Sara Reinecke News

Paramount Theatre's production of LEGALLY BLONDE-THE MUSICAL lands the familiar tale of sorority-girl-turned-lawyer Elle Woods firmly in 2018, and it works well. Based on the 2001 movie, the musical premiered on Broadway in 2007, and, unlike some stage adaptations of beloved chick flicks, still resonates in today's post-Weinstein world. A strong female protagonist, working hard to achieve her goals, leaves behind toxic relationships and surrounds herself with people who believe in building each other up. While the narrative is empowering, LEGALLY BLONDE never lets the tone get too serious, with plenty of humor, larger-than-life characters, impressive dance numbers, and all the glitz, glam, and 'Omigod's that one would expect from the women of UCLA's Delta Nu.

Omigod! Omigod, you guys! Aurora's Paramount Theatre - Chicago's most decorated theater at the 2017 Jeff Awards, the most heavily subscribed theater in Chicago, and the second largest in the nation - is excited to kick off Chicago's 2018-19 theater season in high fashion with a new production of Legally Blonde.

Firebrand Theatre's production of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL makes a good deal of sense for the company to stage, especially as it's the first show directed by Artistic Director Harmony France. This outsized, comical musical focuses on three women navigating office politics in 1979 as they plot revenge against their company's sexist and outlandish CEO. With songs by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, 9 TO 5 is a fun romp of a musical with a bluegrass twinge and tons of laughs.

Following its critically acclaimed hit LIZZIE, Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to conclude its inaugural season with the musical comedy 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick, direction by Artistic Director Harmony France, music direction by Andra Velis-Simon and choreography by Kasey Alfonso.

Following its critically acclaimed hit LIZZIE, Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to conclude its inaugural season with the musical comedy 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick, direction by Artistic Director Harmony France, music direction by Andra Velis-Simon and choreography by Kasey Alfonso.

As its inaugural production LIZZIE enters its final two weeks of performances, Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce casting for the second and final production of its inaugural season, the musical comedy 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL, playing April 7 May 20, 2018 at The Den Theatre's Bookspan Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Firebrand is the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage.

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with 42nd Street, with music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin, book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, and original Broadway direction and dances by Gower Champion. 42nd Street is based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and was originally produced on Broadway by David Merrick. This production is directed by Michael Heitzman with choreography by Jared Grimes. 42nd Street runs now through January 7, 2018 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The show officially opened on November 5, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Daxton Bloomquist and Eric Geil aren't the only cast members 'coming home' to Kansas City to perform in Grease, but they are the only ones who left their missions to do so!

Daxton Bloomquist and Eric Geil aren't the only cast members 'coming home' to Kansas City to perform in Grease, but they are the only ones who left their missions to do so!

Daxton Bloomquist and Eric Geil aren't the only cast members 'coming home' to Kansas City to perform in Grease, but they are the only ones who left their missions to do so!

Dustin Rothbart and Danny Kapinos, Co-Artistic Directors, are excited to announce the formation of BLANK THEATRE COMPANY. Blank Theatre Company aims to present our audiences with work that is both timely & timeless.

BoHo Theatre is excited to announce a one-night only cabaret benefit on Tuesday, July 25, at Stage 773. This night of songs and stories will explore the idea of "The Odyssey Years," that period in life between leaving home or school and settling down into a permanent life, a time when young people are experimenting and searching for the person who they will eventually become.

Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to announce its inaugural season, featuring two fully-produced musicals. Firebrand's 2017-18 season kicks off this fall with the Chicago premiere of LIZZIE, a rock musical based on the true-life story of accused axe-murdereress Lizzie Borden. Directed by Victoria Bussert with music direction by Andra Velis-Simon, LIZZIE feature music by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-deMeyer and Tim Maner and book by Tim Maner.

BoHo Theatre begins its 2017 season with URINETOWN, Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis' satirical musical about corporate control, political greed, and the call of nature. In 2002, URINETOWN received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score. The production is directed by BoHo Artistic Associate Stephen Schellhardt. Previously at BoHo, Schellhardt assistant directed last season's FUGITIVE SONGS and choreographed the critically-acclaimed DOGFIGHT (Jeff Award nomination).

More than 60 million people in 40 countries on six different continents have reveled in Mamma Mia!, the iconic musical about love and friendship, of lost dreams and that last chance to make it right, all set to the music of ABBA, one of the most popular bands in the world. 

The Chicago Premiere of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition with CIRCLE THEATRE begins rehearsals this month. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and opens for press on Wednesday, March 23rd, running through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. More information on performance dates and times can be found at www.circletheatrechicago.org. A sneak peek of the cast can be found below!

CIRCLE THEATRE is thrilled to announce the full cast and creative team for its Chicago premiere production of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and will officially run Wednesday, March 23rd through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. Futher information on performance dates and times will be posted on Circle Theatre's official website at http://www.circletheatrechicago.org/current-season.html.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our very own Tony Award Viewing Party (you're invited), new takes on 'Hair' and 'Myths And Hymns,' tryouts of 'Amazing Grace' and 'On Your Feet!,' that reading of 'Bedknobs And Broomsticks,' Chicago originals 'Mister Kelly' and 'Caged Dames,' more film news, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and more!

Three Cat Productions announces the extension of the world premiere of 'Hang Your Hat at Mister Kelly's' book by Jarrin Davis, original music and arrangements by Gary Gimmestad, original lyrics by Rob Dorn, directed by Artistic Director Jason Paul Smith. The productions opened on April 25, 2014 and will be extended through May 24, 2014. Cast members include Jason Michael Hammond, Nicole Haskins, Todd Neal, Paul Pasulka, Sara Reinecke, and Demetrous White, Jr. Performances are held at the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Coach House Theater at 6205 N. Sheridan Road (Edgewater by Granville el stop on Red Line).

CPCC Summer Theatre to perform Tony Award-winning 'Hairspray' July 15-23 Troupe ends 2011 season with Tony Award-winning musical