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Event Program
SAT, JAN 24 | 7PM
The radio show and podcast where we quiz the smartest celebrities we know and find out
why they love what they love.
Tag us on Instagram @symphonyspace to be featured in our Instagram stories!

Jackie Cox (she/they) is best known as a semi-finalist from Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She was the first queen of Iranian descent to appear on the show, making drag history when she wore a hijab on the runway. Last year, they made their Off-Broadway debut as Kenneth/Kate in the Lucille Lortell and Drama Desk–nominated one-person play Make Me Gorgeous! and recently appeared as Babs in Song Song Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Coming up, Jackie will make a guest appearance on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+, becoming the first drag queen of the "Final Frontier." Additional screen credits include Days of Our Lives, This Is Me: A Pride Celebration, What Would You Do?, and numerous appearances on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Lisa Rinna and others.
Jackie Cox (she/they) is best known as a semi-finalist from Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She was the first queen of Iranian descent to appear on the show, making drag history when she wore a hijab on the runway. Last year, they made their Off-Broadway debut as Kenneth/Kate in the Lucille Lortell and Drama Desk–nominated one-person play Make Me Gorgeous! and recently appeared as Babs in Song Song Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Coming up, Jackie will make a guest appearance on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+, becoming the first drag queen of the "Final Frontier." Additional screen credits include Days of Our Lives, This Is Me: A Pride Celebration, What Would You Do?, and numerous appearances on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Lisa Rinna and others.

A fan favorite on NPR's hit Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Helen Hong also brings her lively quippy hosting style to the celebrity trivia game show Go Fact Yourself. Helen's acting credits include roles in A24's If I Had Legs I'd Kick You and Netflix's Family Switch. She's also had recurring roles on Never Have I Ever, Silicon Valley, and 5 seasons of The Thundermans on Nickelodeon. A breast cancer survivor, Asian-American activist, and frequent dog foster parent, Helen uses her standup comedy skills to raise funds and awareness for her favorite causes.
A fan favorite on NPR's hit Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Helen Hong also brings her lively quippy hosting style to the celebrity trivia game show Go Fact Yourself. Helen's acting credits include roles in A24's If I Had Legs I'd Kick You and Netflix's Family Switch. She's also had recurring roles on Never Have I Ever, Silicon Valley, and 5 seasons of The Thundermans on Nickelodeon. A breast cancer survivor, Asian-American activist, and frequent dog foster parent, Helen uses her standup comedy skills to raise funds and awareness for her favorite causes.

Dorinda Medley, born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is an American television personality best known for her appearances on reality TV. In 2015, Medley joined the cast of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) in its seventh season, becoming a mainstay until her departure after the twelfth season in 2020. During her tenure, she was known for her candid demeanor and memorable catchphrases. Beyond RHONY, Medley expanded her reality TV presence by participating in Peacock’s The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She appeared in the second season, titled “Ex-Wives Club,” which premiered in June 2022 and was filmed at her renowned Blue Stone Manor in Great Barrington. She returned for the fourth season, RHONY Legacy, which aired from December 2023 to January 2024. Dorinda’s iconic home has also been featured in the renowned Architectural Digest! In 2024, Medley competed in the third season of The Traitors, a reality series on Peacock. Despite her enthusiasm, she was the first contestant eliminated, an outcome that left her and her fans disappointed. Dorinda is back in 2026 for Season 4! Throughout her television career, Medley has also made guest appearances on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In addition to her television endeavors, Medley authored the memoir Make It Nice, published in 2021, offering insights into her life and experiences. A new Bravo spinoff series is in development, centered on Medley managing a young staff at Blue Stone Manor, reminiscent of Hulu’s Vanderpump Villa. Dorinda Medley’s television journey reflects her dynamic personality and adaptability, securing her a lasting presence in the reality TV landscape.
Dorinda Medley, born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is an American television personality best known for her appearances on reality TV. In 2015, Medley joined the cast of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) in its seventh season, becoming a mainstay until her departure after the twelfth season in 2020. During her tenure, she was known for her candid demeanor and memorable catchphrases. Beyond RHONY, Medley expanded her reality TV presence by participating in Peacock’s The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She appeared in the second season, titled “Ex-Wives Club,” which premiered in June 2022 and was filmed at her renowned Blue Stone Manor in Great Barrington. She returned for the fourth season, RHONY Legacy, which aired from December 2023 to January 2024. Dorinda’s iconic home has also been featured in the renowned Architectural Digest! In 2024, Medley competed in the third season of The Traitors, a reality series on Peacock. Despite her enthusiasm, she was the first contestant eliminated, an outcome that left her and her fans disappointed. Dorinda is back in 2026 for Season 4! Throughout her television career, Medley has also made guest appearances on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In addition to her television endeavors, Medley authored the memoir Make It Nice, published in 2021, offering insights into her life and experiences. A new Bravo spinoff series is in development, centered on Medley managing a young staff at Blue Stone Manor, reminiscent of Hulu’s Vanderpump Villa. Dorinda Medley’s television journey reflects her dynamic personality and adaptability, securing her a lasting presence in the reality TV landscape.

J. Keith van Straaten (Host/Co-Creator/Executive Producer/Writer) is delighted that Go Fact Yourself is approaching its 200th podcast episode and is airing on various public radio stations from Alaska to Hawaii. J. Keith is a content producer/writer for TV game shows, currently on the nationally syndicated Funny You Should Ask and previously on The Hustler, Chain Reaction, Master Minds, and In the USA Today. He was a longtime senior writer on NPR's Ask Me Another. In New York and Los Angeles, J. Keith hosted the live matchmaking show The Fix-Up Show and What's My Line? – Live On Stage. He also hosted Comedy Central's Beat the Geeks. J. Keith hosts private trivia events around the country via The Big Quiz Thing (bigquizthing.com) and has hosted corporate game shows for Fortune 500 companies. On TV, he has appeared on Best Week Ever; Curb Your Enthusiasm; Beverly Hills, 90210; and a deleted scene on Gilmore Girls. As a journalist, J. Keith has written about COVID and comedy for the Los Angeles Times, points and miles for ThePointsGuy.com, and theater for TDF Stages magazine. He co-produces L.A.'s long-running storytelling show Rant & Rave. J. Keith is recently married and has two cats. He probably needs a nap.
J. Keith van Straaten (Host/Co-Creator/Executive Producer/Writer) is delighted that Go Fact Yourself is approaching its 200th podcast episode and is airing on various public radio stations from Alaska to Hawaii. J. Keith is a content producer/writer for TV game shows, currently on the nationally syndicated Funny You Should Ask and previously on The Hustler, Chain Reaction, Master Minds, and In the USA Today. He was a longtime senior writer on NPR's Ask Me Another. In New York and Los Angeles, J. Keith hosted the live matchmaking show The Fix-Up Show and What's My Line? – Live On Stage. He also hosted Comedy Central's Beat the Geeks. J. Keith hosts private trivia events around the country via The Big Quiz Thing (bigquizthing.com) and has hosted corporate game shows for Fortune 500 companies. On TV, he has appeared on Best Week Ever; Curb Your Enthusiasm; Beverly Hills, 90210; and a deleted scene on Gilmore Girls. As a journalist, J. Keith has written about COVID and comedy for the Los Angeles Times, points and miles for ThePointsGuy.com, and theater for TDF Stages magazine. He co-produces L.A.'s long-running storytelling show Rant & Rave. J. Keith is recently married and has two cats. He probably needs a nap.
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Seedlings Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund, Charina Endowment Fund, Charles D. Fleischman Charitable Trust, Susan Bay Nimoy, The Isambard Kingdom Brunel Society of North America, Michael Tuch Foundation, PECO Foundation, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, Google.org, Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation, Jody and John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation, The Grodzins Fund, and the Seedtime Foundation.
Programming is also made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
Symphony Space thanks our generous supporters, including our Board of Directors, Producers Circle, and members, who make our programs possible with their annual support.
Kathy Landau Executive Director
Peg Wreen Managing Director
Isaiah Sheffer*
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director (1978-1990)
Artistic Director (1990-2010)
Founding Artistic Director (2010-2012)
Allan Miller
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director (1978-1990)
Jennifer Brennan Director of Literary Programs
Drew Richardson Lead Producer of Literary Programs
Vivienne Woodward Senior Producer of Literary Programs
Mary Shimkin Director of Broadcast & Literary Initiatives
Matthew Love Consultant for Literary Programs
Magdalene Wrobleski Program Associate
Lili Raynaud Literary Intern
Gabriela Weaver Literary Intern
*in memoriam