Sharriese Hamilton News

Join legendary composer Paul Williams and the puppeteers of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas for a post-show talkback on Friday, December 8 at Chicago's Studebaker Theater.

What did our critic think of EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS IS A GIFT at Studebaker Theater?

The live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas” opens in Chicago on November 20, 2023 and plays through December 31, 2023, at the Studebaker Theater at the historic Fine Arts Building. See photos from the production below!

Get a first look at Goodman Theatre's production of The Nacirema Society, now on stage through October 15th.

It seems fitting that Goodman Theatre opens new Artistic Director Susan V. Booth’s inaugural season with THE NACIREMA SOCIETY, a play that’s about coming out to society. This Chicago premiere marks a continuation of Booth’s long-standing relationship with celebrated Black playwright Pearl Cleage. THE NACIREMA SOCIETY takes the form of an extended farce, following the incredibly wealthy Dunbar family in 1964 Montgomery, Alabama. In this light-hearted (if not always legitimately laugh-out-loud) comedic play, Cleage draws heavily from classic farce conventions. As the centennial event of matriarch Grace Dubose Dunbar’s beloved Nacirema Society, Montgomery’s organization for Black young women, dawns — and she awaits her own granddaughter Grace’s coming out — the antics become more and more heightened as family secrets come to light.

Casting for the live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas” is now set for the Chicago premiere production, November 14-December 31, 2023, at the Studebaker Theater. Learn more about the production here!

Goodman Theatre’s 2023/2024 Season—Susan V. Booth’s first to curate as new Artistic Director—begins with works by Pearl Cleage, Atlanta’s first Poet Laureate and Booth’s longtime creative collaborator and friend. Learn more about the cast here!

What did our critic think of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater? Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE is campy musical theater fun that pays homage to the 1953 “B-movie” from which it’s adapted. In the vein of musicals like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Blair and Kinosian lean into the source material’s ability to delight and amuse with a take-home message that’s clear as day—but the earnestness of the material is what allows it all to be delivered with a wink.

Porchlight Music Theatre’s 27th season continues with a staged reading of Clear, book, music and lyrics by Paul Oakley Stovall, and directed by Reneisha J. Jenkins and music directed by Austin Deadman, Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced that Jaye Ladymore has joined the company for the world premiere production of It Came From Outer Space, a new musical comedy based on the ‘50s cult classic sci-fi film from Universal Pictures.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 27th season continues with a staged reading of Clear, book, music and lyrics by Paul Oakley Stovall.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of It Came From Outer Space, a new musical comedy based on the ‘50s cult classic sci-fi film from Universal Pictures.

Come From Away is now in Chicago through March 6th, 2022. Watch as Nick Duckart who plays Kevin J and others talks about bringing a bit of Gander to the Windy City.

CAPA and PNC Broadway in Columbus are thrilled to present the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, at the Ohio Theatre February 8-13 for its Columbus debut. Tickets are on sale now.

When everyone was experiencing devastation on 9/11/2001, the town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada was accepting passengers from 38 planes full of people who had been detoured from their various destinations. Come From Away tells this true story. The musical follows the five days the “Come From Aways” stayed in Gander as they try and contact their loved ones and deal with the heartbreaking news that was happening in the states.

It is such an exciting time with Broadway reopened. I spent a day recently in New York City and the hustle and bustle of the theatre district reminded me of why I love the city and Broadway in particular. I have seen a measly 73 shows on Broadway or ones that are part of a Broadway tour and I have ranked them all in the order that I love/like them. One of those shows that has remained in the top 10 since I first witnessed its magical artistry is “Come From Away.” So, I jumped at the chance to see it again at the Van Wezel.

The National Tour of Come From Away has returned to the stage! The production returned at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN earlier this month.

The Tony and Olivier award-winning Come From Away is coming to the Van Wezel from Tuesday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Tickets are on sale now.

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall was lined with lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and the surrounding lawns were packed with thousands of people eagerly awaiting a performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. These outdoor theatergoers were gathered to see a free one-night-only concert production of the Tony-winning musical Come From Away, a work that invites us to process unthinkable tragedy through storytelling and song.

Ford's Theatre Society presented Come From Away: In Concert at the Lincoln Memorial, a free one-night-only concert presentation of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Come From Away on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, September 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.