'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for December 10th, 2014

THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ

FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,

AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY

by Paul W. Thompson

Overheard last weekend under the showtune

video screens at Sidetrack and The Call:

Last week in the Mosh Pit, we talked about the impending arrival of the "Newsies," now ensconced at the Oriental Theatre through January 4th. As you may know, the newsboys are not alone on the Broadway In Chicago docket this month. "Cinderella" begins at the Cadillac Palace Theatre next week, as the Broadway stage version of the 1957 live television event by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II hits our lakeshore for the first time (also through January 4). If nothing else, see it for the costumes. And the songs. And the... Oh, and Christopher Walken will not be in it. See what I did there....

http://broadwayinchicago.com/show/rodgers-hammersteins-cinderella/

Also, "I Love Lucy Live On Stage," the show that ran at the Broadway Playhouse for an extended and award-winning running in 2012-13, is back, but for one week only. And now it's at the much bigger Cadillac Palace Theatre on Randolph Street. December 9-14 only.

http://broadwayinchicago.com/show/love-lucy-live-stage/

And across the river and through the throngs of shoppers on Michigan Avenue, that very same Broadway Playhouse is currently the home of the world premiere of "Dee Snider's Rock And Roll Christmas Tale" (through January 4). It is also the home of the world premiere of "Hansel And Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat" ...through January 4. With score by Justin Roberts and book and direction by Ernie Nolan, it's a production of our very own Emerald City Theatre. Of course, it always plays at ten in the morning, whereas the Snider show is at more traditional curtain times. That's how these things are done in these here parts.

http://broadwayinchicago.com/show/hansel-gretel-wickedly-delicious-musical-treat/

Also, be aware that yet another special event is coming, but this one will be super-special. The casts of "Newsies" and "Cinderella" will be performing in a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, at Sidetrack on Monday, December 22. From 7-9 pm, for a suggested donation of $25, the touring troupes will let their holiday hair down, singing a variety of favorites live at one of your favorite showtune video bars. How cool is that?

http://www.sidetrackchicago.com

Among other big-stage shows on our boards right now is Lyric Opera Of Chicago's production of "Porgy And Bess," with five more performances scheduled between now and December 20. I don't know about you, but I haven't heard one bad thing about this production, and I've heard many raves. I don't care what you call it, either. It seems that, musically and scenically, this production is closer to what George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward knew and worked toward in 1935, despite what their estates may have wished for Broadway audiences of our own time. I'm sure it's not perfect. And the show can and will continue to thrive because of and in spite of a variety of interpretations and environments. But by all accounts, it is glorious here.

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/porgy-and-bess/7375/

Redmoon Theater is accustomed to large performances as well. The spectacle company's 16th Winter Pageant runs December 12-21 at the company's home at 21st and Jefferson. The show involves break dancers, aerialists ages 8 to 35, a teen choir and beautiful, handmade Redmoon puppets and costumes, with a live original score and all the pageantry you can stuff into a Pageant. And the music is by The Lonesome Organist. So there's that!

Redmoon-to-Host-Winter-Pageant-2014

Two musicals with the word "nativity" in the title are about to open. Imagine that. First we will have "Blue Nativity," from the Quest Theatre, as conceived and directed by Andrew Park. It will play at various Chicagoland locations from December 12-January 1, ending at St. Gregory The Great parish in Andersonville on New Year's Day, the company's home. Puppet and music. Sounds familiar!

Quest-Theatre-to-Tour-BLUE-NATIVITY

And the Congo Square Theatre Company is presenting "A Nativity Story: More Than A Miracle," what I believe to be a new script by its director, actress Alexis J. Rogers. The credit "choreographed and co-directed by Rueben Echoles" says to me that there is music. Performances will take place December 18-28 at the Ruth Page Center For The Arts on Dearborn Street.

http://www.congosquaretheatre.org/ - !nativity/c1pk8

On the other end of the size scale, and the other end of the Christmas story, and the other end of traditionalism, we have the return of "Rudolph, The Red-Hosed Reindeer," the gender-bending parody of the well-loved Christmas song and animated TV special. Hell In A Handbag Productions is presenting their 17th version of this version, through January 2nd in Mary's Attic in Andersonville. Directed by Brian McKnight, David Cerda writes and co-stars, along with Ed Jones, Grant Drager, Lori Lee, Michael Hampton and more. And we've got the photos to prove it!

Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-Hell-in-a-Handbag-Productions

And, speaking of special events, the fourth annual concert event, "Big Red And The Boys," will be presented by About Face Theatre at Theater Wit, for five performances on the weekends of December 12-20. Starring Meghan Murphy, with assistance from Patrick Andrews, Nick Davio and John Fransisco, this act may be just what the doctor ordered for what ails ya. We are promised "some funked-up Destiny's Child," along with all sorts of musical and humorous surprises. What's not to love? Theater people doing an irreverent holiday cabaret act? Got it!

About-Face-to-Present-BIG-RED-and-THE-BOYS

OK, so...shopping done? Boots dusted off? Caroling books located? Children well-cared for? Well, then, you are ahead of the pack! So you have no excuse to join in some showtune fun this week. And perhaps I'll see you under the video screens.....-PWT

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