Brandon Dahlquist News

Porchlight Music Theatre begins its 20th Anniversary season with a benefit concert, Chicago Sings Disney featuring the music created by the Walt Disney Studios, Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at Mayne Stage, 1328 West Morse Ave. The evening includes a thrilling roster of Chicago's top theatre artists performing familiar Disney classics and nostalgic treasures, a silent auction, cash bar and complimentary desserts at intermission, generously provided by Bespoke Cuisine. General admission tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door. VIP Tickets are available for $100, which includes a pre-show reception and premier reserved seating. Tickets may be ordered at773.777.9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org. Proceeds from this concert benefit Porchlight productions and educational programs at The School at Porchlight.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is pleased to offer an open captioned performance ofTony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776 tonight, October 3 at 8 p.m., at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Special seats have been reserved for hearing-impaired audience members who would like an optimal view of the digital screen. These tickets (located in the Orchestra section) are $40 per person and available by visiting at act-sf.org/1776 (select the 'caption' tab) or by calling A.C.T. at 415.749.2228.

The creators of '1776' held political opinions that strongly disagreed with the ideals of many, like former president Richard Nixon, who ultimately came to enjoy and appreciate the musical. One can easily assume members of both major political parties made up the opening night audience of American Conservatory Theatre's co-production of the show, and surely a conservative or two chuckled at the universal hypocrisy and false pride presented in 'Cool, Cool Considerate Men,' which makes fun at those who lean ever to the right, never to the left. Values and people differ, but like the representatives who signed their names to the Declaration of Independence, we find a common bond in our history and, in the case of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's '1776,' in music and drama mixed.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) kicks off its 2013-14 season with passionate (and patriotic) fireworks with the West Coast premiere of Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776. A.C.T.'s production of 1776 runs September 11-October 6, 2013, at The Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Tickets starting at $20, and are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228. Check out a sneak peek below!

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) kicks off its 2013-14 season with passionate (and patriotic) fireworks with the West Coast premiere of Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776. A.C.T.'s production of 1776 runs September 11-October 6, 2013, at The Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Tickets starting at $20, and are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) kicks off its 2013-14 season with passionate (and patriotic) fireworks with the West Coast premiere of Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776. A.C.T.'s production of 1776 runs tonight, September 11-October 6, 2013, at The Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Tickets starting at $20, and are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is pleased to offer an open captioned performance ofTony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776 on Thursday, October 3 at 8 p.m., at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Special seats have been reserved for hearing-impaired audience members who would like an optimal view of the digital screen. These tickets (located in the Orchestra section) are $40 per person and available by visiting at act-sf.org/1776 (select the "caption" tab) or by calling A.C.T. at 415.749.2228.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) kicks off its 2013-14 season with passionate (and patriotic) fireworks with the West Coast premiere of Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of the musical 1776. A.C.T.'s production of 1776 runs September 11-October 6, 2013, at The Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Tickets starting at $20, and are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

Porchlight's 19th Season begins with the Chicago premiere of Double Trouble, book, music and lyrics by brothers Bob Walton and Jim Walton, direction and choreography by Matthew Crowle, music direction by Linda Madonia and starring brothers Adrian Aguilar and Alexander Aguilar, August 31 - October 6, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

Last month, Chicago's St. James Cathedral announced its fourth summer of free concerts, the "Music in the Neighborhood" series. And for the third straight year, BroadwayWorld Chicago's Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, author of the weekly column, "The Showtune Mosh Pit," will be performing on the series! This year, Thompson's concert will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 5:30 pm at 65 E. Huron Street in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood. His show is called, 'This Is Not Over Yet: Broadway Songs of the Millennial Era (1995-2003)." And today, his set list is being released!

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguilar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.' Meet the cast in the photos below!

Football fans and novices alike will discover a new side of the beloved national icon Vince Lombardi as The Human Race Theatre Company presents Eric Simonson's bio-play, Lombardi. The legend of the gridiron comes to life on stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below!

Football fans and novices alike will discover a new side of the beloved national icon Vince Lombardi as The Human Race Theatre Company presents Eric Simonson's bio-play, Lombardi. The legend of the gridiron comes to life on stage.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the return of BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy in a new Holiday Edition!, conceived by Second City veteran Matthew Loren Cohen, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., tonight, November 28 through December 26. Single tickets are $15, student discounts are $12 with group discounts available. All tickets are available at stage773.com, porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.327.5252. Check out the photos below of the original cast!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the return of BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy in a new Holiday Edition!, conceived by Second City veteran Matthew Loren Cohen, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., November 28 through December 26. Single tickets are $15, student discounts are $12 with group discounts available. All tickets are available at stage773.com, porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.327.5252. Check out the photos below of the original cast!

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.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announced casting for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - May 26, 2013, both at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont and the naming of new Artistic Associates and members to the Advisory Board. Alexis J. Rogers will play "Billie Holiday" in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, by Lanie Robertson to be directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley.

BroadwayWorld Chicago contributor Paul W. Thompson, author of the popular weekly column, THE SHOWTUNE MOSH PIT, will be performing his 2012 solo show, SONGS I'VE NEVER SUNG BEFORE, on the afternoons of June 21 and June 28 (both Thursdays). Both concerts last about an hour, and both concerts are FREE!!