Light Opera Works News

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with EVE, a contemporary opera in one act in the middle of the night, music by Philip Seward, libretto by Joan Mazzonelli and Philip Seward. The reading is on Monday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston.

Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Never the Bridesmaid, a sweet, funny, life-affirming comedy by Chicago playwright Bill Jepsen. Directed by award-winning director Richard Shavzin, Never the Bridesmaid runs at the Polarity space at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell St. in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, February 26 through April 7, 2013.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. This week: Our TOP TEN HOT TOPIX for the second half of 2012!!

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!

Raven Theatre's 30th season continues with Rebecca Gilman's dark drama, Boy Gets Girl. Two opening nights are scheduled for Sunday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with THE LAST STORYTELLER, book and lyrics by Caroline Lee and Christina Biggs, music by Margaret James, tonight, December 17, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360, or 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. 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!

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.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with THE LAST STORYTELLER, book and lyrics by Caroline Lee and Christina Biggs, music by Margaret James, on Monday, December 17, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360, or at the door.

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.

"The Christmas Schooner" has been performed in the Chicago area every year, except for one, since 1995. And yet, I know for a fact that new theatergoers are discovering it all the time. Hence, it's a good thing that the Mercury Theater on Southport Avenue has mounted this story--based on a real slice of Chicago history--for the second year, and has already announced it for next year as well. It's one of the most popular musicals across the country to originate in Chicago, and we are proud to call it our own.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 204th season with an all-new production of Broadway's five-time Tony Award-winning family musical, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, this production will feature Philadelphia's very own Jeffrey Coon and Broadway's Jennifer Hope Wills. The cast also includes a live horse that will pull the Wells Fargo Wagon in the first act. THE MUSIC MAN runs now through January 6th on the WST Mainstage. Check out highlights from the production in the video 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 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 live standings below!

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, its concert reading series of original musicals, with WANTING MISS JULIE, book by John Sparks, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr and music by Jake Anthony, tonight, November 19, at 7:30 PM at the Light Opera Works Second Stage at 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Relive some of the greatest moments in musical theater history through One Hand, One Heart: The Musicals of Leonard Bernstein, a cabaret revue performed at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, tonight, November 14 - 29, 2012. Reservations can be placed at www.davenportspianobar.com.

Light Opera Works presents the musical OLIVER! with full 26-piece orchestra, December 22 through 31, 2012, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 204th season with an all-new production of Broadway's five-time Tony Award-winning family musical, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, this production will feature Philadelphia's very own Jeffrey Coon and Broadway's Jennifer Hope Wills. The cast also includes a live horse that will pull the Wells Fargo Wagon in the first act. THE MUSIC MAN opens on November 14th and runs through January 6th on the WST Mainstage. Join Jeffrey Coon (Harold Hill), Jennifer Hope Wills (Marian Paroo) and Vincent Crocilla (Winthrop Paroo) as they prepare for Walnut Street Theatre's production of THE MUSIC MAN during the pre-production photo shoot in the video below!