Rod Thomas News

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences November 15 through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production starring Rod Thomas as "Francis", Scott Stratton as "Smudge", Frank J. Paul as "Jinx" and Jonathan Wagner as "Sparky". CBS Chicago's own Bill Kurtis also lends his celebrity voice for a special part in the production. Check out highlights of the show below.

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences November 15 through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The press performance will be November 18 at 7 p.m. Stuffed with such "Plaid-erized" Christmas standards as "Mr. Santa," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," PLAID TIDINGS is one holiday treat that is truly heaven-sent. Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production starring Rod Thomas as "Francis", Scott Stratton as "Smudge", Frank J. Paul as "Jinx" and Jonathan Wagner as "Sparky". CBS Chicago's own Bill Kurtis also lends his celebrity voice for a special part in the production.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miz' mania, a local 'Annie,' and holiday musicals galore: 'Schooner,' 'Jonathan Toomey,' 'We Three Lizas,' 'Gifts Of The Magi,' three 'Christmas Carols' and more!

The musical "Forever Plaid," created in 1990 by writer/director Stuart Ross and the late musical director/arranger James Raitt (cousin to John and Bonnie), was and is a perennially popular staple of regional theaters looking for a small-cast, upbeat and moving musical to satisfy audiences of a certain age (meaning my parents, and your grandparents).

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences now through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The production opened last night, November 18th. Check out photos from the celebration below!

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences now through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The press performance will be tomorrow, November 18 at 7 p.m. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, will play for Theatre at the Center audiences tonight, November 15 through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The press performance will be November 18 at 7 p.m. Stuffed with such "Plaid-erized" Christmas standards as "Mr. Santa," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," PLAID TIDINGS is described as 'one holiday treat that is truly heaven-sent.' Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production starring Rod Thomas as "Francis", Scott Stratton as "Smudge", Frank J. Paul as "Jinx" and Jonathan Wagner as "Sparky". CBS Chicago's own Bill Kurtis also lends his celebrity voice for a special part in the production.

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences November 15 through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The press performance will be November 18 at 7 p.m. Stuffed with such "Plaid-erized" Christmas standards as "Mr. Santa," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," PLAID TIDINGS is one holiday treat that is truly heaven-sent. Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production starring Rod Thomas as "Francis", Scott Stratton as "Smudge", Frank J. Paul as "Jinx" and Jonathan Wagner as "Sparky". CBS Chicago's own Bill Kurtis also lends his celebrity voice for a special part in the production.

The hilarious holiday musical sequel to the record-breaking FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS, will play for Theatre at the Center audiences November 15 through December 23 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The press performance will be November 18 at 7 p.m. Stuffed with such "Plaid-erized" Christmas standards as "Mr. Santa," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," PLAID TIDINGS is described as 'one holiday treat that is truly heaven-sent.' Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production starring Rod Thomas as "Francis", Scott Stratton as "Smudge", Frank J. Paul as "Jinx" and Jonathan Wagner as "Sparky". CBS Chicago's own Bill Kurtis also lends his celebrity voice for a special part in the production.

Last fall, Theatre Development Fund (TDF) piloted the new program, Autism Theatre Initiative, as part of TDF's Accessibility Programs (TAP), to make theatre accessible to children and adults on the autism spectrum, and their families. They presented the first-ever autism-friendly performance of a Broadway show at Disney's landmark The Lion King on October 2, 2011 and followed that up with an autism-friendly performance of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins on April 29, 2012. On September 30, the cast of The Lion King took part in another autism-friendly performance, and Rod Thomas, an actor in the show, wrote about the experience from his perspective. The full piece is as follows:

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

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, now through August 19. The show opened on July 15. Below, check out video interviews with the cast and creative team on opening night!

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, now through August 19. Theatre at the Center's production, boasting glorious refurbishments of the plants from the original New York production, is directed and choreographed by Stacey Flaster. The press performance was July 15. Check out photos from opening night below!

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, now through August 19. Check out the production in the photos below!

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, tonight, 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.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Divas on parade: Menzel, Cook, Hudson, Luker and Mazzie, plus the new year's offerings from Broadway In Chicago and local productions of 'Fame,' 'Little Shop' and more!....

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 Sidetrack all-time Top Ten list, Make Music Chicago, Chicago concerts by Chenoweth, Callaway, Mason, Menzel and Eder, two puppet musicals, 'Next Stop,' 'The Hunchback Variations' and more!