John Sparks 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. A BroadwayWorld party tonight at The Call, a new 'Pinocchio,' 'Pinkalicious,' 'Aladdin,' that Blues Brothers show, 'The Wiz,' Midwest New Musicals, Part II, more....

Midwest New Musicals presents Spring Rains and Labor Pains, the 2011 Mini-Musical Project on Sunday, July 17, 6:30 PM at the McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium at 1420 Maple in Evanston. Tickets for the general public are $10 at the door.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Million Dollar Quartet,' Midwest New Musicals, 'The Homosexuals,' 'Godspell' at 40, 'The Rose Of Stambul,' a BroadwayWorld Chicago party and more!

Picturing Science: Museum Scientists and Imaging Technologies, an exhibition of more than 20 sets of striking large-format prints, showcases advanced imaging technologies used by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History and reveals once-hidden, intricate details of both natural phenomena and cultural artifacts.

Midwest New Musicals in association with Light Opera Works will hold an intensive program where writers explore the use of music, lyrics and dialogue through hands-on assignments that introduce them to musical theater forms and collaborative technique, culminating in public performances of the Mini-Musicals Project.

More proof that Los Angeles is becoming a magnet for new musicals: after 15 years in Chicago, Stages Musical Theatre Festival has moved to Los Angeles.

Midwest New Musicals (formerly the Musical Theatre Writers Workshop at Theatre Building Chicago), a writers workshop and development program lead by John Sparks, begins on September 18, 2010, and continues through June 19, 2011.

Midwest New Musicals (formerly the Musical Theatre Writers Workshop at Theatre Building Chicago), a writers workshop and development program lead by John Sparks, begins on September 18, 2010, and continues through June 19, 2011.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Jeff Award nominations, Broadway In Chicago's 2011 Spring Series, Fox Valley Theatricals, Midwest New Musicals, Super September, 'Candide,' more....

The Academy has a community of about 100 composers and lyricists writing musicals for producers all around the country, but now they're becoming producers. Their first full production with live band and scenery opens next month (July 16) for a six week run at the NoHo Arts Center.

Once a year, every June, like clockwork, you can hear composers weeping in North Hollywood, and threatening to call attorneys, and then kissing and making up and saying they've just had the most wonderful experience of their lives. Yes, it's time for the annual 15-Minute Musical project at the Academy for New Musical Theatre: June 28th and 29th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For the final project of Academy's famous writers' workshop, composers and lyricists and bookwriters are put together on writing teams and are given eight short weeks to write, revise and polish a brand-new musical written for five actors whom they've never met before.

Once a year, every June, like clockwork, you can hear composers weeping in North Hollywood, and threatening to call attorneys, and then kissing and making up and saying they've just had the most wonderful experience of their lives. Yes, it's time for the annual 15-Minute Musical project at the Academy for New Musical Theatre: June 28th and 29th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For the final project of Academy's famous writers' workshop, composers and lyricists and bookwriters are put together on writing teams and are given eight short weeks to write, revise and polish a brand-new musical written for five actors whom they've never met before.

The Academy has a community of about 100 composers and lyricists writing musicals for producers all around the country, but now they're becoming producers. Their first full production with live band and scenery opens next month (July 16) for a six week run at the NoHo Arts Center.

Once a year, every June, like clockwork, you can hear composers weeping in North Hollywood, and threatening to call attorneys, and then kissing and making up and saying they've just had the most wonderful experience of their lives. Yes, it's time for the annual 15-Minute Musical project at the Academy for New Musical Theatre: June 28th and 29th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For the final project of Academy's famous writers' workshop, composers and lyricists and bookwriters are put together on writing teams and are given eight short weeks to write, revise and polish a brand-new musical written for five actors whom they've never met before.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is pleased to announce the winning selections of the 2009 TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series. In a series that is unique because it develops new producers as well as new musicals, three works were chosen from submissions by emerging or established producers, as well as writers. The works will be read on Monday, December 14; Tuesday, December 15; and Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7pm at the Players Theatre, located at 115 MacDougal Street, NYC.

The 16th annual STAGES festival will kick off with SONGS IN THE KEY OF TODAY, a new topical review of songs written specifically for STAGES. The revue features musical numbers by Martin Charnin, George Stiles & Anthony Drew, Wally Harper and Sherman Yellen, Owen Kalt and Elizabeth Doyle and many other writers.

The 16th annual STAGES festival will kick off with SONGS IN THE KEY OF TODAY, a new topical review of songs written specifically for STAGES. The revue features musical numbers by Martin Charnin, George Stiles & Anthony Drew, Wally Harper and Sherman Yellen, Owen Kalt and Elizabeth Doyle and many other writers.

The 16th annual STAGES festival will kick off with SONGS IN THE KEY OF TODAY, a new topical review of songs written specifically for STAGES. The revue features musical numbers by Martin Charnin, George Stiles & Anthony Drew, Wally Harper and Sherman Yellen, Owen Kalt and Elizabeth Doyle and many other writers.