberger stated. For a complete schedule of events, ship lists, and viewing location details, visit www. sail250virginia.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
About Sail250® Virginia: Sail250® Virginia is part of the United States’ national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. Scheduled June 12-23, 2026, the event will bring a fleet of international tall ships, military ships, historic and character vessels to Norfolk and Affiliate Harbors in the Chesapeake Bay Region for multiday waterfront festivals, featuring ship tours, fireworks, concerts, and educational programming. Sail250® Virginia will showcase Virginia’s role as a maritime gateway to the world, bringing together participants and visitors from around the globe. Sail250® Virginia is produced by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. For more details, visit sail250virginia. com
Sail250® Virginia support includes –In Partnership with VA250 – Sponsors: Virginia is for Lovers, The City of Norfolk, Sentara, TowneBank, W.F. Magann Corporation, Crofton Industries, E. G. Middleton, Inc., Dominion Enterprises, McLeskey, VIGOR Marine | MHI Norfolk, The Port of Virginia, Dominion Energy, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, McAllister Towing of Virginia, Fairlead, Light Tech, Inc., Colliers, Virginia Pilot Association, Nauticus, ICON, Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc., Perry Family Foundation, Visit Norfolk, BAE Systems, Coastal Precast Systems, Elizabeth River Concrete, S. B. Ballard Construction Company, Bay Power Solutions, STIHL, Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Rivers Casino, Navy League of Hampton Roads, Decker Law, Schaubach Fund/Suffolk Foundation. WHRO Public Media, Official Education Media Partner.
for all of it. So she’s not innocent either. And except for maybe Amos, who’s the husband of Roxy, but even he’s willing to take her back and love her after all that she’s done because he loves her. So it’s amazing, the music is great, the choreography is legendary. Ann Reinking, who choreographed it in the style of Bob Fosse, but she’s the one who actually did the original choreography for the show, which is what we have. So it’s a beautiful, fun story. You’re gonna get some laughs out of it, and it’s high energy. It’s a roller coaster ride, and I hope people aren’t afraid of roller coasters, because it’s a good one.
Y: You play Matron Mama Morton, or as I like saying Triple M. So tell us a little bit more about your character. What is your function or purpose in the musical?
IK: Matron Mama Morton is the one that as they say, she rules the roost of these chickies in this prison. She is the one that you will make contact with if you are in prison, and you’ve done all these horrible things. You need a good lawyer, you need contacts, you need a way to get your name in the paper often, and to have lots of publicity so that you can hopefully get off from murdering all the people you’ve murdered. And so all the bad things you’ve done, she’s the one in the prison that you’re gonna go to talk to but the catch is, she’s a businesswoman, and she doesn’t do nothing without you paying her some money. So you gotta find a way to make that money and have that money. Even Velma has to pay her. She gets Velma, a high price discount but she still has to pay, you know? And she’s not asking for a small, $50. In the 1920s, that’s a lot of money for a phone call. You know, $100 for a phone call, that was a lot of money, but not as much as Billy the lawyer is charging. So she gets them the best lawyers, if they can afford it. That’s who she is, and she lets them know, you do something for me, I do something for you. You keep your name in the paper, you keep it active so that people care about you and it’s gonna help you even more. But if you can’t pay me, I’m gonna go help this next girl, because she’s created a bigger crime, and her folks have more money, so she can keep her business alive. She’s got it really going on.
Y: How do you go about playing such an iconic role?
IK: When I first got the role, I did a lot of research, and so I had it on my radar for quite a while. I actually did it in a dinner theatre in Florida, which is called Broadway Palm. It wasn’t a Broadway production, but it was a beautiful production, it was actually based more on a mixture of the movie and the Broadway show. So it had all the different costumes, lots of sparkling, pretty clothes. I had a dress pretty much exactly like the one that Queen Latifah wore in the movie. I rip off my gray dress and then have the glittery, you know, leopard looking down underneath for that. But this one is very different. In this one Mama’s in a business suit. It is a beautiful business suit, everything is black. Everybody’s costumes are black. And it’s very much the actors, the performers are telling the story. There is some glitter in the show, for sure. But it’s all about the lyrics and the music and the dance, the movement. You really pay attention more because there’s less razzle dazzle, as in props, and that type of thing, in this show.
So for me, what I had to do is, I pretty much restructured my ability to learn it, because it was something that I already had learned, as far as knowing my lines and the music. And so I went back literally, with pen and paper, wrote down things from looking on YouTube and seeing videos of other performers doing it and going way back to the beginning, and just, I took notes for myself on what I was, what I was seeing. And I worked it that way and I worked with the director, and they let you know exactly what they want and you do your best to give them what they’re looking for.
Y: I read that you were actually a replacement. Can you tell us about your opening night?
IK: Yes, my opening night of the tour was in Seoul, South Korea. I replaced a young lady that had been on the road for a while, and wanted to be with her family, and I was
overjoyed, because I was dying to go to South Korea, and be there, and perform the show, so it was really amazing. It was just incredible to step into this role, and then, to carry it with me and she’s grown, for sure. I only had a week of boot camp, and then the show started back up. So every night, I feel like I planned something new for her. But at the same time, I want to keep her consistent.
Y: Tell us a little bit about your colleagues and what’s it like working with them?
IK: They are absolutely incredible. So I started in 2023. This is actually my fourth cast of the show. Ellie Roddy plays Roxy Hart. She actually started last year, and she’s just really incredible. Claire Marshall, who plays our Velma Kelly, we just all mesh, you know? I don’t know, how it always works, that they find the people, and they’re your new family, and you ride the bus together, you’re riding the planes together, you don’t get tired of each other when the show is over, you’re hanging out together and you’re together all the time. You really do become a family. Every single one of the cast members are just wonderful people. Everybody cares about each other, everybody takes care of each other. It just makes it all work. We have an incredible crew that travels with us. They’re the most loving people. Our producers are incredibly wonderful and caring, and they’re with us. Some of them are on the road with us, and some of them, and the others, they come out, and they check on us, and they just make sure, we’re good. And I just really think that it’s just been a blessing. You hear horror stories of things that have happened to different companies and different people within the show and how they weren’t taken care of in various situations. And we just haven’t had any of that, because we never feel like we’re alone, and so we always know that somebody has our back, and somebody’s there for us, and it’s really been special. I’m so thankful that I’m a part of the Chicago family, and it’s just beautiful,
and I feel like when the audiences come, that they feel that we genuinely all love and care for each other and it’s just a beautiful thing.
Y: What is your favorite part of the play or song in the show that you are in and you get to do every night and you can’t wait to do it? Also what is your favorite part of the show that you are not in, but you love to either watch from the sides or maybe sing in the back?
IK: So my favorite part of my song, I think, is the setup of it. She’s telling you, I love that she tells you right from the beginning that the system works, and the system’s called reciprocity. So I’m like, If you get that, then you know what she’s doing. The song is full of all those double entendres, but she’s already told you. She didn’t have to sing the whole song to tell you that. It’s such a fun song to deliver. And then my favorite number to watch every night is, we both reached for the gun. It’s just so entertaining, and I love to watch all the performers’ faces, not just watching Billy and Roxy’s face, which is, it’s hysterical enough. But to watch the dancers, who are the reporters at this time, and they are dancing so fast. They are dancing, like, their lives depend on it, and it’s just so amazing how sharp and together that they are. The choreography, it’s just brilliant. And just one of those moments, you know, that I love. I also like to watch all of Velma’s choreography, and luckily, for her second act, when I’m on stage and I actually can watch her when she’s telling the story about when she finally gets to have her moment on the stand, and showing all this crazy stuff she’s gonna do which I love. It’s so good.
Y: Okay, let’s talk about you. Where were you born? What was life growing up like and what made you fall in love with this beautiful, wonderful entertainment world of hours?
IK: I was born in Tyler, in Tyler, Texas. It used to be a small town. It’s not so small anymore. I have four sisters and a brother.
One sister is younger than me, and I was raised by my great grandparents, who lived right around the corner. My mother was a single mom, and she raised all of us, but, of course, our grandparents had a big hand in it being so close by. We were in Girl Scouts, and we were in brownies, and did a lot of stuff with the church, and, vacations and field trips, you name it. But I just remember, like, wanting other things to do all the time. I also always wanted to make my own money. I had a newspaper route when I could throw a paper. I wanted my own job when I was five, six years old. I kind of sang in church, but I was very shy as a kid. I was even shy in high school, but I did a play in high school. It was for three nights and I was only supposed to do my role for one night and another girl for two nights. I did my homework, and I learned my lines, and she didn’t. So I got two nights, and she got one. And then I remember the lead boy at the show told me, and his mother also came and told me and said that I was the best thing in the show. I think that I have always kind of just come alive when I’m on the stage. I remember my first play that I did. It was in elementary school, they wrote these little plays, and they’re just cute, and you’re in kindergarten, and my only job, I didn’t have to say anything, was to be on the back of the bus when the cardboard bus rolled away. I’m supposed to walk with it and wave. That was my only job and the audience went wild, and I was like, “Oh, what the hell, can I get paid for this?” That was my first experience with that, and I love that. And then, while in high school, I actually ran across this lady, Pamela Irwin in my hometown that took her dancers and they did a concert in the amphitheater at our park. I found her in the yellow pages of the phonebook, called her and she invited me to come over. This is the ‘80s, my sophomore year of high school, and I sat down on the floor in front of her TV, she had dance concerts from all of her years of teaching, dance, in my hometown, which was probably more than 15 tapes and I sat there glued to that TV, watching them and she said that I could start. I started with two of my friends with me but they quit. I ended up being the only one left in that class of our 14-15 year olds. I worked hard practicing everyday and I got to dance with the other kids on TV.
Y: How about a pinch me moment or two, a wow moment that you can’t believe this little girl from Tyler, Texas, got to experience?
IK: Oh my gosh yes. I love BTS. (Bangtan Sonyeondan, also known as the Bangtan Boys, globally renowned seven-member South Korean boy band known for blending K-pop with hip-hop and addressing social issues.) When I was in South Korea I was literally following in all of the places that they had done their videos and tours. I remember going to Namsung Tower, which is the tallest tower. There, you take the elevator and stairs way up and then you walk up some more levels of stairs, and then you get in this almost like a capsule in the sky, and you go way up, and I was just looking at the lights over saying, “Somebody, please pinch me!” I mean, it was just glorious, beautiful. When we were there, we started in the daytime, but stayed until night, because you can see the entire city, and the lights, and the river, and it’s just the most beautiful site, and I still, you know, sometimes can’t believe that I had that experience.
I’ve also gone to Japan. I went to Osaka, and I absolutely love that there, as well. Even when I was in Canada the first time, I was like, Oh, my gosh. Why am I not here more often? I just, I love to travel and this tour has just been so extra special. It really had awakened something in me that I didn’t know I needed. I really love experiencing cultures outside of American culture. I love learning something new and I am really into that experience. It keeps me feeling alive, eager, encouraged, and open to people that are different from me. And you know, I find that I just love them. Yeah, actually, I love it. This was so wonderful, talking with you. Thank you, so much.
Yiorgo is an arts, entertainment and sports writer. A stage, TV and movie actor, he is also a sports entertainer, educator, columnist, motivational speaker, writer and storyteller.
Ellie Roddy as Roxie Hart in The National Tour of CHICAGO. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL)
Illeana ‘Illy’ Kirven as Matron Mama Morton in the National Tour of CHICAGO. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL)
Claire Marshall as Velma Kelly and Ellie Roddy as Roxie Hart in The National Tour of CHICAGO. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL)
Jake Siffert, Josh England and Jared Houde in the National Tour of CHICAGO. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL)
Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers new hope for Veterans
By Family Features
Source: Disabled American Veterans
For generations, America’s veterans have borne not only the visible scars of battle but also the hidden wounds of war. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury and anxiety have long haunted those who served, often with devastating effects on their quality of life and their families. While traditional treatments have helped, many veterans continue to suffer in silence - left behind by a system struggling to meet their needs. However, science is now reopening doors once closed, and therapies previously dismissed are being reconsidered with fresh eyes. Among them are psychedelic-assisted treatments, which have revealed potential in clinical trials to address the most severe mental health conditions afflicting veterans.
The FDA’s Role
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one psychedelic-based medication: a ketamine nasal spray to treat depression. However, other compounds are gaining the attention of researchers, clinicians and veterans alike. Psilocybin - the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms” - and a drug similar to LSD have both earned FDA “breakthrough therapy” status for their potential to ease depression and anxiety, sometimes after only a single dose. In 2017, MDMA-assisted therapy was identified as a potential breakthrough treatment option for PTSD; ultimately, the FDA declined to grant full approval. This setback underscored not a failure of science, but the complexity of studying powerful compounds under existing regulatory frameworks. For veterans, it was a disappointment, yet it also spotlighted the urgent need for continued research and funding.
Veterans and Research at
the
Forefront
One compound has captured national attention: ibogaine, a psychedelic root traditionally used in ceremonies in central and west Africa. Early studies with
special-operations veterans have found improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety and overall functioning - especially for those living with the effects of traumatic brain injury.
Recognizing this potential, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is championing these new approaches. At its 2025 National Convention, the organization hosted a groundbreaking psychedelics roundtable that brought together researchers, veterans, advocates and even a former NFL player to discuss the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies. The century-old organization supports research into these treatments, pointing out that traditional therapies can fail for as many as 60% of those who try them. It’s also advocating for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make psychedelic treatments available once they receive FDA approval.
“We are experiencing a watershed moment in medical research as psychedelic-assisted therapies have revealed true potential in clinical trials to treat severe mental health conditions,” said Barry Jesinoski, DAV’s National Adjutant. “This glimmer offers veterans contending with not only PTSD but depression, traumatic brain injury, anxiety and more hope in a world where the status quo is failing them.”
A New Mission
The promising results of these treatments spurred some states to commit funding toward research into psychedelic therapies or conduct legislative hearings to explore their role in advancing this science. The VA is now conducting studies on MDMA and psilocybin.
While more research is needed to fully understand their risks, benefits and best applications, for DAV, psychedelic medication represents both hope and responsibility. By advocating for rigorous research and ensuring veterans’ perspectives are central to the conversation, the organization is working to accelerate progress while safeguarding integrity.
Whether through psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine or future discoveries, the mission is clear: fund the research, pursue the science and ensure America’s veterans are given every chance to heal. Learn more at dav.org.
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Recipes By U.s. Department Of Agriculture
Mushroom Barley Soup
Prepare this hearty soup with vegetable broth if you desire it to be vegetarian or vegan.
Servings: 4
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or cooking oil of choice)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium celery stalks, sliced thin
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 cup potatoes, cut into pieces
1/2 cup quick cooking barley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Heat oil in large soup pot over high heat. Sauté onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms until golden, about 4 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients except for the parsley and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, about 20 minutes.
Sprinkle parsley on top of soup and serve hot.
Source: Cooking Demo II | Food and Health Communications, Inc.
Lentil Minestrone
This soup starts with plenty of vegetables - carrots, celery, sweet potato, zucchini, and tomatoes and hearty lentils simmered to make a rich and tasty meal for a hungry family.
Servings: 6
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 celery stalk, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 zucchini, diced into 1/4-inch pieces (or 1 cup of frozen zucchini)
2 cups canned diced tomatoes, no salt added (or fresh tomatoes)
1/2 cup lentils (brown or red)
8 cups water
1 cube low-sodium chicken bouillon
4 cups kale, chopped
Put a soup pot on the stove over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot, add the oil. Add onion and garlic and cook about 7 minutes until golden. Add carrots, celery, sweet potato, and zucchini and cook about 10 minutes until slightly tender.
Add tomatoes, lentils, water, and chicken bouillon cube and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to low, cover and cook 40 minutes. Add the kale and cook an additional 20 minutes. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Source: USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Tortellini Soup
Peas, lentils, and beans combined with spices and veggies provide this pasta soup with flavor and fiber. Enjoy this hearty soup on a chilly night.
Servings: 6
1 cup dry Great Northern beans
3 teaspoons chicken broth granules
1 can low-sodium tomatoes
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/16 teaspoon minced garlic, instant (pinch)
1/2 teaspoon dry thyme
3/4 cup tortellini, uncooked
1 cup carrot, coarsely chopped
1 cup celery, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons basil (optional)
Rinse beans. Put into a 4 or 5 quart heavy pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours).
Add 4 cups water and remaining ingredients to beans. Return to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 1/2 hour, until tortellini and vegetables are tender.
Source: Food and Health Communications, Inc.
Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Greens Soup
This hearty and delicious soup will make a great meal on a cold night. Serve with some whole wheat bread and a salad for an easy weekday dinner.
Servings: 6
3 cups collard greens, stems removed and chopped (about 1/2 pound)
4 cups no-salt added black-eyed peas (or 2 cans -15 ounce each)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or cooking oil of choice)
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 pound deli ham (sliced)
1 can low-sodium broth (14.5 ounce - chicken or vegetable)
salt and pepper to taste (optional)
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Wash the collard greens.*
Drain and rinse the black-eyed peas.
Collect, chop, dice, and measure all ingredients before starting to prepare the recipe.
Place oil, onion, garlic, and ham in a large pot with a lid over medium heat. Stir occasionally until onion is clear, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add collard greens and broth to the pot.
Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the collard greens are tender.
Place half of the black-eyed peas in a small bowl, and
mash with a fork. Stir the mashed and whole peas into the soup. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Taste, and add a small amount of salt and black pepper if desired.
Stir in vinegar just before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Eat within 3 to 5 days.
* A note on preparing collard greens: First, remove any damaged outer leaves. Fill a large bowl with cold water, and dunk the greens. Swish them around for a few minutes to help loosen any dirt on the leaves. Pour out the dirty water and fill the bowl with clean water. Swish the leaves under the clean water again to remove any additional dirt. Continue this process until the water in the bowl remains clear. To cut collard greens, fold each leaf in half with the stem at the fold crease. Either cut or tear the stem off. Stack several leaves on top of each other and roll the leaves up.
Cut the roll of leaves in 1 inch thick pieces.
Be Creative! - Top with shredded cheese!
Source: Eating Smart, Being Active | Colorado State University Extension
‘Leftovers’ Broccoli Potato Soup
A tasty and made-from-scratch soup that comes together quickly with the help of leftover mashed potatoes.
Servings: 4
4 cups broccoli (chopped)
1 small onion (chopped)
4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable broth, low-sodium)
1 cup evaporated milk (non-fat)
1 cup potatoes (mashed, leftover or 1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes, instant and prepare with water to make 1 cup potatoes)
1/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
Combine broccoli, onion, and broth in large sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add milk to soup. Slowly stir in mashed potatoes. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened. Season with salt and pepper; stir in a little more milk or water if soup starts to become too thick. Ladle into serving bowls.
Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon cheese over each serving.
Source: USDA, MyPlate
