Aaron Thielen News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two Lloyd Webber shows from our most important resident musical theater houses, two big shows from the 1950s in brief appearances, three special shows for Valentine's Day (from Cory Goodrich, Felicia Fields and CPaz), our two favorite showtune TV shows and more!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will open January 23 and run through March 17. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will preview January 16, open January 23 and run through March 17.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will preview January 16, open January 23 and run through March 17.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Marriott Theatre in Chicago has announced the cast for its world premiere production of Now and Forever: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show begins previews on January 16, opens January 23 and continues through March 17, 2013.

The gala 44th Annual Jeff Equity Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area was held on Monday, October 15, at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie, runs through October 28 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Ill. Check out interviews with the cast at the opening night party below!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie is currently running at The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Ill.) through October 28, 2012. Check out the video below of scenes from the show!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie is currently running at The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Ill.) through October 28, 2012. Check out photos from the show's opening night, August 29th, below!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie, at The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Ill.), opens tonight, August 29 and runs through October 28, 2012. Get a first look at the show with the images below!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie, currently in previews at The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Ill.), opens August 29 and runs through October 28, 2012. Get a first look at the show with the images below!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie, previews tonight, August 22, opens August 29 and runs through November 4 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Cyndi Lauper and 'Kinky Boots' for free, Darren Criss and Team StarKid, 'Little Shop,' lots of 'Legally Blonde,' a 'Rocky Horror' book and much, much more!

DREAMGIRLS, the smash Broadway musical turned hit movie, previews August 22, opens August 29 and runs through November 4 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

The Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, running now through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes video about the production!

Opening this past Wednesday, the latest new work at the Marriott Theatre is "Hero," conceived and written by Aaron Thielen (the theater's Lead Artistic Director) and based somewhat on his childhood in Milwaukee and the neighborhood he grew up in. The show has music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, an actor, musical director, guitarist and keyboardist about town, who has written seven previous musicals and makes quite a mark with this one. The pair has been working on and workshopping the show since early 2009, and the work has paid off. It's a funny, engaging, likeable, tuneful and moving mid-sized musical.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler. The show previewed June 20 and opened June 27 at 8 p.m., running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. View opening night photos below!