Brenda Didier News

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.

Porchlight Music Theatre just celebrated the opening of the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, running now through May 24, 2015 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the big guns! New openings at the Drury Lane, Marriott, ChiShakes, Second City, Porchlight, Theatre At The Center, Mercury Theater, Jedlicka and Big Noise theaters, plus 13 world premieres from the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, tonight, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are tonight, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

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!

Theo Ubique's production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber - Tim Rice musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which sold out its entire originally planned run of March 6 - April 12 in less than one week after opening night - has been extended to May 17th.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary "Season of Sondheim," A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces the extension of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The freakishly funny new musical comedy will now be laid to rest on April 12th. The production has been praised for its significant revisions following its Chicago debut in 2010. The production has been Jeff Recommended and is led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Heralded newcomers to the Theo stage join Danni Smith for unmiked production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical beginning performances tonight, March 6.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the spooky kooky production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life on January 28th and will be laid to rest on April 5th, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award winnerAndrew Lippa. The production will be led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the second production in its 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim, the Chicago premiere of Sondheim on Sondheim, beginning tonight, February 6, and running through March 15, 2015, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived by James Lapine, direction by Nick Bowling with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Austin Cook at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, has announced Porchlight Music Theatre's 2015 - 2016 mainstage season which includes:

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

On the coldest night of the year, spirits were high at The Call Bar in the Andersonville neighborhood, as the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Hosted by BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Editor Paul W. Thompson and The Call's hostess, Ashley Morgan, the Celebration lasted from 8:00 pm to the stroke of midnight, as the winners in 36 categories were revealed.

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 is tonight! Plus Drury Lane's 'West Side,' Mercury's 'Addams' and Theo's 'JCS,' premieres of 'Next Thing You Know' and 'Plastic Revolution,' a Barrel Of Monkeys musical and a staged reading from FWD, plus TV's 'Galavant' and 'Glee,' and more!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the spooky kooky production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life on January 28th and will be laid to rest on April 5th, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa. The production will be led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Braodway. It's the Top Ten Hot Topix for the last half of 2014, and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015!

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!