Rod Thomas News

Inspired by the blockbuster 1960 Roger Corman film, the monster musical hit LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS comes to Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, July 12 through August 19.

In case you missed it in the "Showtune Mosh Pit" column last week, here is my full listing of musical theater shows (plus three special concert events) happening in Chicago this summer. Click on the name of each show for a link to more information. And enjoy!

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 non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....

Inspired by the blockbuster 1960 Roger Corman film, the monster musical hit LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS comes to Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, July 12 through August 19. One of the longest-running musicals Off-Broadway, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS features a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's 'The Little Mermaid', 'Beauty and The Beast' and 'Aladdin'). Theatre at the Center's production, boasting glorious refurbishments of the plants from the original New York production, will be directed and choreographed by Stacey Flaster.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the actors after their opening night, April 19, performance of HAIRSPRAY, which recently opened at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. Check out the video below!

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, is presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, opening April 19 and running through June 17, 2012.

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, opens tonight at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, and runs through June 17, 2012. Check out production photos of the cast 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. 'Hairspray' at Oakbrook, two projects from Team StarKid, 'Rise Of The Numberless' from Bailiwick and New Colony, a new theater in Naperville, 'Bab Fab' and so much more!

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 2012.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. The latest on the big musicals in Aurora, Oakbrook, Munster and Lincolnshire, two retro-60s jukebox shows, season announcements from Porchlight, Boho, Chicago Shakes and Court, plus the Light Opera Works gala!

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 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. 'Kinky Boots' and 'The Jungle Book' try out, Sarah Siddons and Windy City host benefit concerts, new works from Josh Schmidt and more, the Leap Day connection plus 'Mansical!'

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) is now playing through April 8, 2012, and features a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) and featuring a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) and featuring a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

The Marriott Theatre gets a head start on holiday cheer with its production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS.

The Marriott Theatre gets a head start on holiday cheer with its production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Brent Barrett performs at Sidetrack, plus Halloween musicals like dueling 'Rocky's, Wildhorn's 'Dracula,' 'Musical Of The Living Dead' and more, plus the latest shows at the Drury Lane and the Marriott and two events with Seth Rudetsky!