Whitney Bashor News

It's a hot time for theatre in Chicago! Pre-Broadway engagements, remounts, premieres, and more fill the stages this summer and here are BroadwayWorld's top picks for the ones to look out for!

Prospect Theater Company is pleased to announce additional cast members for its 2015 annual gala, a Concert Evening Celebrating Women Making Musicals. This special one-night-only event will be held at The Times Center today, May 16 with an 8pm concert performance featuring Broadway and Prospect stars. The evening's program includes a diverse array of songs written or co-written by women, including encores of work from Prospect productions. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Prospect's ongoing mission to develop and produce new musical theater works by emerging artists.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Big Fish' bring us a taste of the heartland, 'Beaches' hopes to follow 'Amazing Grace' on the journey from here to New York, and Gorilla Tango and MCL Chicago open new improv-based musicals. Plus the return of 'WOZ,' Stephen Sondheim honored by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and Tommy Tune to be feted by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project! Plus Waa-Mu honors Bernie.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Elaine Paige's goodbye concert screens stateside, McQUEEN with GLEE's Dianna Agron starts in London, CABARET begins in D.C. and more!

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) have announced the cast for the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Previewing June 24, opening on July 2nd and running through August 16, 2015, the original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by David Austin and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The production is directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet).

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show?  54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event: 

Prospect Theater Company is pleased to announce additional cast members for its 2015 annual gala, a Concert Evening Celebrating Women Making Musicals. This special one-night-only event will be held at The Times Center on Saturday, May 16 with an 8pm concert performance featuring Broadway and Prospect stars. The evening's program includes a diverse array of songs written or co-written by women, including encores of work from Prospect productions. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Prospect's ongoing mission to develop and produce new musical theater works by emerging artists.

The Actors' Equity Foundation's 2015 Clarence Derwent Awards for most promising female and male performers on the New York metropolitan scene have gone to Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) and Josh Grisetti (It Shoulda Been You). 

On last night's TONIGHT SHOW, guest Jesse Tyler Ferguson talked to Jimmy about starring in The Tempest at Shakespeare in the Park in New York City.

This May and June, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

The entire cast is now set for the special invitational presentation of Kurt Vonnegut's SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, a new musical, today, April 7th at 3 PM at the Snapple Theater Center (50th Street at Broadway). Music for SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE is by Jed Feuer (THE BIG BANG, EATING RAOUL), with book & lyrics by Adele Ahronheim (THE WILD SWANS, THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER). The presentation will be directed by Gabriel Barre (AMAZING GRACE, Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, JOHN & JEN).

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Liz Callaway, Caissie Levy and more welcomed Gavin Creel back to the U.S. (and to The Book of Mormon on Broadway) after his award-winning performance in The Book of Mormon on London's West End by performing songs Gavin has written, recorded, or loved in this one-night-only concert at Joe's Pub on March 30th at 9:30pm. The show was previously scheduled for earlier this year. Check out photos below!

The entire cast is now set for the special invitational presentation of Kurt Vonnegut's SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, a new musical, this Tuesday, April 7th at 3 PM at the Snapple Theater Center (50th Street at Broadway).

A special invitational presentation of Kurt Vonnegut's SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, a new musical, is set for next Tuesday, April 7th at 3 PM at the Snapple Theater Center (50th Street at Broadway). Music for SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE is by Jed Feuer, with book & lyrics by Adele Ahronheim. The presentation will be directed by Gabriel Barre.

Join Celia Keenan-Bolger (The Glass Menagerie, Peter and the Starcatcher), Liz Callaway (The Look of Love, Baby), Caissie Levy (LES MISERABLES, Ghost), and more as they welcome Gavin Creel back to the U.S. (and to The Book of Mormon on Broadway) after his award-winning performance in The Book of Mormon on London's West End by performing songs Gavin has written, recorded, or loved in this one-night-only concert at Joe's Pub tonight, March 30th at 9:30pm.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its nightly performances running today, March 25 - April 5, 2015. Details below!

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its nightly performances running March 25 - April 5, 2015. Details below!

On Wednesday, March 25th, Gavin Creel, currently starring as Elder Price in Book of Mormon on Broadway, will take over the Instagram account of Joe's Pub to celebrate his upcoming one-night-only benefit concert Make Some Noise on March 30th at Joe's Pub (joespub.com for tickets). Expect great photos and videos, like the original one Gavin created exclusively for the even below!

The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the 2015 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, beginning Wednesday, May 27 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This summer will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in THE TEMPEST, along with Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe teaming up again with Daniel Sullivan on CYMBELINE to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.