John D. Glover News

"The Hairy Ape"- Eugene O'Neill's expressionist play presented in a stark, brutal and imaginative setting; "Byhalia, Mississippi"- a new work of southern love and forgiveness, and "Rent"- the musical update of "La Boheme" performed in a small storefront theatre, took home the most honors on Monday, June 6, at Park West during the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. 

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to conclude its 2016 season this summer with the funny, intimate and moving musical TOMORROW MORNING with book, music and lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe, directed by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Cameron Turner. TOMORROW MORNING will play July 9 - August 28, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 1, 2016 at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Monday, July 11 at 7:30 pm. 

Kokandy Productions just announced its 'new' summer 2016 production: the funny, intimate and moving musical TOMORROW MORNING with book, music and lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe, directed by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Cameron Turner.

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents.

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents: Emily Grayson (Melancholy Play, Titanic), Christina Hall (Sweet Smell of Success, The Wild Party), Garrett Lutz (Dogfight, The Full Monty), Jaymes Osbourne (Smokey Joe's Cafe, Dessa Rose) and Sasha Smith (The Wild Party, Plastic Revolution).

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents.

June 8, 2015 - Chicago, IL. "The Wild Party," a dark, sensual, wanton musical, and "Men Should Weep," a tale of a disordered Scottish tenement household, took home top honors Monday, June 8, at Park West during the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. Bailiwick Chicago's musical of Michael LaChiusa's "The Wild Party" led all musical nominees with eight awards, and Griffin Theatre's "Men Should Weep" led play nominees with three awards.

The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee will pay a special tribute to the career and legacy of Russ Tutterow at the 2015 Non-Equity Awards Ceremony on June 8, 2015 at Park West.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

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!

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce its 2016 season -- plus an added holiday production for the 2015 season. The 2016 season kicks off with the Chicago premiere of the dark 'mean teen' comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, with book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, directed by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix and music direction by Aaron Benham.

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 Sound Of Music,' 'Empire' and 'Glee' stir up this week's TVs, 'First Wives Club,' 'Beauty And The Beast,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'First Date' claim their respective audiences,' Kokandy has more than 'The Full Monty,' Columbia's 'Oklahoma!,' lots at the Skokie Theatre and my upcoming busy weekend!

Kokandy Productions is pleased to open its 2015 season with the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play now through April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Kokandy Productions will open its 2015 season with the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play tonight, March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

Kokandy Productions will open its 2015 season with the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, March 12 at 8 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!