From the Director’s Chair

About Rikki Lee Travolta

Rikki Lee Travolta is an experienced creative professional who has worked in television, film, publishing, music, and theatre. Currently he is the writer and producer of The Polish Cooking Show on PBS and the publicist for Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses fame. Previously he has worked on projects involving Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, Sting, Extreme, Crowbar, Soil, Scout Taylor-Compton (of Halloween fame), Michael Dorn (known best for Star Trek: The Next Generation), Peter Mayhew (one of the original stars of the Star Wars universe), and Chase Masterson (best known for Star Trek: Deep Space 9).

He began his career as a child actor – starring as Tiny Tim in a televised production of A Christmas Carol. In the 1990’s he made national headlines as the first special guest star in the environmental theatre hit Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding – reviving ticket sales in Chicago and then branching out to boost ticket sales in productions across the US. Regarding his performance, Fox Thing in the Morning personality Marianne Murciano said, “I’ve seen the show before. With Rikki Lee Travolta the show is even better.”

In 2005 GuestStarCasting named Travolta alongside Donny Osmond, Patrick Cassidy, Darren Day, Michael Damian, Brian Lane Green, Sam Harris, Bill Hutton, Jason Donovan, and Jon Secada as one of the Top Ten Headliners in the World for the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Time Rice smash hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Travolta took a break from the performing world to serve as the head of public relations for several well-known companies including Empire Today and Other World Computing. He guided the companies to record setting media coverage leading to record breaking sales. A natural spokesperson with a charming smile, Travolta made regular media appearance representing many of his employers.

Travolta made his return to acting in 2016 in a Midwest revival of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, for which he earned one of his three Best Actor nominations in the Broadway World Chicago Theatre Awards. He continues to make select, critically-acclaimed appearances in film, television, and stage productions. The LA Times labeled Travolta a “Best Bet” and in 2023 he was named Best Actor in the prestigious Midwest Film Festival, sponsored by Lamborghini.

Travolta’s film and television credits include thriller, drama, comedy, and horror gems. Recent credits include The Sleight, The Lurker, and That Night. Highlights of his stage career include the musicals West Side Story, RENT, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, and Camelot; the dramas Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and August: Osage County; and the comedies Noises Off! and I Hate Hamlet. Of his appearance in The Lurker, the horror movie review hub Rotting Zombie named Travolta a “great scene stealing actor.” He won the 2003 Best Actor honors in the Midwest Film Festival Awards for his leading performance as The Amazing Ron in the dark comedy The Sleight.

In addition, he is an Amazon Top Ten author, an internationally published journalist, an award-winning screenwriter, and the host of the popular weekly radio show It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee about the entertainment industry. Featured guests include Hollywood heartthrobs, Broadway icons, and Grammy Award-winning recording artists.

Rikki Lee accomplishes these things despite the unique challenges of living with a disability. He is pubic about his disability is hopes of being an inspiration to others.

I’ve played some parts. I’ve sung some songs. I’ve written a few words. And although I’ve won some awards, the real reason I do it is because it’s fun.”

Rikki Lee Travolta

For additional information visit: www.RikkiLeeTravolta.com