Brenda Didier News

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport, announces an all-star cast of award-winning actors for the circus-themed musical BARNUM, opening on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and running through June 16, 2013. The cast is led by Chicago native and Broadway, TV, and film actor Gene Weygandt as legendary showman P.T. Barnum, with Cory Goodrich as his wife Charity, and Summer Naomi Smart as the 'Swedish Nightingale' Jenny Lind. The Mercury's production is the first major Chicago revival of the show in over 20 years, led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director) Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), Brenda Didier and Andrew Waters (Co-Choreographers) and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi of the Actor's Gymnasium (Circus Director).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Catch Me' a 'Big Fish' in the Loop, 'Barnum' and 'Sweet Charity' keep Coleman in the spotlight, 'The Pajama Game' up north, 'Oliver! out west, two from Theo Ubique and more!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport, presents circus-themed musical BARNUM, previewing tonight, March 27, opening on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m., and running through June 16, 2013. The cast is led by Chicago native and Broadway, TV, and film actor Gene Weygandt as legendary showman P.T. Barnum.

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 Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'South Pacific' at the Marriott, two shows with Gene Kelly's vibe, cabarets from Porchlight, Brown Paper Box and Darrian Ford, 2014 premieres from Marc Blitzstein and Alan Schmuckler, lots of Doug Peck and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. That Oscar show, the fall season of national tours from Broadway In Chicago, 'See What I Wanna See,' two from Theo Ubique, Mary Zimmerman's 'Jungle Book,' interesting cabarets at Davenport's and more!

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!

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 next seven national tours to hit the Windy City (SEVEN!--and all before April), plus 'Fiddler On The Roof' at the Paramount, 'Barnum' at the Mercury, Ricky Ian Gordon at Northwestern and a twofer from the Mueller family!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport, announces an all-star cast of award-winning actors for the circus-themed musical BARNUM, previewing March 27, opening on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m., and running through June 16, 2013. The cast is led by Chicago native and Broadway, TV, and film actor Gene Weygandt as legendary showman P.T. Barnum, with Cory Goodrich as his wife Charity, and Summer Naomi Smart as the "'Swedish Nightingale" Jenny Lind. The Mercury's production is the first major Chicago revival of the show in over 20 years, led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director) Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), Brenda Didier and Andrew Waters (Co-Choreographers) and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi of the Actor's Gymnasium (Circus Director).

SJCChicago LLC is proud to present the return of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre production of Smokey Joe's Café – The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Ave. The hit production received rave reviews from Chicago critics when it ran at Chicago's No Exit Café last fall. The transfer of Smokey Joe's Café – The Songs of Leiber and Stoller features the same award-winning cast directed, once again, by Brenda Didier. This production's musical direction is by Jeremy Ramey and Steve Hiltebrand serves as the associate director and associate producer. Smokey Joe's Café runs Thursday, March 7 – Sunday, May 26.

BroadwayWorld Chicago invited all winners, nominees, past winners and nominees, theater folk, superfans, board members and everyone else to the third annual BroadwayWorld Awards Celebration on January 9, 2013 at The Call nightclub in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. BroadwayWorld's Paul W. Thompson and The Call's Ashley Morgan once again co-hosted the event, with showtune videos presented by VJ Michael Hogan in between categories.

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 winners and 1/9/13 Celebration, 'Mormon' and 'Les Miz' reaction, 'Oliver!' opens, 'Lucy' extends, StarKid goes sketch, our unofficial Lloyd Webber festival and more!

BroadwayWorld Chicago is proud today to announce the winners of the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only comprehensive theater award in the Chicago area voted on by fans, and the only one to honor productions in both Equity and non-Equity categories simultaneously. And you, the fans, have spoken! Prominent local companies, famous names on a national level, and some new favorites on our theater scene are winners this year.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 15, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), now through December 30, 2012. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. This year's production commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the historic voyage of the Christmas Tree Ship. Click below to watch video interviews with the cast and creative team on opening night!

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the latest standings below.

"The Christmas Schooner" has been performed in the Chicago area every year, except for one, since 1995. And yet, I know for a fact that new theatergoers are discovering it all the time. Hence, it's a good thing that the Mercury Theater on Southport Avenue has mounted this story--based on a real slice of Chicago history--for the second year, and has already announced it for next year as well. It's one of the most popular musicals across the country to originate in Chicago, and we are proud to call it our own.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), now through December 30, 2012. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. This year's production commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the historic voyage of the Christmas Tree Ship. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!