'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for March 23, 2011
By: Paul W. Thompson Mar. 23, 2011
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:
This coming Sunday night, March 27, 2011, an Asian-American all-star cast of Chicago theater community professionals will join together for a fundraiser for Japanese disaster relief. Spearheaded by actor, teacher, director and choreographer Danny Bernardo, who directs here, the performance, "Harmony, Hope, Humanity" will take place in the West Loop, at Catalyst Ranch on Randolph Street, not far from the new Actors' Equity Association building. Sunday night at 6:00 pm, for a $25 suggested donation, stars like Broadway's Joseph Anthony Foronda ("Pacific Overtures") and Emily Morales ("South Pacific") will entertain you, along with Porchlight Music Theatre's Jillian Jocson ("It's A Wonderful Life") and Bernardo himself (a Porchlight Artistic Associate), Christine Bunuan (the Drury Lane Theatre's "...Spelling Bee") and Erik Kaiko (Bailiwick Chicago's "Departure Lounge"). What a great cause, and what a great way to show our support for the survivors of this inestimable and ongoing tragedy.
Cabaret Fundraiser for Japanese Relief Fund
Just a few days ago, the world learned the first season of locally produced shows (with three-week Equity runs) at the lovely and historic Paramount Theatre in west by southwest suburban Aurora. Artistic Director Jim Corti will be directing "My Fair Lady" in September, with Stacey Flaster directing "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in November. "A Chorus Line" will bow in January, directed by Mitzi Hamilton (she was the inspiration for the character of Val, taking part in Michael Bennett's now-legendary audio-taped bio-confessionals). And in March of 2012, Rachel Rockwell will direct a new production of "Hair." (Does that mean the national tour will be closed by then?) It's an exciting but safe season, great for a large, proscenium space. And it's balanced--the four shows debuted on Broadway in the 50s, 80s, 70s and 60s, respectively. We can't wait to trek out there!
Blockbuster Musicals to play at Paramount Theatre
If you can't wait ten months to see "A Chorus Line," there's a production playing in northwest suburban Rolling Meadows for four performances this coming weekend and next, directed by Joe Marabotti. His Real Clear Productions is mounting the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner at the Meadows Center Auditorium on Golf Road, with choreography by Alana M. Stephens. Jill Matel stars as Cassie, with Ean Kryska as Zach, David Dimas as Paul, Jess Iovinelli as DiAna Morales and Christopher Smith as Larry.
There was news from Broadway In Chicago last week on two fronts. First is news that "Working" has been extended for four weeks! Originally announced to close May 8, the revised version of the 1970s show about the legendary Chicago workforce will now run through June 5th at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. Will it be extended again? Transfer to New York? Acquire replacement cast members? Or will this be enough, an artstically successful production that hopefully will become financially successful as the show is licensed? Only time will tell.
Working the Musical - Based on the Book by Studs Terkel
And, in a bit of a surprise, word came that the legendary Donny and Marie Osmond, whose Christmas show graced Broadway's Marquis Theatre last Christmas to great success, will bring that same mix of talent, savvy, sentimentality and hard work to Chicago's Ford Center For The Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, for Christmas of 2011. Scheduled for three weeks (December 6-24), "Donny and Marie: Christmas In Chicago" will no doubt pack in the tourists, and plenty of locals, too, I bet. Las Vegas's loss will be our economic gain, at least for a bit.
Donny and Marie - CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO
The lovely venue known as Mayne Stage, in Rogers Park next to the El tracks, has two evenings coming up of interest to fans of the Mosh Pit. On Monday night, April 4, Porchlight Music Theatre is holding its annual performance benefit, "Chicago Sings," curated once again by Rob Lindley (direction) and Doug Peck (musical direction). This year's theme is "Rodgers, Rodgers and Guettel,"as Porchlight and a host of top Chicago musical theater artists pay tribute to three generations of American musical theater composers in one family, Richard Rodgers, his daughter Mary Rodgers (Guettel) and her son, Adam Guettel. Slated to perform are E. Faye Butler, Mary Ernster, Rebecca Finnegan, Jess Godwin, Cory Goodrich, Ross Lehman, Susie McMonagle, Tom Michael, Jeff Parker and more.
Chicago Sings: Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel
Less than a week later, on Sunday, April 10, Jim Caruso (perhaps best known as one of the four backup singers from Liza Minnelli's last concert tour) will present "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" at Mayne Stage, with Liza's favorite accompanist, Billy Stritch, at the keyboard. This mainstay of the Manhattan nightlife scene makes his/its Chicago debut, with special guests of local and national renown. Sounds like fun!
Mayne Stage - Jim Caruso's Cast Party
Speaking of Porchlight Music Theatre, they seem to have a hit on their hands with "Meet John Doe," the Washington, D.C. musical by New York's Andrew Gerle and Chicago's Eddie Sugarman based on the Frank Capra film of the same name. Now running (through April 17) at Stage 773, the show has been very well received by audiences and critics. It stars quite a number of local favorites, too, including Sean Effinger-Dean, Harmony France, Karl Hamilton, Elizabeth Haley, Elizabeth Lanza, Rus Rainear, Michael Reyes, Jim Sherman and Mick Weber, all directed and choreographed by Jim Beaudry. We love good work, done by good people!
Meet John Doe: Porchlight Music Theatre
Beginning performances this weekend out in St. Charles, Illinois, at the Pheasant Run Resort, is the Fox Valley Theatricals production of "Always, Patsy Cline," the Ted Swindley musical about the early country-western star and her friendship with a Houston pen-pal. The lovely and talented Megan Long stars as Patsy, from March 24-May 15, directed by John Gawlik.
Fox Valley Repertory - Always, Patsy Cline
Way out west (or is it southwest?) in New Lenox, the Curtain Call Community Theatre joins the long list of companies who've produced "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" when the William Finn musical goes up this weekend and next. As a nice tie-in to the artwork usually associated with the show, the theatre is located on Old Plank Road (lol). Cody Marcukaitas is William Barfee, Stephen Cannon is Leaf Coneybear, and Chelsea McKay appears as Olive Ostrovsky.
Way up north in Winnetka, the Big Noise Theater Company is readying "The Drowsy Chaperone" for performances on the weekends between April 22-May 15 at the Prairie Lakes Theater in northwest suburban Des Plaines. (Got it?) It's being directed by Melissa Young, with musical direction by Robert Deason, and the cast numbers among its ranks Peter Durkin, Alex McCrary, Mark Kosten, Cory Stonebrook, Sarah Blevins and Mary Campbell.
Big Noise Theater Company Presents The Drowsy Chaperone
It's not a musical, but it might seem like one before it's all said and done. The Verismo Opera Club seems to have an interesting, narrator-driven take on W. A. Mozart's immortal "The Magic Flute," performed in English and directed by Aaron Hunt with a modern-dress sports theme geared for family viewing. It's this coming Friday and Sunday only, at the Arts Center of Oak Park, starring Mark Donlin (Tamino), Sarah McIntyre (Pamina), David Govertsen (Sarastro) and Aaron Wardell (Papageno), with Sarah Salas as The Queen Of The Night.
And, that's it for now! As winter attempts an unwelcome comeback, Mosh Pit peeps hunker down for warmth and venture out for theater. Sounds good to me! I'll see you in a lobby before too long, I'm sure, and, sooner than later, I'll see you under the video screens.....-PWT
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