Grant Drager 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. 'Cinderella' and 'Lucy' hit town, 'Hansel And Gretel' play on the Mag Mile, a BC/EFA benefit at Sidetrack, 'Porgy' and Redmoon make splashes, two shows named 'Nativity' ready to open, and 'Rudolph' and Big Red return!

Break out your high heels and fishnets this holiday because Hell in a Handbag Productions is bringing back Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, David Cerda's beloved parody of the classic children's television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Now celebrating its 17th year, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer is the longest running holiday show featuring a transvestite reindeer in the history of Chicago, and quite possibly the world. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

It's that special time of year again -- time for Hell in Handbag's Annual Benefit -- and this year it's going to be better than Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa combined! Handbag is going to Deck the Halls - Deck the DEIDRE Hall(s), that is -- at A VERY SPECIAL RUDOLPH on Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 5 pm -- 10 pm at Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.

Break out your high heels and fishnets this holiday because Hell in a Handbag Productions is bringing back Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, David Cerda's beloved parody of the classic children's television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Now celebrating its 17th year, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer is the longest running holiday show featuring a transvestite reindeer in the history of Chicago, and quite possibly THE WORLD.

New American Folk Theatre (NAFT) announced that it will present the world premiere of 'Witches Among Us', a musical by Chicagoans Rick Karlin (book) and Scott Free (music and lyrics), today, October 3, at The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

New American Folk Theatre (NAFT) announced that it will present the world premiere of 'Witches Among Us', a musical by Chicagoans Rick Karlin (book) and Scott Free (music and lyrics), on October 3, at The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

New American Folk Theatre begins its 2014 season with Dark of the Moon by Howard Richardson and William Berney. The play, directed by Anthony Whitaker and Jamal Howard, runs June 7 through June 29 (previews tonight, June 6) at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.

New American Folk Theatre begins its 2014 season with Dark of the Moon by Howard Richardson and William Berney. The play, directed by Anthony Whitaker and Jamal Howard, runs June 7 through June 29 (previews June 6) at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. Press Opening Performances are June 7 at 7:30 p.m. and June 8 at 6 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit newamericanfolktheatre.org or darkofthemoon.brownpapertickets.com

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Today, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Friday, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

Hell in a Handbag is proud to announce that Christmas Dearest, their new holiday show is adding 4 performances to accommodate the incredible demand for tickets. The added performances will play this weekend, Jan. 3, 5 7:30pm and Jan. 4 at 3:30pm & 7:30pm.

Hell in a Handbag is proud to announce that Christmas Dearest, their new holiday show is adding 4 performances to accommodate the incredible demand for tickets. The added performances will play Jan. 3, 5 7:30pm and Jan. 4 at 3:30pm & 7:30pm.

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC has announced the craziest performance in Musical of the Living Dead history - Two casts in the same performance - Musical of the Living Dead: Double Tap. For the closing performance on Saturday, Nov. 9 every single cast member (a total of 22 actors) will perform, adding a unique element to the performance: 'tapping' each other in and out in a tag team fashion throughout the show to create the ULTIMATE Musical of the Living Dead experience. To add to the madness, more than one actor might perform the same song or scene...simultaneously. The audience could see two Frans, one Steve, Judy give birth to herself - or even cameos by the show's creators, Marc Lewallen and Brand Younts. Anything could happen in this not-to-be-missed performance.

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Musical of the Living Dead is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances are tonight, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

Christmas Dearest tells the tale of Hollywood superstar, Joan Crawford, and the important lessons she learns one Christmas Eve. The show runs Nov. 29-Dec. 29.

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Musical of the Living Dead is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances are Thursday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m. Opening/Press night is Thursday, Oct 10 at 8 p.m. All performances are recommended for ages 14 years and older. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased atwww.stage773.com, www.musicalofthelivingdead.com or by calling the Stage 773 box office at 773-327-5252. For more information, please visitwww.musicalofthelivingdead.com.

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Musical of the Living Dead is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances are Thursday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Musical of the Living Dead is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances are Thursday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m. Opening/Press night is Thursday, Oct 10 at 8 p.m. All performances are recommended for ages 14 years and older. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.stage773.com, www.musicalofthelivingdead.com or by calling the Stage 773 box office at 773-327-5252. For more information, please visit www.musicalofthelivingdead.com.