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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBob Odenkirk says live theater draws him because he can feel an audience responding in real time—and no two performances play out exactly the same. That appetite for the stage sits alongside his acting, writing and documentary work, including an October 2026 appearance in Champaign and a Chicago festival screening of a film he made with David Cross.
Why live theater keeps pulling Odenkirk back
For Odenkirk, the audience is not simply watching the performance; its energy becomes part of it. In Erica Thompson’s October 5, 2026, Chicago Sun-Times interview, he described listening backstage, then adjusting to the room once he walks onstage:
“You’re backstage listening to them, going, ‘Oh, they’re lively. Oh, they’re quiet. Oh, they’re a little drunk,’” he said. “And then you go out there and you feel how they’re listening and what’s landing with them. Every time you do the play it’s different, because of what you’re feeling back from the audience. It’s awesome.”
That is his stated appeal—not a claim that he prefers theater to screen work. A play’s changing audience response gives each performance a different quality.
#1 Best Overall
His stage roles, and the material he chooses
Glengarry Glen Ross
Odenkirk played Shelley Levene in the Broadway revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross and received a Tony nomination for the role.
Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?
In a limited run of Eric Bentley’s play, Odenkirk portrayed actor Lionel Stander. The play’s dialogue drew on transcripts from House Committee on Un-American Activities hearings. Odenkirk said of playing Stander: “I love what he did, and I loved getting to play him.”
Rank #2
He has said he would like to perform at Chicago theaters such as Steppenwolf or The Goodman, but the interview did not report a booking at either. And the attraction of theater does not mean every play suits him: he passed on a well-written Broadway show because he found it too dramatic and sad.
Comedy still matters to his dramatic work
Odenkirk describes acting as a craft that demanded intense concentration. “I didn’t train as an actor,” he told Thompson. “It took all my focus and thought and effort and craft. And I learned an incredible amount about acting. It took everything I had to pull that off.”
Even while taking on dramatic roles, he wants humor in his working life: “I don’t like living without comedy.” He enjoyed the comic advertising scenes he played as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul and valued the humor the show’s writers brought to the series.
How his choices changed after his heart attack
Odenkirk said his decisions about work have become more deliberate since his 2021 heart attack. After a demanding stretch of projects, he wanted to assess how he spends his time. “I’ve actually gotten to do the things I love to do and the things I just found interesting, but didn’t love that much. And I’ve got to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my time. You’ve got to make big choices so you’re spending your time wisely.”
Rank #4
What he is working on now
A documentary trip with David Cross
Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu, directed by Michael LaHaie, follows Odenkirk and fellow comedian David Cross on a four-day Inca Trail adventure they completed in Peru in 2024. The two revisit childhood, creativity and aging while riffing together; Odenkirk said they remain in sync in person and wanted to share that dynamic. He entered the trip anticipating a heavy run of work, including two action films and his Broadway debut.
In the October 5 interview, Odenkirk was due to attend a Chicago International Film Festival screening of the documentary at Music Box Theatre on October 18, 2026. The festival was scheduled to run October 14–25, 2026; consult the festival coverage for its dates and check the festival for current screening details.
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A play, television directing and writing
Odenkirk said he is writing several projects, including a play with Cross, and preparing to direct a television show for his son Nate. In discussing his writing interests, he pointed to “allegiance and belief”: he wants people to question group loyalties and assumptions they have not examined. “We need to listen to each other again and open our minds up to sharing this world,” he said.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Chicago remains part of his story
Odenkirk’s connection to the city began with stand-up, improvisation classes at Players Workshop after Southern Illinois University, and performances at The Second City. He said taking a guest role on The Bear was partly a way to stay connected to Chicago, and praised the show’s writing and cast.
October 2026 appearances
At the time of the October 5 interview, these were upcoming events. Dates, tickets and event details can change; check the official listings before making plans.
Quick Recap
| Event | When and where | Details reported |
|---|---|---|
| WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM | October 16–17, 2026, Virginia Theatre, Champaign | An alien-invasion story written by Odenkirk’s brother Bill. The venue listing named Bob Odenkirk, Jill Talley, Ahmed Best and Avi Loeb, with Ryan Groff as special musical guest. Reserved seats were listed at $39.50, $59.50, $79.50 and $89.50, plus per-ticket fees; VIP packages were also listed. See the Virginia Theatre event listing for current information. |
| Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu screening | October 18, 2026, Music Box Theatre, Chicago | The interview reported Odenkirk was due to attend a Chicago International Film Festival screening. Check the festival for the latest schedule and ticket status. |
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