John Nasca News

PFP's Gay Play Weekend includes a dynamic musical about a tragedy in gay history, and a historical drama about Michelangelo. You will also see a murder mystery which takes place at a party where everyone is dressed as Joan Crawford, a fun piece about gay dating today, and a drama about abuse and healing. These are the themes of the five finalists in Pride Films and Plays' 2014 Gay Play and Musical Contest.

Pride Films and Plays' Gay Play Weekend is one of the most exciting events for LGBT theater lovers, as five great new scripts are brought to life in enhanced staged readings directed by Chicago's top directors. The first three years of the contest had produced finalists and award winners like At The Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, Under A Rainbow Flag by Leo Schwartz, Learn to Be Latina by Enrique Urueta, and Directions for Restoring the Apparently Dead by Martin Casella.

PFP's Gay Play Weekend includes a dynamic musical about a tragedy in gay history, and a historical drama about Michelangelo. You will also see a murder mystery which takes place at a party where everyone is dressed as Joan Crawford, a fun piece about gay dating today, and a drama about abuse and healing. These are the themes of the five finalists in Pride Films and Plays' 2014 Gay Play and Musical Contest.

Five finalists have been named in Pride Films and Plays' Great Gay Screenplay Contest, an international contest for screenplays with LGBT characters and themes. The finalists include a wide range of subject matter ranging from a love triangle set in France, a mystical teenage romance laced with racial tension, a set of non-actors facing possible Hollywood stardom, a sweet coming-of-age tale, and an older man's revelation of painful secrets.

Ten semi-finalists have been named in Pride Films and Plays' Great Gay Screenplay Contest, an international contest for screenplays with LGBT characters and themes.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Directions for Restoring the Apparently Dead by Martin Casella was named the winner of the 2013 Great Gay Play Contest. In this lovely new drama, past and present collide when a straight man and gay man reconnect after life-shattering experiences.

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 Jeff nominations are out, 'Big Fish' is open, 'Anything Goes' and 'Mormon' perform, plus Jessie Mueller's 'Carousel,' BoHo's 'Spider Woman, new season announcements and those two new Spanish opera productions!

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 120 nominations in 25 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 146 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 54 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-three theatre companies received nominations.

Running almost every Wednesday through Sunday between now and April 21, 2013, is a world premiere musical that is certainly worth seeing. It's "Under A Rainbow Flag," with book, music and lyrics by Chicagoan Leo Schwartz, and based on the recollections of the now 91-year-old Jon Phillips, living in retirement in Evanston and present on opening night. The show is running in the Profiles Theatre Main Stage space at 4139 N. Broadway, in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood, in the Uptown community area.

Pride Films and Plays presents the Chicago 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed Beautiful Thing, the heartwarming story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with Robert Hilliard as Jamie, Charlie Wein as Ste, and Kiah McKirnan as Leah. Get a first look at the cast in the photos below!

Pride Films and Plays has announced the Chicago 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed Beautiful Thing, the heartwarming story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with Robert Hilliard as Jamie, Charlie Wein as Ste, and Kiah McKirnan as Leah.

BroadwayWorld Chicago invited all winners, nominees, past winners and nominees, theater folk, superfans, board members and everyone else to the third annual BroadwayWorld Awards Celebration on January 9, 2013 at The Call nightclub in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. BroadwayWorld's Paul W. Thompson and The Call's Ashley Morgan once again co-hosted the event, with showtune videos presented by VJ Michael Hogan in between categories.

Pride Films and Plays has announced the Chicago 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed Beautiful Thing, the heartwarming story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with Robert Hilliard as Jamie, Charlie Wein as Ste, and Kiah McKirnan as Leah.

Pride Films and Plays has announced the Chicago 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed Beautiful Thing, the heartwarming story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with Robert Hilliard as Jamie, Charlie Wein as Ste, and Kiah McKirnan as Leah.

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 Awards winners and 1/9/13 Celebration, 'Mormon' and 'Les Miz' reaction, 'Oliver!' opens, 'Lucy' extends, StarKid goes sketch, our unofficial Lloyd Webber festival and more!

BroadwayWorld Chicago is proud today to announce the winners of the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only comprehensive theater award in the Chicago area voted on by fans, and the only one to honor productions in both Equity and non-Equity categories simultaneously. And you, the fans, have spoken! Prominent local companies, famous names on a national level, and some new favorites on our theater scene are winners this year.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 15, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the latest standings below.

Pride Films and Plays has just announced the Chicago 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed Beautiful Thing, the story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes Robert Hilliard, Michelle McKenzie-Voigt, Kiah McKirnan, Patrick Rybarczyk, and Charlie Wein.