Karen Multer

Casting is complete for LaunchingFWD : Season 2, the second annual sneak preview concert of new musicals in development offered by FWD Theatre Project, one of the most-watched new arts organizations in town. Last year's LaunchingFWD event (starring headliner and hometown superstar Jessie Mueller in her first Chicago appearance since winning the Tony Award for Beautiful) sold out the 320 seat main room at City Winery and required overflow seating; FWD hopes this year's event will be even more impressive.

When FWD Theatre Project introduced itself in 2014 (at City Winery Chicago,) audiences, actors, producers, and critics took notice. Something special had arrived for the city's arts community and for the future of musical theatre in Chicago. A group of seasoned theatre professionals combined to create a Festival of Works in Development, part of an effort to build Chicago into a premiere destination for writers and creators to showcase their new musicals in process. One year later and FWD's inaugural season of five staged readings - selected from the world's best projects on offer - was a success, selling out many of its events at a variety of Chicago venues.

The Kennedy Center hosts its 14th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from Today, September 5 to Monday, September 7, 2015, featuring more than 50 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The 14th Annual Page-to-Stage event showcases more than 40 new plays by female playwrights and includes nine works that are part of the citywide Women's Voices Theater Festival, which officially begins on September 8.

The Kennedy Center hosts its 14th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7, 2015, featuring more than 50 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The 14th Annual Page-to-Stage event showcases more than 40 new plays by female playwrights and includes nine works that are part of the citywide Women's Voices Theater Festival, which officially begins on September 8.

Pallas Theatre Collective is elated to present the world premiere of the new musical code name: CYNTHIA. With music by Karen Multer and book & lyrics by Steve Multer, code name: CYNTHIA will run tonight, July 30-August 16, 2015 at the Anacostia Arts Center.

Pallas Theatre Collective is elated to present the world premiere of the new musical code name: CYNTHIA. With music by Karen Multer and book & lyrics by Steve Multer, code name: CYNTHIA will run July 30-August 16, 2015 at the Anacostia Arts Center. 

Three Cat Productions presents the world premiere production of the CHICAGO IS! A HOMETOWN MUSICAL REVIEW at the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Coach House Theater at 6205 N. Sheridan Road (Edgewater by Granville el stop on Red Line).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. All the scoop from the amazing FWD Theatre Project gala, and 'The Last Unicorn' gets some big backers. Plus concerts by Chita Rivera, Felicia P. Fields, Sierra Boggess and Donna McKechnie, 'Sweeney Todd' on PBS and 'From Here To Eternity' on movie screens, plus the Marriott announces two casts!

Eight veteran actors, directors, writers, choreographers and producers have created FWD Theatre Project ('Festival of Works in Development'), a grass-roots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community. Artistic Director Amber Mak along with Collective Artistic Associates Justin Brill, Wade Elkins, Michael Gillis, Karen Multer, Steve Multer, Missy Greenburg and Scott Sowinski, have announced LaunchingFWD!, a one-night-only concert event at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, tonight, September 22 at 8 pm (doors open at 6 pmfor food and cocktails).

FWD Theatre Project, a grass-roots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community, has sold out its official launch event, titled LaunchingFWD!, in the 330-seat main room at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, scheduled to take place Monday, September 22 at 8 pm. FWD and City Winery today announce they will open an additional 70 "Mezzanine" tickets for sale beginning Wednesday, September 10, to meet the overflow demand.

Eight veteran actors, directors, writers, choreographers and producers have created FWD Theatre Project ("Festival of Works in Development"), a grass-roots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community. Artistic Director Amber Mak along with Collective Artistic Associates Justin Brill, Wade Elkins, Michael Gillis, Karen Multer, Steve Multer, Missy Greenburg and Scott Sowinski, have announced LaunchingFWD!, a one-night-only concert event at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, Monday, September 22 at 8 pm (doors open at 6 pmfor food and cocktails).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' opens, a new 'Porgy,' a one-night 'Tommy,' improvised Sondheim, Darren Criss, 'The Jungle Book' has been cast, two new revues, my Tony perspective and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three shows make a PR appearance at Sidetrack, ATC plans a 'Hair' re-do, 'Camelot,' 'Floyd Collins,' three new mainstage musicals, a reading, a benefit and more!

From September 12 through September 15, the Dramatists Guild of America hosted its second annual Chicago Fellowship Program at Northwestern University led by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, creators of Once On This Island, Seussical, and the recent Broadway revival of Ragtime. Now in its eleventh year (the first were held in New York), the Dramatists Guild Fellowship Program augments the training of emerging American dramatists and enhances the sense of community among them. Selected participants each contributed to planning and goal-setting sessions, master classes and discussions led by Ahrens, Flaherty and additional guests.

The Dramatists Guild of America will host their second annual Dramatists Guild Chicago Intensive Four-Day Fellowship Program. The event will take place from September 12-15 at Northwestern University.

The Dramatists Guild of America will host their second annual Dramatists Guild Chicago Intensive Four-Day Fellowship Program. The event will take place from September 12-15 at Northwestern University.

The Dramatists Guild of America and Northwestern University announce the selection of Nambi E. Kelley, Chelsea Marcantel, Lily Mooney, Bruce Murphy, Gwendolyn Rice, Gloria Bond Clunie, Steve and Karen Multer and Ethan Deppe for the second annual Dramatists Guild Chicago Intensive supported by the Dramatists Guild and hosted by Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.