Sam Button-Harrison

Just in time for Halloween, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 2017-18 Season with the world premiere of with CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody), an irreverent, rock-infused send-up of Stephen King's iconic horror film Carrie and its subsequent spin-off The Rage: Carrie 2, featuring a book, music and lyrics by Preston Max Allen.

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody), an irreverent, rock-infused send-up of Stephen King's iconic horror film Carrie and its subsequent spin-off The Rage: Carrie 2, featuring a book, music and lyrics by Preston M. Allen.

Lincoln Hall presents a celebration and re-creation of the entire groundbreaking 1970 live album and tour, MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN on Thursday, April 20th. Serving as a dedication to Joe Cocker and Leon Russell, the show will be recreated with the exact 20-piece personnel from the original tour including a full choir, two drum kits, horn section, piano and Hammond B3, two guitars, and more.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lester's Dreadful Sweaters, a world premiere musical adaptation with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei; lyrics by Aly Renee Amidei, Julie Tallarida and Scott Tallarida; music by Scott Tallarida; and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie, based on the book by K.G. Campbell. One terrible morning, Cousin Clara presents young Lester with the gift of a hand-knit sweater... and it is DREADFUL: shriveled yet saggy and smothered with pom-poms. Lester (who likes things just so) is mortified to wear it, but his parents insist and the kids at school tease him relentlessly. When he ruins the sweater 'by accident,' Clara just makes others, each more ghastly than the last. To restore his neatly ordered life and save face on the playground, Lester must find a way to stop the endless parade of horrifying sweaters once and for all. Enter a fashion nightmare and embrace your inner clown in this world premiere musical based on the charming 2012 book by K.G. Campbell. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

Chicago's best musical theatre performers gather for one night only on the same stage when the 2016 Jeff Award Nominees are honored at Nominee Night, May 17 at 7PM at Sidetrack Video Bar in Lake View, Chicago.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lester's Dreadful Sweaters, a world premiere musical adaptation with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei; lyrics by Aly Renee Amidei, Julie Tallarida and Scott Tallarida; music by Scott Tallarida; and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie, based on the book by K.G. Campbell. One terrible morning, Cousin Clara presents young Lester with the gift of a hand-knit sweater… and it is DREADFUL: shriveled yet saggy and smothered with pom-poms. Lester (who likes things just so) is mortified to wear it, but his parents insist and the kids at school tease him relentlessly.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Local Tony and Jeff Award events, 'Shining Lives' shines, major productions of 'City Of Angels' and 'The Secret Garden,' original shows at Lifeline and Theo Ubique, two suburban theaters program 'Spamalot,' House updates 'The Bacchae' and New York gets its talent from where?

Artists from many of the Jeff Award Nominated musical productions of the 2014-15 Season will be featured at Nominee Night, a showcase at Sidetrack tonight, May 19.

Artists from many of the Jeff Award Nominated musical productions of the 2014-15 Season will be featured at Nominee Night, a showcase at Sidetrack on May 19.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Big Fish' bring us a taste of the heartland, 'Beaches' hopes to follow 'Amazing Grace' on the journey from here to New York, and Gorilla Tango and MCL Chicago open new improv-based musicals. Plus the return of 'WOZ,' Stephen Sondheim honored by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and Tommy Tune to be feted by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project! Plus Waa-Mu honors Bernie.

Sean Graney, who recently returned to Chicago to resume his post as Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, informed the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee that he just learned the theater company had been operating under an Equity CAT-N contract for the duration of the 2014-2015 Non-Equity season.  Over the past year, requests for judging its productions were made to the Non-Equity Wing without the committee having knowledge of the company's Equity status. The Jeff Committee was aware that two of the productions had Equity performers (as indicated in the program); however, the committee has now confirmed that these were not guest contracts.  As such, the company's productions are not eligible for consideration in the Non-Equity Wing, and all related Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations have been rescinded.  The productions in question will be shifted to the Equity Wing for awards consideration during its current season, which commenced on August 1, 2014 and will end on July 30, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Anything Goes,' 'A Funny Thing...' and 'Billy Elliot' prepare to open, 'Les Mis' racks up the raves, season announcements from the Paramount, Kokandy, The Hypocrites and Chicago Shakes, plus another Austen adaptation, and legs for Ethel Merman. Enjoy the warmth!

Pride Films and Plays world premiere production of The Book of Merman will extend past its previously announced closing of April 5th through Spring, the company announced today. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz transferred to the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago on February 26th after a sold out run at Mary's Attic in Andersonville in January and February and will continue its run at the Apollo Theater Studio. Cast members Libby Lane, Sam Button-Harrison and Dan Gold will continue in the show.

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic was February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo tonight, February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Carousel,' 'The King And I' and 'The Merry Widow' at Lyric Opera, and the upcoming season at Porchlight. Plus 'Merman' transfers, 'Mormon' arrives, 'First Wives Club' and 'Gotta Dance' try out, the 'Pride And Prejudice' reading moves, Quest Theatre mounts two, Pasek and Paul's 'Peach,' Bailiwick's 'Wonderful Town,' the Mosh Pit in the Tribune and more honors for Jessie Mueller! Whew!

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic will be February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo on February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Sam Button-Harrison* and Dan Gold join Libby Lane* as the cast of The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens tonight, January 17, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!