Alene Robertson News

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 204th season with an all-new production of Broadway's five-time Tony Award-winning family musical, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, this production will feature Philadelphia's very own Jeffrey Coon and Broadway's Jennifer Hope Wills. The cast also includes a live horse that will pull the Wells Fargo Wagon in the first act.

Chicago the musical, one of theater's favorites, returns to the stage in Indianapolis at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 204TH season with an all-new production of Broadway's five-time Tony Award-winning family musical, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, this production will feature Philadelphia's very own Jeffrey Coon and Broadway's Jennifer Hope Wills. The cast also includes a live horse that will pull the Wells Fargo Wagon in the first act. THE MUSIC MAN begins previews on November 6th, opens on November 14th and runs through January 6th on the WST Mainstage.

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.

In case you missed it in the "Showtune Mosh Pit" column last week, here is my full listing of musical theater shows (plus three special concert events) happening in Chicago this summer. Click on the name of each show for a link to more information. And enjoy!

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 non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....

The exuberant musical theater masterpiece from the clever pens of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE opened at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, April 13 and runs through June 10. See photos of the cast and more on opening night below!

In our time and place, the great Marriott Theatre to the north of Chicago, in Lincolnshire, in the collar county of Lake, has mounted a production of "The Pirates of Penzance" which officially opened this past weekend, and will run through June 10, 2012. It's directed by Dominic Missimi, a visionary musical theater director and teacher with vast experience and influence across the country, and especially here.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jersey Boys,' three musicals that start with 'Pi,' Cromer's 'Rent' leads a Larson fest, JRB in Indiana, 'Street Scene' and much more....

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE will be presented at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, opening April 13 and running through June 10, directed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Dominic Missimi.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. The latest on the big musicals in Aurora, Oakbrook, Munster and Lincolnshire, two retro-60s jukebox shows, season announcements from Porchlight, Boho, Chicago Shakes and Court, plus the Light Opera Works gala!

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE will be presented at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, previewing April 4, opening April 13 and running through June 10

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Kinky Boots' and 'The Jungle Book' try out, Sarah Siddons and Windy City host benefit concerts, new works from Josh Schmidt and more, the Leap Day connection plus 'Mansical!'

The Marriott Theatre gets a head start on holiday cheer with its production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS.

The Marriott Theatre gets a head start on holiday cheer with its production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Brent Barrett performs at Sidetrack, plus Halloween musicals like dueling 'Rocky's, Wildhorn's 'Dracula,' 'Musical Of The Living Dead' and more, plus the latest shows at the Drury Lane and the Marriott and two events with Seth Rudetsky!

The Marriott Theatre will present its production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS. This brand new musical will preview October 19th, open October 26th, and run through January 1, 2012 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Illinois.