Sharriese Hamilton News

Porchlight Music Theatre's production of the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder has been extended through Saturday, March 16  at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder stars Matt Crowle and features music by Stephen Lutvak, lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, and a Tony Award-winning book by Robert L. Freedman, is directed and choreographed by Stephen Schellhardt and music directed by Andra Velis Simon.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season continues with 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, January 25 - March 10, 2019 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Porchlight Music Theatre welcomed a sold out crowd at the 13th Annual Chicago Sings concert fundraiser; Chicago Sings The MGM Musicals, held Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., at Second City's UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, direction by Keely Vasquez, music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Beckie Menzie, stage management by Jake Allen Miller and sound design Robert Hornbostel. Monday's event was the company's most successful Chicago Sings to date. Sales from this one-night-only performance benefit Porchlight Music Theatre's youth educational and community outreach programming raising more than $54,000.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the 13th Annual Chicago Sings concert; Chicago Sings The MGM Musicals, Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., at Second City's UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, directed by Keely Vasquez and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Beckie Menzie.

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.

Porchlight Music Theatre opened Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song last night at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. They're Playing Our Song features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and starring Lorenzo Rush Jr and Sharriese Hamilton. 

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.

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35.

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber that discusses the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to They're Playing Our Song and subscriptions for the entire series are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

Porchlight Music Theatre continues its fifth season of Chicago's lost musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, starring Sharriese Hamilton and James Earl Jones II, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber that discusses the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to They're Playing Our Song and subscriptions for the entire series are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

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.

Experience one prince's journey to save his beautiful princess with Marc Robin's musical adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, SLEEPING BEAUTY, brought to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 10 through December 30, 2017, with a press opening on Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with unconventional personalities, broken rules, and quests aplenty, this colorful, musical fairy tale will be directed and choreographed by Scott Weinstein.

Chicago theatre talent comes together for Unidos: Puerto Rico Benefit Concert. This one-night-only charity event will be held at 8:00pm on Monday October 30, 2017 at Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway St in Chicago. All proceeds will help aid hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico through the Hispanic Federation.

Experience one prince's journey to save his beautiful princess with Marc Robin's musical adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, SLEEPING BEAUTY, brought to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 10 through December 30, 2017, with a press opening on Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with unconventional personalities, broken rules, and quests aplenty, this colorful, musical fairy tale will be directed and Scott Weinstein (Marriott Theatre: Cinderella After the Ball, The Princess & the Pea; Griffin Theatre: Ragtime, Bat Boy; Drury Lane: Rock of Ages).

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the regional premiere of the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, directed by Scott Weinstein and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons. Rock of Ages runs now through October 15, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening was held on September 7, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Drury Lane Theatre presents the regional premiere of the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, directed by Scott Weinstein and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons. Rock of Ages runs now through October 15, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is tonight, September 7, 2017, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the regional premiere of the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and directed by Scott Weinstein. Rock of Ages runs August 24 - October 15, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Today, September 7, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the regional premiere of the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and directed by Scott Weinstein. Rock of Ages runs August 24 - October 15, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Thursday, September 7, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final production in the fourth season of Chicago's hit "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, music by Burton Lane, book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and based on the book Berkeley Square by John L. Balderston with direction by Lili-Anne Brown, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and starring Sharriese Hamilton and Karl Hamilton. Porchlight Revisits On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, May 9 through Thursday, May 11 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Marry Me a Little (previews begin Friday, April 14) at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Weber that discusses that evening's production including the show's creative history, backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252.