David Zak News

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to kick-off its 2015-16 season with the Midwest premiere of MIRACLE!, the wickedly funny parody of The Miracle Worker as reimagined by Dan Savage, one of the country's leading writers/speakers/podcasters on sex, sexuality and GLBTQ issues, and directed by Derek Van Barham. MIRACLE! will play tonight, May 14 - July 10, 2015 at the newly-remodeled Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

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 Awards stir things up, 'Louis & Keely' and 'Sounds So Sweet' evoke mid-century entertainment, Waa-Mu takes on the Berlin Olympics, a new Chicago-based revue in Edgewater, 'Chaperone' and 'Music Man' in the suburbs, 'The Boy From Oz' in a local production, 'Matilda' will tour, 'Amazing Grace' sets a Broadway run, and Circle Theatre re-emerges. Whew!

Pride Films & Plays is excited to announce a new production of Design for Living, a sexy and seductive revival of this Noel Coward classic which will be directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Bertelsen, and running at Rivendell Theater from October 22 to November 22. The press opening is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30.

Pride Films and Plays will conclude its remarkable Summer Season with The Boy From Oz, the Broadway musical which tells the amazing life story of celebrated songwriter and performer Peter Allen. Featuring songs by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright, Direction by David Zak, and Musical Direction by Robert Ollis, The Boy From Oz tells the exuberant yet heart-warming true story of a young Australian boy who loved to perform and ended up in the glamorous orbit of Judy Garland and her soon-to-be famous daughter Liza.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to kick-off its 2015-16 season with the Midwest premiere of MIRACLE!, the wickedly funny parody of The Miracle Worker as reimagined by Dan Savage, one of the country's leading writers/speakers/podcasters on sex, sexuality and GLBTQ issues, and directed by Derek Van Barham. MIRACLE! will play May 14 - July 10, 2015 at the newly-remodeled Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

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!

Pride Films and Plays presents Topher Payne's dark comedy Angry Fags as part of the Steppenwolf Theater Company's Garage Rep, beginning tonight, March 7, 2015.

Steppenwolf's GARAGE REP 2015, presented by Chicago storefront theater companies, is running in the Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted, now through April 26. Scroll down for a first look at Pride Films and Plays' ANGRY FAGS by Topher Payne, directed by Derek Van Barham!

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic was February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo tonight, February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the actors in rehearsal!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 today, February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Carousel,' 'The King And I' and 'The Merry Widow' at Lyric Opera, and the upcoming season at Porchlight. Plus 'Merman' transfers, 'Mormon' arrives, 'First Wives Club' and 'Gotta Dance' try out, the 'Pride And Prejudice' reading moves, Quest Theatre mounts two, Pasek and Paul's 'Peach,' Bailiwick's 'Wonderful Town,' the Mosh Pit in the Tribune and more honors for Jessie Mueller! Whew!

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic will be February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo on February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Sam Button-Harrison* and Dan Gold join Libby Lane* as the cast of The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens tonight, January 17, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.

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 was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!

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!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Now in its sixth year, Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents Garage Rep 2015, featuring three cutting-edge Chicago companies producing bold work in rotating repertory for ten weeks under Steppenwolf's banner. This year's Garage Rep features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Casting and creative teams for each production included below. Performances run February 20, 2015 - April 26, 2015 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N. Halsted St.). Press weekend is March 7 and 8. Single tickets ($20) are now available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), at ?312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.