Brenda Didier 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. 'Les Miz' mania, a local 'Annie,' and holiday musicals galore: 'Schooner,' 'Jonathan Toomey,' 'We Three Lizas,' 'Gifts Of The Magi,' three 'Christmas Carols' and more!

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. and includes a tribute to the late Julie Shannon, who wrote the music and lyrics of the beloved musical.

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!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago musical premiere of O.Henry's holiday masterpiece, The Gifts of the Magi, book by Mark St. Germain, music by Randy Courts and lyrics by Randy Courts and Mark St. Germain, now playing through December 23 at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. and includes a tribute to the late Julie Shannon, who wrote the music and lyrics of the beloved musical. 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.

Today, BroadwayWorld.com is proud to announce the slate of nominees for the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only fan-voted theater awards in the Chicagoland area! Expanded to thirty categories this year, the BCAs (or "Broadies") honor Chicago's theater productions and artists in both Equity and Non-Equity categories, including plays, musicals, revues, Theater for Young Audiences, touring shows and special theatrical events. Productions which opened between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012 were eligible for nomination. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are the oldest and most popular of the several dozen regional BroadwayWorld Award competitions now being held in the U.S. And you can join the fun by voting for your favorites, and encouraging your friends to vote as the vote totals pile up!

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 Jeff Award results, 'Smokey Joe's' impresses, three presidential musicals (at least!), old and new shows in Evanston, Ann Hampton Callaway in Lakeview 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. The eagerly-awaited 'Sunday In The Park...' and 'A Class Act,' two tiny venues a block apart debuting pocket musicals, 'Avenue Q' visits Bailiwick Chicago, a 'Carrie' parody, our beloved 'Christmas Schooner' and more....

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the Chicago musical premiere of O.Henry's holiday masterpiece, The Gifts of the Magi, book by Mark St. Germain, music by Randy Courts and lyrics by Randy Courts and Mark St. Germain, November 17 - December 23 at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Porchlight Music theatre's production is directed by Mark Lococo with music direction by Elizabeth Doran and choreography by Brenda Didier.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. 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.

Multi-Jeff Award-winning theatre company, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, will kick off its 2012-13 season with Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller'sSmokey Joe's Cafe on September 24. The season, comprised of two full-length musicals, two cabarets, and a new series, marks Theo Ubique's 15th year-the 10thin historic No Exit Cafe.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. One more Jeff Awards category, new musicals at the Fringe Festival, Broadway Playhouse, Stage 773 and Northwestern, and a cabaret spotlight on Davenport's, Petterino's, 3160 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. The 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!

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.

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.

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 Award winners are announced, and we cover 18 regional theaters and their summer offerings, from northern Wisconsin to St. Louis and southern Illinois, from southwest Michigan to western Illinois. It's the Regional Summer Musical Theater Scene!

At the Non-Equity Jeff Awards held at Park West on Monday, June 4, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre took the most awards with 6 honors for their jewel box production of "A Light in the Piazza" including Production-Musical, Director-Musical for Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier, Principal Actress for Kelli Harrington, Supporting Actor for Justin Adair, Music Director for Jeremy Ramey and, in a new award recognition, Dialect Coach for Eva Breneman. Check out the analysis and full honours list below.

Nominations for the Chicago-based Non-Equity Jeff Awards were announced today; Theo Ubique leads with 14 nominations