John D. Glover News

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce the 20-member cast for its 2015 season opener, 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 musical 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.

Kokandy Productions present their Season 2014 closer - ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS opened on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00pm, and runs at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont in Chicago, and continues through Sunday, July 20, 2014. Scroll down for photos from the show's opening night celebrations!

"The Mother," a stage tale of class warfare, and "Passion," a musical of love and obsession, took home top honors for Oracle Productions and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre respectively Monday, June 2, at Park West during the 41st Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. Oracle, with five awards, and Theo Ubique, with four awards, garnered the most honors at Monday night's ceremony.

The Jeff Awards Committee has announced that Griffin Theatre Company will receive a Special Award at the 41st Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2014. Griffin Theatre Company will receive the Special Jeff Award for its dedication to provocative and transformational theatre that bridges the generations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 128 nominations in 24 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 147 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 66 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty theatre companies received nominations.

Continuing their mission to produce high-stakes musical theater that authentically mines the emotional truth of the human experience and explores complex, challenging themes, Kokandy Productions announces their 2015 season; THE FULL MONTY (March 2 - April 12 2015), and LOVING REPEATING (July 20 - August 30, 2015), both at Theater Wit in Chicago.

Kokandy Productions' premiere all-musical season kicks off with the Marvin Hamlisch/Craig Carnelia/John Guare noir SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, running now through February 2, 2014 at Theater Wit. BroadwayWorld has a look at the opening night festivities below!

Kokandy Productions invites you to be part of our 2014 all-musical season, kicking off with the sexy 50's noir SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS in January, and wrapping up with Sondheim's black comedy ASSASSINS in June!

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 Award winners will be announced tonight! Plus 'Ghost' and 'Phantom' haunt the Loop, 'Wicked' casts Tim Kazurinsky, productions like 'Sweet Smell' and 'Nunsense,' The Midtown Men, news out of Circle Theatre and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's a non-holiday edition! With 'The Mikado,' 'Triumph Of Love,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' 'Cabaret' at the Marriott, 'Ain't Misbehavin',' CST's 'Gypsy' and more, plus Streisand and Sondheim on TV, and 'The Sound Of Music' at Sidetrack!

Kokandy Productions invites you to be part of our 2014 all-musical season, kicking off with the sexy 50's noir SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS in January, and wrapping up with Sondheim's black comedy ASSASSINS in June!

BroadwayWorld.com is proud once again to announce the nominations for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, Chicago's only comprehensive, fan-voted theater award now in its 4th fabulous year. And the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble leads the way, with a whopping 15 nominations overall, including 10 for its summer production of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman.' Chicago Shakespeare Theater is next overall, with 12 nods, spread out over an impressive 7 different productions, including 'Othello: The Remix,' 'Henry VII,' 'The School for Lies' and its Shakespeare in the Parks production of 'The Comedy of Errors,' nominated as Best Theatrical Event.

With the debut of their all-musical 2014 season, Kokandy Productions announces itself as Chicago's newest non-Equity musical theater company, dedicated to producing high-stakes musical theater pieces that authentically mine the emotional truth of the human experience and explore complex, challenging themes.

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 release of the Equity wing Jeff Award nominations, 'Double Trouble' and 'Hank Williams' open, '50 Shades' and 'Frog And Toad' return, plus 'Heartbeat Of Home,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' a new musical theater magazine and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' and 'Flashdance' depart, 'Pageant' and 'Ruthless!' appear, two musicals celebrating black music begin September 14 at BET and the Goodman, two Gary Griffin shows get their leading ladies, plus 'Hank Williams' and much more!

Kokandy Productions present the musical 'The Last Five Years', now through August 25 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Traditionally, 'The Last Five Years' is performed by two actors accompanied by musicians; the Kokandy Productions concept has cast Jim DeSelm and Allison Hendrix to portray Jamie and Catherine respectively as well as accompany their performance on two pianos. Check out a first look below!

Kokandy Productions presents the musical 'The Last Five Years', today, August 2 through 25 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Traditionally, 'The Last Five Years' is performed by two actors accompanied by musicians; the Kokandy Productions concept has cast Jim DeSelm and Allison Hendrix to portray Jamie and Catherine respectively as well as accompany their performance on two pianos. John D. Glover directs, DeSelm and Hendrix are co-musical directors and K. Hannah Friedman serves as assistant director.

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 Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!

Kokandy Productions proudly presents the musical 'The Last Five Years', August 2 through 25 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Traditionally, 'The Last Five Years' is performed by two actors accompanied by musicians; the Kokandy Productions concept has cast Jim DeSelm and Allison Hendrix to portray Jamie and Catherine respectively as well as accompany their performance on two pianos. John D. Glover directs, DeSelm and Hendrix are co-musical directors and K. Hannah Friedman serves as assistant director. T