Lorenzo Rush Jr. News

Porchlight Music Theatre opened Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song last night at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. They're Playing Our Song features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and starring Lorenzo Rush Jr and Sharriese Hamilton. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35.

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber that discusses the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to They're Playing Our Song and subscriptions for the entire series are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

Due to early ticket demand, American Blues Theater announces the extension of Little Shop of Horrors, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. Little Shop of Horrors now runs April 29 - June 26, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, tonight, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are tonight, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary "Season of Sondheim," A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday night's Jeff Awards at the Drury Lane, and 'Amazing Grace' at the BOAT! Plus 2014's other Broadway In Chicago shows, The Grinch at the Chicago Theatre, local productions of 'Parade,' 'Camelot' and 'Mary Poppins,' the new 'A Christmas Memory,' and the sold-out Humanities Festival tribute to the Tonys!

The 46th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area is tonight, October 13 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Remembering Bernie Yvon and honoring Bebe Neuwirth. And the show goes on with Route 66's Alanis Morissette tribute, 'Cats' at the Paramount, Bailiwick's 'Wild Party' and BoHo's 'Parade,' music improv at MCL Chicago, the new Refuge Theatre Project, and Chicagoans on tour with 'Sister Act!'

BoHo Theatre closes out its milestone 10th anniversary season with the stirring musical Parade, directed by Linda Fortunato (Jeff-Award winner for Choreography for BoHo's Kiss of the Spider Woman) with music direction by Matt Deitchman. Opening in October at Theater Wit, Parade tells the story of the trial of Leo Frank, a northern Jew accused of the murder of a teenage worker in his Southern factory. This Tony Award-winning musical by acclaimed playwright Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and composer Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) shines a revealing light on the intolerance and racial tension that continues to haunt America, as well as the endurance of love and hope against all odds. Parade represents the Bohemian Pillar of Love in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce additional performances of the Tony Award©-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', playing through March 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. This Black History Month presentation with book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller and various other composers and lyricists features direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and music direction by Jaret Landon. The performance schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with new additional performances Sunday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9 at

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber present the Tony Award-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', now through March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ain't Misbehavin' and 'Ragtime' get ready, the 'Lyle' and 'Schoolhouse' kids' musicals, two stagings of 'Cabaret,' The Phantom and Raoul to visit Stage 773, KT Sullivan in Hyde Park, the Belmont Theater District is born, and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', now through March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. This Black History Month presentation with book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller and various other composers and lyricists features direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and music direction by Jaret Landon. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic DirectorMichael Weber announce the Tony Award-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', February 1 - March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. This Black History Month presentation with book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller and various other composers and lyricists features direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and music direction by Jaret Landon. Check out highlights of the show below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', today, February 1 - March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award©-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', February 1 - March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. This Black History Month presentation with book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller and various other composers and lyricists features direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and music direction by Jaret Landon. Previews are Saturday, Feb.1, 2014 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/Press Night is Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews and $43.50 for all other performances. Two show subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at Stage 773, 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

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 a non-holiday edition! With 'The Mikado,' 'Triumph Of Love,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' 'Cabaret' at the Marriott, 'Ain't Misbehavin',' CST's 'Gypsy' and more, plus Streisand and Sondheim on TV, and 'The Sound Of Music' at Sidetrack!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning Thomas "Fats" Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', February 1 - March 9, 2014, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.