Sawyer Smith News

Two casts, one great show!

After a successful run at the Mercury Theatre, The Bardy Bunch: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady closed their doors on Sunday, October 23 to an excited crowd that included Bryan Cranston, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role in Breaking Bad. 'I loved the show! A really fun, foot-tapping time in the theater,' said Cranston. Scroll down for photos of the cast and creative team posing outside the theater with the Oscar-nominated actor!

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce the second extension for the Chicago premiere of the hit musical, now playing through January 15, 2017. Written and produced by the creative team behind "Baby Wants Candy" and "50 Shades! The Musical Parody," the sell-out show from Scotland begins as a group of friends gather for the season finale of "Game of Thrones," when they soon realize that one friend has never seen television show. Recounting plot highlights throughout all six seasons-including over 40 characters and 21 original songs-the production is a "hilarious ride that never slows down" (BuzzNews Chicago), detailing the highs and lows of the hit HBO series. Tickets ($36 - $59) for the extension go on sale Friday, October 14 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office by calling 773.935.6100 or visiting Ticketmaster.com.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce the second extension for the Chicago premiere of the hit musical, now playing through January 15, 2017.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce a one-night-only Halloween performance and costume contest onMonday, October 31. Audience members are encouraged to don their best Halloween attire and participate in a costume contest judged by cosplay group leaders from Geeks A Gogo, AllGeeks HQ and The Age of Geeks as well as the cast of "Thrones!." In search of the best costume this side of the Seven Kingdoms, attendees have a chance of winning more than $200 in prizes from local vendors such as Chicago Costume, Taboo Tabou, G Boutique and more. The Halloween performance of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" takes place on Monday, October 31 at 7:30pm. Tickets ($20) for the Halloween performance can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office by calling 773.935.6100 or visitingTicketmaster.com using the promo code COSPLY.

THE BARDY BUNCH: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, the musical parody by Stephen Garvey that gained cult status during its Off-Broadway run in 2014, runs in a limited engagement in Chicago, September 16 through November 20, at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. The show's all-star cast will portray the Brady and Partridge families, just after the ABC Network ceased airing their chronicles in 1974, in a blood-soaked, vengeance-fueled, lust-filled crossover episode of Shakespearean proportions. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

THE BARDY BUNCH: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, the musical parody by Stephen Garvey that gained cult status during its Off-Broadway run in 2014, is excited to announce casting for its limited engagement in Chicago, September 16 through November 27, at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. The show's all-star cast will portray the Brady and Partridge families, just after the ABC Network ceased airing their chronicles in 1974, in a blood-soaked, vengeance-fueled, lust-filled crossover episode of Shakespearean proportions.

Hold the door for "Thrones! The Musical Parody," returning to the Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago) September 15 following a successful start to performances earlier this summer. From the creative team behind "Baby Wants Candy" and "50 Shades! The Musical Parody," the fall run of the "Game of Thrones" send-up features 21 original songs and plot lines through Season 6 of the critical hit, performed by a Chicago-based ensemble including many of the actors from the summer preview run.

THE BARDY BUNCH: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, the musical parody by Stephen Garvey that gained cult status during its Off-Broadway run in 2014, is excited to announce casting for its limited engagement in Chicago, September 15 through November 27, at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" sweeps through the Windy City once again this fall at Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N Lincoln Ave) with a talented ensemble of Chicago up-and-comers bringing the "Game of Thrones" send-up to life. Under the direction of Hannah Todd, the cast of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" includes Caitlyn Cerza, Nick Druzbanski, Madeline Lauzon, Beau Nolen, Victoria Olivier and Christopher Ratliff. This all-Chicago cast combines comedic talents and "knockout vocal harmonies" (Chicago Reader) to bring all six seasons of the HBO hit to the stage, recounting the journey of well-known characters such as Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, the Stark family, Daenerys Targaryen and more. Performances for the fall run of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" begin September 15; tickets ($29-$59) are on sale now and can be purchased at ApolloChicago.com or by calling the box office at 773.935.6100. The press performance takes place on September 21. Headshots and imagery can be accessed here.

Hold the door for "Thrones! The Musical Parody," returning to the Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago) September 15 following a successful start to performances earlier this summer. From the creative team behind "Baby Wants Candy" and "50 Shades! The Musical Parody," the fall run of the "Game of Thrones" send-up features 21 original songs and plot lines through Season 6 of the critical hit, performed by a Chicago-based ensemble including many of the actors from the summer preview run.

THE BARDY BUNCH: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, the musical parody by Stephen Garvey that gained cult status during its Off-Broadway run in 2014, is excited to announce casting for its limited engagement in Chicago, September 15 through November 27, at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue.

This Summer, Winter is coming. "Thrones! The Musical Parody" arrives at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave) in July with its United States and Chicago preview, running July 21 through August 21. Scripted by members of the "Baby Wants Candy" and "50 Shades! The Musical Parody" creative team, "Thrones! The Musical Parody" debuted to completely sold-out performances in August 2015 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, followed by a sold-out, limited run at London's Leicester Square Theatre. Hailed as "darkly humorous and beautifully vulgar" (Edinburgh Festival Magazine) and "A resounding success!" (Sunday Times Scotland), the production features a Chicago-based cast and creative team in its run at the Apollo Theater.

"The Hairy Ape"- Eugene O'Neill's expressionist play presented in a stark, brutal and imaginative setting; "Byhalia, Mississippi"- a new work of southern love and forgiveness, and "Rent"- the musical update of "La Boheme" performed in a small storefront theatre, took home the most honors on Monday, June 6, at Park West during the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. 

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.

Mercury Theater Chicago presents the award winning musical comedy sensation THE PRODUCERS, running now through June 26, 2016. It is truly a "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production is led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the award winning musical comedy sensation THE PRODUCERS, from April 14 to June 26, 2016. It is truly a "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production will be led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography). Scroll down to see photos from the company's opening night celebration!

Kokandy Productions launches its 2016 season with the Chicago premiere of the dark 'mean teen' comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, from the award winning-team of creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde). Directed by James Beaudry, with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Sawyer Smith, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL will play now through April 24, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Click below to watch highlights from the show!