Ethan Deppe News

What did our critic think of ELF THE MUSICAL at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL? Drury Lane Theatre's holiday production is Elf. From the opening number until the final curtain, Elf will make you feel the joy of Christmas as a child again. That's the beauty of Buddy the Elf and in large part due to the talented Ben Dow, being moved from understudy to lead, in the title role. His wide eyed expressions and sheer joy of everything, especially maple syrup, is the heart of the story. Buddy wants everyone to be happy and feel joy. We are taken into the Buddy's story at the very beginning by Santa (expertly portrayed by the spellbinding A.D. Weaver). On Buddy's journey we meet all the characters from the movie.

The Sound of Music, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, has enchanted audiences for more than 50 years. This holiday season, Chicago audiences can experience this unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein classic for the first time, or all over again, at downtown Aurora’s Paramount Theatre. Previews start November 9, 2022.

Paramount Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Fun Home – book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, music by Jeanine Tesori, based on the popular graphic novel of the same name by Alison Bechdel – as the third production in its inaugural four-show BOLD Series.

TRW has announced a new partnership with electronic instrument programming provider KeyboardTEK to offer professional programming for keyboard, drum, and percussion books for their entire catalog of musicals. 

The Barn Theatre have today released the official trailer for their Built by Barn production of the musical comedy Murder For Two.

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has today announced the full cast and creative team for their upcoming revival production of Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian's award-winning musical comedy Murder For Two.

Set your alarm to see Groundhog Day: The Musical, based on the classic Bill Murray film comedy, because the forecast calls for Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti to direct another signature blockbuster musical comedy.

​​​​​​​Call Me Elizabeth will stream as part of the 2021 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Written by Kayla Boye and directed by Erin Kraft, the one-woman show examines Elizabeth Taylor's early life, career and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and her place as Hollywood's brightest star.

Nearly 16 months after dimming its famous marquee due to COVID-19, Aurora's Paramount Theatre has started rehearsals for its 10th Anniversary Broadway Series season opener, Kinky Boots, marking a pivotal moment for the second largest subscription house in the nation as it returns to live performances next month.

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) announced a partnership with resource developer KeyboardTEK that will make their entire state-of-the-art keyboard programming available to MTI customers.

Through an intimate conversation with a biographer, Call Me Elizabeth examines the movie star's early life, career and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and her place as Hollywood's brightest star.

Today (April 30) in live streaming: Broadway Rocks the Who!, Stars in the House reunites The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre will announce that the Chicago streaming premiere with KB Productions of Call Me Elizabeth, a one-woman show about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor, written by and starring Kayla Boye and directed by Erin Kraft, has been extended through Sunday, May 9.

Today (April 23) in live streaming: Lesli Margherita chats on Clubhouse, Romeo & Juliet premieres on PBS Great Performances, and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre of Call Me Elizabeth, a one-woman show about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor, written by and starring Kayla Boye and directed by Erin Kraft.

Written by Kayla Boye and directed by Erin Kraft, the production may be viewed on-demand March 19-28, 2021.

Paramount Theatre announces the addition of two principal cast members a?" Sydney Morton and Melody A. Betts a?" both making their Paramount debuts in its upcoming world premiere musical The Secret of My Success.

Great dancing candlesticks! Just wait to see what Aurora's Paramount Theatre has in store for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, November 13, 2019-January 19, 2020 at the beautiful Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. Press opening is Friday, November 22, at 8 p.m.

BroadwayWorld has a look at opening night of Drury Lane Theatre's production of the 2016 Tony Award-winning The Color Purple, with book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. The Color Purple is directed by Lili-Anne Brown, choreographed by Breon Arzell, and music directed by Jermaine Hill. The production runs through November 3, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, announces an additional one-week extension of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Band's Visit), music directed by Andra Velis Simon and choreographed by Eamon Foley. Next to Normal now runs through June 30, 2019, in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.