Lee Wichman

Lee Wichman is a Chicago-based actor.

Chicago acting credits include: Emma’s Child, Two Days in Court: The Devil and Daniel Webster and Trial by Jury, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, The Thin Man and PSmith, Journalist (City Lit Theater); Indecent (u/s Otto and Lemml, Victory Gardens Theater); Rumors (MadKap Productions); An Enemy of the People, The Secret of the Old Queen (Stage Left Theatre); Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Open Eye Productions - Jeff Citation for Best Ensemble); Who Killed Joan Crawford? (Glitterati Productions); Phantom (Clock Tower Theatre); Babes in Toyland (Theater at the Center); Autobahn (Awkward Pause Theatre); Nightmares & Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier (Black Button Eyes Productions); Pericles (Blunt Objects Theatre); Catch Me If You Can (James Downing Theatre); a concert version of Fade Out - Fade In (Porchlight Music Theatre); and a concert version of My Fair Lady (About Face Theatre). Regional acting credits include: Moot (Milwaukee Repertory Theater) and Into the Woods (Blackfriars Theatre).

Lee’s on-camera work includes the BBC’s “Fasten Your Seatbelt,” a commercial for G.E.M.S. World Academy, the independent short film “The Psycho of Happiness,” and the webisodes “Dudes” and “The Up to No Goods.” Additionally, Lee has worked as an assistant director at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the National Jewish Theater (Skokie, IL), and the Hangar Theatre (Ithaca, NY).

Lee studied acting in Chicago at Act One Studios and The Actor’s Center, as well as individually with Mary Ann Thebus. He studied on-camera technique at Act One Studios, The Green Room Studio and Vagabond School of the Arts, and he studied improvisation (levels 1-3) at iO Theater. Lee has had piano and voice training at the Eastman School of Music and has studied voice privately in Chicago. He also worked privately with Beckie Menzie for vocal coaching.

Originally from Connecticut, Lee moved to Chicago upon completion of his B.A. in English and Minor in Theater at the University of Rochester (which included a five-week intensive acting training at the Yale Summer Drama Program and a year abroad in London, where he created an Independent Study in Directing) and following directing internships at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in Milwaukee, WI.

In 2016, Lee founded an organization called the Chicago Actors’ Call to Action, which produces events to raise awareness and money for various nonprofit organizations and social justice causes that need our help now more than ever. More information can be found at www.chicagoactorscta.org.

Offstage, Lee maintains an adult private practice of psychotherapy in Chicago, working with individuals and couples, with a focus on treating fine and performing artists. More information can be viewed at www.leewichman.com.

Reviews

Rumors

“The role of psychiatrist Ernie Cusack is embraced by Lee Wichman, who blesses his character with an odd sensibility and unique traits like a jarring, comic laugh.”

- The Life and Times of Rikki Lee Travolta, 4/2/2023

Emma’s Child

“A standout in the supporting cast is Lee Wichman as Laurence, the NICU nurse charged with Robin’s care. Wichman injects much-needed humor into the intense care that Robin requires. Laurence understands more than anyone the needs of the infant and rallies his caretakers with a respectful disregard for protocol. He also initiates Jean into the care routine but recognizes her limitations more than she does. Wichman’s gentle, sardonic performance perfectly aligns with his role.”

- Kerstin Broockmann, Buzz Center Stage - Theatre in Review

Who Killed Joan Crawford?

"Lee Wichman seems to have modeled his chatty character after Joy Behar from “The View,” as Harvey Goldberg. Enchanting in his frock and wielding a glittering axe, Wichman is hilarious disguised as Joan Crawford from Strait-Jacket.”

         -    Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review, 2019

Nightmares & Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier

"Lee Wichman oozes corrupt, manipulative power as Scratch, the literally satanic movie producer."

         -     Hugh Iglarsh, New City Stage, August 21, 2018

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

 "A surprise guest star is the real star of this Sherlock Holmes pastiche...It’s Wichman’s Austrian Specialist that’s the show’s real star. His dry, understated wit is most welcome."

            -   Alex Huntsberger, Time Out Chicago, October 12, 2015

"An unassuming appearance can hide the greatest surprises, and the most delightful performance in the production is that of Lee Wichman." 

           -     Zach Barr, New City, October 12, 2015

"Lee Wichman is a lovely Freud, at once gentle and steely as he probes the secrets of the subconscious."

           -     Albert Williams, Chicago Reader, October 12, 2015

Alice's Adventures Under Ground

"Broad-comedy broads and baggy-pants comedians Morgan McCabe, Edward Kuffert and Lee Wichman—as the Duchess, Mad Hatter, March Hare and numerous others—delight with slapstick and droll pun delivery."

-     Emily Gordon, Time Out critic, Sept. 14, 2011

"Lee Wichman, playing the March Hare among other characters, steals his scenes with his quirky, crazy facial expressions and songs of soup."

-    Devlyn Camp, Chicago Theater Review, Sept. 7, 2011

"Lee Wichman’s Mock Turtle was nothing short of brilliant."

-     Goldstar audience member, Sept, 2011

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

“Snappish Lee Wichman…is a master of comic timing”

-     Jack Shay, Chicago.CitySearch.com, March 16, 2000

“A strong performance by Lee Wichman’s Woody-Allenish Kenny….[He has] crafted a believable, fully dimensional character from his part, far beyond what one would expect from a small theater company such as this one.”

-     Rick Reed, Outlines, March 29, 2000