Ravinia 2025 Issue 2

with Chicago-bred artists such as Rich- ard Marx, Earth Wind & Fire, and, of course, the legendary band Chicago, for whom Foster served as producer, song- writer, and arranger on three of their biggest and most career-altering albums: Chicago 16 (1982), Chicago 17 (1984), and Chicago 18 (1986). “I think it’s going to be a triple threat out there,” Foster continues, about the current tour. “The people at Ravinia know what they want, and hopefully they want us.” McPhee looks quizzingly once again at her husband following his latest proclamation—their chemistry and their irresistible and realistic rapport on constant display. “David and Chris are both masters at reading an audience and understanding the flow of an audience,” continues McPhee as she dips off-cam- era to grab a hot cup of coffee from an assistant. “They always are in control. They both just know how to command a stage, even though they both have very different styles of going about it.” McPhee suddenly stops in her tracks. “I did not order you a coffee,” she tells her husband. “I cannot believe it. I forgot. I’m not awake. I’m sorry.” They both laugh, and one wonders if these two might have a reality show in their future. “How about never ,” McPhee stresses at the suggestion. “Did you see The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ? How did that work out for him?” [Foster often appeared on the Bravo reality show with cast member Yolanda Hadid, providing a glimpse into their star-stud- ded marriage before their ultimate divorce in 2017.] The conversation soon returns to the tour and the preparation that goes into it, some of which is far more casual than one might imagine. “We’ve all worked with each other collectively and individ- ually for so many years,” says McPhee. “You basically do one show and then you go, ‘that worked really well’ or ‘this could work really well.’ And then you start building upon that.” “Music is its own language,” adds Foster, who currently serves as the com- poser and arranger for Boop! The Musi- cal —a vibrant production that found its foundations in 2023 at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago before ultimately moving to RAVINIAMAGAZINE • JUNE 16 – JUNE 29, 2025 10