Kelley Abell 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. It's the no-Christmas-musicals edition of the Mosh Pit! The T-BOM has arrived, BWW Chicago Awards voting ends this Saturday, the Grammys, three new musicals in workshop, dueling TYA 'Cinderella' musicals and more!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic tale CINDERELLA from today, November 17th through December 31st. For the first time on the Marriott stage - the original enchanting score from the creators of The King & I and Oklahoma! Join Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince, and two selfish Step-Sisters, as they turn "Impossible" to "Possible" in Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved tale.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic tale CINDERELLA from November 17th through December 31st. For the first time on the Marriott stage - the original enchanting score from the creators of The King & I and Oklahoma! Join Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince, and two selfish Step-Sisters, as they turn "Impossible" to "Possible" in Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved tale.

The Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, running now through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes video about the production!

Opening this past Wednesday, the latest new work at the Marriott Theatre is "Hero," conceived and written by Aaron Thielen (the theater's Lead Artistic Director) and based somewhat on his childhood in Milwaukee and the neighborhood he grew up in. The show has music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, an actor, musical director, guitarist and keyboardist about town, who has written seven previous musicals and makes quite a mark with this one. The pair has been working on and workshopping the show since early 2009, and the work has paid off. It's a funny, engaging, likeable, tuneful and moving mid-sized musical.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler. The show previewed June 20 and opened June 27 at 8 p.m., running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. View opening night photos below!

The Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three shows make a PR appearance at Sidetrack, ATC plans a 'Hair' re-do, 'Camelot,' 'Floyd Collins,' three new mainstage musicals, a reading, a benefit and more!

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

Lookingglass Theatre Company's production of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert, will close January 23, 2011 after 2 extensions at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company's premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert, will close January 2, 2011, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), newly adapted by Amanda Denhert from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The press opening is Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces the second extension of the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert for an additional three weeks, through January 23, 2011, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces the extension of the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert through January 2, 2011, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), adapted from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.