Roger Mueller News

WEST SIDE STORY is now officially the fastest-selling production in Drury Lane Theatre's 30 year history. The highly-anticipated musical runs now through March 29. 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. The Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production opens tonight, January 22, running through March 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production is currently in previews and opens January 22, running through March 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production previews tonight, January 15, opens January 22 and runs through March 22.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production previews tonight, January 15, opens January 22 and runs through March 22.

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 Celebration is tonight! Plus Drury Lane's 'West Side,' Mercury's 'Addams' and Theo's 'JCS,' premieres of 'Next Thing You Know' and 'Plastic Revolution,' a Barrel Of Monkeys musical and a staged reading from FWD, plus TV's 'Galavant' and 'Glee,' and more!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production previews January 15, opens January 22 and runs through March 22.

Goodman Theatre presents Brigadoon. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's legendary musical of Broadway's Golden Age, under director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, tells the enchanting tale of an 18th century Scottish village that appears every century for one day only -- and the complications that arise when it's discovered by two 20th century Americans. Book writer Brian Hill revisits the libretto for this production, while music director Roberta Duchak and an orchestra of 13 use new orchestrations to enhance Loewe's lilting score. Brigadoon runs June 27 to August 10 in the Albert Theatre. Check below for photos from 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. 'Brigadoon' and 'The Last Ship' bust their moves, 'Kinky Boots' and 'Jersey Boys' announce returns, midsummer closings loom, 'Marvelettes,' 'Spelling Bee' and 'Seussical' open, the new shows 'Jim And Dave' and 'Apes Of Wrath,' plus a noteworthy trio at Davenport's and more!

Between graduating from Syracuse University in 2005, and getting her Broadway break opposite Harry Connick, Jr., in 2011, Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller was a Chicago-based actress, following in the steps of her Evanston-based parents, Roger Mueller and Jill Shellabarger. And what a career she had in the Windy City!

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 latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

Casting is complete and rehearsals begin May 20 for Goodman Theatre's new production of Brigadoon-Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's big, beautiful and beguiling song and dance fantasy. Chicago director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, hailed as a "brilliant, insightful, mistress-of-grand-scale musicals" (Chicago Sun-Times) and named "2012 Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune, makes her Goodman debut. Brigadoon runs June 27 - August 3 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, July 7). Tickets ($25 - $93; subject to change) are on sale now, available atGoodmanTheatre.org/Brigadoon, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). JPMorgan Chase is the Major Corporate Sponsor. Allstate Insurance Company and PwC are Corporate Sponsor Partners. Towers Watson is the Opening Night Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner. A full performance calendar follows.

No more tap dancing around it. If you haven't checked out the new 'Better than Broadway' musical series at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, the company's upcoming revival of the quintessential song-and-tap-dance musical 42nd Street, directed by Rachel Rockwell, choreography by Tammy Mader, with music direction by Doug Peck, is the perfect excuse. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action 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. News about the 'Phantom' and 'Cinderella' tours, suburban theaters mount 'Cabaret,' 'Young Frankenstein,' 'Ring Of Fire' and more, plus 'A New Brain,' Hollis Resnik's Milwaukee turn as Judy, and more this month from Circle Theatre!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Davenport's serves up the holidays, Theo Ubique's January Cabaret Series, Kevin Cole on the Marvin Hamlisch PBS special, the Muellers make the 'Post,' BET announced rep, and a listing of Chicago shows to catch this week, plus the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards 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 next seven national tours to hit the Windy City (SEVEN!--and all before April), plus 'Fiddler On The Roof' at the Paramount, 'Barnum' at the Mercury, Ricky Ian Gordon at Northwestern and a twofer from the Mueller family!

Rounding out the Marriott Theatre's 2012 season, MY ONE AND ONLY features an incomparable Gershwin score and thrilling dance. This captivating musical romance previews November 7, opens Wednesday, November 14 and runs through January 6 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. MY ONE AND ONLY will be directed and choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader.

There's something so utterly intoxicating about a skilled tap dancer decked out in a spiffy tuxedo - top hat, tails, and all - commanding the audience's attention for a brilliantly exhausting routine. There's something even more so invigorating when a cast-full of local performers nail their respective, and original, routines. Many kudos are in order for Tammy Mader and her cast for their ability to bring such energy and skill to a dangerously saccharine show like My One and Only, currently running at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.