Robert Ollis News

It has been great to watch actors Jordan Phelps and Kevin Webb, along with musical director Robert Ollis, work their magic with the excellent material in this musical. With lyrics by Mark Campbell, and music by 18 different writers, each song is a journey... full of humor, sorrow, joy, and love. We could not be prouder of the work of director and choreographer Derek Van Barham, our pre-show entertainers Jonas Davidow and Tommy Thurston, and the entire production team.

Pride Films & Plays' next mainstage show is the Chicago premiere of Mark Campbell's musical revue Songs from an Unmade Bed, a love letter to gay men living in the city. Songs From An Unmade Bed is performed by Kevin Webb* and Jordan Phelps*, joined by understudies Jonas Davidow and Tommy Thurston on percussion, and is directed by Derek Van Barham*, under the music direction of Robert Ollis*. Scroll down for a look at the cast!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cats' and 'Les Miserables' open in major suburban productions, a world premiere from Hershey Felder, a Chicago premiere from Pride Films And Plays, 'Carnival' spins, Harms and Scrofano feted, season announcements from Porchlight, Williams Street and Milwaukee Skylight, and more!

It's no ordinary cast! Dozens of competitors bid for roles in a professionally produced stage production of the hit musical comedy parody THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Bailiwick Chicago's annual Chicago Casting Auction. Now, they're ready to take the stage for six performances only, tonight, February 4 - 8, 2014 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 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. Sondheim shows 'Gypsy,' 'Road Show,' 'Passion' and 'Waltz,' plus Gambatese in Lyric's 'SOM,' NBC's follow-up, Lamont Dozier's show, Bailiwick's Casting Auction results, Chris and Aaron start a monthly variety show, and more!

It's no ordinary cast! Dozens of competitors bid for roles in a professionally produced stage production of the hit musical comedy parody THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Bailiwick Chicago's annual Chicago Casting Auction. Now, they're ready to take the stage for six performances only, February 4 - 8, 2014 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 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. 'Annie Get Your Gun' from LOW, '42nd Street' at the Paramount, the Mercury Theatre's season announcement, 'Dolly' and 'Young Frankenstein' in Oakbrook, a 'Carnival' in concert, a recap of the BIC spring tours and more!

Pride Films and Plays continues its 2013-14 season with Mark Campbell's theatrical song cycle Songs from an Unmade Bed. Directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Van Barham with music direction by ensemble member Robert Ollis, both Artistic Ensemble Members of PFP. The production will run March 29-April 27 at The Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N Lincoln Ave. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and tickets will go on sale on January 1, 2014. The press opening is Saturday, March 29 at 7:30pm.

Bailiwick Chicago will ring in the holidays with a diverse line-up of December events. First up, Resident Playwright Aaron Holland asks 'What's holding you back from being as fabulous as you could be?' in a staged reading of the coming-of-age tale PRINCESS MARY DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION, playing December 7 and December 8, 2013 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater. Then, celebrate the season with a throwback to the decade of The Beatles and Hair at A SEASON OF CHANGE: HOLIDAYS IN THE SIXTIES, a cabaret-style collection of songs from - and inspired by - the sixties, playing December 12 and December 19, 2013 at Davenports Piano Bar and Cabaret.

BroadwayWorld.com is proud once again to announce the nominations for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, Chicago's only comprehensive, fan-voted theater award now in its 4th fabulous year. And the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble leads the way, with a whopping 15 nominations overall, including 10 for its summer production of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman.' Chicago Shakespeare Theater is next overall, with 12 nods, spread out over an impressive 7 different productions, including 'Othello: The Remix,' 'Henry VII,' 'The School for Lies' and its Shakespeare in the Parks production of 'The Comedy of Errors,' nominated as Best Theatrical Event.

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for non-professionals to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production. Bailiwick Chicago Theater will be auctioning off more than 35 roles for this season's musical production, The Drowsy Chaperone, today, November 2, 2013 at the Dank Haus German American Cultural Center Grand Ballroom, 4740 N. Western Ave. 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 new works of music theater (at Victory Gardens, Writers' Theatre and the Goodman), Ben Vereen and Audra McDonald visit, plus 'Master Class,' a new cabaret revue, improvised Sondheim, a one-night 'Whistle' and more!

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for non-professionals to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production. Bailiwick Chicago Theater will be auctioning off more than 35 roles for this season's musical production, The Drowsy Chaperone, on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Dank Haus German American Cultural Center Grand Ballroom, 4740 N. Western Ave. in Chicago. THE CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, a silent auction, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails and a professional photo booth to ham it up! Doors open at 6 pm and the Live Auction Event begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the Live Auction, priced at $75, are available at www.castingauction.com.

Pride Films and Plays announced today that David Leeper, James Nedrud, Robert Ollis, and Raphael Schwartzman had joined the company as New Artistic Ensemble Members. Learn more about each new member below.

AND THE WINNER WASN'T III celebrates the great music of Broadway performed by the very best of Chicago's outstanding musical theater talent.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Directions for Restoring the Apparently Dead by Martin Casella was named the winner of the 2013 Great Gay Play Contest. In this lovely new drama, past and present collide when a straight man and gay man reconnect after life-shattering experiences.

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.

Running almost every Wednesday through Sunday between now and April 21, 2013, is a world premiere musical that is certainly worth seeing. It's "Under A Rainbow Flag," with book, music and lyrics by Chicagoan Leo Schwartz, and based on the recollections of the now 91-year-old Jon Phillips, living in retirement in Evanston and present on opening night. The show is running in the Profiles Theatre Main Stage space at 4139 N. Broadway, in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood, in the Uptown community area.

Based on the real-life story of a WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who lives in Evanston, Illinois), Under A Rainbow Flag is an high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on a transport train heading west from Chicago and about the choices they make during and after the war. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Pride Films and Plays' upcoming production below!

Based on the real-life story of a WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who lives in Evanston, Illinois), Under A Rainbow Flag is an high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on a transport train heading west from Chicago and about the choices they make during and after the war. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Pride Films and Plays' upcoming production below!