Jeannie Lukow News

As Porchlight Music Theatre is set to launch its 25th Anniversary Season as Chicago's center for music theatre, it celebrated 24 years and announced its 25th Anniversary co-chairs at the 2019 ICONS Gala Sunday, March 31 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson. The 2019 ICONS GALA set a new attendance record with 300 guests in attendance and raised more funds that directly benefit Porchlight's artistic and educational programs than previous events. The elegant Gala Brunch, chaired by Tamara Sims, included performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the legendary career of Jerome Robbins, the presentation of The Luminary Award to Jean Klingenstein, introduced the 25th Anniversary chairs: RIck and Deann Bayless and Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra and silent and live auctions.

Porchlight Music Theatre and its Board Member and Artistic Associate Brenda Didier hosted a luncheon at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse, 1028 N. Rush Street, on International Women's Day, Friday, March 8 celebrating women in theatre and announced the launch of The Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund supporting fierce women behind the table at Porchlight Music Theatre and the 2019 honorees  of the Fund: Denise Karczewski, Shanna Vanderwerker and Christie Chiles Twillie.

Porchlight Music Theatre welcomed a sold out crowd at the 13th Annual Chicago Sings concert fundraiser; Chicago Sings The MGM Musicals, held Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., at Second City's UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, direction by Keely Vasquez, music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Beckie Menzie, stage management by Jake Allen Miller and sound design Robert Hornbostel. Monday's event was the company's most successful Chicago Sings to date. Sales from this one-night-only performance benefit Porchlight Music Theatre's youth educational and community outreach programming raising more than $54,000.

Porchlight Music Theatre annouces that its 2017 ICONS Gala celebrating the career of Broadway legend Hal Prince held Sunday, April 30 in the Atlantic Ballroom at the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago, 221 N. Columbus Drive, broke its records for number of attendees and funds raised, making it the most succesful gala in the organization's 22-year history. The Gala, with honorary chair Paul Lisnek, included special guest Lonny Price and performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the career of Hal Prince, the presentation of the 2017 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to Rachel Rockwell and silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event and its accompanying auctions benefit Porchlight's educational programs and productions.

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that its 2017 - 2018 season will be performed at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Ave. as one of Ruth Page Center's Artists In-Residence.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Executive Director Jeannie Lukow is proud to announce the hiring of the organization's first education director, Jillian Abbinanti. Abbinanti begins Monday, Dec. 12 in this new position that is charged with creating and building integrated education offerings for children, teens, professionals and hobbyists. In addition to creating and directing the new Education Outreach program and Summer Camp program, she will oversee the established School at Porchlight's professional and hobbyist class offerings, ensuring all education activities align with Porchlight's strategic goals.

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for amateur theatre lovers to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production - no experience or training required! The Casting Auction, in association with Porchlight Music Theatre, will be auctioning off over 30 roles for this season's musical production, All Shook Up, on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails, a lively dance floor and a professional photo booth to ham it up!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the return of its multi award-winning hit AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', now thorugh December 20, music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller, book by Murray Horowitz and Richard Maltby Jr., direction and choreography by multi Jeff-Award winner and Artistic Associate Brenda Didier with music direction by Jeff-Award winning Porchlight Artistic Associate Austin Cook at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Porchlight Music Theatre launched its 21st season with CHICAGO SINGS THE BEST OF MOTOWN, Monday, Aug. 17 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. The annual fundraiser shattered previous records with nearly 350 people in attendance and more than $30,000 raised for Porchlight Music Theatre's educational and artistic programming. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Porchlight Music Theatre kicked off its 20th Anniversary season with a sold-out benefit concert, Chicago Sings Disney featuring the music created by the Walt Disney Studios, Monday, Aug. 25 at Mayne Stage, 1328 West Morse Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the appointment of Jeannie Lukow as the organization's first executive director, effective September 2. Lukow, a founding member of Porchlight Music Theatre's Board of Directors and its president for the past six years, was co-owner of Bespoke Cuisine for the last 12 years after transitioning from a 15-year career in marketing communications and association management.

Porchlight's 19th Season begins with the Chicago premiere of Double Trouble, book, music and lyrics by brothers Bob Walton and Jim Walton, direction and choreography by Matthew Crowle, music direction by Linda Madonia and starring brothers Adrian Aguilar and Alexander Aguilar, August 31 - October 6, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night shots below!

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, presents the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The performance schedule is Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Single tickets are $38 with group and student discounts available. All tickets are available at stage773.com, porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.327.5252.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces today that Michael Weber has been named the organization's new Artistic Director.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the highly anticipated Midwest Premiere of the new musical MEET JOHN DOE, based on the film of the same name by Frank Capra, opening Tuesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m. and running through April 17, 2011 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago. The production is Directed and Choreographed by James Beaudry, Artistic Director at Timber Lake Playhouse.

Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago's music theatre leader, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Heuring as full time managing director for the fifteen year old company. As managing director, he will oversee a variety of operations including marketing, development, vendors, subscription and single ticket sales-all the behind-the-scenes activities that support the artistic program.

Porchlight Music Theatre will end its 2008-2009 season, Musical Journeys-A Season of Musical Destinations, with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once On This Island at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. The production begins previews May 9 with a Press Opening on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through June 28, 2009.