Laura Savage News

Tony-winning actress Karen Ziemba will play 'Dolly Levi' in Drury Lane Theatre's production of HELLO, DOLLY!, playing tonight, October 17, 2013, through January 5, 2014, in the Windy City.

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 are open for nominations! Plus three shows get extensions, the Drury Lane announces 2014-15, two musical improv shows play midweek runs, some local 'Cats,' FOUR productions of 'Sweeney Todd' and more!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The production, which began performances on August 14 and opened on August 21, will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The productino, which began performances on August 14, has an opening night of August 21, and will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The productino, which began performances on August 14, has an opening night of August 21, and will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as "Dolly Levi." She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include "Diana Morales" in A Chorus Line, "Peggy Sawyer" in the original production of 42nd Street, "Polly Baker" in Crazy for You, and "Roxie Hart" 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. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical comes to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, beginning tonight, August 14, opening August 21 and running through October 13.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Tony-winning actress Karen Ziemba will play 'Dolly Levi' in Drury Lane Theatre's production of HELLO, DOLLY!, playing October 17, 2013, through January 5, 2014, in the Windy City.

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical comes to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, beginning August 14, opening August 21 and running through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, begins its exciting 2013 season with a grand scale production of the Tony Award-winning musical OLIVER!, running through June 2, 2013. Click below to watch interviews with the cast and creative team on opening night!

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below!

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

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.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, tonight, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, begins its exciting 2013 season with a grand scale production of the Tony Award-winning musical OLIVER!, previewing April 4, opening Thursday, April 11, and running through June 2, 2013. OLIVER! features an all-star cast of 35, led by Heidi Kettenring as 'Nancy' (National Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Broadway in Chicago's Wicked, the World Premiere of Hero at Marriott Theatre, and Sweeney Todd at Drury Lane Theatre); Jeff Award winner John Reeger as 'Fagin' (The Iceman Cometh and A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre, Amadeus at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Hamlet at Court Theatre, and Chicago at Marriott Theatre); J.D. Rodriguez as the 'Artful Dodger' (National Tour of A Christmas Story) and Brady Tutton as 'Oliver Twist' ('Tiny Tim' in A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre). The production is Directed and Choreographed by multi-Jeff Award winner Rachel Rockwell (Ragtime, The Sound of Music and Sweeney Todd at Drury Lane Theatre). Rockwell will direct both her mother, Glory Kissel, who stars as 'Mrs. Bedwin' (Pericles at the Goodman Theatre and Anyone Can Whistle at Ravinia), and her son, Jake Helm, who plays an orphan. Her husband, Garth Helm, provides Sound Design.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'